School of Law PhD Programmes (PhD in Law, and PhD in Criminology)

The University of Sheffield prides itself on research-led critical thinking that aims to make an impact in the world. With our academics producing world class and internationally recognised research, The University of Sheffield has developed a reputation for research quality, and the School of Law's research is classed as world-leading and internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework, 2021). Central to the University's vibrant research environment is our large body of postgraduate research students. By supporting and engaging with our postgraduate research community, we encourage a friendly, productive and inclusive atmosphere.

The White Rose Social Sciences Doctoral Training Partnership, accredited by the Economic and Social Research Council in 2016, is a collaboration across the social sciences at the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield, York, Bradford, Sheffield Hallam, Hull, and Manchester Metropolitan. By combining the experience of the White Rose Universities (Leeds, Sheffield, and York) previously involved in the White Rose Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) with the new partners (Bradford, Sheffield Hallam, Hull, and Manchester Metropolitan), WRDTP delivers excellent supervision, first class discipline and cutting-edge interdisciplinary research and transferable skills training, and a world-class intellectual environment for postgraduate research students. It enables PhD students to participate in local, national and international networks of non-academic partners, opinion formers, policy makers, as well as leading academics. WRDTP aims to produce doctoral graduates with outstanding skills and flexibility, with the imagination to tackle the thorniest challenges confronting the social sciences.

School of Law.

Driven by cutting edge research that impacts on policy and practice in the legal, socio-legal and criminological fields, the University of Sheffield's School of Law is well respected and highly regarded amongst its peers. There is an outstanding depth of expertise in the department through our varied and diverse range of research activities.

Research is based around five main clusters: the Centre for Criminological Research, the Centre for the Study of Law in Society, the Institute of Commercial Law Studies, Sheffield Institute of Biotechnology Law and Ethics, and Sheffield Centre for International and European Law. Proposals for projects within these areas are welcomed. In addition, the school is keen to encourage those with innovative interdisciplinary proposals in related fields to apply; to see a full list of our research activities please check our webpages.

With research students coming from all over the world, there is a vibrant community here in the school. We value our students highly and recognise the important contribution they make, through taking an active role in our research centres and student-led research seminars and events. We are committed to excellent supervision, with academics placing a great deal of importance on the benefits of offering a strong support network. This is underpinned by dedicated PhD study space in the school and a host of top class facilities available to use across the University.

Funding Opportunities.

PhD study in the School attracts funding from a range of sources, including fully funded studentships from both the university and external bodies; these are competitive and subject to availability.

Find out more

White Rose Doctoral Training Partnerships

These scholarship awards include empirical socio-legal or criminology research projects and are awarded to UK and international students.

The White Rose Doctoral Training Partnerships - These scholarship awards include empirical socio-legal or criminology research projects and are awarded to UK and international students.

The White Rose College of the Arts & Humanities - These scholarship awards include doctrinal legal projects and are awarded to UK and international students.

Find out more

Please visit the website for further details and information on applying: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/law/phd-research/programme