Course summary
The Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (IALS) is a national academic institution serving all universities through its national legal research library. Its function is to promote, facilitate, and disseminate the results of advanced study and research in the discipline of law for the benefit of persons and institutions in the UK and abroad. Undertaking doctoral research at IALS will allow you to develop in-depth knowledge, while making a meaningful contribution to your chosen field. With guidance from our expert supervisors, you'll carry out extensive independent research culminating in a thesis of up to 100,000 words. The areas covered by the Institute’s expertise cover a broad range of law and policy. This degree presents the opportunity to gain expertise in your area of interest while also honing a range of transferable skills. On completing this course, you'll be well prepared for specialist career paths both within academia and beyond. The degree can be taken full time over three years (or a maximum of four) or part time over six years (or a maximum of eight). You will initially be registered for our MPhil and then, providing your progress has been satisfactory, be upgraded to our PhD programme. The primary activity of the PhD programme is the writing of a thesis of up to 100,000 words. There is no formal coursework, but you will be expected to undertake at least 30 days of research training, including attending our two week research methods in law training course. You are also encouraged to participate in the regular seminars held at the Institute during the academic year, as well as to participate in our three specialist research centres. After submission of the thesis, you will attend an oral examination, either in-person or virtually, conducted by two examiners drawn from a British or world university, who may suggest ways to improve and develop the final text. The Institute of Advanced Legal Studies offers doctoral research supervision in the following areas:
- Company Law
- Comparative Law
- Criminal Law and Evidence
- European Criminal Law
- Financial Crime
- Financial Services and Regulation Law
- Gender, Sexuality and Law
- Information Law and Policy
- Law and Society
- Legal Education
- Legislative Studies / Law Reform
- Public International Law
- Public Law and Regulation
How to apply
International applicants
Are you an international student? Find out more about everything you need to know from visas to qualifications and language requirements: https://www.sas.ac.uk/postgraduate-study/applying/international-students All students applying to the School of Advanced Study have a fee status assessment before they are made a formal offer to study. The assessment determines the level of tuition fees that the student will have to pay for their programme. This can be either the “lower” Home or the “higher” Overseas fee. Find out more about the fee statuses here: https://www.sas.ac.uk/postgraduate-study/fees-funding/fee-status
Entry requirements
The degree can be taken full time over three years (or a maximum of four) or part time over five years (or a maximum of six), with entry in either October or January. You'll initially be registered for our MPhil and then, providing your progress has been satisfactory, be upgraded to our PhD programme. The primary activity of the PhD programme is the writing of a thesis of up to 100,000 words. There is no formal coursework, but you will be expected to participate in a weekly seminar on Work in Progress and to present a paper every year from your second year onwards. In your first year you are required to attend a weekly class on Techniques of Scholarship. You're also encouraged to participate in the regular seminars held at the Institute during the academic year. After submission of the thesis, you will attend an oral examination conducted by an internal examiner, from the University of London, and an external examiner, normally from another British university. Graduates are awarded a University of London degree. Distance Learning The School of Advanced Study offers students with an appropriate topic and level of local resource the opportunity to undertake a PhD by distance learning. These students are required to attend our London campus at set intervals to complete an intensive research training module, for upgrade, and for the viva but will otherwise study at their own location. This option is available to UK, EU and international students on the same basis as our on-campus PhD programmes (three years full time, six years part time). Fees are the same as for our on-campus PhD programmes. Please note that not all institutes and supervisors offer this option, and that some topics are not appropriate to be studied this way. If you would like to be considered for our Research Degree programme via Distance Learning, please download and fill out the Research Degrees by Distance Learning form from our website, to attach to your online application.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Sponsorship information
Our students fund their studies in a variety of ways including scholarships, bursaries and fellowships, as well as government loans and postgraduate loans. Find out about funding opportunities available for this degree here: https://www.sas.ac.uk/postgraduate-study/fees-funding
Provider information
Institute of Advanced Legal Studies
Charles Clore House
17 Russell Square
London
WC1B 5DR
Course contact details
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