Fully Funded PhD in Law in UK
Law is one of the most sought-after courses in the arts and humanities department. It is the application of legal theories to real-life cases. Law or legal service can be applied in practically every area of our lives, from business to economics, politics to human rights, international relations, and even to trade and the environment. This cements the course as an industry leader and one of the biggest academic courses in the world today.
Law aims to guide the behavior of humans by making life fair and balanced through a set of rules and regulations to guide and protect us. This is a very interesting course, as it has to deal with human coexistence and the law guiding us. However, taking things to the next level academically can be a bit expensive, given all the finances, resources, and tools it takes to carry out law-related research and studies.
Students who already have a basic educational background in Law, either from a program or course, sometimes find it difficult to further their studies into Doctoral level education as the cost of study and research can be overwhelming.
Fortunately, there are several institutions and universities in the United Kingdom that provide a solution for this through fully funded PhD in Law programs. These programs serve as a support system to reward those who have the courage to take things further in the field of law and legal studies. This would cover tuition, research, and even teaching assistance, providing everything needed for a student to focus fully on academic and research excellence.
In this article, we will be discussing five institutions that offer fully funded PhD programs in law in the UK, providing guidelines for those who want to take things further with a PhD degree in law. These programs would provide you with everything you need to achieve your academic and research goals and excel in the field.
1. University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. It is located in Oxford, England, and was founded in the 12th century, with a long-standing reputation for academic excellence and groundbreaking research. The university is globally recognized for its rigorous programs, including its Faculty of Law, which is one of the best in the world.
Oxford’s law faculty is housed in the St. Cross Building, providing students access to world-class resources and one of the largest legal research libraries globally: the Bodleian Law Library. The university’s strategic location in Oxford, a city rich in history and intellectual vibrancy, offers students an inspiring environment in which to pursue their research.
The DPhil in Law (Doctor of Philosophy in Law) at Oxford is a research-intensive program designed to prepare students for high-level careers in academia, policy-making, and international legal practice. The program offers a fully funded scholarship under the Clarendon Fund and the AHRC (Arts and Humanities Research Council) funding scheme, covering tuition, living expenses, and additional research costs.
Application Deadline: December or January each year.
2. University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge, established in 1209, is another world-renowned institution located in Cambridge, England. With a rich academic tradition and a global reputation for excellence, Cambridge’s Faculty of Law is among the finest in legal education and research. The faculty is located in the David Williams Building, providing access to the renowned Squire Law Library and offering an intellectually stimulating atmosphere for legal scholars. The city of Cambridge itself is a hub of academic innovation, critical thinking, and dynamic collaboration.
Cambridge offers a PhD in Law, which is fully funded through various scholarships such as the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, the Hughes Hall PhD Scholarships, and the Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholars Programme. This funding covers tuition, a generous stipend, and additional research expenses.
3. London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
The prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) was founded in 1895 and is one of the world’s leading social science universities located in the heart of London. The LSE Law School is particularly well known for its emphasis on interdisciplinary legal studies, policy research, and real-world impact.
The campus is situated in Holborn, London, close to the UK’s legal and financial districts, giving students access to law firms, government institutions, and research centers. LSE offers a PhD in Law, fully funded through the LSE PhD Studentships and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Doctoral Training Program. This funding includes a full tuition waiver, an annual stipend, and additional research funding.
The PhD program at LSE provides opportunities for specialization in Human Rights and Constitutional Law, Financial and Corporate Law, Law and Artificial Intelligence, and Legal Theory and Philosophy. It provides a wide range of legal specialization for students and researchers.
Application Deadline: January each year.
4. University College London (UCL)
University College London, which is part of the renowned Russell Group, is one of the top law schools in the world located in London. Established in 1826, UCL is known for its commitment to cutting-edge research and innovation in legal studies. The UCL Faculty of Laws is situated in Bentham House and offers a vibrant research community and access to top-tier legal resources, including collaborations with international law firms, government bodies, and NGOs.
UCL offers a fully funded PhD in Law through the UCL Research Excellence Scholarship (RES) and the AHRC London Arts and Humanities Partnership. These scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses, and research-related costs. In this program, students can focus on various research areas like technology and law (cyber law, AI and law), international trade law, environmental and energy law, and criminal law and justice.
Application Deadline: February each year.
5. University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is one of Scotland’s most distinguished universities and a global leader in legal research. The Edinburgh Law School, located in the historic Old College, offers an excellent academic environment with access to one of the UK’s most extensive legal research libraries.
Edinburgh offers a PhD in Law, fully funded through the Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarship and the Carnegie PhD Scholarships. These funding schemes provide full tuition coverage, a competitive stipend, and financial support for research activities.
The program offers specializations in:
- International Human Rights Law
- Criminal and Immigration Law
- Commercial and Corporate Law
- Legal History and Comparative Law
Application Deadline: January each year.
These programs provide a great network for research, funding, access to resources, and plenty of opportunities for students and researchers to hit their academic, professional, and career goals with ease and comfort.
Disclaimer:
The term “fully funded” is used to address a financial aid package where a student’s educational expenses are being taken care of. This may include;
- Full tuition payment: The total cost of tuition has been waived.
- Stipend/ Salary: A pre-agreed allowance is given to the student to cover living costs and other expenses during the program.
However, It is important to note that this is totally dependent on several factors such as lifestyle, cost of living, location, and other financial needs. Sometimes, the term “fully funded” is used by some programs even though they don’t provide for all your financial needs, expecting that you see them through part-time work, intensional, or personal savings.
These programs usually expect students with fully funded offers to teach and conduct research while studying as part of the funding arrangement. It is also important to note that all universities offer full funding, and students should, therefore, explore financial aid opportunities from various schools (including less popular and well-known ones) in order to find the one that perfectly meets their financial needs.
