The essential requirement of a PhD is the creation of new knowledge. Being a researcher means developing new ideas and improving understanding through the creation of new knowledge. Your research will inevitably build to some degree on the work and ideas of others, but as a presearch student you are expected to make an original contribution to knowledge in your discipline.
Law, Ph.D.
- AnytimeApplication Deadline
- 48 monthsDuration
- UnknownTuition Fee14850 GBP/yearTuition Fee4260 GBP/yearTuition Fee
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Overview
PhD students complete an independent research project under the guidance of a supervisory team. The research is normally completed over a maximum period of 3.0-3.5 years (full-time) or 6.0-6.5 years (part-time/distance learning).
A fourth year (full-time) or seventh year (part-time/distance learning) or the remaining part of this can be used to prepare the thesis for examination. The thesis should not normally exceed 80,000 words and must make an original contribution to knowledge and contain work of publishable quality. The thesis must then be defended in a viva voce (oral) examination before a degree can be awarded.
The research project is led by the research student. At Leicester, each of of our PhD and MPhil students has a supervisory team who are there to provide guidance and read and comment on draft work - but the ultimate responsibility for planning and managing the research project rests with the research student.
The research project is then written up as a thesis - usually of 50,000 to 80,000 words depending on the discipline. Again, responsibility for writing and submitting the thesis rests with the research student, but the supervisory team provide guidance and read and comment on draft chapters to help ensure the thesis is of an appropriate standard.
Finally, to be awarded a research degree research students must defend their thesis in a "viva voce" (spoken) examination. The viva voce examination is an intense and challenging experience, but we offer workshops and mock examinations to help our research students prepare and almost all research students who reach this stage go on to successfully complete their degree.
In the UK all higher education institutions are required to follow standards set by the national Quality Assurance Agency. They have produced a short guide on UK doctorate programmes and international applicants in particular may find this helpful in understanding what makes UK doctorates distinctive.
Detailed Programme Facts
- More details:
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Starting in
- Good news: You can apply for this programme anytime before its start date.
Always verify the dates on the programme website.
Deadline: ongoing
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- Programme intensity
You can choose to do this programme part-time or full-time.
Full-time- Full-time duration 48 months
- Average part-time duration 84 months
- Intensity Flexible
- Part-time variant Flexible
- Languages
- English
- Delivery mode Online
- Time flexibility Fully structured
- Attendance No Attendance
- Teacher support Continuous support with feedback on request
- Student interaction Individual work/assignments (with online group discussions), Online group works/assignments
- Time flexibility
Programme Structure
Research Areas
- Civil Justice and Criminal Justice Systems
- Commercial Law
- Criminal Law
- Employment Law
- European Union Law
- Family Law
- Healthcare Law
- Human Rights
- International Law
English Language Requirements
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Minimum required score:
90The TOEFL iBT ® measures your English-language abilities in an academic setting. The test has four sections (reading, listening, speaking, and writing), each with a score range of 0-30, for a total score range of 0-120.
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Minimum required score:
6.5The IELTS – or the International English Language Test System – tests your English-language abilities (writing, listening, speaking, and reading) on a scale of 1.00–9.00. The minimum IELTS score requirement refers to which Overall Band Score you received, which is your combined average score. Read more about IELTS.
Get a free IELTS practice test
Academic Requirements
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This programme does not recognise GRE® scores.
The GRE® General Test is a widely administered admissions test that measures the skills needed in today's graduate and business school programs worldwide. The GRE® General Test contains three sections - Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. Three scores are reported: a Verbal Reasoning score on a 130 - 170 score scale in one-point increments, a Quantitative Reasoning score on a 130 - 170 score scale in one-point increments, and an Analytical Writing score on a 0 - 6 score scale in half-point increments.
General Requirements
- Degree Certificates
- Two references
- Evidence of your English Language Proficiency
- Transcripts
- Fees
Tuition Fee
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International Applies to you
14850 GBP/yearTuition FeeBased on the original amount of 14850 GBP per year and a duration of 48 months. -
EU/EEA Applies to you
4260 GBP/yearTuition FeeBased on the original amount of 4260 GBP per year and a duration of 48 months.
We've labeled the tuition fee that applies to you because we think you are from and prefer over other currencies.
Funding
Employer sponsorship
Studying by distance learning gives a clear signal to employers that you are committed to developing your skills and knowledge. Your employer may be willing to fund all or part of your course if you are able to show the key benefits to their business. Some of these benefits are detailed below:
Distance learning allows you to develop your skills without taking time out of the workplace
You will be able to apply your new skills into your roles immediately
The skills you develop will include; complex problem solving; communication skills; creative and strategic thinking; time management; and decision making.
There are many different ways that your employer may provide support, from fully or partially paying your tuition fees to offering you study time or additional leave days. The form your sponsor will need to complete, together with further information can be found on our Finance Office website. If you are seeking, or have gained, sponsorship from your employer please mention this when you make your application.
ELCAS funding for members of the Armed Forces
We are an approved provider for the Ministry of Defence Enhanced Learning Credit Scheme (ELCAS) for armed forces personnel and all of our distance learning courses are available under this scheme.
If you are a current or former member of the UK armed forces then you may be eligible for ELCAS funding. Please check their website for full details or contact your Education Officer. If you are seeking, or have gained ELCAS funding, please mention this when you make your application.
Professional and Career Development Loans
Professional and Career Development Loans (CDLs) are offered by a consortium of major banks for students on vocational courses only.
You can borrow between £300 and £10,000 towards tuition and/or living expenses for a course over a period of up to two years study (three years if the course includes work experience). The bank will usually take between six weeks and three months to process your application - so make sure you apply well in advance.
The Skills Funding Agency will pay the interest on your Professional and Career Development Loan while you’re studying - and for one month after you’ve left your course.
For an application pack or for any enquiries relating to Professional and Career Development Loans, please call Next Step on 0800 100 900. Further information can be found on the Directgov website. If you are seeking, or have gained CDL funding, please mention this when you make your application.
Research Councils
Research Councils are public bodies which provide awards for postgraduate research study for students from the UK and fees only support for EU students. Each is responsible for a particular group of subject areas. Only the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) currently consider applications from individual students.
International (non-EU) funding
If you live outside the EU, try contacting your government's Ministry of Education for details of scholarships or loans. The British Council, the UK's international organisation for educational and cultural matters, has offices in 110 countries and can advise on sources of funding. You may want to visit Education UK’s section on scholarships for more information.
There also a number of charities and foundations you may want to consider contacting regarding funding. A few notable foundations are the Aga Khan Foundation, the African Educational Trust and the Said Foundation. A list of organisations can be found on the Postgraduate Studentships website.
USA
In the case of students from the USA, overseas distance learning programmes are no longer eligible for Federal loans or VA (Veterans Association) funding. Students may apply for loans from a private provider. One of the largest is SallieMae, and several of our former and existing students have used this route. There are, of course, many other providers of private loans for the purposes of education. Private loan companies usually require the education provider to have a 'Federal School Code': the University of Leicester’s code is G22291.
Studyportals Tip: Students can search online for independent or external scholarships that can help fund their studies. Check the scholarships to see whether you are eligible to apply. Many scholarships are either merit-based or needs-based.
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