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LLM PhD Integrated Course, Eligibility, Admission, Syllabus, Subjects, Scope & Career Growth

  • What is LLM Ph.D.?

LLM Ph.D. is an integrated dual degree course. It combines postgraduate-level LLM and doctoral Ph.D. programmes. LLM PhD dual degree can be pursued by students who come from different academic backgrounds. It is one of the best ways to develop the right amount of knowledge in the field of law. As people are becoming aware of their legal rights and responsibilities, the demand for law courses has increased among students. There are numerous specialisations offered in law courses such as international business law, patent law, civil law , human rights law, corporate law , and labour law .

What is the LLM PhD Full Form?

Highlights - master of legislative law- doctor of philosophy (llm phd), llm phd fee structure, why choose llm phd, llm phd eligibility, skills required for llm phd degree, llm phd application process, llm phd cutoff, top law colleges accepting clat pg score, llm phd syllabus, llm phd specialisations, what after llm phd, careers opportunities after llm phd, top recruiters for llm phd, salary after llm phd, llm phd employing areas.

The LLM course can be completed in one year, and from then onwards, you can start your Ph.D . The PhD after LLM duration will be of three to four years. A lot of people consider LLM to be the degree that you need to do if you are looking to teach a student in college or if you want to pursue a Ph.D. You need to keep reading the article to know more about this integrated PhD after LLM programme.

LLM PhD stands for Master of Legislative Law- Doctor of Philosophy. The Ph.D. topic depends on what subjects you have chosen in your LLM. The Ph.D. in legal studies helps students understand the advanced legal system of the country and the different policies that come into play to make juridical decisions. A candidate who is applying for an LLM course must be keen to study law and the various niches that the law offers.

The fee structure of the LLM PhD integrated course is planned by the management authority of the academic institution. It may vary across colleges, depending on the facilities provided and previous academic records. The average LLM PhD fees range from Rs. 2 lakhs to Rs. 6.3 lakhs, based on the college choice.

The LLM PhD joint degree is suitable for all professionals. Whether you are a lawyer or a non-lawyer, it does not matter. LLM PhD dual degree is well recognised internationally and will stand the test of time. The masters of law are not only for lawyers who fight their cases in the courtroom. People in industrial business, academia, marketing, international diplomacy, and administration are some of the different opportunities in which you can kickstart your career with this master’s degree.

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Every institute has its own eligibility criteria for the integrated LLM PhD course. we have provided you with the basic LLM PhD eligibility that every law school demands from the students.

  • First, a student must have done a bachelor's in law or have some kind of degree in law, which could be either a BA LLB or BBA LLB from a recognised university or college.
  • Some colleges may have a higher minimum percentage when it comes to the admission process in LLM. But for most law schools, a minimum of 55 per cent of previous bachelors is required.
  • When it comes to the age limit, there is no specified age to take LLM courses in various colleges in the country. You only need to complete your graduation to pursue LLM.

For a person to pursue a PhD in law after LLM , one needs to have a good observational trait to look for even the smallest details. Also, they should be good at interpersonal skills and should be comfortable in running the debate. Below are some LLM PhD skills helpful to the students throughout the course.

Suppose you are interested in doing your LLM course along with a Ph.D. You need to make sure that you apply to all the top law schools that are present in the country. Also, when you are pursuing LLM, you need to take a specialisation in it. Below is the general LLM PhD application process followed at most colleges in India.

  • Candidates who want to get admission to the LLM course first need to appear for the national entrance exams. To get admission to the top law schools that the nation has to offer.
  • Once you have filled out the application form for the LLM course entrance test, you need to appear in the exam and score good marks. After the result is out, colleges will have their cut-off for the respective entrance exams, and you can apply for those colleges whose cut-off you have cleared.
  • After applying to college, you need to visit the campus for the final interview round, where the administration will ask you a general question and test your verbal skills.
  • Now, if you are selected for the college, you will start your LLM course and during those 12 months, you can choose the topic for your Ph.D. and submit a draft to the college.
  • Also, if you are interested in combining LLM courses along with a Ph.D., the whole admission process is the same. But, candidates also need to provide the working experience certificate, which needs to be off at least three to five years.

A cut-off is the minimum required score that determines the eligibility of candidates to offer enrollment in academic programmes. It is affected by three major factors: the number of candidates participating in the examination, the number of available seats, and the difficulty level of the examination. It is difficult to predict the LLM PhD cutoff, as it changes every year. Candidates are advised to check the college's websites for the publication of the LLM PhD cutoff.

The Common Law Admission Test-Postgraduate ( CLAT-PG) is an offline test at the national level that provides admission to various law-related courses. Across the country, there are many colleges and universities that accept CLAT-PG scores to provide admission. Below are some of the top colleges accepting CLAT PG scorecards.

There are several different LLM PhD subjects and specialisations, that you can choose when you are pursuing the course. Depending on your specialisation, the LLM PhD syllabus will be different for each course. Below is the LLM PhD curriculum which is followed at the Auro University, Surat .

LLM PhD dual degree course allows students to learn new different core subjects, which can help in building a good law career. Given below are some of the law specialisations which you should be looking for when you apply for the LLM PhD integrated course.

  • Business Law
  • Criminal Law
  • Human Rights
  • Taxation Law

There are a number of opportunities open up for you once you complete your LLM Ph.D. LLM courses will bring both respect and money into your life. There are a lot of public areas where the government needs an LLM course candidate to help them out. Graduates can work for the government as well as private organisations. Moreover, they can also open up their own consultancy or legal aid firm and become an entrepreneur. Pursuing a career as an academician is another choice you can opt for.

Given below, we have named some career options that you can choose after completing your LLM with an integrated Ph.D. Here is the list of LLM PhD career options that you can choose that can easily provide both social respect and a respectable annual salary.

Advocate :- You can have a great career both in India and abroad when it comes to becoming an advocate. You will be able to showcase your knowledge of Indian law. To succeed in this line, you need to have an astute for human behaviour and psychology.

Lawyer : A lawyer is a professional who practices law. He or she provided advice to clients on legal matters. He or she may advocate and represent clients in the courts. A lawyer interprets the legal terms to clients and interprets laws, rulings, and regulations for individuals and businesses. He or she conducts case studies and prepares legal documents.

Legal Advisor :- A legal consultant or legal advisor helps the company sign a legal contract with the new companies or with the new client. It requires you to have legitimate research, drafting, and research related to your company's projects.

Judge :- One of the highly reputed jobs in India can be taken up if you have completed your LLM PhD course. Surely you need to take an exam for that, but this course will help you prepare for it, and during the interview stage the postgraduate degree with a Ph.D. is going to help you pass the process with flying colours.

Several recruiters hire individuals with legal expertise directly through campus placements. These recruiters visit the campuses of premier law colleges like ICFAI Law School, Hyderabad , Saveetha University, Chennai , and RNB Global University, Bikaner . Some of the notable recruiters for LLM PhD courses are provided in the table below.

We have provided below the salary details based on the law career job profiles. The salary offered to LLM PhD graduates may vary depending on their job profile and area of law specialisation and the structure of the employing organisation.

Source: Payscale

An LLM PhD is a higher level of qualification in the field of legal studies. Successful LLM PhD graduates can become law professors and start teaching in law colleges and universities. They can either start working with NGOs, media houses, NPOs, legal firms, or in the court of law. Note that, specific employment areas depend on the individual's specialisation, preference, and experience.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

To get admission in LLM, you need to have a bachelor's in the same field, which is a legal study. You can get admission to LLM course postgraduate courses in some colleges. Still, top law schools require you to have previous experience in the field or a graduate degree.

Yes, when you enrol in an LLM course you have to choose a specialisation for your postgraduate. During this decision-making, you can choose criminal law, or family law as your specialisation. These will help you learn the core concepts of Indian law which will be beneficial for you in the long term when you need to represent your client in court. 

You need to have work experience in this field and your bachelors have to be related to legal studies in one way or the other. 

There are certain exceptions that can go beyond one year of the time period but mostly LLM course full-time programmes take one year to complete. Some schools do offer part-time and distance learning to their students so that LLM course can be done in two to three years depending on the law school. 

Yes. You will need three or more years to complete LLM Ph.D. In this programme, a student needs to choose a topic for the research and come up with the solution and thesis along with the published paper at the end of the final year to complete the programme. LLM course is a postgraduate degree in law. 

Yes, candidates can pursue an LLM PhD integrated course of four years. Note that, they must have a bachelor’s degree in law first.

Yes, you can apply for Ph.D. programme after one year of LLM, but make sure you have pursued LLM in full-time mode, otherwise, your application may not be considered.

Most colleges cover LLM PhD courses in four years, however, it can take up to five years as well, depending on the curriculum and specialisation.

The application process involves meeting educational requirements, appearing for an entrance exam (if any), and appearing for an interview.

No, there is no national-level exam for the LLM PhD integrated course.

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  • Using the LLM as a stepping stone to PhD study: How I came to PhD

phd after llm duration

By Luke Graham

My name is Luke Graham and I am coming towards the end of my second year of my PhD in the Law School at Lancaster University. I knew I wanted to do a PhD when I started getting really stuck into and enjoying my undergraduate dissertation a few years ago. I made this known to my dissertation supervisor Dr Amanda Cahill-Ripley and she really encouraged and guided me in the process of considering, and applying for, postgraduate study. After 3 years as an undergraduate I couldn’t afford to self-fund a PhD, and at the time the Government hadn’t yet extended the postgraduate loans to cover the cost of doing a PhD. So instead, I took advantage of the masters loan and studied a Masters degree to strengthen my chances of securing PhD funding from a Research Council.

Like my undergraduate degree, I studied for my Masters in the Law School. This was an incredible year for me. I was lucky enough to receive a number of opportunities to get involved with research projects and co-organise a conference alongside studying which gave me a firm footing. I applied for PhD funding to the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) with the support and guidance of the Law School’s ESRC liaison, Dr Gary Potter. That’s the thing about the Law School, you can really build positive relationships with the staff and they genuinely do want to help students succeed. I found out in the March of my Masters year that I had been awarded funding and I know that this was partly due to the support I received from staff in the Law School.

The Masters year really allowed me to focus my studies and I was able to do much of my work with my PhD in mind. This meant that I was able to hit the ground running when I started my PhD. Even so, the transition between the two was not what I had expected. For the first time I had no short-term concrete deadlines and I’d say it took me a term to adjust into a PhD mindset. One piece of advice I’d give to anybody starting a PhD who will be based in Lancaster is to make use of your office space. I’ve made my office my own and I’m productive there. For me, it’s so important to have a clear divide between my PhD work and my personal life. I do my best not to do any PhD work outside of my office.

I view my PhD as training for my future career. Whether I end up as an academic or not, I know that the opportunities which I’ve been fortunate to experience alongside researching and writing have equipped me with, and bolstered skills, that employers are looking for. Plus, I’ll be a Dr! As a PhD student I’ve been fortunate enough to teach undergraduate students and to act as a writing tutor in the LAWs Clinic. These were new challenges and ones which I have really enjoyed and I have also secured a teaching qualification. I’ve also accessed training in relation to my PhD, with one of the benefits of being here at Lancaster being the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) Research Training Programme.

I have been the representative for postgraduate research students in the Law School, sitting on the postgraduate committee. This has really allowed me to see how much work goes on behind the scenes to make the learning experience in the Law School as positive as possible for all students. As part of this role, I organised a writing retreat for the PhD students and the Law School funded this. The School regularly supports PhD student initiatives, for example the postgraduate conference that took place earlier this year (LINK).

Having studied for my undergraduate, Master’s and PhD at Lancaster, I have been here for 6 years now (almost all my adult life). I often say to people who ask me how I am not bored of being here yet, that taking on new challenges is the key to staying in any place for such a long time. Outside of studying, I’ve been fortunate enough to captain two different university sports teams, I’ve worked in Grizedale College as an Assistant Dean, I have undertaken research for staff in the Law School, and I even spent 15-months working in the student nightclub! The one thing all these experiences share is that I was working as part of great teams, and to me that’s incredibly important. So that would be my second piece of advice, find a sport or a society, find likeminded people, find something you love to do, and make sure it is separate to your studies. There's so much on offer at Lancaster it would be a real shame not to.

How many years PhD after LLM?

The average Ph. D. in Law program takes three to four years to finish and may take longer depending on if the students is enrolled part-time or full-time. A doctoral degree in law may also be earned alongside a Juris Doctorate as a dual degree program.

How many years is a PhD if you have a masters?

Is an llm a phd.

A Master of Laws (M.L. or LL. M.; Latin: Magister Legum or Legum Magister) is an advanced postgraduate academic degree , pursued by those either holding an undergraduate academic law degree, a professional law degree, or an undergraduate degree in a related subject.

Can a PhD take 2 years?

A select group of students complete their PhDs in two years , while a tiny number of elite students can get it done in 12 months. It's hard to overstate how rare and impressive this is, but it is always a possibility. The key to a fast-track PhD is building up a strong academic CV before you even start.

How many extra years does it take to get a PhD?

Some candidates can fast-track and finish in as few as two or three years, but many take up to six years or more . Factors to keep in mind include field of study, residency components, and whether a dissertation is required.

Bar Council of India - Rules 2020 || LLM Two Years? || PHD Admission || Legal Mentor

Can you finish PhD in 3 years?

Yes, it's possible only if you are regular with your research and completing the minimum requirements (articles and conference) required in your university within 3 years . You just have to be regular and active with the research work, otherwise it will get extended from three years to four years.

Can I do a PhD after Masters?

D. candidates begin doctoral programs after they have already obtained master's degrees , which means the time spent in grad school is a combination of the time spent pursuing a master's and the years invested in a doctorate.

At what age PhD is completed?

There no age limit for doing a PhD. The youngest person known to have earned a doctorate was 15 years old at graduation, whilst the oldest known person to have gained a PhD in the UK was 95 years old.

Can I complete PhD in 1 year?

Students can do Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in one year who failed in 1st Year, 2nd year or 3rd year of Degree . 4. Students who got Govt. job in their early age can also do Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in one year degree Program and get Single Sitting PhD Degree.

What's the fastest PhD?

The Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) is one of the quickest online doctoral programs that only take 2 years with 33 credits for completion. Another accelerated online doctorate program is Ph. D. in Education Management that can be completed in 2.5 years with 66-degree credits.

Is LLM necessary for PhD?

As a rule, an LLM is a precondition to admission to the PhD . Students without an LLM should apply to the Research LLM. If accepted, they can subsequently apply to advance to the PhD after their first year of study.

Can I do LLM and PhD together?

It combines postgraduate level LLM and doctoral Phd programme . LLM PhD dual degree can be pursued by students that come from different academic backgrounds. It is one of the best ways to develop the right amount of knowledge in the field of law.

What is PhD in law called?

LLD or Doctor of Law is a specialised law degree that is of three years duration. LLD programme includes course work and the maximum duration within which aspirants can complete this course is six years. Candidates can pursue LLD as a course if they have completed their LLM/ PhD in Law from a recognised University.

Which degree is higher than PhD?

The Doctor of Education is technically higher than the PhD.. It is longer and can require you to study more than one area of expertise in addition to doing the dissertation - longer credits, longer study, more costly.

Is PhD harder than Masters?

Not every STEM Master's program is going to be easier to get into than every PhD program, but on the whole they are easier . Universities are much more likely to take you if you're paying your own way (aka. a Masters) than if they have to fund you.

Can I do PhD after MBA?

Yes, one can do a PhD after MBA . There are Various Business Schools all over the world that offer PhD programs that can be pursued after an MBA. For the MBA itself, many schools require some years of work experience.

Can PhD be called Doctor?

A doctoral degree (PhD) is a degree that one earns after a master's degree. A PhD entitles a person to use the title doctor .

How many years PhD after Masters in India?

A PhD course is usually of three years duration and candidates need to complete the course within a maximum time span of five to six years . However, the course duration may vary from one institute to the other. Aspirants need to possess a master's degree to be eligible to pursue a PhD programme.

Which PhD is easiest to get?

  • Doctor of Education (EdD). ...
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). ...
  • Doctor of Theology (ThD). ...
  • Medical Doctorate (MD). ...
  • Doctor of Business Administration (DBA). ...
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

Can I start a PhD at 27?

Nope. There is literally no age limit in PhD . But most tend to start early. Also, remember that the average PhD age is rising due to increased competition.

Is 30 too old to start a PhD?

You may consider doing a PhD in your 30s as silly, but definitely, it is NOT. Though numerous people enroll in their PhD program before their 30s, or right after completing their undergraduate degree, it is quite normal to start a PhD in your 30s, and it is totally fine.

Can I start PhD at 35?

As long as the person is of sound mind, good health with the academic qualifications needed to start a PhD, age is not a factor . Actually, older students likely bring better time management skills with deeper questions to research.

How many years PhD in India?

(1) MPhil duration: Minimum two consecutive semesters or one year, and a maximum of four consecutive semesters or two years. (2) PhD duration: Minimum of three years, including course work, and a maximum of six years .

How long is PhD thesis?

How long should a PhD thesis be? PhD thesis lengths vary from subject to subject, but all are far longer than those for undergraduate or Masters degrees. Your university will usually set an upper limit – typically between 70,000 and 100,000 words , with most dissertations coming in at around 80,000 words.

How long is PhD after bachelors?

A PhD takes twice as long as a bachelor's degree to complete. The average student takes 8.2 years to slog through a PhD program and is 33 years old before earning that top diploma. By that age, most Americans with mere bachelor's degree are well into establishing themselves professionally. 2.

Open books on a wooden desk

DPhil in Law

  • Entry requirements
  • Funding and Costs

College preference

  • How to Apply

About the course

The Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) is the most prestigious of the Law Faculty's research degrees. It entails writing a thesis over a period of three, or at most four years (six to eight years for part-time students). 

All students will be admitted to Probationer Research Student (PRS) status in the first instance, and all students except those who have previously completed the faculty's MPhil in Law programme will undertake a course in legal research methods during the first year as a full-time student or in the first two years as a part-time student. This provides training in legal research methodology, but it will also expose you to the diversity of and intellectual challenges involved in legal scholarship and serves as a forum of peers in which you can discuss the methodological challenges involved in your own research. The course comprises seven compulsory two-hour seminars during Michaelmas term while in Hilary term, students must attend eight hours of seminars from a wider range of options, including seminars offered by other social sciences departments and the faculty’s Centres for Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies. Students must also attend the course conference at the start of Trinity term.

The Faculty can provide supervision for a wide range of different topics and a  list of completed doctorates gives a general sense of the breadth and depth of the research undertaken by its students.

A typical week for a student during their first two terms will involve attendance at a legal research training methodology class and perhaps participating in a discussion group (of which there are over 30) or auditing a BCL seminar that relates to their own research topic; apart from which they will be spending their time engaged in their own research. You will also meet with supervisors to discuss your work as explained in the supervision section below. After the third term (providing you transfer to full DPhil status) you may undertake fieldwork and research trips, depending on the nature of your research topics, and there may be opportunities to undertake paid research assistance or to teach undergraduate students.

If you are a part-time student, you will be required to be physically present in Oxford for a minimum of 30 days per year, normally coinciding with the full terms of the academic year, to be arranged with the agreement of your supervisor. You should expect to meet with your supervisor (either in person or, where available, online) up to nine times throughout the academic year, and in the first two terms, you will be required to undertake the legal research training methodology course (either in person or, where available, online).

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Law Faculty and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Law Faculty.

On admission as a research student, you will be assigned a supervisor with whom you should meet regularly to discuss your work and provide feedback and advice.  Students generally meet their supervisors nine times per year. For the DPhil, there is likely to be a greater concentration of meetings during the first two terms, while you are in the process of defining your research topic, and in the final stages leading up to submission of the completed thesis.

All students will be initially admitted to the status of Probationer Research Student (PRS). Within a maximum of four terms as a full-time PRS student (eight terms as a part-time PRS student), you will be expected to apply for, and achieve, transfer of status from Probationer Research Student to DPhil status by submitting a research outline and a substantial piece of written work. These are assessed by two members of the Law Faculty, who will also interview you about your work. This application is normally made by the third term for full-time students (sixth term for part-time students). A similar exercise then takes place between your sixth and ninth terms (twelfth and fifteenth terms for the part-time pathway) when you will apply for Confirmation of DPhil status.

After three or at most four years (no later than eight years for the part-time pathway), your thesis will be read by two examiners, who conduct an in-depth oral examination known as a viva voce. The thesis must make a significant and substantial contribution to its field. On the basis of the examiners’ report, you will either be awarded the DPhil (which may be subject to major or minor corrections) or referred back to make revisions to the thesis.

Graduate destinations

DPhil students will pursue a range of career paths after completion of the doctorate. Many will take up academic posts, or pursue postdoctoral research of one sort or another. Some will enter legal practice as solicitors, barristers, advocates, and judges; others will become legal advisors advising government departments, non-governmental organisations and private companies.

The University of Oxford has an excellent careers service with which the department has close ties. The Careers Service organises a number of events of specific interest to students wishing to pursue a career in law, and offers one-to-one advice from members of staff with knowledge and experience specific to the legal sector.

The Law Faculty has an extensive network of relationships within the legal profession and each year offers a number of talks and events run by law firms and barristers’ chambers.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made in circumstances of a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

Entry requirements for entry in 2024-25

Proven and potential academic excellence.

The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

Please be aware that any studentships that are linked to this course may have different or additional requirements and you should read any studentship information carefully before applying. 

Degree-level qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:

  • a first-class undergraduate degree with honours in law. Exceptionally, students with first-class honours in other subjects may be considered if the subject is relevant to the proposed area of research.

In the absence of an undergraduate degree in law, candidates may be admitted with a postgraduate diploma or master's qualification in law at distinction level.

Most students admitted to the programme have a previous master's qualification but this is not a formal requirement.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.7 out of 4.0.

If your degree is not from the UK or another country specified above, visit our International Qualifications page for guidance on the qualifications and grades that would usually be considered to meet the University’s minimum entry requirements.

GRE General Test scores

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience

  • Part-time applicants will also be expected to show evidence of the ability to commit time to study and, if applicable, an employer's commitment to make time available to study, to complete coursework, and attend course and University events and modules. Where appropriate, evidence should also be provided of permission to use employers’ data in the proposed research project.
  • Publications are not expected. They may, in certain circumstances, advantage an application but it is appreciated that the opportunity to publish may vary considerably depending on factors such as the stage the student has reached in their graduate career and the structure of the course(s) they have studied. Consequently, a lack of publications will not be assessed negatively.

English language proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University's  higher level . If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. The minimum scores required to meet the University's higher level are detailed in the table below.

*Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) † Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)

Your test must have been taken no more than two years before the start date of your course. Our Application Guide provides  further information about the English language test requirement .

Declaring extenuating circumstances

If your ability to meet the entry requirements has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (eg you were awarded an unclassified/ungraded degree) or any other exceptional personal circumstance (eg other illness or bereavement), please refer to the guidance on extenuating circumstances in the Application Guide for information about how to declare this so that your application can be considered appropriately.

You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the types of reference that are required in support of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Supporting documents

You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the supporting documents that are required as part of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Performance at interview

Interviews are not normally held as part of the admissions process.

How your application is assessed

Your application will be assessed purely on your proven and potential academic excellence and other entry requirements described under that heading.

References  and  supporting documents  submitted as part of your application, and your performance at interview (if interviews are held) will be considered as part of the assessment process. Whether or not you have secured funding will not be taken into consideration when your application is assessed.

An overview of the shortlisting and selection process is provided below. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide  more information about how applications are assessed . 

Shortlisting and selection

Students are considered for shortlisting and selected for admission without regard to age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief (including lack of belief), sex, sexual orientation, as well as other relevant circumstances including parental or caring responsibilities or social background. However, please note the following:

  • socio-economic information may be taken into account in the selection of applicants and award of scholarships for courses that are part of  the University’s pilot selection procedure  and for  scholarships aimed at under-represented groups ;
  • country of ordinary residence may be taken into account in the awarding of certain scholarships; and
  • protected characteristics may be taken into account during shortlisting for interview or the award of scholarships where the University has approved a positive action case under the Equality Act 2010.

Processing your data for shortlisting and selection

Information about  processing special category data for the purposes of positive action  and  using your data to assess your eligibility for funding , can be found in our Postgraduate Applicant Privacy Policy.

Admissions panels and assessors

All recommendations to admit a student involve the judgement of at least two members of the academic staff with relevant experience and expertise, and must also be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies or Admissions Committee (or equivalent within the department).

Admissions panels or committees will always include at least one member of academic staff who has undertaken appropriate training.

Other factors governing whether places can be offered

The following factors will also govern whether candidates can be offered places:

  • the ability of the University to provide the appropriate supervision for your studies, as outlined under the 'Supervision' heading in the  About  section of this page;
  • the ability of the University to provide appropriate support for your studies (eg through the provision of facilities, resources, teaching and/or research opportunities); and
  • minimum and maximum limits to the numbers of students who may be admitted to the University's taught and research programmes.

Offer conditions for successful applications

If you receive an offer of a place at Oxford, your offer will outline any conditions that you need to satisfy and any actions you need to take, together with any associated deadlines. These may include academic conditions, such as achieving a specific final grade in your current degree course. These conditions will usually depend on your individual academic circumstances and may vary between applicants. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide more information about offers and conditions . 

In addition to any academic conditions which are set, you will also be required to meet the following requirements:

Financial Declaration

If you are offered a place, you will be required to complete a  Financial Declaration  in order to meet your financial condition of admission.

Disclosure of criminal convictions

In accordance with the University’s obligations towards students and staff, we will ask you to declare any  relevant, unspent criminal convictions  before you can take up a place at Oxford.

The Law Faculty is fortunate to have outstanding library facilities provided by the Bodleian Law Library. As part of the Bodleian, the Law Library shares in all the advantages of being part of the largest university library in the country, including the receipt, under legal deposit legislation, of legal material published in the UK and Ireland. 

The Law Library offers the vast majority of its holdings - some 550,000 items - on open shelves across four floors. Selected low-use material is housed in a book storage facility and is retrievable within half a day. The library serves a large community of graduate readers and academics in their research requirements. The strength of the collection lies in the depth of its UK holdings, combined with extensive holdings for European and Commonwealth jurisdictions. In addition the library holds materials relating to international law, Roman law, and jurisprudence. To complement the paper collection, the Law Library provides a wide range of online legal resources. The Bodleian’s collection of Official Papers is also housed in the Law Library.

The library has 40 reader workstations, which provide access to the internet, legal databases, Microsoft Office applications and Endnote. There is a Graduate Reading Room, a large seminar room, two IT rooms and three small ‘discussion rooms’ for private study or group work. The wireless network extends throughout the library. The law librarians offer a range of classes and one-to-one sessions to support the specific research needs of graduate students.

Oxford’s Faculty of Law, one of the largest in the UK, offers you the opportunity to study alongside some of the best law graduates of your generation, under the direct supervision of some of the world’s leading legal scholars.

Oxford's reputation for master's-level legal education has few equals. All of the courses on offer involve intensive work to a very high academic standard, and the BCL and MJur are exceptional in their use of tutorials as a principal means of course delivery. Both of these programmes offer an extensive variety of options and the opportunity to specialise in certain fields or to select a diverse combination of courses. For those with more specialist interests, the faculty also offers the MSc in Law and Finance, the MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice, the MSc in Taxation, and the Postgraduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law and Practice, the MSc in Intellectual Property, and the MSc in International Human Rights Law (formerly known as the MSt in International Human Rights Law and offered by the Department of Continuing Education).

For its research students, the faculty offers a wider range of legal and interdisciplinary specialisms corresponding to the diverse interests of faculty members. For many research students the ultimate goal will be a DPhil, the Oxford term for a doctoral qualification, but the faculty also offers a one-year MPhil course which can either be taken in its own right or as a route into the DPhil. As a research student, you can expect to work closely with a specialist supervisor who will help you develop your ideas and pursue your thesis to a successful conclusion.

Research students play a central role in the intellectual life of the faculty, collaborating in numerous discussion groups and colloquia and participating in many BCL, MJur and MSc course seminars.

Centre for Criminology Pursuing an innovative programme of criminological research and delivering high quality education.

The Centre for Criminology is an independent unit of the University’s Faculty of Law. The centre is dedicated to pursuing an innovative programme of criminological research and to delivering high-quality graduate education in criminology. It has a vibrant programme of research, aimed principally at fostering and developing clusters of research activity around seven substantive areas:

  • security, rights and justice
  • penal culture, policy and practice
  • politics, legitimacy and criminal justice
  • crime and the family
  • psychology, criminal justice and law
  • victims and victimisation
  • criminal justice, citizenship and migration.

Members of the centre are committed to:

  • connecting criminological work to the broader concerns of the social sciences;
  • thinking comparatively about crime and punishment;
  • bringing together sociological and normative approaches to the analysis of crime and justice; and
  • working at the intersections between criminology and public policy.

These approaches to the study of crime and criminal justice inform teaching and doctoral supervision in the centre. They create an intellectually stimulating and collaborative environment to pursue your study in criminology.

Centre for Socio-Legal Studies At the forefront of multidisciplinary research into the nature and role of law in society.

The Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS) brings together scholars with diverse academic backgrounds and ambitions, who pursue their own research topics and are also encouraged to collaborate widely and develop multifaceted research programmes. Researchers address fundamental questions about the nature of law, its relations with morality, religion, and justice, and its role in regulation, government and community, the nature of rules and legalistic thought, the development of laws, legal systems and legal cultures, and the social character of the rule of law.

The CSLS welcomes students who wish to pursue research in any aspect of socio-legal studies, broadly defined. The centre's staff have a range of expertise in socio-legal research and methodologies and draw on a range of cognate fields, including anthropology, jurisprudence, political science, regulation studies, economics and sociology. Supervision can be offered in most areas of social-legal studies.

The CSLS has a community of around thirteen full-time research staff and thirty-three graduate research students. Links with leading scholars in Oxford’s Faculty of Law and throughout the University enhance the breadth of the centre’s research and the resources made available to students.

Courses offered by the faculty

View all courses   View taught courses View research courses

The University expects to be able to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across the collegiate University in 2024-25. You will be automatically considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships , if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by the relevant December or January deadline. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential. 

For further details about searching for funding as a graduate student visit our dedicated Funding pages, which contain information about how to apply for Oxford scholarships requiring an additional application, details of external funding, loan schemes and other funding sources.

Please ensure that you visit individual college websites for details of any college-specific funding opportunities using the links provided on our college pages or below:

Please note that not all the colleges listed above may accept students on this course. For details of those which do, please refer to the College preference section of this page.

Further information about funding opportunities for this course can be found on the faculty's website.

Annual fees for entry in 2024-25

Full-time study.

Further details about fee status eligibility can be found on the fee status webpage.

Part-time study

Information about course fees.

Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability (your fee liability is the length of time for which you are required to pay course fees). For courses lasting longer than one year, please be aware that fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on changes to fees and charges .

Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. Unless specified in the additional information section below, course fees do not cover your accommodation, residential costs or other living costs. They also don’t cover any additional costs and charges that are outlined in the additional information below.

Continuation charges

Following the period of fee liability , you may also be required to pay a University continuation charge and a college continuation charge. The University and college continuation charges are shown on the Continuation charges page.

Where can I find further information about fees?

The Fees and Funding  section of this website provides further information about course fees , including information about fee status and eligibility  and your length of fee liability .

Additional information

There are no compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees (or, after fee liability ends, continuation charges) and living costs. However, please note that, depending on your choice of research topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses, such as travel expenses, research expenses, and field trips. You will need to meet these additional costs, although you may be able to apply for small grants from your department and/or college to help you cover some of these expenses.

Please note that you are required to attend in Oxford for a minimum of 30 days each year, and you may incur additional travel and accommodation expenses for this. Also, depending on your choice of research topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur further additional expenses, such as travel and research expenses. You will need to meet these additional costs, although you may be able to apply for grants from the Faculty or your College to help you cover some of these expenses.

Living costs

In addition to your course fees, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.

For the 2024-25 academic year, the range of likely living costs for full-time study is between c. £1,345 and £1,955 for each month spent in Oxford. Full information, including a breakdown of likely living costs in Oxford for items such as food, accommodation and study costs, is available on our living costs page. The current economic climate and high national rate of inflation make it very hard to estimate potential changes to the cost of living over the next few years. When planning your finances for any future years of study in Oxford beyond 2024-25, it is suggested that you allow for potential increases in living expenses of around 5% each year – although this rate may vary depending on the national economic situation. UK inflationary increases will be kept under review and this page updated.

If you are studying part-time your living costs may vary depending on your personal circumstances but you must still ensure that you will have sufficient funding to meet these costs for the duration of your course.

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. Please note that ‘college’ and ‘colleges’ refers to all 43 of the University’s colleges, including those designated as societies and permanent private halls (PPHs). 

If you apply for a place on this course you will have the option to express a preference for one of the colleges listed below, or you can ask us to find a college for you. Before deciding, we suggest that you read our brief  introduction to the college system at Oxford  and our  advice about expressing a college preference . For some courses, the department may have provided some additional advice below to help you decide.

The following colleges accept students for full-time study on this course:

  • Balliol College
  • Blackfriars
  • Brasenose College
  • Campion Hall
  • Christ Church
  • Corpus Christi College
  • Exeter College
  • Green Templeton College
  • Harris Manchester College
  • Hertford College
  • Jesus College
  • Keble College
  • Lady Margaret Hall
  • Linacre College
  • Lincoln College
  • Magdalen College
  • Mansfield College
  • Merton College
  • New College
  • Oriel College
  • Pembroke College
  • The Queen's College
  • Regent's Park College
  • St Anne's College
  • St Antony's College
  • St Catherine's College
  • St Cross College
  • St Edmund Hall
  • St Hilda's College
  • St Hugh's College
  • St John's College
  • St Peter's College
  • Somerville College
  • Trinity College
  • University College
  • Wadham College
  • Wolfson College
  • Worcester College
  • Wycliffe Hall

The following colleges accept students for part-time study on this course:

Before you apply

Our  guide to getting started  provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

If it's important for you to have your application considered under a particular deadline – eg under a December or January deadline in order to be considered for Oxford scholarships – we recommend that you aim to complete and submit your application at least two weeks in advance . Check the deadlines on this page and the  information about deadlines and when to apply  in our Application Guide.

Application fee waivers

An application fee of £75 is payable per course application. Application fee waivers are available for the following applicants who meet the eligibility criteria:

  • applicants from low-income countries;
  • refugees and displaced persons; 
  • UK applicants from low-income backgrounds; and 
  • applicants who applied for our Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria.

You are encouraged to  check whether you're eligible for an application fee waiver  before you apply.

Readmission for current Oxford graduate taught students

If you're currently studying for an Oxford graduate taught course and apply to this course with no break in your studies, you may be eligible to apply to this course as a readmission applicant. The application fee will be waived for an eligible application of this type. Check whether you're eligible to apply for readmission .

Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?

You do not need to make contact with academic staff before you apply. However, it is suggested that you consult the  list of research and subject groups on the Law website  to check that your research interests fall within an area in which the Law Faculty has research expertise.

You may also wish to refer to the  list of academic staff  for details of individual Law Faculty members' research interests.

Completing your application

You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents . 

If any document does not meet the specification, including the stipulated word count, your application may be considered incomplete and not assessed by the academic department. Expand each section to show further details.

Proposed field and title of research project

Under the 'Field and title of research project' please enter your proposed field or area of research if this is known. If the department has advertised a specific research project that you would like to be considered for, please enter the project title here instead.

You should not use this field to type out a full research proposal. You will be able to upload your research supporting materials separately if they are required (as described below).

Proposed supervisor

If known, under 'Proposed supervisor name' enter the name of the academic(s) who you would like to supervise your research. Otherwise, leave this field blank.

Referees: Three overall, academic strongly preferred

Whilst you must register three referees, the department may start the assessment of your application if two of the three references are submitted by the course deadline and your application is otherwise complete. Please note that you may still be required to ensure your third referee supplies a reference for consideration.

Academic references are strongly preferred, but a professional reference will be accepted as long as you also provide two academic references. If you are currently completing a course at Oxford, then at least one reference must be from someone who has taught you on that course.

Your references will support intellectual ability, academic achievement and motivation.

Official transcript(s)

Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.

More information about the transcript requirement is available in the Application Guide.

A CV/résumé is compulsory for this course. Most applicants choose to submit a document of one to two pages highlighting their academic achievements and any relevant professional experience.

Research proposal: A maximum of 600 words

You should submit a detailed outline of your proposed research, written in English. The overall word count may exclude any bibliography or footnotes.

If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document.

This will be assessed for:

  • the coherence of the proposal
  • the originality of the project
  • evidence of motivation for and understanding of the proposed area of study
  • your ability to present a reasoned case in English
  • the feasibility of successfully completing the project in the time available for the course.

It will be normal for your ideas subsequently to change in some ways as you investigate the evidence and develop your project. You should nevertheless make the best effort you can to demonstrate the extent of your research question, sources and method at this moment.

Written work: One essay, a maximum of 2,000 words 

An academic essay or other writing sample from your most recent qualification, written in English, is required. This may be an extract from a longer piece - in such cases, the piece should be prefaced by a note which puts the work in context.

The work must be on a legal topic and written in English. The word count does not need to include any bibliography or footnotes.

This will be assessed for comprehensive understanding of the subject area; understanding of problems in the area; ability to construct and defend an argument; powers of analysis; and powers of expression.

Start or continue your application

You can start or return to an application using the relevant link below. As you complete the form, please  refer to the requirements above  and  consult our Application Guide for advice . You'll find the answers to most common queries in our FAQs.

Application Guide   Apply - Full time Apply - Part time

ADMISSION STATUS

Closed to applications for entry in 2024-25

Register to be notified via email when the next application cycle opens (for entry in 2025-26)

12:00 midday UK time on:

Friday 19 January 2024 Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships Final application deadline for entry in 2024-25

*Three-year average (applications for entry in 2021-22 to 2023-24)

Further information and enquiries

This course is offered by the Faculty of Law

  • Course page  and FAQs on the faculty's website
  • Funding information from the faculty
  • Academic and research staff
  • Faculty research
  • Social Sciences Division
  • Residence requirements for full-time courses
  • Postgraduate applicant privacy policy

Course-related enquiries

Advice about contacting the department can be found in the How to apply section of this page

✉ [email protected] ☎ +44 (0)1865 271496

Application-process enquiries

See the application guide

Visa eligibility for part-time study

We are unable to sponsor student visas for part-time study on this course. Part-time students may be able to attend on a visitor visa for short blocks of time only (and leave after each visit) and will need to remain based outside the UK.

LL.M. Tuition and Financial Aid

Apply to the Graduate Program

Financing LL.M. Study at Harvard Law School

A year in Harvard Law School’s LL.M. program is expensive. Tuition for the 2024-2025 academic year is $77,100; in addition, health insurance and health services fees, the LL.M. activities fee, dental insurance, the costs of housing, food, books and supplies, and personal and travel expenses for a single student come to at least $39,400, for a total of at least $116,500. For the 2024-2025 academic year, the standard budget for students with a spouse and/or children calls for at least another $16,000 in living expenses for the spouse and at least $8,400 for each child. (Note: Students who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens and intend on using the U.S. federal loan program will be subject to federal regulations, which include a budget formulated using the criteria set by the U.S. Department of Education. The budget information provided here is not intended to comply with such criteria.)

2024-2025 Academic Year Tuition & Fees – Estimated Budget

Financial Assistance from Harvard

All financial aid awards are primarily based on the applicant’s demonstrated financial need. Financial aid is offered in the form of both grants (scholarships) and loans. The average grant is approximately half of tuition; for a small number of students with particularly acute financial need, we are able to offer grants covering full tuition and a portion of living expenses. In addition to our grant funds, we are able to offer students with financial need access to educational loans. Everyone in the LL.M. class of 2023-2024 who demonstrated financial need received some form of aid, whether as grant, grant and loan, or loan only.

All applicants who wish to apply for financial aid should complete the online financial aid application. Because the processes for making admissions and financial aid decisions are completely separate, your application for financial aid will have no impact on your application for admission. In addition, given our funding limitations, prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to seek other sources of funds early in the application process.

Other Sources of Funds

Applicants seeking financial assistance should investigate funding sources in their home countries well in advance. Examples of such funding sources include employers, government agencies, and foundations. Applicants are encouraged to review this non-exhaustive list of outside funding opportunities . Loans from private lending institutions in the U.S. may also be available to international applicants.

The  United States Embassy  or consulate in an international applicant’s home country may have information on U.S. government grants under the  Fulbright program  and other information on fellowship opportunities. Applicants who are from certain countries or who meet certain specific criteria may be eligible for a number of scholarships administered by Harvard University’s  Committee on General Scholarships . Please note that many of these scholarships have their own application procedures and deadlines, and students must apply for some of these funds by contacting committees or agencies in their home countries.

In some cases it may be possible for students to undertake part-time paid employment on campus, e.g., working in the Law School Library or as research assistants for faculty members. Generally speaking, students can expect to earn up to a total of $3,500 over the course of the academic year in return for 6–8 hours of work per week. These positions cannot be arranged through the Graduate Program Office. Admitted applicants interested in such employment must seek out such positions after arrival at Harvard Law School. Off-campus employment during the year of study is not permitted for international students.

2023-2024 Financial Aid Facts

Everyone in the 2023-2024 LL.M. program who demonstrated financial need received some form of aid, whether as grant, grant and loan, or loan only.

  • Financial aid from Harvard Law School is based on demonstrated need
  • Typical financial aid award is part grant, part loan
  • Average grant – $37,000
  • Average loan – $27,500
  • 41% of 2023-24 LL.M.s received grants from other sources within Harvard University (e.g., Frank Knox Memorial Fellowships and Albert Sachs Scholarships) or non-Harvard sources (e.g., Fulbright scholarships)

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LL.M. Program

The degree of master of laws.

Yale Law School admits a limited number of graduate students each year to pursue one year of full-time study leading to the degree of Master of Laws (LL.M.). Admission is generally open only to those committed to a career in teaching law. The LL.M. program at Yale Law School is not designed to prepare students to take the New York State Bar Examination.

LL.M. students at Yale Law School enjoy small class sizes, the camaraderie of fellow LL.M. and J.D. students, and a close relationship with the  Yale Law School faculty . No uniform course of study is prescribed for LL.M. candidates. Courses are elective, and students are afforded considerable flexibility to tailor their studies to their interests. Subject to meeting degree requirements, LL.M. candidates are invited to use the resources of the Law School in whatever program of study will best prepare them for a career in research and teaching. They are also eligible to apply for support to present at national and international academic conferences.

Beyond the extraordinary academic opportunities at Yale Law School, our LL.M. students regularly and actively participate in many other aspects of student life at the Law School and across Yale University, including participating in a diversity of  student organizations  and attending a wide variety of co-curricular events and activities. The Graduate Programs Office also hosts a range of academic and social events for graduate students throughout the academic year—from, for instance, our Works in Progress Symposium, where students present their research to faculty and peers, and workshops on academic writing and publishing, to our winter and spring luncheons, a cruise around the Thimble Islands, and a visit to the historic Litchfield Law School, among others.

While small—the Law School typically enrolls around 25 LL.M. students each year—the LL.M. program at Yale Law School is truly global in its reach. Over the past four years, our LL.M. students have come from over 30 different countries. 

Financial aid is available to all of our LL.M. candidates and is based solely on need.  

At various times throughout the fall semester, the Graduate Programs office will conduct online webinars about the program. To learn more about the LL.M. program, sign-up for an informational webinar . 

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2020 and 2021 Graduate Programs alumni before their in-person ceremony in May 2022

2020 and 2021 Graduate Programs alumni celebrate in the YLS Courtyard with Assistant Dean Gordon Silverstein before their in-person ceremony in May 2022

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2022 Graduate Program degree candidates with Dean Heather K. Gerken in April 2022

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5 routes to getting a Doctorate

While most of those studying for a PhD take the PhD by thesis pathway, there are five viable routes to achieving a Doctorate, with both full-time and part-time options available

PhD by thesis

This is the most common means of getting a Doctorate. Over the three or four years of research at university, your PhD supervisor will support you as you aim to produce a thesis based on your research proposal .

A thesis is typically 60,000-90,000 words in length - although this can vary between institutions. For instance, the University of Glasgow's College of Social Sciences expects a thesis to be 70,000 to 100,000 words including references, bibliography and appendices, while the University of Cambridge has set an upper limit of 80,000 words.

Once completed, you'll need to defend your PhD thesis in front of a panel of examiners during your viva voce .

Doctorate by publication

This route involves submitting previously published work - such as books, book chapters and journal articles, which together form a coherent body of work and show evidence of an original contribution to a particular field of study.

The PhD by publication route is often taken by mid-career academics that haven't had the opportunity to undertake a standard Doctorate degree.

Generally, a minimum of five to eight published pieces are required, but this varies between institutions and depends on their length. The published work will be assessed to the same rigorous standards as a traditional PhD by thesis.

You must also provide a written supporting statement, which typically ranges from 5,000 to 15,000 words.

For instance, the University of Westminster asks for a commentary of 5,000 words (science and technology subjects) or 10,000 words (arts, social sciences and humanities). On the other hand, Queen Margaret University Edinburgh requires 12,000 to 15,000 words on the rationale and theoretical context for the portfolio of published work.

The work will then be presented to an academic committee. A supervisor will assist you with selecting which publications to submit, as well as guidance on the supporting statement.

Some universities accept only their own graduates for a PhD by publication, while others restrict this route to their academic staff. In general, you should have graduated from your first degree at least seven years ago to be eligible.

For example, The University of Manchester has published its own Guidance for the PhD By Published Work , with eligibility only extending to current members of staff.

Professional Doctorate

This type of Doctorate includes a significant taught component and a smaller research project, and is geared primarily towards current professionals in vocational sectors such as:

  • engineering and manufacturing
  • teaching and education .

Professional Doctorates are often taken on a part-time basis and can last between two and eight years. Like their standard PhD counterparts, they usually begin in October or January.

While you won't typically be looking to get an academic job , your research is expected to contribute to theory as well as professional practice. Projects often revolve around a real-life issue that affects your employer.

Several professional Doctorates, such as the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy), are accredited by a professional body - for instance, the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) and The British Psychological Society (BPS) - and may also lead to a professional qualification .

Common titles for graduates of professional Doctorate degrees include:

  • Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
  • Doctor of Education (EdD)
  • Doctor of Engineering (EngD)
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD).

Unlike many professional Doctorates, the EngD is typically offered as a full-time course and is aimed at young engineering graduates with little or no professional experience.

Integrated PhD

This four-year qualification, also known as the New Route PhD, involves studying a one-year research Masters degree (MRes) before progressing onto a three-year PhD.

Offered by a select number of universities across the UK, integrated PhDs are supported by the government and the British Council through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) .

Visit Research Council funding for further information on research and funding for different types of PhD.

The integrated PhD involves a combination of taught materials, practical experience and advanced research. This allows you to learn subject-specific methodologies, while building the transferable skills that will enable you to become a leader in your chosen profession.

Institutions can also develop personalised integrated PhD programmes to meet each student's needs. For example, universities may offer you the opportunity to gain a postgraduate certificate (PGCert) in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education - perfect if you're considering a career as a higher education lecturer .

Online/distance learning PhD

As PhDs are based primarily on independent research rather than time spent in lectures and seminars, distance learning has always been a viable route for many Doctoral students.

PhDs by distance learning offered by course providers such as The Open University are therefore a good option to consider if you've got family or work commitments or are an international student - as this gives you the chance to undertake Doctoral research without having to live close to your chosen institution. It's also a suitable mode of study if your subject requires you to be based in a specific location away from the university.

For the most part, you'll be in touch with your supervisor by phone, email or Skype/Zoom. You'll need to bear in mind that even if you opt for this form of research, you'll generally still need to attend university for one or two weeks of each academic year for meetings and to receive research skills training. Your final exam may be undertaken either face-to-face or virtually.

With online PhDs, you can usually register as a full or part-time student. The level of fees you pay varies between institutions - some charge the same as for a standard PhD while others offer a reduced rate.

Check that any funding you plan to apply for is available to distance learning students, as this isn't always the case.

Search for online/distance learning PhDs .

Find out more

  • Discover what is a PhD?
  • Sort out funding for postgraduate study .
  • Consider what to do after completing your PhD .

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MPhil/PhD Law

  • Graduate research
  • Department of Law
  • Application code M3ZL
  • Starting 2024
  • Home full-time: Closed
  • Overseas full-time: Closed
  • Location: Houghton Street, London

LSE Law is the UK's pre-eminent research institution for law. Our academics are the authors of influential and often path-breaking scholarship, and many have globally leading reputations. As one of UK's largest law departments, with over 70 academic members of staff, LSE Law is well known for its interdisciplinary and contextual approaches to the study of law.

Our PhD Law programme offers the opportunity to undertake advanced legal research at one of the world's best law schools. Students in our PhD programme receive excellent training, and work under the supervision of leading scholars with strong international, comparative and interdisciplinary commitments. Our doctoral students become members of a lively academic community which is at the cutting-edge of legal scholarship and which plays a major role in the education of lawyers and law teachers from around the world.

Students in our PhD programme work under the supervision of two academics. We also provide specialised training for PhD students, both through our own training course and through courses run by other units of LSE, especially the Department of Methodology and the PhD Academy. PhD students are also welcome to attend any other LSE course, subject to the approval of the lecturer. We aim to provide our PhD students with the opportunity to gain teaching experience, and also offer the opportunity to become involved with the organisation of mooting, academic conferences, pro bono work, and our working paper series. Each year two PhD students also serve as Masters advisers/PhD Representatives.

Programme details

For more information about tuition fees and entry requirements, see the fees and funding and assessing your application sections.

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements for mphil/phd law .

Our normal minimum entry requirement is a completed LLM degree or other masters-level qualification, awarded with an average mark of 70% (distinction/first class honours) or equivalent. Exceptionally, we may admit students who do not meet this requirement, where there is strong, alternative evidence of your suitability for our PhD programme.

Although we accept applications from students who have not yet completed their LLM or equivalent degree by the application deadline, we give priority within the admissions process to students who have already obtained the required grade by this date. Strong candidates who are currently completing their LLM/other masters degree may therefore wish to defer their application until they have received the requisite grade. Offers of admission and funding that are made to applicants who are currently undertaking their LLM/other masters degree are made on a “conditional” basis, meaning that the offer cannot be confirmed until the minimum entry requirement has been achieved. Conditional offers must be confirmed by the end of July of the year of entry at the latest. This means that current master students who will not have their final grades/transcript by the end of July (including students on the LSE LLM degree) are not eligible to apply to the PhD programme, unless they already hold another masters degree with the requisite grade.

It must be emphasised that meeting the minimum entry requirement does not guarantee entry. The PhD programme is heavily over-subscribed, meaning that the large majority of applicants who meet this requirement each year do not receive a place. We select students based on a variety of factors, including past academic performance, motivation for doctoral study, the viability of the applicant’s research proposal and its anticipated contribution to legal scholarship, the availability of suitable supervisors, and the diversity of the incoming PhD cohort, including diversity of subject-areas.

Research proposal

Your application should give us a clear idea of what you want to research and why.

You should state the general area in which you wish to undertake research, and provide a detailed outline of the specific questions you intend to investigate within that field. You should indicate the ways in which your proposed study would be a significant and original contribution to knowledge. You should identify the materials you expect to need, where you expect to find them, and the methods and/or framework of analysis you propose to use. Finally, you should explain how your proposed project is a good fit with other research work done within the Law School.

More detailed information on the admissions requirements for the programme, and guidance on what is required to form a successful research proposal is available in the LSE Law PhD programme FAQs page .

Competition for places at the School is high. This means that even if you meet our minimum entry requirement, this does not guarantee you an offer of admission. 

If you have studied or are studying outside of the UK then have a look at our  Information for International Students  to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

Assessing your application

We welcome applications from students whose proposed research projects complement the academic interests of members of staff at the School, and we recommend that you investigate staff research interests before applying. Applicants may wish to approach potential supervisors at the Law School to gauge their availability in a particular year and/or their willingness to supervise a specific research topic. However, you are not required to contact potential supervisors before applying, and doing so provides no advantage in the admissions process. If your application is successful, two academic members of staff will be appointed to supervise you.

We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on your application form, including your:

- academic achievement (including existing and pending qualifications) - statement of academic purpose - references - CV - outline research proposal - sample of written work.

See further information on supporting documents

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency. You do not need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE, but we recommend that you do.  See our English language requirements .

In most instances, we hold a brief interview with shortlisted applicants as part of the admissions process. This is typically conducted by an applicant’s potential supervisors, it takes place virtually (e.g. over Zoom), and it lasts about half an hour. The purpose of the interview is to further assess both the applicant’s motivation for doctoral study and the feasibility of the proposed research project. No preparation is required for the interview, although we recommend that you look over the material that you have submitted with your application beforehand.

When to apply

The application deadline for this programme is 1 December 2023 . To be considered for any LSE funding opportunity, you must have submitted your application and all supporting documents by the funding deadline. See the fees and funding section for more details. Candidates are responsible for ensuring that any necessary supporting materials (e.g. letters of reference sent by referees on their behalf) reach the LSE in good time, and are advised to start the admissions process as early as possible as a result.

Fees and funding

Every research student is charged a fee in line with the fee structure for their programme. The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover  living costs  or travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees 2024/25 for MPhil/PhD Law

Home students: £4,829 for the first year (provisional) Overseas students: £22,632 for the first year

The fee is likely to rise over subsequent years of the programme. The School charges home research students in line with the level of fee that the Research Councils recommend. The fees for overseas students are likely to rise in line with the assumed percentage increase in pay costs (i.e. 4 per cent per annum).

The Table of Fees shows the latest tuition amounts for all programmes offered by the School.

The amount of tuition fees you will need to pay, and any financial support you are eligible for, will depend on whether you are classified as a home or overseas student, otherwise known as your fee status. LSE assesses your fee status based on guidelines provided by the Department of Education.

Further information about fee status classification.

Scholarships, studentships and other funding

The School recognises that the  cost of living in London  may be higher than in your home town or country, and we provide generous scholarships each year to home and overseas students.

LSE Law School nonetheless aims to ensure that all students have adequate funding for their studies, typically through the award of an LSE PhD Studentship . A Studentship covers the cost of the student’s tuition fees and also provides a generous annual maintenance stipend (£23,000 for 2023/24). Studentships come with a teaching requirement of approximately 100 hours of classroom teaching to be completed over the course of the candidate’s PhD studies. The Law School also offers an annual personal research allowance of £1,000, and other benefits such as access to our PhD Field Work fund.

There is no separate application process for LSE PhD Studentships, as funding awards are considered alongside admission to the doctoral programme. All applicants must apply by the ordinary application deadline of 1 December 2023 .

In addition to our needs-based awards, LSE also makes available scholarships for students from specific regions of the world and awards for students studying specific subject areas.  Find out more about financial support.

External funding 

There may be other funding opportunities available through other organisations or governments and we recommend you investigate these options as well.

Further information

Fees and funding opportunities

Information for international students

LSE is an international community, with over 140 nationalities represented amongst its student body. We celebrate this diversity through everything we do.  

If you are applying to LSE from outside of the UK then take a look at our Information for International students . 

1) Take a note of the UK qualifications we require for your programme of interest (found in the ‘Entry requirements’ section of this page). 

2) Go to the International Students section of our website. 

3) Select your country. 

4) Select ‘Graduate entry requirements’ and scroll until you arrive at the information about your local/national qualification. Compare the stated UK entry requirements listed on this page with the local/national entry requirement listed on your country specific page.

Programme structure and courses

In addition to progressing with your research, you are expected to take the listed training and transferable skills courses. You may take courses in addition to those listed, and should discuss this with your supervisor. At the end of your first year (full-time), you will need to satisfy certain requirements and if you meet these, you will be retroactively upgraded to PhD status.

First year - Training courses

Doctoral Research Seminar (Compulsory) Equips students with the skills required to undertake advanced legal research. Law Department Seminar Series (Compulsory) One other relevant course: (Compulsory)

Second year - Training courses

Doctoral Research Seminar Series (Optional) PhD Seminar Series (Optional) Staff Seminar Series

Third year - Training courses

Doctoral Research Seminar Series (Optional) PhD seminar Series (Compulsory) Staff seminar Series (Optional)

Fourth year - Transferable skills courses

Doctoral Research Seminar Series (Optional) PhD Seminar Series (Optional) Staff Seminar Series (Optional)

You must note, however, that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.

You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. You should visit the School’s  Calendar , or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the   updated graduate course and programme information page ..

Supervision, progression and assessment

Supervision.

You will be assigned two supervisors who are specialists in your chosen research field, though not necessarily in your topic. 

Progression and assessment

Full-time PhD students must complete their doctorate within four years, and part-time students must complete it within eight years.

At the end of the first year (or, in the case of part-time students, second year), your progress is formally assessed. Successful completion of this assessment then sees you registered as a candidate for the PhD degree.  As part of this assessment (or ‘upgrade’) process, you will present your work-in-progress at our Upgrade Conference, attended by academic staff and PhD students. Third year doctoral students also give a seminar on their work-in-progress, again attended by academic staff and PhD students.

Student support and resources

We’re here to help and support you throughout your time at LSE, whether you need help with your academic studies, support with your welfare and wellbeing or simply to develop on a personal and professional level.

Whatever your query, big or small, there are a range of people you can speak to who will be happy to help.  

Department librarians   – they will be able to help you navigate the library and maximise its resources during your studies. 

Accommodation service  – they can offer advice on living in halls and offer guidance on private accommodation related queries.

Class teachers and seminar leaders  – they will be able to assist with queries relating to specific courses. 

Disability and Wellbeing Service  – they are experts in long-term health conditions, sensory impairments, mental health and specific learning difficulties. They offer confidential and free services such as  student counselling,  a  peer support scheme  and arranging  exam adjustments.  They run groups and workshops.  

IT help  – support is available 24 hours a day to assist with all your technology queries.   

LSE Faith Centre  – this is home to LSE's diverse religious activities and transformational interfaith leadership programmes, as well as a space for worship, prayer and quiet reflection. It includes Islamic prayer rooms and a main space for worship. It is also a space for wellbeing classes on campus and is open to all students and staff from all faiths and none.   

Language Centre  – the Centre specialises in offering language courses targeted to the needs of students and practitioners in the social sciences. We offer pre-course English for Academic Purposes programmes; English language support during your studies; modern language courses in nine languages; proofreading, translation and document authentication; and language learning community activities.

LSE Careers  ­ – with the help of LSE Careers, you can make the most of the opportunities that London has to offer. Whatever your career plans, LSE Careers will work with you, connecting you to opportunities and experiences from internships and volunteering to networking events and employer and alumni insights. 

LSE Library   –   founded in 1896, the British Library of Political and Economic Science is the major international library of the social sciences. It stays open late, has lots of excellent resources and is a great place to study. As an LSE student, you’ll have access to a number of other academic libraries in Greater London and nationwide. 

LSE LIFE  – this is where you should go to develop skills you’ll use as a student and beyond. The centre runs talks and workshops on skills you’ll find useful in the classroom; offers one-to-one sessions with study advisers who can help you with reading, making notes, writing, research and exam revision; and provides drop-in sessions for academic and personal support. (See ‘Teaching and assessment’). 

LSE Students’ Union (LSESU)  – they offer academic, personal and financial advice and funding.  

PhD Academy   – this is available for PhD students, wherever they are, to take part in interdisciplinary events and other professional development activities and access all the services related to their registration. 

Sardinia House Dental Practice   – this   offers discounted private dental services to LSE students.  

St Philips Medical Centre  – based in Pethwick-Lawrence House, the Centre provides NHS Primary Care services to registered patients.

Student Services Centre  – our staff here can answer general queries and can point you in the direction of other LSE services.  

Student advisers   – we have a  Deputy Head of Student Services (Advice and Policy)  and an  Adviser to Women Students  who can help with academic and pastoral matters.

Student life

As a student at LSE you’ll be based at our central London campus. Find out what our campus and London have to offer you on academic, social and career perspective. 

Student societies and activities

Your time at LSE is not just about studying, there are plenty of ways to get involved in  extracurricular activities . From joining one of over 200 societies, or starting your own society, to volunteering for a local charity, or attending a public lecture by a world-leading figure, there is a lot to choose from. 

The campus 

LSE is based on one  campus  in the centre of London. Despite the busy feel of the surrounding area, many of the streets around campus are pedestrianised, meaning the campus feels like a real community. 

Life in London 

London is an exciting, vibrant and colourful city. It's also an academic city, with more than 400,000 university students. Whatever your interests or appetite you will find something to suit your palate and pocket in this truly international capital. Make the most of career opportunities and social activities, theatre, museums, music and more. 

Want to find out more? Read why we think  London is a fantastic student city , find out about  key sights, places and experiences for new Londoners . Don't fear, London doesn't have to be super expensive: hear about  London on a budget . 

Quick Careers Facts for the Department of Law

Median salary of our PG students 15 months after graduating: £36,000

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

  • Law and Legal Services  
  • Government, Public Sector and Policy   
  • Accounting and Auditing              
  • Health and Social Care  
  • Education, Teaching and Research

The data was collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Graduates from 2020-21 were the fourth group to be asked to respond to Graduate Outcomes. Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and who were working in full-time employment.

Once completed, the majority of our students undertake academic appointments, whether as lecturers or post-doctoral researchers. The remainder have received tenancies in barristers’ chambers or work in law firms, or NGOs and consultancies. Over the last four years, our PhD graduates have been appointed to lectureships at universities that include London School of Economics, City, Cardiff, Durham, King’s College London, Birkbeck, Liverpool, Middlesex, Queen Mary, SOAS, Southampton, University College London, Warwick and York, and outside the UK at the Graduate Institute of International Studies (Geneva), University College Dublin, Victoria University (New Zealand), Queen’s University (Canada) and St Thomas University (Canada). Other graduates have been selected for post-doctoral fellowships at the London School of Economics. New York University, Humbolt University,  the European University Institute and the University of Haifa.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Support for your career

Many leading organisations give careers presentations at the School during the year, and LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search. Find out more about the  support available to students through LSE Careers .

Find out more about LSE

Discover more about being an LSE student - meet us in a city near you, visit our campus or experience LSE from home. 

Experience LSE from home

Webinars, videos, student blogs and student video diaries will help you gain an insight into what it's like to study at LSE for those that aren't able to make it to our campus.  Experience LSE from home . 

Come on a guided campus tour, attend an undergraduate open day, drop into our office or go on a self-guided tour.  Find out about opportunities to visit LSE . 

LSE visits you

Student Marketing, Recruitment and Study Abroad travels throughout the UK and around the world to meet with prospective students. We visit schools, attend education fairs and also hold Destination LSE events: pre-departure events for offer holders.  Find details on LSE's upcoming visits . 

How to apply

Virtual Graduate Open Day

Register your interest

Related programmes, mphil/phd international relations.

Code(s) M1ZR

LLM, Master of Laws

Code(s) M3U1, M3U4 (extended part-time – 48 months)

MRes/PhD Political Science

Code(s) M1ZN

MPhil/PhD Gender

Code(s) Y2ZG

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UCLA School of Law is the premier law school in Southern California and has a reputation throughout the world for excellence. The school uses an interdisciplinary approach to legal studies, with a dynamic, flexible curriculum that appeals to a range of interests, taught by leading scholars also seek to foster an encouraging and supportive learning environment. LL.M. students may specialize their studies in fields such as Business Law, International and Comparative Law, Media, Entertainment, and Technology Law and Policy Specialization, or Public Interest Law. Our lush, sprawling campus is ideally located in one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the city, just 15 minutes from the beach and five minutes from Beverly Hills. In addition to having what might be the best climate on earth, Los Angeles is a dynamic, cosmopolitan cultural center of more than 10 million people. To learn more about our LL.M. admissions requirements, application procedures, deadlines, and more, click here .

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The Ph.D (Law) programme offers candidates an opportunity to contribute to the academic field in their chosen areas of study. ​As a part of the programme, candidates are also provided an opportunity to teach or participate in ongoing research at NLSIU, in areas related to their dissertation, allowing for deeper integration with the NLSIU community and providing diverse feedback opportunities.

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Watch videos on the programme here .

Eligibility for Ph.D. (Law)

The following candidates shall be eligible to apply for the Ph.D. (Law) programme:

a) Candidates having a 5-year/ 10-semester/ 15-trimester bachelor’s degree programme in Law through regular mode from a recognized University having secured a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade on a point scale wherever the grading system is followed (70% of marks or its equivalent grade in case of SC/ST/OBC- NCL/Persons with Disability.)

b) Candidates having a 3-year/ 6-semester/ 9-trimester bachelor’s degree programme in Law (LL.B.) through regular mode from a recognized University having secured a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade on a point scale wherever the grading system is followed (70% of marks or its equivalent grade in case of SC/ST/OBC-NCL Persons with Disability); and

c) Candidates having a Masters in Law degree (LL.M.) through regular mode from a recognized University having secured an aggregate of at least 55% marks or its equivalent grade (50% of marks or its equivalent grade in case of SC/ST/OBC-NCL)/ Persons with Disability);

d) Candidates having passed the Solicitors Examination conducted by the Bombay Incorporated Law Society and having a completed a bachelor’s in Law (LL.B./LL.B. (Hons.)) degree from a recognized University through regular mode; or

(e) Candidates having a Master of Business Laws (MBL) degree from the National Law School of India University with minimum CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) of 4.00 and having completed a bachelor’s degree from a recognized University through regular mode.

Provided that candidates in their final year of study in the respective degrees in (a), (b) and (c) shall be eligible to apply, subject to the candidate securing the minimum marks or equivalent grade prior to July 2024.

International Students

Candidates can apply for the NLSAT – International Examination for “international student” category, if they fulfil the following conditions:

  • They should be a citizen of a country other than India; AND
  • They should have completed a minimum of ten years of their education in a school/college/university outside India.

For more details, click here.

Admission Process

Admission to the programme will be through an all-India written admissions test, the National Law School Admissions Test (NLSAT-PhD). Candidates shall submit the application form duly filled up along with a research proposal of about 6-8 pages. The application form is available here.

The research proposal should contain: i. Tentative Title ii. Statement of the problem and the background information on the subject. iii. A brief outline of the research design including a set of research questions, a brief review of the relevant literature on the issue identified for research, a research hypothesis (where applicable) and the proposed methodology. Students who demonstrate a firm grasp of these foundational issues will be awarded higher marks.

The NLSAT-PhD shall have the following scheme: a) Research Aptitude: 50 marks b) Essays/Answers on relevant topics pertaining to law/ other disciplines: 50 marks

Candidates securing not less than 50% marks on the aggregate in the written test will qualify for evaluation of their Research Proposal and making an oral presentation before a Panel of Experts on the date specified by the University.

Selection Process

Candidates will be selected based on the marks obtained by the candidate in the NLSAT- PhD, the research proposal, and the oral presentation. The weightage of each score component shall be as follows:

a) NLSAT-PhD: 50% b) Research Proposal: 35% c) Oral Presentation: 15%

Important Dates

  • The National Law School Admissions Test-PhD (NLSAT-PhD) will be held on March 17, 2024 (Sunday), from 10.00 am to 12.30 pm in specified centres across the country. The duration of the test shall be 150 minutes.
  • Application deadline has been extended to 11:59 pm IST, on February 28, 2024. View official notification. An application fee of Rs. 3000/- (Rupees Three Thousand Only) shall be payable at the time of submission of the application.
  • The dates for the oral presentation shall be announced after the completion of the NLSAT-PhD. They are likely to be held in April – May 2024.
  • Classes for coursework component of the Ph.D. programme shall commence in the University in July 2024.

The maximum number of Ph. D seats for the Academic Year 2024-25 are 8 (Eight). This includes 4 in Ph.D (Law) and 4 in Ph.D (Interdisciplinary). The University reserves the right not to fill all the seats where sufficient candidates do not satisfy the admission requirements.

PhD Regulations

Regulations governing the PhD programme are available here.  Candidates should familiarize themselves with the requirements of the programme, before applying.

The admission notification for AY 2024-25 is available here.

For Indian Nationals

For international students.

The total amount payable at the time of admission by foreign students for AY 2024-25 is Rs. 2,55,000/- as provided below:

Registration Fee – one time 90,000/- Course Work Fee – one time 90,000/- Annual Fee 75,000/- Total fee – per annum 2,55,000/-

* Fees mentioned above are provisional and subject to ratification by the University Governing Bodies.

Sample questions for NLSAT 2024 will be released to candidates who have registered through the admissions portal prior to the admissions test.

The University’s PhD programme in the previous year was offered in terms of the Ph.D. Degree Programme Regulations, 2021. The Regulations have been revised since the Academic Year 2023-24. 

The FAQs below reflect the Ph.D. Degree Programme Regulations 2023.  

NLSIU currently offers two Ph.D programmes:

– The Ph.D. (Law) programme allows a candidate to contribute academically in the field of law; – The Ph.D. (Interdisciplinary) involves research across disciplines to arrive at a more comprehensive perspective and solution for a particular problem.

Yes, they may apply for the Ph.D (Law) programme.

a) Candidates having a 5-year/ 10-semester/ 15-trimester bachelor’s degree programme in Law through regular mode from a recognized University having secured a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade on a point scale wherever the grading system is followed (70% of marks or its equivalent grade in case of SC/ST/OBC- NCL/Persons with Disability.)

b) Candidates having a 3-year/ 6-semester/ 9-trimester bachelor’s degree programme in Law (LL.B.) through regular mode from a recognized University having secured a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade on a point scale wherever the grading system is followed (70% of marks or its equivalent grade in case of SC/ST/OBC-NCL Persons with Disability); and

Provided that candidates in their final year of study in the respective degrees in (a), (b) and (c) shall be eligible to apply, subject to the candidate securing the minimum marks or equivalent grade prior to the date of the commencement of Ph.D.

No, there is no age limit to apply for the programmes.

Candidates will have to appear for the admission test NLSAT – Ph.D, conducted by the University. To apply, visit admissions.nls.ac.in

Note: While submitting the application for the admission test, candidates should also submit a research proposal of about 6-8 pages. The research proposal should contain: i. Tentative Title ii. Statement of the problem and the background information on the subject. iii. A brief outline of the research design including a set of research questions, a brief review of the relevant literature on the issue identified for research, a research hypothesis (where applicable) and the proposed methodology. Students who demonstrate a firm grasp of these foundational issues will be awarded higher marks.

No. Candidates may apply for either Ph.D (Law) or the Ph.D (Interdisciplinary) programme.

To apply for the Ph.D programmes, visit admissions.nls.ac.in

The University shall conduct a written test (NLSAT-Ph.D) along the following scheme:

a) Research Aptitude – 50 marks b) Essays on relevant topics pertaining to law/ other disciplines – 50 marks 

The list of selected candidates as above shall be displayed on the NLSIU website.

Candidates are required to be present at the NLSIU campus for the duration of their coursework spread over three trimesters. Course work is compulsory for all the Ph.D. candidates.

The first component of the course work must be completed during the first trimester upon their admission. The remaining two trimesters of the course work needs to be completed within the first two academic years.  

a) The candidate will have to complete a minimum of three (3) years’ research in their chosen subject, including the mandatory course work as provided in these Regulations.

b) Maximum period: The maximum duration of the Ph.D. programme shall be six (6) years* from the date of admission in the Ph.D. programme, subject to the fulfilment of the requirements per the Regulations.

*- Provided that candidates who are Persons with Disabilities (having more than 40% disability) may be allowed a relaxation of upto two (2) years; however, the total period for completion of a Ph.D. programme in such cases should not exceed eight (8) years from the date of admission in the Ph.D. programme; – Provided further that female Ph.D. candidates may be provided Maternity Leave/ Child Care Leave for up to 240 days in the entire duration of the Ph.D. programme; however, the total period for completion of a Ph.D. programme in such cases should not exceed six (6) years and eight (8) months from the date of admission in the Ph.D. programme.

c) Failure to complete the course within the maximum period set out in point (b) above will automatically result in cancellation of registration.

There are a total of six courses that a doctoral candidate has to complete. Three of these are compulsory taught courses. Each taught course will extend for around 10 weeks and will be held on campus.

The first compulsory taught course is to be completed in the initial trimester on admission to the programme. The second compulsory taught course can be completed in the initial or any subsequent trimester (depending on when the course is offered). These two taught courses have to be completed prior to the first presentation before the Research Advisory Committee. In addition, there are also two course requirements relating to review of literature and fine-tuning of the proposal which need to be completed under the guidance of the Supervisor prior to the first presentation before the Research Advisory Committee.

The third compulsory taught course has to be completed prior to the second presentation before the Research Advisory Committee. In addition, candidates also will also need to complete the course requirement relating to teaching/research assistantships as will be decided by the Supervisor/relevant University body of the University.

There is a Research Advisory Committee for each Ph.D. scholar consisting of a Supervisor and two members (one from within NLSIU and one external member).

Please refer to the fee tab on the respective programme pages for fee details. 

Yes, the University will release sample questions at a later date.

We do not offer rolling admissions to the PhD programme. New students are admitted once a year, to begin studying at the start of the Academic Year in July.

Yes, but only in the next academic year. Candidates will have to appear for the NLSAT after applying for the programme in any given year.  

Yes. The University will notify a ‘Campus Open Day’ for you to visit us and familiarize yourself with the campus before applying for any programme through the NLSAT. Follow our website for further updates.

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Phd after llm at lse.

phd after llm duration

Posted Jul 10, 2020 06:02

2764

Hi everyone, I have received the unconditional offer from LSE, and will fly to London this September. Since I would like to pursue a PhD after the LLM Programme, I have some questions here: 1) Normally speaking, when could the final grades of LSE LLM Programme come out? Meantime, when could we hear about whether we've got a distinction or not (as this is vital to PhD application)? 2) It seems that when applying for PhD later this year, LSE students could not provide GAO with any grade information of the LLM Programme. Could this negatively hamper the decision making by the GAO? Generally, are there any successful precedents these years that LSE LLM students have received PhD offers from Oxbridge? Many thanks :)

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  • Masters Programs /

LLM: Know All About Master in Laws

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  • Updated on  
  • Jun 19, 2022

LLM

“ No man is above the law and no man is below it: nor do we ask any man’s permission when we ask him to obey it .” – Theodore Roosevelt. Every nation has a specified set of laws to regulate its smooth functioning as well as address any social or communal conflicts at times. Further, a career in Law imparts aspirants with immense responsibility since they are concerned with becoming a part of the apparatus of delivering justice. This is why the study of law is a rigorous and meticulous endeavour that one needs to undertake to attain the necessary certifications. After completing an LLB course, if you find yourself getting inclined to peruse this field, LLM is the ideal one to opt for. Through this blog, we aim to bring you a detailed guide on what a master’s degree in Law, i.e. LLM entails, the eligibility conditions you need to fulfil as well as the top universities you must consider.

Don’t Miss: How to Become A Lawyer

This Blog Includes:

Llm specializations, eligibility criteria, llm admission 2022, llm entrance exams, entrance exam dates, llm syllabus, llm subjects, top universities offering llm , llm international law, llm recommended books, career prospects & scope after llm, courses after llm, llm salary in india.

Also referred to as Masters of Law, LLM or Latin Legum Magister is a globally recognised degree with a total duration of 2 years, though some universities also offer it as a one-year course. Further, along with being an interdisciplinary degree, candidates are also provided with a plethora of specializations to choose from and concentrate on a specific one. Though the following paragraphs list down the major specialisations provided in an LLM degree, some of them include Taxation Law, Criminal Law, Human Rights, Environmental Law, International Trade, Jurisprudence, and Cyber Law amongst others. Also, a degree like LLM is generally studied by those wanting to expand towards the realm of international law and understand its intricacies. 

It is critical to pursue an LLM course after graduating from a top legal school. An LLM programme will help you get started in your legal profession. A few of the most compelling reasons to pursue LLM programmes are listed below.

  • Prepares for a Profession in International Law: LLM degrees with a specialisation in International Law will assist students in making a name for themselves in in the international arena and, eventually, a career in the international legal area, ensuring a bright future.
  • Help you focus on your interests: Unlike undergraduate legal studies, which focus on broad law, the LLM permits you to specialise in a specific topic. This gradually allows you to focus on the issue and give it greater attention, allowing you to become an expert at it.
  • Various Specializations: The diversity of specialisations available in LLM courses can assist students in deciding on a professional path in areas such as international law, corporate law, labour law, and human rights, among others.
  • Pursue a Job in Legal Writing & Research : Depending on your LLM specialisation, pursuing LLD following your LLM can lead to a career in legal research and writing.
  • Better Job Opportunities : A master’s degree in law will earn you a higher wage and provide you with more prospects than a bachelor’s degree in law.

To help individuals anchor their focus on a specific field during the degree, LLM comprises of varied specialisations that one can choose from. Here is a list of these concentrations that you must know about:

  • Constitutional Law
  • Jurisprudence
  • Criminal Law
  • Insurance Law
  • Environmental Law
  • International Trade and Business Law
  • Intellectual Property Law
  • Taxation Law
  • Human Rights
  • Corporate Law and Governance

Though every law school might specify its own prerequisites for a master’s degree in Law, there are certain eligibility conditions that one needs to fulfil in order to apply for an LLM degree. Below we have listed the central requirements that you must know about before opting for this degree:

  • Candidates are essentially required to have completed their LLB degree. Further, some institutions also ask for your law school transcripts as part of the application.
  • English Proficiency test scores such as IELTS , TOEFL and PTE .
  • Various institutions may need GRE scores as well.
  • SOP s and LOR s
  • Some universities also prefer aspirants with prior work or research experience in Law.
  • Universities accept a candidate’s score on any national or university-level admission exam for law schools that he or she has taken.
  • On May 8, 2022, an LLM entrance exam similar to CLAT PG was held.
  • CLAT, IPU-CET, LSAT, DU LLM, AP LAWCET, and other top LLM entry examinations include:
  • For general candidates, the application price for LLM admission ranges from 750 to 2,000. The application fee for reserved classes would be INR 350.

Students who desire to take LLM courses must pass the admission exam required for the programme. Admission to LLM programmes is based on the results of the entrance exam and the interview stage, both of which are performed by the various universities.

There are various entrance exams to choose from, including CLAT PG, AILET, IPU CET, BHU UET, and others.

There are a plethora of globally recognised universities across the globe that offer master’s degrees in Law. Take a look at the table below which elucidates the top academic institutions and law schools as well as their prospective LLM courses.

The study of the laws of many countries and organisations is the focus of an LLM in International Law. LLM in International Law is a popular speciality in India since it provides students with options to work in other countries.

The following are some of the topics covered in the LLM International Law programme:

Comparative Law International Law and International Relations: Developments and Trends International Organizations International Dispute Resolution Bodies etc.

Completing an LLM degree, there is an array of career opportunities that one can opt for. It is quite a common conception that the legal arena has a limited set of professions. Today, the field of law has expanded its horizons into multifold branches leading to varied prospects. Further, you can also select a specialisation like Cyber Law or Energy and Climate Law during your master’s degree to establish your career in the same. Take a look at the below-mentioned list of career prospects that you can choose from after LLM: 

  • Legal Consultant 
  • Legal Document Reviewer
  • Advocate 
  • Judge 
  • Lecturer 
  • Public Prosecutor 
  • Law Reporter 

A PhD in Law or LLD, commonly known as Doctor of Law, can be pursued after successfully completing an LLM degree. Several universities in India, including Nalsar Hyderabad, IIT Kharagpur, and NLU Jodhpur, offer LLD admissions.

The following are the requirements for pursuing an LLD:

  • Students must have completed LLM with a minimum of 55 percent overall or an equivalent CGPA.
  • Students should be required to pass several university entrance tests.
  • Before enrolling students in LLD courses, several universities require prior job experience.

An LLM graduate’s compensation is determined by the type of employment he or she holds. Typically, an LLM graduate’s pay ranges between INR 4 to 12 LPA.

The standard abbreviation for a Master of Laws degree is ‘LLM.’ The acronym comes from the Latin term for the qualification, ‘Legum Magister,’ with ‘legum’ being the plural of ‘lex,’ which means law. Latin pluralizes the Master of Laws to ‘LLM’, as it does the ‘LLB’.

The level of the course is the primary distinction between LLB (Bachelors of Law) and LLM (Masters of Law). The LLB is a bachelor’s degree programme, whereas the LLM is a post-graduate programme for students who have previously finished their bachelor’s degree.

In the realm of legal studies, an LLM PhD is a higher degree of qualification. Successful LLM PhD graduates can go on to work as legal professors at law schools and universities.

Yes, LLM is a 2 years course.

Thus, we hope that this blog has helped you understand the varied essentials of LLM. If you are planning to study a master’s degree in Law abroad and don’t know where to begin, take the help of Leverage Edu ’s AI-based tool that narrows down a suitable course and university combinations as per your skills and aspirations and assists you in making an informed decision to sail further in your professional journey.

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Eligibility for Admission

National Law University Delhi offers the following Ph.D. Programmes:

  • Ph.D. Degree in Law

Ph.D. Degree in Social Sciences viz., Political Science, Sociology, Criminology, Economics, and English

Ph.d. degree in law : eligibility for admission for ph.d. in law for indian nationals.

  • A Master's degree in Law or a professional degree declared equivalent to the Master’s degree in Law by the corresponding statutory regulatory body, with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade 'B' in the UGC 7-point scale (or an equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed) or an equivalent degree from a foreign educational institution accredited by an Assessment and Accreditation Agency which is approved, recognized or authorized by an authority, established or incorporated under a law in its home country or any other statutory authority in that country for the purpose of assessing, accrediting, or assuring quality and standards of educational institutions.
  • Obtained a degree in law and Master’s Degree in social sciences or humanities from any recognised educational institution, Indian or a foreign educational institution accredited as per UGC Regulations, with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade 'B' in the UGC 7-point scale (or an equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed). Provided that candidates with qualifications in social sciences and humanities may be admitted to the programme if the research they wish to pursue interfaces with the discipline of law with a special focus on Public Policy or Law. For the above two categories, a relaxation of 5% of marks, from 55% to 50%, or an equivalent relaxation of grade, may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/ Differently-Abled/ Economically Weaker Section) candidates and other categories of candidates, as per the decisions of the UGC from time to time, or for those who had obtained their Master's degree prior to 19th September, 1991. The eligibility marks of 55% (or an equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed) and the relaxation of 5% to the categories mentioned above are permissible based only on the qualifying marks without including the grace mark procedures.
  • Degree in law and passed the Company Secretary examination conducted by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India and awarded the Associate Membership of the Institute shall be eligible for admission to the programme, if the research they wish to pursue interfaces with the discipline of law.
  • Degree in law and passed the final examination of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India shall be eligible for admission to the programme, if the research they wish to pursue interfaces with the discipline of law.
  • Judge of any State High Court in India with three years’ experience or Judge of Supreme Court of India.
  • Obtained a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in relevant Social Sciences or humanities from any recognised educational institution, Indian or a foreign educational institution accredited as per UGC Regulations, with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade 'B' in the UGC 7-point scale (or an equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed). A relaxation of 5% of marks, from 55% to50%, or an equivalent relaxation of grade, may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/ Differently-Abled/Economically Weaker Section) candidates and other categories of candidates, as per the decisions of the UGC from time to time, or for those who had obtained their Master's degree prior to 19th September, 1991. The eligibility marks of 55% (or an equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed) and the relaxation of 5% to the categories mentioned above are permissible based only on the qualifying marks without including the grace mark procedures.

The Vice Chancellor may also permit a NLUD faculty member to enroll for the Ph.D. programme along with the teaching assignment of the concerned faculty member in the interest of faculty improvement on the condition that teaching and other responsibilities of the faculty member are not hampered in any way provided such candidates fulfill the conditions prescribed in the Ph.D. Regulations.

Eligiblity criteria for admission of Foreign Nationals

  • Admission through Study in India : A foreign national may apply for enrolment in Ph.D. programme through Study in India Programme of Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. The candidates shall have sufficient proficiency in English language. Foreign nationals are exempted from the entrance examination conducted by NLUD for Ph.D. enrolment. All other requirements for admission which are applicable to Indian nationals shall be applicable to foreign nationals also. The number of seats available for foreign nationals will be decided by the university on year-to-year basis. In the event of non-availability of suitable candidates, NLUD reserves the right not to fill up the seats and if required, these seats shall be converted to any other categories of Ph.D. admission for foreign nationals. Candidate will be required to pay the fees applicable to foreign nationals under R. 4A.
  • Admission through ICCR : A foreign national may apply for enrolment in Ph.D. programme through ICCR Programme of Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. The candidates shall have sufficient proficiency in English language. Foreign nationals are exempted from the entrance examination conducted by NLUD for Ph.D. enrolment. All other requirements for admission which are applicable to Indian nationals shall be applicable to foreign nationals also. The number of seats available for foreign nationals will be decided by the university on year-to-year basis and will be within the seats fixed by the university for ICCR. In the event of non-availability of suitable candidates, NLUD reserves the right not to fill up the seats and if required, these seats may be converted to any other categories of Ph.D. admission for foreign nationals. Fee applicable to candidates under this category will be at par with Indian Ph.D. scholars. For the purpose of this regulation, a foreign national shall mean a candidate who possesses citizenship of a country other than India and holds a valid passport.
  • For admissions under Study in India and ICCR category, the Vice- Chancellor reserves the right to provide extended time period for completing the admission procedure. Extension up to 2 years may be provided by the Vice- Chancellor on case-to-case basis.
  • A foreign national, who is interested in enrolling for the Ph.D. programme at NLU Delhi, and is currently enrolled for Ph.D. programme at a foreign university/institution having MoU with NLU Delhi, may be allowed to be registered for Ph.D. programme at NLU Delhi subject to the condition that one supervisor will be from NLU Delhi and one from the parent foreign university/institution of the candidate. Such a candidate will be exempted from appearing in the entrance test, subject to the condition that the candidate fulfils the other minimum eligibility conditions.
  • The Vice-Chancellor will be the competent authority to allow registration of such candidates on case-to-case basis, on the recommendations of the Doctoral Committee.
  • The candidate will be required to visit NLU Delhi for Viva-Voce to defend the thesis as per NLU Delhi Ph.D. Regulations.
  • The fee for the programme shall be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the MoU between NLU Delhi and the concerned foreign university/ institute.
  • No separate Ph.D. degree of NLU Delhi will be awarded in such cases. A joint degree may be awarded, if required under the MOU.

For the purpose of this regulation, a foreign national shall mean a candidate who possess citizenship of a country other than India and holds a valid passport of Foreign Country.

PhD Law: Course Details, Eligibility, Admission, Fees, Syllabus, Colleges, Jobs 2022

phd after llm duration

Zollege Team

Content Curator

  • 01 June, 2024 : BIT Mesra PhD Admission 2024 is Open till June 2, 2024.
  • 28 May, 2024 : NLU Odisha First Allotment List will be Released for LLB and PhD Counselling on June 7, 2024.
  • 27 May, 2024 : IIM Bodh Gaya Ph.D Admission 2024 Final Result is Released.
  • 24 May, 2024 : SGVU Ph.D Admission 2024 is Open till June 14, 2024.
  • 23 May, 2024 : NERIST Admission 2024 is Open for the MBA, M.Sc, M.Tech, and PhD Programs. Apply till June 10, 2024.

PhD, or Doctor of Law degree, is a three-year specialized law degree. The PhD curriculum comprises classroom work, and aspirants can complete the program in as little as six years. Candidates who have finished their LLM/ PhD in Law from a recognized university are eligible to study PhD as a course. Some universities also need hopefuls to have prior teaching or academic experience in order to enroll in the PhD program.

Most institutions admit students to their PhD programs based on their achievement in an entrance exam. The research proposal and technique are usually evaluated as part of the PhD admissions process. In addition to these phases of application, some universities undertake a personal interview round to narrow down applicants for admission. 

The cost of a PhD course at a government university like NLSIU Bangalore or CNLU Patna is usually between Rs 65,000 and Rs 1.75 lakh.

Table of Content

PhD Law Couse Highlights

Phd law: eligibility criteria, about the couse: phd law, phd. program in law.

4.1  Direct Admission

4.2  Admission on the basis of merit

PhD Law: Entrance Exams

Phd law: distance education.

6.1  PhD Law Distance Education Colleges

PhD Law Syllabus

  • PhD Law: Top Colleges in India

PhD Law: Jobs

Phd law: faqs.

Candidates should be aware that different universities have varied qualifying requirements for the PhD course they provide. Some colleges indicate that individuals who have earned an LLM in Law from a recognized university in India or overseas, as well as significant experience in the field of law, are eligible for admission to their PhD program. If candidates wish to attend the PhD course given by a college, they must have at least 5 to 10 years of teaching experience and academic excellence in the field of law.

Candidates who have finished their LLM from a recognized college with a minimum of 50% aggregate are also eligible to apply for the PhD program.

A PhD in Law's curriculum and syllabus can differ depending on the specialization and academic institution. In the first year of a PhD in Law, students get to focus on the coursework of their specializations with their prospective Advisory Committees. Along with this, it also comprises a seminar regarding legal scholarships and methodologies. Students are required to present a report on the subject in the second semester.

They will have the opportunity to collaborate with the faculty dissertation committee throughout the second year. Students must deliver their dissertation in the form of a manuscript that is nearly a book length or three articles that can be published as part of their portfolio. Following that, the committees will give their feedback on one's dissertation prospectus and, if they like the topic, will give their mark of approval. Aside from the extensive research effort required for a PhD in Law, students should be required to participate in teaching activities such as teaching assistantships, co-teaching with professors, and so on.

In their third year, students can either continue teaching as a professor of law or continue working on their dissertation.

Admission to a Ph.D. program in law can be obtained in one of two methods. Direct admission or merit entrance are also options.

Direct Admission

  • You must get an application form from the college or university for direct admission. It is available both offline and online.
  • To obtain an application form, go to the institute or college's official website and fill out the form there. You can upload it right away.
  • After you've finished filling out the application form, you'll need to go to the college for counseling and a round of personal interviews.

Admission on the basis of merit

JMI Law Entrance Exam, CLAT, AILET – All India Law Entrance Test, PET – PhD Entrance Test are some of the significant exams used to determine merit-based admission.

  • These tests are available to students both in-person and online. On their official websites, you may get the forms for the various tests.
  • The subsequent grades acquired by students in these exams will be used to determine admission.

A PhD in law is one of the doctoral programs that can be completed entirely online. There are a number of good and well-regarded universities that offer PhD in law programs via correspondence or part-time study. The most intriguing aspect of this school is that a PhD in law in India offers a cyber law and corporate law education. 

PhD Law Distance Education Colleges

Listed below are a few of the best colleges that offer a remote learning PhD in law program:

A PhD in Law's curriculum and syllabus can differ depending on the specialization and academic institution. The following are the core subjects covered by the PhD in Law curriculum:

 PhD Law: Top Colleges in India

A PhD in law graduate who has completed the course satisfactorily can get work in practically any sector in India. They can also apply for work with the government. A few of the career opportunities are listed below, along with their respective salary:

Ques. Which is the superior degree between a JD and a PhD?

Ans. When comparing the two, a PhD degree comes out on top. Candidates can easily complete the JD program because it just takes three years to complete. PhD programs, on the other hand, often last 5 to 6 years, with the second part requiring students to work harder and conduct original research.

Ques. Is a law degree worth it?

Ans. A PhD indicates that you are an expert in your field, which can make you particularly appealing to specialist governmental organizations or niche law firms. This is very encouraging and may assist you in finding work in your field of interest. It may also provide the potential for a career in academia.

Ques. Is an LLM equivalent to a PhD?

Ans. In the field of legal studies, an LLM with a PhD is a higher degree of qualification. Successful LLM PhD graduates can go on to become law professors and begin teaching in law schools. But LLM is not equal to a PhD

Ques. What is the aim of obtaining a PhD in Law?

Ans. The main goal of a PhD in Law program is to provide students with a solid foundation in research, legal theory, jurisprudence, methods, policy, and dissertation writing.

Ques. What does a law doctorate entail?

Ans. The PhD in Law is meant to provide additional training for exceptional graduate students who have already earned a Master of Laws (LLM) or its equivalent. Coursework, comprehensive tests, a dissertation proposal and defense, a dissertation, and an oral dissertation exam are all part of the degree requirements.

Ques. How do I get a Doctorate in Law?

Ans. To pursue a PhD in law, one must hold an LL. M degree from a recognized university with a minimum aggregate of 55 percent. Candidates who have passed the CLAT, JMI, ILET, and other entrance exams do not need to take the university entrance exam and can apply for PhD immediately. There are numerous advantages to pursuing a PhD.

Ques. What is the difficulty level of a law PhD?

Ans. Yes, all PhDs are difficult. It doesn't matter if you're highly motivated, gifted, or have excellent counsel; it's still difficult. There is an additional stumbling block in the form of the law. If all you want for your dissertation is to be about the law, that's not a problem because you can get a PhD in political science in no time.

Ques. How long does it take to get a PhD in law?

Ans. The three-year PhD in Law Studies is a full-time doctorate degree in the discipline of law that lasts three years. The program's eligibility requirements are a qualified Master's degree.

Ques. What courses are comparable to a PhD law degree?

Ans. PhD (Doctor of Law) and M.Phil in Law are two courses that are connected to or similar to a PhD in law course.

Ques. What are the prospects for a job after completing a PhD in law?

Ans. An aspirant can pursue careers as an author, lawyer, judge, or notary.

Ques. What is the difference between a PhD in law and a LLD in law?

Ans. A PhD in law is a research degree that can be sought after completing an LLM, while an LLD is a higher research degree that can be pursued after completing a PhD in a related discipline.

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Google’s A.I. Search Errors Cause a Furor Online

The company’s latest A.I. search feature has erroneously told users to eat glue and rocks, provoking a backlash among users.

  • Share full article

Viewed from his left side, Sundar Pichai speaks in front of a large display bearing a Gemini logo.

By Nico Grant

Reporting from New York

Last week, Google unveiled its biggest change to search in years, showcasing new artificial intelligence capabilities that answer people’s questions in the company’s attempt to catch up to rivals Microsoft and OpenAI.

The new technology has since generated a litany of untruths and errors — including recommending glue as part of a pizza recipe and the ingesting of rocks for nutrients — giving a black eye to Google and causing a furor online.

The incorrect answers in the feature, called AI Overview, have undermined trust in a search engine that more than two billion people turn to for authoritative information. And while other A.I. chatbots tell lies and act weird , the backlash demonstrated that Google is under more pressure to safely incorporate A.I. into its search engine.

The launch also extends a pattern of Google’s having issues with its newest A.I. features immediately after rolling them out. In February 2023, when Google announced Bard, a chatbot to battle ChatGPT, it shared incorrect information about outer space. The company’s market value subsequently dropped by $100 billion.

This February, the company released Bard’s successor, Gemini , a chatbot that could generate images and act as a voice-operated digital assistant. Users quickly realized that the system refused to generate images of white people in most instances and drew inaccurate depictions of historical figures.

With each mishap, tech industry insiders have criticized the company for dropping the ball. But in interviews, financial analysts said Google needed to move quickly to keep up with its rivals, even if it meant growing pains.

Google “doesn’t have a choice right now,” Thomas Monteiro, a Google analyst at Investing.com, said in an interview. “Companies need to move really fast, even if that includes skipping a few steps along the way. The user experience will just have to catch up.”

Lara Levin, a Google spokeswoman, said in a statement that the vast majority of AI Overview queries resulted in “high-quality information, with links to dig deeper on the web.” The A.I.-generated result from the tool typically appears at the top of a results page.

“Many of the examples we’ve seen have been uncommon queries, and we’ve also seen examples that were doctored or that we couldn’t reproduce,” she added. The company will use “isolated examples” of problematic answers to refine its system.

Since OpenAI released its ChatGPT chatbot in late 2022 and it became an overnight sensation, Google has been under pressure to integrate A.I. into its popular apps. But there are challenges in taming large language models, which learn from enormous amounts of data taken from the open web — including falsehoods and satirical posts — rather than being programmed like traditional software.

(The New York Times sued OpenAI and its partner, Microsoft, in December, claiming copyright infringement of news content related to A.I. systems.)

Google announced AI Overview to fanfare at its annual developer conference, I/O, last week. For the first time, the company had plugged Gemini, its latest large language A.I. model, into its most important product, its search engine.

AI Overview combines statements generated from its language models with snippets from live links across the web. It can cite its sources, but does not know when that source is incorrect.

The system was designed to answer more complex and specific questions than regular search. The result, the company said, was that the public would be able to benefit from all that Gemini could do, taking some of the work out of searching for information.

But things quickly went awry, and users posted screenshots of problematic examples to social media platforms like X.

AI Overview instructed some users to mix nontoxic glue into their pizza sauce to prevent the cheese from sliding off, a fake recipe it seemed to borrow from an 11-year-old Reddit post meant to be a joke. The A.I. told other users to ingest at least one rock a day for vitamins and minerals — advice that originated in a satirical post from The Onion .

As the company’s cash cow, Google search is “the one property Google needs to keep relevant/trustworthy/useful,” Gergely Orosz, a software engineer with a newsletter on technology, Pragmatic Engineer, wrote on X . “And yet, examples on how AI overviews are turning Google search into garbage are all over my timeline.”

People also shared examples of Google’s telling users in bold font to clean their washing machines using “chlorine bleach and white vinegar,” a mixture that when combined can create harmful chlorine gas. In a smaller font, it told users to clean with one, then the other.

Social media users have tried to one-up one another with who could share the most outlandish responses from Google. In some cases, they doctored the results. One manipulated screenshot appeared to show Google saying that a good remedy for depression was jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge, citing a Reddit user. Ms. Levin, the Google spokeswoman, said that the company’s systems never returned that result.

AI Overview did, however, struggle with presidential history, saying that 17 presidents were white and that Barack Obama was the first Muslim president, according to screenshots posted to X.

It also said Andrew Jackson graduated from college in 2005 .

Kevin Roose contributed reporting.

An earlier version of this article referred incorrectly to a Google result from the company’s new artificial-intelligence tool AI Overview. A social media commenter claimed that a result for a search on depression suggested jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge as a remedy. That result was faked, a Google spokeswoman said, and never appeared in real results.

How we handle corrections

Nico Grant is a technology reporter covering Google from San Francisco. Previously, he spent five years at Bloomberg News, where he focused on Google and cloud computing. More about Nico Grant

Explore Our Coverage of Artificial Intelligence

News  and Analysis

OpenAI said that it has begun training a new flagship A.I. model  that would succeed the GPT-4 technology that drives its popular online chatbot, ChatGPT.

Elon Musk’s A.I. company, xAI, said that it had raised $6 billion , helping to close the funding gap with OpenAI, Anthropic and other rivals.

Google’s A.I. capabilities that answer people’s questions have generated a litany of untruths and errors  — including recommending glue as part of a pizza recipe and the ingesting of rocks for nutrients — causing a furor online.

The Age of A.I.

After some trying years during which Mark Zuckerberg could do little right, many developers and technologists have embraced the Meta chief  as their champion of “open-source” A.I.

D’Youville University in Buffalo had an A.I. robot speak at its commencement . Not everyone was happy about it.

A new program, backed by Cornell Tech, M.I.T. and U.C.L.A., helps prepare lower-income, Latina and Black female computing majors  for A.I. careers.

Publishers have long worried that A.I.-generated answers on Google would drive readers away from their sites. They’re about to find out if those fears are warranted, our tech columnist writes .

Jun 5 (Wed) @ 11:00am: "Realizing Practical LLM-assisted AI Assistant in the Semiconductor Domain,” Yueling Jenny Zeng, ECE PhD Defense

The emergence of Large Language Models (LLMs) offers new opportunities for applying Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in semiconductor chip design and test (D&T). Realizing these opportunities requires a fundamentally different thinking from the past. For more than two decades, the semiconductor industry has been exploring applications of ML in D&T. Despite many promises, notable challenges remain in many contexts. In the first part of the talk, I will review key observations from selected past works and highlight the challenges faced in those works. From there I will elaborate a view to differentiate ML from applying ML in D&T, where the latter is called Decision-Support ML (DSML). This DSML view implies that in order to implement an AI assistant for enabling human decision making in a D&T application, one needs to answer two essential questions: What is domain knowledge? And how domain knowledge is used? Following these two questions, I will present the design principles of Intelligent Engineering Assistant (IEA) and show its first practical realization, the IEA-Plot, in an industrial environment. Through a tangible product like IEA-Plot, I will explain why LLM plays an essential role in IEA and how the two fundamental questions can be answered. In the last part of the talk, I will introduce a new approach called Oracle-Checker (OC) scheme, inspired by the theoretical ideas of Interactive Proofs, and designed to enable effective utilization of a generative LLM like GPT. I will conclude this talk by pointing out future directions from our IEA design and the OC scheme.

Yueling Jenny Zeng is a PhD candidate in Computer Engineering at Electrical and Computer Engineering department, University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). She received B.S. and M.S. both in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the same department in 2018 and 2020, respectively. Zeng received the Best Paper Award from the IEEE International Test Conference (ITC), twice, in 2020 and in 2022, where she was the presenter for both works. ITC is the oldest, largest and premier conference in the field of electronic test. Zeng is the recipient of the 2023 IEEE/TTTC G.W. Gordon Student Service Award. This award is designed to honor students for credible service to IEEE Test Technology related activities, programs and organizations. During her graduate study at UCSB, she was honored as an Outstanding Teaching Assistant three times. Zeng worked for NXP Semiconductor in Austin Texas for two summers as a data scientist intern. Then, she worked for LinkedIn Corporation, Sunnyvale, CA for two summers as a ML research intern. Her research interests broadly include various aspects of building an ML application, to serve the needs of a semiconductor chip design company or an Internet service company. In recent years, her interests focus on LLMs and how to utilize LLMs to build a practical AI system.

Hosted by : Professor Li-C. Wang

Submitted by : Yueling Zeng < [email protected] >

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AI Will Increase the Quantity — and Quality — of Phishing Scams

  • Fredrik Heiding,
  • Bruce Schneier,
  • Arun Vishwanath

phd after llm duration

How businesses can prepare now.

Gen AI tools are rapidly making these emails more advanced, harder to spot, and significantly more dangerous. Recent research showed that 60% of participants fell victim to artificial intelligence (AI)-automated phishing, which is comparable to the success rates of non-AI-phishing messages created by human experts. Companies need to: 1) understand the asymmetrical capabilities of AI-enhanced phishing, 2) determine the company or division’s phishing threat severity level, and 3) confirm their current phishing awareness routines.

Anyone who has worked at a major organization has likely had to do training on how to spot a phishing attack — the deceptive messages that pretend to be from legitimate sources and aim to trick users into giving away personal information or clicking on harmful links. Phishing emails often exploit sensitive timings and play on a sense of urgency, such as urging the user to update a password. But unfortunately for both companies and employees, gen AI tools are rapidly making these emails more advanced, harder to spot, and significantly more dangerous.

phd after llm duration

  • FH Fredrik Heiding is a research fellow in computer science at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and a teaching fellow for the Generative AI for Business Leaders course at the Harvard Business School. He researches how to mitigate AI-enabled cyberattacks via technical innovations, organizational strategies, and national security policies. Fredrik also works with the World Economic Forum’s Cybercrime Center to improve cybersecurity standards of AI-based cyber defense.
  • Bruce Schneier is an American cryptographer, computer security professional, privacy specialist, and writer. He is a lecturer in public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School and a fellow at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society. He is a board member of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a special advisor to IBM Security, and the Chief Technology Officer of Resilient. In 2015, Schneier received the EPIC Lifetime Achievement Award from the Electronic Privacy Information Center. He is the author of 14 books.
  • AV Arun Vishwanath , PhD, MBA, is a distinguished scholar and practitioner at the forefront of addressing cybersecurity’s “people problem” who has contributed commentary Wired , CNN, and The Washington Post . A former fellow at Harvard University’s Berkman Klein Center, he is the founder of the Cyber Hygiene Academy and serves as a distinguished expert for the NSA’s Science of Security & Privacy directorate. He is the author of the book The Weakest Link , published by MIT Press.

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IMAGES

  1. How Long Does It Take To Get a PhD?

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  2. The Thesis Whisperer

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  3. LLM

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  4. The History of Large Language Models

    phd after llm duration

  5. An integrated LLM-PhD degree

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  6. An included LLM-PhD degree

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VIDEO

  1. Phd Defence of Anouk K.M. Claessens

  2. How does California unemployment benefits work?

  3. MH

  4. LLM Placement Opportunities from NLUs

  5. Ph.D. after CS from IIM😯🤩

  6. PhD After 4 Years Graduation #sampathinformation

COMMENTS

  1. LLM PhD Integrated Course, Full Form, Eligibility, Admission, Syllabus

    The PhD after LLM duration will be of three to four years. A lot of people consider LLM to be the degree that you need to do if you are looking to teach a student in college or if you want to pursue a Ph.D. You need to keep reading the article to know more about this integrated PhD after LLM programme.

  2. Using the LLM as a stepping stone to PhD study: How I came to PhD

    After 3 years as an undergraduate I couldn't afford to self-fund a PhD, and at the time the Government hadn't yet extended the postgraduate loans to cover the cost of doing a PhD. So instead, I took advantage of the masters loan and studied a Masters degree to strengthen my chances of securing PhD funding from a Research Council.

  3. Ph.D. Program

    The deadline for submission of all materials is December 15. Applicants to the Ph.D. in Law program must complete a J.D. degree at a U.S. law school before they matriculate and begin the Ph.D. program. Any questions about the program may be directed to Gordon Silverstein, Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs, at [email protected].

  4. The Academic Path: Becoming a Law Professor

    In most of these countries, an undergraduate law degree qualifies one to become a solicitor, but many law schools will not typically appoint faculty with less than a master's degree. Over 80 percent of the law professors at Melbourne University or Hong Kong University, for example, have a Ph.D., J.S.D., D.Phil, or LL.M..

  5. How many years PhD after LLM?

    How many years PhD after LLM? The average Ph. D. in Law program takes three to four years to finish and may take longer depending on if the students is enrolled part-time or full-time. A doctoral degree in law may also be earned alongside a Juris Doctorate as a dual degree program.

  6. Coordinated JD/PhD Program

    During the period of registration at HLS, coordinated JD/PhD students will have "study-at-another-Harvard-school" status in Harvard Griffin GSAS. Structure of Academic Work Coursework. Students will ordinarily be enrolled for at least four years (8 terms) in Harvard Griffin GSAS. They must complete at least 16 half courses to receive their PhD.

  7. DPhil in Law

    The Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) is the most prestigious of the Law Faculty's research degrees. It entails writing a thesis over a period of three, or at most four years (six to eight years for part-time students). All students will be admitted to Probationer Research Student (PRS) status in the first instance, and all students except those who ...

  8. Graduate Programs

    The Master of Laws (LL.M.) program encompasses one year of full-time study. Admission is generally open only to those committed to a career in teaching law. The Doctor of the Science of Law (J.S.D.) program is a select doctoral program open only to graduates of the LL.M. program at Yale Law School. The Law School also offers a Master of Studies ...

  9. Doctor of Law

    Internally undertaken PhD studies last 3-5 years; the PhD student is at the same time a teacher at the university. External PhD studies may be up to 8 years long. ... Admission is usually on the basis of an LLM, and in some cases an LLB. Sweden. In Sweden, the Doctor of Laws (LLD) is the highest academic degree in law. It is a research degree ...

  10. LL.M. Tuition and Financial Aid

    A year in Harvard Law School's LL.M. program is expensive. Tuition for the 2024-2025 academic year is $77,100; in addition, health insurance and health services fees, the LL.M. activities fee, dental insurance, the costs of housing, food, books and supplies, and personal and travel expenses for a single student come to at least $39,400, for a total of at least $116,500.

  11. LL.M. Program

    While small—the Law School typically enrolls around 25 LL.M. students each year—the LL.M. program at Yale Law School is truly global in its reach. Over the past four years, our LL.M. students have come from over 30 different countries. Financial aid is available to all of our LL.M. candidates and is based solely on need.

  12. 5 routes to getting a Doctorate

    PhD by thesis. This is the most common means of getting a Doctorate. Over the three or four years of research at university, your PhD supervisor will support you as you aim to produce a thesis based on your research proposal. A thesis is typically 60,000-90,000 words in length - although this can vary between institutions.

  13. MPhil/PhD Law

    Tuition fees 2024/25 for MPhil/PhD Law. Home students: £4,829 for the first year (provisional) Overseas students: £22,632 for the first year. The fee is likely to rise over subsequent years of the programme. The School charges home research students in line with the level of fee that the Research Councils recommend.

  14. LL.M. Program

    Pursue advanced study of law in a dynamic, cutting-edge environment. The LL.M. Program is taught by top scholars at one of the world's great universities. Find a welcoming intellectual home in Los Angeles. UCLA School of Law is the premier law school in Southern California and has a reputation throughout the world for excellence.

  15. Ph.D (Law)

    a) NLSAT-PhD: 50%. b) Research Proposal: 35%. c) Oral Presentation: 15%. The maximum number of Ph. D seats for the Academic Year 2024-25 are 8 (Eight). This includes 4 in Ph.D (Law) and 4 in Ph.D (Interdisciplinary). The University reserves the. right not to fill all the seats where sufficient candidates do not satisfy the admission requirements.

  16. LLM vs PhD

    The LLM involves one intense year (actually, slightly less than a full year) of studying but also of close contacts with other students, human interactions that are a sizeable part of what the LLM gives you (and - absent scolarships - gets paid for) in the end. A phD, although usually involving deep (especially from an intellectual standpoint ...

  17. PhD after LLM at LSE

    UC Law SF. LL.M. in US Legal Studies for foreign lawyers in San Francisco. Kent Law School. Full-Time LLM, MA, Part-Time LLM, LLM by Research. Northwestern Pritzker School of Law

  18. LLM: Course Details, Specialisations, Top Universities

    Duration : New York University School of Law: Traditional LL.M. 1 year: Georgetown University Law Centre: General Studies LLM: 1 year: ... Courses After LLM. A PhD in Law or LLD, commonly known as Doctor of Law, can be pursued after successfully completing an LLM degree. Several universities in India, including Nalsar Hyderabad, IIT Kharagpur ...

  19. PhD in Law: Fees, Admission, Eligibility, Syllabus, Jobs, Salary

    3-5 Years. Admission process. Either by Entrance test or by Merit List. Eligibility. Minimum 55% score in Master's degree in law or in social science stream. Course Fee. INR 25,000 - 4 Lakhs per annum. Average Salary Offered. Up to INR 4 Lakhs - 13 Lakhs per annum.

  20. Integrated Ph. D. Programmes

    However, they should have completed all the requirements for the award of the qualifying degree, including all examinations, dissertation projects, viva-voce, etc., by the time of joining. (f) While the regular PhD program allows an exemption from GATE scores for students with a 4-year degree from a CFTI and with a >= 8.0 CGPA out of 10.0, this ...

  21. Ph.D. Eligibility

    The eligibility marks of 55% (or an equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed) and the relaxation of 5% to the categories mentioned above are permissible based only on the qualifying marks without including the grace mark procedures. The Vice Chancellor may also permit a NLUD faculty member to enroll for the Ph.D ...

  22. PhD Law: Course Details, Eligibility, Admission, Fees, Syllabus

    In addition to these phases of application, some universities undertake a personal interview round to narrow down applicants for admission. The cost of a PhD course at a government university like NLSIU Bangalore or CNLU Patna is usually between Rs 65,000 and Rs 1.75 lakh. Table of Content. PhD Law Couse Highlights. PhD Law: Eligibility Criteria.

  23. LLM (Master of Laws): Course, Full Form, Duration, Admissions 2024

    Master of Laws offers various specializations such as International Law, Corporate Law, Business Law, Criminal Law. LLM Course Eligibility is that students must clear either 3 years LLB degree or a BA LLB , BSc LLB, or BBA LLB degree of 5 years with 50-60% aggregate scores. LLM Course Admission 2024 is based on performance in law entrance exams ...

  24. Google AI Overviews Search Errors Cause Furor Online

    Reporting from New York. May 24, 2024. Last week, Google unveiled its biggest change to search in years, showcasing new artificial intelligence capabilities that answer people's questions in the ...

  25. Jun 5 (Wed) @ 11:00am: "Realizing Practical LLM-assisted AI Assistant

    Date and Time. June 5, 2024 - 11:00am. Location. ... Through a tangible product like IEA-Plot, I will explain why LLM plays an essential role in IEA and how the two fundamental questions can be answered. In the last part of the talk, I will introduce a new approach called Oracle-Checker (OC) scheme, inspired by the theoretical ideas of ...

  26. AI Will Increase the Quantity

    May 30, 2024. jaap-willem/Getty Images. Summary. Gen AI tools are rapidly making these emails more advanced, harder to spot, and significantly more dangerous. Recent research showed that 60% of ...