PhD Law

Aberystwyth University

Founded in 1901, Aberystwyth Law School bases itself on a long, distinguished and increasingly varied experience of legal and criminological education and academic work. Over the years many well-known academics have taught in the Law School, and Aberystwyth law and criminology graduates have made their mark in a wide range of careers. The Law School is confident in its distinctive identity and reputation for teaching of high quality, linked to vigorous research activity carried out in a stimulating and friendly environment. The Law School’s library has all of the electronic resources expected of any institution offering a full legal education.

The Law School participated in the Research Excellence Framework (2014) assessment. That assessment found that 96.5% of publications submitted were of an internationally recognised standard and that 98% of research activity in the department was rated as internationally recognised.

Masters by Research

At Aberystwyth you can register for an MPhil or an LLM (Research). There is no difference between these qualifications. Most students register for the MPhil, which is recognised in the UK as a research qualification, whereas the LLM is usually reserved for taught Masters programmes. Some overseas students, however, prefer to be awarded an LLM because the title signifies clearly that it is a law degree. In either case, you can register for one year to produce a thesis of about 50,000 - 60,000 words. You work under the direction of one or more supervisors but are not required to attend any classes. After the year at Aberystwyth you have up to two years to write up your research.

Studying for a Research Masters offers many of the attractions of studying for a PhD. It would be wrong, however, to think of a Masters dissertation as a short PhD. A Masters thesis should provide a detailed overview and critique of any area of law but it is not intended to provide an in-depth analysis in the same way as a PhD. The main advantage of the Research Masters, therefore, is that it enables you to complete a piece of research and obtain a qualification for it in a relatively short period of time.

Aberystwyth Law School is committed to a policy of innovation and development in teaching and research and regularly reviews both the range and content of its degree schemes, as well as its modes of teaching and assessment, in order to respond effectively to the needs and expectations of our student body. The Law School aims to maximise choice in its provision of legal and criminological education while ensuring that teaching is informed by up-to-date scholarship at the highest level.

PhD

A PhD is awarded upon the satisfactory completion of a thesis of about 80-100,000 words followed by viva voce examination. The normal period of registration is three years (full time) and it is expected that the thesis will be submitted within four years of initial registration. Part of the first year is spent undertaking research training, leaving the second and third years for full-time research into your chosen topic. A PhD enables you to become expert in your chosen subject and to explore the intricacies of your subject, be it in law or criminology, in context. In order to satisfy the examiners, you must demonstrate originality of thought as well as detailed analysis.