School of Law - Postgraduate Research in Law

The School's Profile:

The School of Law at the University of Reading is ranked 10th in the UK for research intensity, reflecting the volume and concentration of internationally-excellent research conducted across the whole of the School (Times Higher Education Subject Ranking on Intensity, 2014, based on its analysis of REF 2014 - Law). To complement the School's dynamic and thriving research culture, we welcome high quality applicants from all over the world to pursue research degrees.

Throughout your time in the School of Law you will work with international authorities in their fields and be part of a dynamic research community that thrives on challenging ideas and pioneering solutions to complex problems. Depending on your area of research, you will be able to collaborate with researchers across disciplines within the University.

More information can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/law/phd

Our Research Strengths:

Reflecting the breadth of expertise of our staff, the School offers PhD supervision in a wide range of areas, including both doctrinal and socio-legal work. Our staff's areas of expertise span the following themes:

Global Law at Reading (GLAR): The home of public international law, EU law and human rights law at Reading. Find out more about Global Law at Reading.

Centre for Commercial Law and Financial Regulation (CCLFR): Established in partnership with ICMA as the home of research in commercial, competition, company, corporate, financial and intellectual property law and legal issues relating to oil and gas and network industries. Find out more about the Centre for Commercial Law and Financial Regulation.

Law, Justice and Society (LJS): Exploring interactions between law, justice and society through the lens of diverse methodological and conceptual approaches. Find out more about Law, Justice and Society.

The School of Law and the Centre for Commercial Law and Financial Regulation at the University of Reading boast a thriving research community made up of established academic scholars, emerging young researchers and PhD students. It provides excellent guidance and support for PhD students, along with exciting career and personal development opportunities offered through the Graduate School. All PhD students undertake the Reading Researcher Development Programme and the School of Law offers a tailor-made research methods module for its PhD students.

Applicants with interests in the following areas are especially welcome: Public Law; Commercial Law, Criminal Justice & Criminology; European Law; Family Law; Human Rights; Legal History; Medical Law; Terrorism & Security; Gender & Sexuality; Race, Religion and Law.

Information on our research areas and expertise can be found at https://www.reading.ac.uk/law/phd/phd-opportunities

A range of UoR, AHRC and ESRC-funded studentships and bursaries are open to the School's PhD candidates.

How to Apply:

1. Ensure you meet the School of Law's entry requirements

2. Prepare a research proposal. See our guide to writing a PhD proposal

3. Submit your application using the University's online application system

Funding Opportunities:

The School of Law has an excellent track record of assisting students in securing funding for their PhD study. Many of our postgraduate research students receive funding either from the University or from external bodies including UK research councils and the Modern Law Review. More information on our funding opportunities are available here.

Upcoming event(s)

Online PhD research proposal writing and funding opportunities information session

The School of Law will be hosting an online PhD proposal writing and funding opportunities information session on Tuesday 1 November 2022 at 10.00-12.00 (UK GMT). It will cover advice on how to write a proposal, identifying supervisors at Reading and information on applying for funding from UKRI funding councils. If you have an idea for a PhD project at Reading, please let Elizabeth Wyeth (m.e.wyeth@reading.ac.uk) know and we will send a link to join the seminar nearer the time.