Entry requirements

Our normal entry requirement is a distinction in an LLM or equivalent qualification. If you do not meet this requirement, you may still be admitted where there is strong, alternative evidence of your suitability for our PhD programme. On the other hand, if you do meet this requirement, you should be aware that there is no guarantee of admission. We typically receive many more applications with an LLM average of 70 per cent or over than we have places available.

Months of entry

September

Course content

About the MPhil/PhD programme

LSE Law is the UK's pre-eminent research institution for law. Our academics are the authors of influential and often path-breaking scholarship, and many have globally leading reputations. As one of UK's largest law departments, with over 70 academic members of staff, LSE Law is well known for its interdisciplinary and contextual approaches to the study of law.

Our PhD Law programme offers the opportunity to undertake advanced legal research at one of the world's best law schools. Students in our PhD programme receive excellent training, and work under the supervision of leading scholars with strong international, comparative and interdisciplinary commitments. Our doctoral students become members of a lively academic community which is at the cutting-edge of legal scholarship and which plays a major role in the education of lawyers and law teachers from around the world.

Students in our PhD programme work under the supervision of two academics. We also provide specialised training for PhD students, both through our own training course and through courses run by other units of LSE, especially the Department of Methodology and the PhD Academy. PhD students are also welcome to attend any other LSE course, subject to the approval of the lecturer.

We aim to provide our PhD students with the opportunity to gain teaching experience, and also offer the opportunity to become involved with the organisation of mooting, academic conferences, pro bono work, and our working paper series. Each year two PhD students also serve as Masters advisers/PhD Representatives.

LSE Law School

LSE Law School is one of the world’s best schools. In the UK, it was ranked in the top 5 law schools overall by The Complete University Guide in 2022. In the QS World University rankings for 2021, the law school was ranked sixth (out of 200 worldwide). Our approach is to challenge existing ways of thinking, and seek to understand the causes of things. This has always been our mission at LSE Law School.

Closely linked to this innovative approach has been the exploration of new fields of study. Many important subjects were first taught and examined systematically from an academic perspective at LSE Law School. We pioneered the study of banking law, taxation law, civil litigation, company law, labour law, family law, aspects of welfare law, and studies of the legal system and the legal profession, and continue to be the leading thinkers in our field.

Information for international students

LSE is an international community, with over 140 nationalities represented amongst its student body. We celebrate this diversity through everything we do.

If you are applying to LSE from outside of the UK then take a look at our Information for International students.

Fees and funding

Fees

Every graduate student is charged a fee for their programme. Visit the website for more information about the fees.

Funding

The School recognises that the cost of living in London may be higher than in your home town or country, and we provide generous scholarships each year to home and overseas students.

LSE offers studentships to new PhD students in the form of LSE PhD Studentships, LSE ESRC Studentships, LAHP AHRC Studentships and LSE & III PhD Studentships on Analysing and Challenging Inequalities.

These awards are open to high calibre students of all nationalities studying across all research areas at the School.

Find out more about financial support.

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

  • MPhil/PhD
    full time
    36-48 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification

Course contact details

Name
Student Marketing, Recruitment and Study Abroad
Phone
+44 (0)20 7955 6613