PhD in Law

Program Overview

The Exeter Law School offers postgraduate research degrees in Law, Legal Practice, and MA by Research Law. Designed for those aspiring to academia or legal professions, these programs provide opportunities for independent research in diverse legal fields under esteemed faculty guidance. Graduates gain critical thinking, research, and analytical skills, valuable for careers in both academic and professional legal realms.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Law School at the University of Exeter offers a range of postgraduate research degrees in Law, including the MPhil/PhD Law, MPhil/PhD Legal Practice, and MA by Research Law. These programs are designed for students who wish to pursue a career in academia or the legal profession. The programs provide students with the opportunity to conduct independent research in an area of law that interests them. The Law School has a worldwide reputation for excellence in teaching and research, attracting academics, visiting lecturers, and students from across the globe.

Outline:

• MPhil/PhD Law: This program is designed for students who wish to undertake research into a legal issue that interests them.
The thesis must bring a new and original standpoint to the study of law either through the development of a novel doctrinal and/or theoretical perspective on the legal issue(s) under discussion and/or through empirical research that creates new insights into a legal issue. The PhD is assessed by thesis of a maximum 100,000 words and a viva voce examination. The MPhil is assessed by a dissertation of a maximum 60,000 words; in addition, you may be required to take a viva voce examination.
• MPhil/PhD Legal Practice: This program is designed for lawyers wishing to achieve academic recognition based on their professional profile and practical expertise.
The program is normally undertaken on a part-time basis alongside professional work. The degree of PhD in Legal Practice will be awarded on the basis of a portfolio of legal practice. The portfolio should be a minimum of 50,000 and a maximum of 100,000 words in length and comprise two parts: Part 1: an introduction to and summary of a case study (or up to three case studies) drawn from your professional legal work in litigation or any other appropriate area of practice (not exceeding 25 per cent of the total word length); Part 2: a reflective commentary analyzing the significance of the legal issues explore and critically assessing the implications and wider context of the professional work undertaken (at least 75 per cent of the total word length). To reflect the unique nature of the programme there is no standard period of study. A study plan will be tailored to suit your individual needs.
• MA by Research Law: This program has been developed to allow students to undertake a research project in an area that interests them, within a shorter timeframe than the MPhil or PhD.
The MbyRes programmes are 2 year full time and pro rata part time, i.e. There is no minimum registration period and students may complete their studies within a shorter time scale. The program is ideal if you wish to research an area of interest and is well suited for those in employment. The award of MA by Research is clear evidence to employers, whether academic or professional, of your ability to conduct independent research to produce original material within a prescribed timescale. It is also an appropriate route to a PhD and successful students have the option to transfer to an MPhil or PhD on completion.
• Structure: During the MA by Research program, students will complete a 15 credit compulsory module called Approaches to Research in Law.
The remainder of your credits will be awarded for a thesis, of a maximum 40,000 words in length. The core taught module of the programme is delivered in the first term, and any optional taught modules will be delivered in the first or second terms. The remaining time will be given over to your research and thesis which may be undertaken at a distance.

Assessment:

• MPhil/PhD Law: The PhD is assessed by thesis of a maximum 100,000 words and a viva voce examination.
The MPhil is assessed by a dissertation of a maximum 60,000 words; in addition, you may be required to take a viva voce examination.
• MPhil/PhD Legal Practice: The degree of PhD in Legal Practice will be awarded on the basis of a portfolio of legal practice.
The portfolio should be a minimum of 50,000 and a maximum of 100,000 words in length and comprise two parts: Part 1: an introduction to and summary of a case study (or up to three case studies) drawn from your professional legal work in litigation or any other appropriate area of practice (not exceeding 25 per cent of the total word length); Part 2: a reflective commentary analyzing the significance of the legal issues explore and critically assessing the implications and wider context of the professional work undertaken (at least 75 per cent of the total word length).
• MA by Research Law: The compulsory module, and any optional module you select, will be assessed in a variety of ways including reflective log, essay plan, essay, and formative assessment.
Your written thesis, of up to 40,000 words, will also be assessed via a viva voce examination.

Teaching:

• The taught components of the MA by Research program are delivered in small seminar groups where the emphasis is on students gaining skills and understanding, and where they are encouraged to express their own views.
• As a postgraduate research student, students will also be able to take advantage of the University's Effective Researcher Development Programme.

Careers:

• The award of MA by Research is clear evidence to employers, whether academic or professional, of your ability to conduct independent research to produce original material within a prescribed timescale.
• This research Masters could form the basis of an academic career, but, equally, enhance your prospects should you wish to follow a career in the legal profession.
• Students will benefit from the School's excellent links with members of the legal profession both regionally, nationally, and internationally.
• The School of Law has a superb reputation with graduate recruiters and graduates from the School of Law compete very successfully in the employment market.
• Every year the Careers and Employment Service holds an annual Law Careers Fair, attended by many legal firms that target the University’s graduates.

Other:

• The Law School's Network on Family Regulation and Society brings together University of Exeter Law staff leading a network in collaboration with the Universities of Bath, Bristol, and Cardiff.
Research themes of the network cover: Children's voices, Family justice, Money/property, Parenting, Protection, Relationships.
• The Centre for European Legal Studies is one of the UK’s earliest and most influential centres of its kind.
Research covers: European human rights law, EU security and defence, European constitutionalism, EU competition, commercial and corporate law, Cyber security law, European aspects of immigration and asylum law.
• The Law School has outstanding facilities, including recently developed learning spaces which emulate the look and feel of professional legal and business settings.
• The Law School includes the ‘Amory Law Wing’, a purpose-built technology-rich learning space which provides a highly professional environment for students.
The facilities include a custom-built Moot Court for simulated legal hearings and four large executive boardrooms designed to support group learning. The Moot Court and boardrooms are equipped with the latest technology, including high-spec video conferencing. The Amory Law Wing provides a professional atmosphere for students to work in virtual law firms, emphasizing the connections between a rigorous academic education and the world of professional work.
• The Lasok Law Library has moved to a new location within the Forum Library where students can enjoy the full advantages of the Forum building including 24/7 access to materials, a variety of study spaces, and other facilities.
• The Law Library holds over 40,000 volumes, including law reports and statutes from various jurisdictions, monographs, textbooks, and periodicals.
The library has a particularly strong collection of materials relating to European Union, French, and German Law, which is officially recognized by the European Commission as a European Documentation Centre.

Home: £4,786 full-time; £pro-rata part-time

International: £22,600 full-time