Research

Research Degrees

A PhD or MPhil by Research can really make you stand out as a thought leader in your area of expertise. Although no-one would say an individual programme of study is easy, if you have the ability, drive, and commitment you can develop the in-depth knowledge and critical edge in your chosen area. A research degree will help you to become a recognised expert in either academia or as a practising lawyer.

What will I study?

At The City Law School you can study a PhD or MPhil by Research either full-time or part-time. We offer research opportunities in a wide range of areas and provide a supportive and vibrant environment that is created specifically for learning and understanding law.

Supervision is available across a broad range of legal subjects with staff being engaged in the leading edge of modern legal research.

In particular, we specialise in the following research clusters:

How will I study?

Recognised by the RAE as producing research of world leading quality, we provide you with a stimulating environment in which to study. We are committed to the provision of high quality graduate education.

When you join the School you will be assigned two supervisors to support you throughout your project, with one of these supervisors taking primary responsibility for your supervision. Your supervisor assists you with refining your research ideas, suggesting reading and making comments on the drafts of your thesis. All supervisors have experience undertaking their own research projects.

Although, you will benefit from supervision, we encourage all of our research students to be independent and resourceful throughout their studies.

You can also join a community of graduate students and participate in various activities and events, including:

At The City Law School we expect our students and staff to ensure that their research meets the highest achievable standard of conduct. Find out more about our commitment to research integrity.

At the School we seek to foster and support appropriate research into law and legal practice, including that carried out as part of Master's level and Doctorate level education. Research must be carried out in accordance with the law, and in the light of current good practice particularly the University Governance Framework for Good Practice in Research.

Read about The City Law School's Research Ethics Policy and Procedures

Find out more about studying for an MPhil or PhD at City University London by visiting the University's Research Degrees.

Library

You will have access to the main University Library and the law library at our Gray's Inn Place campus. The main university campus law library is situated in the University Building in Northampton Square.

Here you will have access to a wide variety of law textbooks, journals, statutes, law reports and many other legal reference tools and encyclopedias). In addition, a dedicated Law Librarian is available to support you with your research questions and material sourcing.

The library at the Gray's Inn campus also stocks a wide range of practitioner texts and supporting legal databases. Arranged over three floors with numerous reader spaces and PC workstations - this library is dedicated to supporting your learning needs.

The University Libraries hold an extensive range of material and supplements their own collection through the national inter-library loan network.

Learning and Development Centre

The University's Learning and Development Centre (LDC) encourages a creative and innovative approach to teaching learning and provides assistance to research students. The Centre runs Research Development Days, which you can attend to find out anything from writing a successful research proposal to finding out how you can get published.

Seminars

City Law School scholars and other prestigious academics present their research in a range of seminars, which you will have the opportunity to attend. We also encourage you to present the findings from your research at conferences; seminars and workshops. The School runs a work in progress series, specifically for the PhD community.

Opportunities

We actively encourage a community of research at the School and the University as a whole. We have a range of research groups at the School, specialising in: Criminal Evidence and Justice; EU Law; Law and Economics and Media Law.

The City Law School takes part in a number of university interdisciplinary centres including, the Centre for Information Leadership and the Centre for Law, Justice and Journalism.

As a student at City University London, you will have access to the Centre for Career and Skills Development Centre. Here, you can get one-to-one careers advice and access a range of resources to help you find a job in your chosen field upon graduation.

Find out more about taking a PhD or MPhil on the City University London website.