Course Info

Postgraduate Research Options

The School of Psychology fosters a culture of collaborative, multidisciplinary research and you will join a vibrant community that includes regular work-in-progress seminars to foster an active research environment. You will join one of our four research hubs described below, all of which are engaged in inter-institutional collaborations, including some with non-academic partners such as health-care providers.

We are happy to consider research proposals on a wide range of topics relevant to our hubs, but may also be looking to fill specific research roles in some areas.

Study can be on either a full-time or a part-time basis. The minimum period of study for achieving your PhD is three years full-time or six years part-time.

PhD candidates would typically be expected to have an MSc degree (or equivalent), though exceptional candidates without postgraduate qualification will be considered. Students are registered initially for the degree of PhD (Doctor of Philosophy), although their status is probationary until the first Annual Review has taken place, normally between 12 and 18 months from first registration. For suitable students, there may be teaching opportunities after upgrade.

Teaching & Assessment

Quality supervision

The aim of the Research Programme is to help students develop the following: a) a systematic and in-depth understanding in the subject area of choice of research by the student; b) the critical skills necessary to analyse and evaluate complex legal problems and related issues; c) To give students the opportunity to undertake a substantial independent research project at Level 7 of writing; d) research skills necessary to demonstrate familiarity with and understanding of the subject, its principal sources and authorities; e) To develop research skills necessary to display critical discrimination and a sense of proportion in evaluating evidence and the opinions of other authors in the subject.

After Your Course

Graduate employment

Our graduate prospects are excellent] Our graduates have gone on to further study at most of the world’s leading universities, including Harvard, London, Oxford and Cambridge and secured jobs in senior positions around the world. Among our alumni we have a graduate who became the head of his country’s civil service and one who became a leading Formula One motor-racing driver. Another secured a position as the Minister of Sabah and one female law graduate became the first British lawyer to become a French Advocate.