PhD with the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies
PhD Programmes
Available to study anywhere in the world
With guidance from our expert supervisors, you will undertake extensive independent research culminating in a thesis of up to 100,000 words. The areas covered by the Institute’s expertise cover a broad range of law, policy and crime.

The Institute of Advanced Legal Studies offers doctoral research supervision in the following areas:
- Company Law
- Comparative Law
- Criminal Law and Evidence
- Energy Law
- European Criminal Law
- Financial Crime
- Financial Services and Regulation Law
- Gender, Sexuality and Law
- Information Law and Policy
- Law and Society
- Legal Education
- Legislative Studies / Law Reform
- Public Law and Regulation.
How to apply
Before agreeing to accept you, the School will require you to submit a research proposal, so it is worthwhile having this drafted ahead of a formal application. Once you have contacted the School, you will be put in touch with a potential supervisor.
Distance learning
Students are required to attend our London campus at set intervals to complete an intensive research training module, for upgrade, and for the viva but will otherwise study at their own location. This option is available to UK, EU and international students on the same basis as our on-campus PhD programmes (three years full time, six years part time). Fees are the same as for our on-campus PhD programmes. Please note that not all institutes and supervisors offer this option, and that some topics are not appropriate to be studied this way.
This programme is also available to be studied on campus in London. Visit the School of Advanced Study website to find out more about potential supervisors and subject areas, as well as details about available funding opportunities and more information about distance learning research degrees.