Key information
Duration
- Full-time: 36 months
- Part-time: 60 months (5-7 years)
Start dates & application deadlines
- Starting January 2027 — Apply before Oct 2026
- Starting April 2027 — Apply before Jan 2027
- Starting July 2027 — Apply before Apr 2027
- Starting October 2027 — Apply before Jul 2027
There are no official closing dates however as the application process takes around 2-3 months, apply at least 3 months before your requested start date.
Language
English
- TOEFL iBT: 100
- PTE Academic: 76
- IELTS: 7
Delivered
On Campus
Campus Location
Cardiff, United Kingdom
Disciplines
Legal Studies
Overview
The School of Law and Politics degree delivered by Cardiff University. Cardiff University is a recognised leader in legal scholarship in the United Kingdom, and its size enables it to sustain a vibrant research culture.
The School of Law and Politics offers opportunities for both full and part-time study leading to the degrees of MPhil and PhD in Law.
Distinctive features
- Each full-time research student is allocated office space in the School's own Graduate Centre.
- Research students are entitled to financial support for travel or research related to their approved subject (e.g. attending a conference or visiting a specialist library) for every year of their supervision.
- Students may be offered the opportunity to undertake part-time teaching on the undergraduate programmes.
- The School encourages individual diversity and promotes innovation in research.
Programme Structure
The School has four main research cluster groups related to Law:
- Medicine, Healthcare and Society
- Governance and Constitutionalism
- Procedural Justice
- Regulation of Commercial Activity
These groups reflect our key strengths and provide a supportive community for fostering intellectual and scholarly endeavour among staff and research students.
Admission requirements
Academic requirements
GPA: Upper Second Class
English requirements
- TOEFL iBT: 100
- PTE Academic: 76
- IELTS: 7
Other requirements
General requirements
- Applicants should have a minimum of a good Honours degree in Law (2:1 or equivalent) or overseas equivalent in a relevant subject.
- We will consider all individual applicants on their specific merits. If you do not have the standard qualifications for the course, you may still apply. Your application will be considered if you have the following:
- Masters' degree in Law (or equivalent).
- Applicants with appropriate professional experience.
- Interviews (via Skype/Phone or in person) may be conducted to identify and assess the academic merit of prospective students.
Fees and funding
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees are shown in AUD and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.
- International: 50,410 AUD / year (≈ 26,700 GBP / year)
- Domestic: 9,451 AUD / year (≈ 5,006 GBP / year)
- Part-time tuition fees: £2,503
Living costs
Cardiff, United Kingdom: 1,186-2,013 AUD / month. The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
Scholarships
Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Law.
- Fulbright-Cardiff University scholarship — Provided by Cardiff University — Grant, various benefits — Deadline: 07 Oct 2026
- Cardiff University Marshall Scholarship — Provided by Cardiff University — Grant, various benefits — Deadline: Not specified
- Fulbright U.S. Student Program — Independent provider — Grant, various benefits — Deadline: 07 Oct 2026
- ACES Scholarships — Independent provider — Grant, 3500 USD — Deadline: 15 Nov 2026
- ServiceScape Scholarship — Independent provider — Grant, 1000 USD — Deadline: 30 Nov 2026
- Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility — Independent provider — Grant, various benefits — Deadline: Not specified
- Scholarships for PhD Students — Independent provider — Grant, 19000 GBP — Deadline: Not specified
- Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship — Independent provider — Grant, various benefits — Deadline: 28 Feb 2027
- $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship — Independent provider — Grant, 1000 USD — Deadline: 31 Oct 2026
- Voice Talent Online Scholarship — Independent provider — Grant, 1000 USD — Deadline: 01 Mar 2027
- Amberscholar Scholarship — Independent provider — Grant, 6000 USD — Deadline: 31 Jan 2027
- Dream Chaser Scholarship — Independent provider — Grant, 1000 USD — Deadline: 13 Jan 2027
- Scholarship for students with disabilities — Independent provider — Grant, 3000 USD — Deadline: 31 Dec 2026
- Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids — Independent provider — Grant, 22500 GBP — Deadline: Not specified
- The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship — Independent provider — Grant, 1500 USD — Deadline: Not specified
- Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme — Independent provider — Grant, 12000 USD — Deadline: 11 Jan 2027