PhD Law
University of Essex
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.3) View reviews

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Different course options
10 options available
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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

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Location

University of Essex

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

APR-26

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Duration

3 Years

Course info

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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

University of Essex

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

APR-26

Duration

3 Years

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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

University of Essex

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

JAN

Duration

3 Years

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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

University of Essex

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

OCT-26

Duration

3 Years

SELECT

Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

University of Essex

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

APR-27

Duration

3 Years

SELECT

Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

University of Essex

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

JAN-27

Duration

3 Years

SELECT

Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

University of Essex

Study mode

Part Time

Start date

APR-26

Duration

6 Years

SELECT

Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

University of Essex

Study mode

Part Time

Start date

JAN

Duration

6 Years

SELECT

Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

University of Essex

Study mode

Part Time

Start date

OCT-26

Duration

6 Years

SELECT

Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

University of Essex

Study mode

Part Time

Start date

APR-27

Duration

6 Years

SELECT

Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

University of Essex

Study mode

Part Time

Start date

JAN-27

Duration

6 Years

SELECT

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Law
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Course info

The PhD in Law facilitates research in a wide range of areas that are represented through the Essex Law Schools eight research clusters. These relate to: human rights, law and technology, business law, socio-legal studies, public law, law and society, health law and criminal justice. Essex Law School is also home to specific inter-disciplinary research centres including the Human Rights Centre, the Essex Armed Conflict and Crisis Hub, and the Essex Transitional Justice Network. Additionally, ...Read more

The PhD in Law facilitates research in a wide range of areas that are represented through the Essex Law School's eight research clusters. These relate to: human rights, law and technology, business law, socio-legal studies, public law, law and society, health law and criminal justice. Essex Law School is also home to specific inter-disciplinary research centres including the Human Rights Centre, the Essex Armed Conflict and Crisis Hub, and the Essex Transitional Justice Network. Additionally, through the strong relationship between the Essex Law School and the Human Rights Centre, other inter-disciplinary clusters and initiatives have developed which include the Essex Business and Human Rights Project, the Human Rights and Big Data Project, and the Human Rights and Environment cluster. Research in the Essex Law School and the Human Rights Centre is cross-cutting and has had a wide range of applications at the national and international levels. Many of our staff have strong working relationships with international organisations such as the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the World Health Organisation. At the national level many of our staff are consulted by governments at home and abroad. Essex Law School continues with a tradition of undertaking cutting-edge research that has practical application to the challenges that face citizens, governments, business and the international community. Through the excellence that Essex Law School has exhibited it is ranked as 51st in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021. We also have an excellent record of winning major research grants from funding bodies including the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Nuffield Foundation and the Leverhulme Trust. Our former students have gone on to work in legal practice, international organisations, commerce and industry, NGO's and academia, including Essex Law School at Essex. In addition to the PhD programmes, we also offer an MPhil in law which can be an appropriate option for those interested in undertaking in-depth research that is shorter in length than a PhD. Part-time study is also an option for those research students who wish to spread their research over a longer period. Funding Schemes We belong to the CHASE consortium (Consortium for the Humanities and Arts South-East England) which provides doctoral scholarships for UK and international students related to a number of different areas of study, including law. Further details can be found here. We are also a member of the SeNNS consortium (South-East Network for Social Sciences) that provides doctoral scholarships for UK and international students related to a number of different areas of study, including socio-legal research projects. In addition to these, a range of other alternative funding sources can be found on our Scholarship Finder.

Key stats

  IDP Connect
WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2025 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
73/279
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2026
46th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2026
29th
What students say
S
sophie
27 Feb 26

one of the best aspects of essex university is the location, this is because it is surrounded by beautiful views and nature, as well as the stunning water fountain by the lakes...Read more

U
Urszula
27 Feb 26

I think it’s a very social place that focuses on having great events, places, and people. However, academically, I think there is at time a lack of support or care from the..Read more

Modules

Module Options
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Entry requirements

You will need a Masters degree in law and a first or 2:1 LLB honours degree, or equivalent. A well-developed research proposal is also essential.

Tuition fees

Students living in

Domestic

£5,006 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Domestic

This is the fee you pay if the University is in the same country that you live in (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

Living and accommodation costs (per year, approximately)- 11,256 – 19,197

£19,650 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.

Living and accommodation costs (per year, approximately)- 11,256 – 19,197

£19,650 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.

Living and accommodation costs (per year, approximately)- 11,256 – 19,197

IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Law reviews

Law
Law
S
sophie
27 Feb 26
Law with Criminology - LLB (Hons)
one of the best aspects of essex university is the location, this is because it is surrounded by beautiful views and nature, as well as the stunning water fountain by the lakes....
Read more
U
Urszula
27 Feb 26
Law - LLB (Hons)
I think it’s a very social place that focuses on having great events, places, and people. However, academically, I think there is at time a lack of support or care from the...
Read more
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How Law students rated:

Student rating
( 4.3) 251 reviews
5 star
43%
4 stars
44%
3 stars
12%
2 stars
1%
1 star
0%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.3) 3,050 reviews
5 star
41%
4 stars
46%
3 stars
12%
2 stars
1%
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Uni info

University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park Colchester Essex CO4 3SQ United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Hythe   0.6 miles away

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