Law, Ph.D. / Ph.D. Distance Learning / M.Phil.

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• Law, Ph.D. / Ph.D. Distance Learning / M.Phil.

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Key Course Details

Start Date | Tuition Fees - Year 1

Oct 2026 or Jan, Apr or Jul 2027 | £ 5,238

Oct 2027 or Jan, Apr or Jul 2028 | £ 5,450

Start Date | Tuition Fees - Year 1

Oct 2026 or Jul 2027 | £ 5,238

Oct 2027 or Jul 2028 | £ 5,450

Start Date | Tuition Fees - Year 1

Oct 2026 or Jul 2027 | £ 5,238

Oct 2027 or Jul 2028 | £ 5,450

Start Date | Tuition Fees - Year 1

Oct 2026 or Jan, Apr or Jul 2027 | £ 2,619

Oct 2027 or Jan, Apr or Jul 2028 | £ 2,725

Start Date | Tuition Fees - Year 1

Oct 2026 | £ 2,619

Oct 2027 | £ 2,725

Start Date | Tuition Fees - Year 1

Oct 2026 | £ 2,619

Oct 2027 | £ 2,725

Start Date | Tuition Fees - Year 1

Oct 2026 or Jan, Apr or Jul 2027 | £ 5,238

Oct 2027 or Jan, Apr or Jul 2028 | £ 5,450

Start Date | Tuition Fees - Year 1

Oct 2026 or Jan, Apr or Jul 2027 | £ 2,619

Oct 2027 or Jan, Apr or Jul 2028 | £ 2,725

Start Date | Tuition Fees - Year 1

Oct 2026 or Jan, Apr or Jul 2027 | £ 19,750

Oct 2027 or Jan, Apr or Jul 2028 | £ 20,750

Start Date | Tuition Fees - Year 1

Oct 2026 or Jul 2027 | £ 19,750

Oct 2027 or Jul 2028 | £ 20,750

Start Date | Tuition Fees - Year 1

Oct 2026 or Jul 2027 | £ 19,750

Oct 2027 or Jul 2028 | £ 20,750

Start Date | Tuition Fees - Year 1

Oct 2026 or Jan, Apr or Jul 2027 | £ 9,900

Oct 2027 or Jan, Apr or Jul 2028 | £ 10,400

Start Date | Tuition Fees - Year 1

Oct 2026 | £ 9,900

Oct 2027 | £ 10,400

Start Date | Tuition Fees - Year 1

Oct 2026 | £ 9,900

Oct 2027 | £ 10,400

Start Date | Tuition Fees - Year 1

Oct 2026 or Jan, Apr or Jul 2027 | £ 19,750

Oct 2027 or Jan, Apr or Jul 2028 | £ 20,750

Start Date | Tuition Fees - Year 1

Oct 2026 or Jan, Apr or Jul 2027 | £ 9,900

Oct 2027 or Jan, Apr or Jul 2028 | £ 10,400

• Location: Singleton Park Campus
• Location: Singleton Park Campus
• Location: Singleton Park Campus
• Location: Singleton Park Campus
• Location: Singleton Park Campus
• Location: Singleton Park Campus
• Location: Singleton Park Campus
• Location: Singleton Park Campus
• Location: Singleton Park Campus
• Location: Singleton Park Campus
• Location: Singleton Park Campus
• Location: Singleton Park Campus
• Location: Singleton Park Campus
• Location: Singleton Park Campus
• Location: Singleton Park Campus
• Location: Singleton Park Campus

Course Overview

Start dates: 1st October, 1st January, 1st April, 1st July.

When you join our thriving community of postgraduate research students, you’ll become part of a supportive and friendly environment where we are dedicated to understanding some of society’s most challenging issues.

A research degree in Law gives you the chance to pursue a project based around your own passions and interests, leading to a qualification which can open the door to an academic career or boost employment prospects in a range of other fields.

Your research degree will typically last from three years (full-time) to six years (part-time) for a PhD, or two years (full-time) to four years (part-time) for an MPhil.

We have a wide range of expertise, and we invite applications in the following areas:

• Common, Contract and Commercial Law - particularly Comparative Law of Obligations, Securities, Company Law, IP Law and use of IP assets in securing funding for small and medium sized businesses, E-contract Law, Company Law, Equity Law, Law and Technology, and World Trade Law.
• Maritime Law - in particular Transport Law, Environmental Protection, Ship Building, Collisions, Law of the Sea, Marine Insurance, Salvage and Enforcement of Maritime Claims.
• Oil and Gas Law – especially Investment Treaties, Liability Regimes and Investment Arbitration.
• Public Law across domestic, regional and international levels including: Administrative Law; Medical Law; Children’s Rights; Constitutional Law; Devolution; Economic Law; Environmental Law (including Land-use Planning and Nature Conservation); European Union Law; Gender and the Law; Human Rights Law; Investment Law; Minority Language Rights; Multilevel Governance; Socio-economic Law; and Public Procurement Law.
• Criminal Law and the Law relating to Terrorism, Cyber Terrorism and Counter Terrorism.

Entry Requirements

We consider all applicants on their own merits and welcome applications from students with a wide range of qualifications.

Entry Requirements

Note for international and European applicants: details of how your qualification compares to the published academic entry requirements can be found on our Country Specific Entry Requirements page.

PhD./M.Phil

Applicants for Ph.D./MPhil study must normally hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University), with no failed modules at undergraduate level, and a master’s degree with an overall grade of ‘merit’.

English Language IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 6.0) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here.

Contact Details For more information on this programme, please email solpgr@swansea.ac.uk

As well as academic qualifications, Admissions decisions may be based on other factors, including (but not limited to): the standard of the research synopsis/proposal, performance at interview, intensity of competition for limited places, and relevant professional experience.

Reference Requirement

As standard, one reference is required before we can progress applications to the Faculty research programme, academic Admissions Tutor for consideration.

Please note that any protracted delay in receiving the outstanding reference may result in the need to defer your application to a later potential start point/entry month, than what you initially listed as your preferred start option.

You may wish to consider contacting your referee to assist in the process of obtaining the outstanding reference or alternatively, hold submission of application until a reference is sourced. Please note that it is not the responsibility of the University Admissions Office to obtain missing reference after our initial email is sent to your nominated referee, requesting a reference on your behalf.

The reference can take the form of a letter on official headed paper, or via the University’s standard reference form. Click this link to download the university reference form .

Alternatively, referees can email a reference from their employment email account, please note that references received via private email accounts, (i.e. Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail) cannot be accepted.

References can be submitted to pgradmissions@swansea.ac.uk .

How you are Supervised

Our Law research degrees give you the opportunity to learn from academics who are industry experts, with a wealth of academic and practical experience.

Our exceptional academic support includes:

ASSESSMENT

PhD: A thesis of no more than 100,000 words is submitted, which demonstrates original research that contributes significantly to the subject area. This is then followed by an oral examination of the thesis (viva).

MPhil: A thesis of no more than 60,000 words is submitted, which demonstrates original research that contributes significantly to the subject area. This is then followed by an oral examination of the thesis (viva).

• Supervision from our world class faculty with a breadth of professional and academic knowledge;
• State-of-the-art facilities;
• An environment in which you can develop and enhance transferable skills such as problem solving, independent thinking, project management, and critical thinking;
• The availability of structured training, interdisciplinary seminars, dedicated research facilities and software;
• A student community, drawn from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, bringing a wide range of research interests and personal and professional backgrounds – enhancing the learning experiences of the whole student community.

No Provision

Unfortunately, there is currently no formal Welsh-medium provision on this course. If you would like to let us know that you are interested in pursuing an element of your course through the medium of Welsh, please email us to indicate your interest along with your year of entry and we will do our best to see what is possible.

Whilst this course does not offer academic content delivered in Welsh, the University can provide you with the following, and Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you:

To learn more about the above and all the opportunities available to you through the medium of Welsh, visit Academi Hywel Teifi's undergraduate pages .

• An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
• The option to receive your personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually.
• The option to write and submit your coursework or exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and your work will be marked in Welsh.
• A Welsh-speaking Personal Tutor.
• One-to-one support through the medium of Welsh to improve your academic skills.
• An opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence of your Welsh language ability for future employers, namely the WJEC and Coleg Cymraeg's Welsh Language Certificate.
• Opportunity to be a member of the Swansea University Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

Ph.D. 3 Year Full Time

Start Date | UK | International

October 2026 | £ 5,238 | £ 19,750

January 2027 | £ 5,238 | £ 19,750

April 2027 | £ 5,238 | £ 19,750

July 2027 | £ 5,238 | £ 19,750

October 2027 | £ 5,450 | £ 20,750

January 2028 | £ 5,450 | £ 20,750

April 2028 | £ 5,450 | £ 20,750

July 2028 | £ 5,450 | £ 20,750

Ph.D. Distance Learning 3 Year Full Time

Start Date | UK | International

October 2026 | £ 5,238 | £ 19,750

July 2027 | £ 5,238 | £ 19,750

October 2027 | £ 5,450 | £ 20,750

July 2028 | £ 5,450 | £ 20,750

Ph.D. Distance Learning 3 Year Full Time

Start Date | UK | International

October 2026 | £ 5,238 | £ 19,750

July 2027 | £ 5,238 | £ 19,750

October 2027 | £ 5,450 | £ 20,750

July 2028 | £ 5,450 | £ 20,750

Ph.D. 6 Year Part Time

Start Date | UK | International

October 2026 | £ 2,619 | £ 9,900

January 2027 | £ 2,619 | £ 9,900

April 2027 | £ 2,619 | £ 9,900

July 2027 | £ 2,619 | £ 9,900

October 2027 | £ 2,725 | £ 10,400

January 2028 | £ 2,725 | £ 10,400

April 2028 | £ 2,725 | £ 10,400

July 2028 | £ 2,725 | £ 10,400

Ph.D. Distance Learning 6 Year Part Time

Start Date | UK | International

October 2026 | £ 2,619 | £ 9,900

October 2027 | £ 2,725 | £ 10,400

Ph.D. Distance Learning 6 Year Part Time

Start Date | UK | International

October 2026 | £ 2,619 | £ 9,900

October 2027 | £ 2,725 | £ 10,400

M.Phil. 2 Year Full Time

Start Date | UK | International

October 2026 | £ 5,238 | £ 19,750

January 2027 | £ 5,238 | £ 19,750

April 2027 | £ 5,238 | £ 19,750

July 2027 | £ 5,238 | £ 19,750

October 2027 | £ 5,450 | £ 20,750

January 2028 | £ 5,450 | £ 20,750

April 2028 | £ 5,450 | £ 20,750

July 2028 | £ 5,450 | £ 20,750

M.Phil. 4 Year Part Time

Start Date | UK | International

October 2026 | £ 2,619 | £ 9,900

January 2027 | £ 2,619 | £ 9,900

April 2027 | £ 2,619 | £ 9,900

July 2027 | £ 2,619 | £ 9,900

October 2027 | £ 2,725 | £ 10,400

January 2028 | £ 2,725 | £ 10,400

April 2028 | £ 2,725 | £ 10,400

July 2028 | £ 2,725 | £ 10,400

Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page .

Note: The 2027/2028 UK fee is indicative pending confirmation from UKRI.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page .

International students and part-time study: It may be possible for some students to study part-time under the Student Visa route. However, this is dependent on factors relating to the course and your individual situation. It may also be possible to study with us if you are already in the UK under a different visa category (e.g. Tier 1 or 2, PBS Dependant, ILR etc.). Please visit the University information on Visas and Immigration for further guidance and support.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page .

Funding and Scholarships

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

Government funding is now available for Welsh, English and EU students starting eligible postgraduate research programmes at Swansea University. To find out more, please visit our postgraduate loans page.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

School of Law Scholarships and Bursaries

Here at the Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law, we also offer a range of funding opportunities. See our scholarships and bursaries page for further information.

Additional Costs

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up .

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

• Travel to and from campus
• Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
• Purchase of books or texts
• Gowns for graduation ceremonies

How to Apply

APPLICATION PROCESS STEPS AND ADVICE FOR APPLYING

Identifying a relevant research topic

Applicants are encouraged to explore the research expertise of the School to ensure a good fit between PhD proposals and potential supervisors. You are more than welcome to arrange a meeting with relevant staff in your field to discuss your proposal before submitting it.

Preparing your research proposals

After you have identified a relevant research topic please prepare a detailed research proposal to include with your application. Guidance on writing a research proposal is also available.

How to Apply

After you have completed preparing an appropriate research proposal, please apply for a place on our PhD programme online here

Please note that it is advisable that you contact us before submitting your application. This will ensure we can identify appropriate supervisors, and where necessary work with you to refine your proposal. If you would like to do this, email: solpgr@swansea.ac.uk

Applicants can expect to be interviewed following their application to discuss their topic of research and ensure they demonstrate the necessary level of commitment to their studies and training.

If you're an international student, find out more about applying for this course here.

Application Deadlines can be found on our Application Deadlines webpage.

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PhD Programme Specification

Award Level (Nomenclature) | PhD in Law

Programme Title | Law

Director of Postgraduate Research | Dr Caroline Jones

Awarding Body | Swansea University

College/School | Hilary Rodham Clinton School of Law

Subject Area | Law

Frequency of Intake | October, January, April, July

Location | Singleton Campus

Singleton Campus

Mode of Study | Full/Part time

Full/Part time

Duration/Candidature | 3/6 years

FHEQ Level | 8

External Reference Points | QAA Qualification Descriptors for FHEQ Level 8

Regulations | Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body Accreditation | N/A

Exit Awards | N/A

Language of Study | English

This Programme Specification refers to the current academic year and provides indicative content for information. The University will seek to deliver each course in accordance with the descriptions set out in the relevant course web pages at the time of application. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision , either before or after enrolment.

Programme Summary

This PhD in Law at Swansea will enable you to undertake a substantial project led by your own interests. It is a highly respected qualification which can present a career in academia or a wider scope for employment in fields such as education, government or the private sector. A thesis of 100,000 words will be submitted for assessment demonstrating original research with a substantive contribution to the subject area. The PhD is examined following an oral examination of the thesis (a viva voce examination or viva voce ). You will acquire research skills for high-level work and skills and training programmes are available on campus for further support. There will be an opportunity to deliver presentations to research students and staff at departmental seminars and conferences. There may also be opportunities to develop your teaching skills through undergraduate tutorials, demonstrations and seminars.

Programme Aims

This PhD programme will provide doctoral researchers with:

Programme Structure

The programme comprises three key elements:

The programme comprises of the undertaking of an original research project of 3 years duration full time (6 years duration part time). Doctoral researchers may pursue the programme either full time or part time by pursuing research at the University at an external place of employment or with/at a University approved partner.

Assessment

Doctoral researchers for the PhD in Law are examined in two parts.

The first part is a thesis which is an original body of work representing the methods and results of the research project. The maximum word limit is 100,000 for the main text. The word limit does not include appendices (if any), essential footnotes, introductory parts and statements or the bibliography and index.

The second part is an oral examination (viva voce).

Doctoral Researcher Supervision and Support

Doctoral researchers will be supervised by a supervisory team. Where appropriate, staff from Colleges/Schools other than the ‘home’ College/School (other Colleges/Schools) within the University will contribute to cognate research areas. There may also be supervisors from an industrial partner.

The Primary/First Supervisor will normally be the main contact throughout the doctoral research journey and will have overall responsibility for academic supervision. The academic input of the Secondary Supervisor will vary from case to case. The principal role of the Secondary Supervisor is often as a first port of call if the Primary/First Supervisor becomes unavailable. The supervisory team may also include a supervisor from industry or a specific area of professional practice to support the research. External supervisors may also be drawn from other Universities.

The primary supervisor will provide pastoral support. If necessary the primary supervisor will refer the doctoral researcher to other sources of support (e.g. Wellbeing, Disability, Money Advice, IT, Library, Students’ Union, Academic Services, Student Support Services, Careers Centre).

Programme Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this programme, doctoral researchers should be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding

Attitudes and values

Research Skills

Skills and Competencies

Progression Monitoring

Progress will be monitored in accordance with Swansea University regulations. During the course of the programme, the Doctoral researcher is expected to meet regularly with their supervisors, and at most meetings it is likely that the doctoral researcher’s progress will be monitored in an informal manner in addition to attendance checks. Details of the meetings should ideally be recorded on the on-line system. A minimum of four formal supervision meetings is required each year, two of which will be reported to the Postgraduate Progression and Awards Board. During these supervisory meetings the doctoral researcher’s progress is discussed and formally recorded on the on-line system.

Learning Development

The University offers training and development for Doctoral Researchers and supervisors.

Swansea University’s Postgraduate Research Training Framework is structured into sections, to enable doctoral researchers to navigate and determine appropriate courses aligned to both their interest and their candidature stage.

There is a training framework including for example areas of Managing Information and Data, Presentation and Public Engagement, Leadership and working with others, Safety Integrity and Ethics, Impact and Commercialisation and Teaching and Demonstrating. There is also range of support in areas such as training needs, literature searching, conducting research, writing up research, teaching, applying for grants and awards, communicating research and future careers.

A range of research seminars and skills development sessions are provided within the Hilary Rodham Clinton School of Law and across the University. These are scheduled to keep the doctoral researcher in touch with a broader range of material than their own research topic, to stimulate ideas in discussion with others, and to give them opportunities to such as defending their own thesis orally, and to identify potential criticisms. Additionally, the Hilary Rodham Clinton School of Law is developing a research culture that aligns with the University vision and will link with key initiatives delivered under the auspices of the University’s Academies, for example embedding the HEA fellowship for postgraduate research students.

Research Environment

Swansea University’s research environment combines innovation and excellent facilities to provide a home for multidisciplinary research to flourish. Our research environment encompasses all aspects of the research lifecycle, with internal grants and support for external funding and enabling impact/effect that research has beyond academia.

Swansea University is very proud of our reputation for excellent research, and for the calibre, dedication, professionalism, collaboration and engagement of our research community. We understand that integrity must be an essential characteristic of all aspects of research, and that as a University entrusted with undertaking research we must clearly and consistently demonstrate that the confidence placed in our research community is rightly deserved. The University therefore ensures that everyone engaged in research is trained to the very highest standards of research integrity and conducts themselves and their research in a way that respects the dignity, rights, and welfare of participants, and minimises risks to participants, researchers, third parties, and the University itself.

The Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law is a dynamic and diverse research environment, bringing together scholars from a wide range of specialist subject areas and academic backgrounds. Research within the Unit centres around three principal areas: Commercial and Maritime Law, Governance and Human Rights, and Criminology and Criminal Justice. Ranging from theoretical to empirical and socio-legal to doctrinal, our research displays a high level of diversity in the approaches deployed. The School is committed to the core principles of inclusivity, transparency, collegiality, and equality, which inform all its activities.

The School seeks to provide all its postgraduate research students with a supportive research environment and equip them with the necessary skills for graduate employment. The School’s Director of Postgraduate Research, supported by a full-time Postgraduate Research Administrator, is proactive in identifying and responding to the needs of the Postgraduate Research community. A programme of events offering bespoke support to Postgraduate Researchers has been developed (complementing the University’s doctoral training programme and the courses provided by the Central Postgraduate Research Office). It includes a comprehensive induction and training programme, an annual Postgraduate Research Colloquium that offers students the opportunity to present their research in progress and receive feedback from faculty and fellow students, a regular Postgraduate Research student/staff forum, Postgraduate Research-led discussion groups, and a weekly writing forum. Each student benefits from a dedicated Postgraduate Research suite within the School and an annual research allowance to cover the cost of conference attendance and other research-related expenses. Students can also apply for additional funding via the ad hoc School Research Fund.

Career Opportunities

Having a PhD demonstrates that graduates can work effectively in a team, formulate, explore and communicate complex ideas and manage advanced tasks. Jobs in academia (eg postdoctoral research, lecturing), education, government, management, the public or private sector are possible. Examples include administrators, counsellors, marketing specialists, and researchers.

The Postgraduate Research Office Skills Development Team offer support and a training framework for example in creating a researcher profile based upon publications and setting up your own business. The Swansea Employability Academy assists students in future career opportunities, improving CVs, job applications and interview skills.

• The opportunity to conduct high quality postgraduate research in a world leading research environment.
• Key skills needed to undertake advanced academic and non-academic research including qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
• Advanced critical thinking, intellectual curiosity and independent judgement.
• Entry and confirmation of candidature
• Main body of research
• Thesis and viva voce
• Demonstrate the systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of research through the development of a written thesis.
• Create, interpret, analyse and develop new knowledge through original research or other advanced scholarship.
• Disseminate new knowledge gained through original research or other advanced scholarship via high quality peer reviewed publications within the discipline.
• Apply research skills and subject theory to the practice of research.
• Apply process and standards of a range of the methodologies through which research is conducted and knowledge acquired and revised.
• Conceptualise, design and implement a project aimed at the generation of new knowledge or applications within Law.
• Make informed judgements on complex issues in the field of Law, often in the absence of complete data and defend those judgements to an appropriate audience.
• Apply sound ethical principles to research, with due regard for the integrity of persons and in accordance with professional codes of conduct.
• Demonstrate self-awareness of individual and cultural diversity, and the reciprocal impact in social interaction between self and others when conducting research involving people.
• Respond appropriately to unforeseen problems in project design by making suitable amendments.
• Communicate complex research findings clearly, effectively and in an engaging manner to both specialist (including the academic community), and non-specialist audiences using a variety of appropriate media and events, including conference presentations, seminars and workshops.
• Correctly select, interpret and apply relevant techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry.
• Develop the networks and foundations for on-going research and development within the discipline.
• Implement advanced research skills to a substantial degree of independence.
• Locate information and apply it to research practice.
• Display the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment, including the exercise of personal responsibility and largely autonomous initiative in complex and unpredictable situations, in professional or equivalent environments.

MPhil Programme Specification

Award Level (Nomenclature) | MPhil in Law

Programme Title | Law

Director of Postgraduate Research | Dr Caroline Jones

Awarding Body | Swansea University

College/School | Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law

Subject Area | Law

Frequency of Intake | October, January, April, July

Location | Singleton Campus

Singleton Campus

Mode of Study | Full/Part time

Full/Part time

Duration/Candidature | 2/4 years

FHEQ Level | 7

External Reference Points | QAA Qualification Descriptors for FHEQ Level 7

Regulations | Master of Philosophy

Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body Accreditation | N/A

Exit Awards | MA/MSc by Research

Language of Study | English

This Programme Specification refers to the current academic year and provides indicative content for information. The University will seek to deliver each course in accordance with the descriptions set out in the relevant course web pages at the time of application. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision , either before or after enrolment.

Programme Summary

This MPhil in Law at Swansea will enable you to undertake a substantial project led by your own interests. It is a highly respected qualification which can present a career in academia or a wider scope for employment in fields such as education, government or the private sector. A thesis of 60,000 words will be submitted for assessment demonstrating original research with a substantive contribution to the subject area. The Masters is examined following an oral examination of the thesis (a viva voce examination or viva). You will acquire research skills for high-level work and skills and training programmes are available on campus for further support. There will be an opportunity to deliver presentations to research students and staff at departmental seminars and conferences.

Programme Aims

This Masters programme will provide students with:

Programme Structure

The programme comprises three key elements:

The programme comprises of the undertaking of an original research project of 2 years duration full time (4 years duration part time). Students may pursue the programme either full time or part time by pursuing research at the University at an external place of employment or with/at a University approved partner.

Assessment

Students for the Masters in Law are examined in two parts.

The first part is a thesis which is an original body of work representing the methods and results of the research project. The maximum word limit is 60,000 for the main text. The word limit does not include appendices (if any), essential footnotes, introductory parts and statements or the bibliography and index.

The second part is an oral examination ( viva voce ).

Supervision and Support

Students will be supervised by a supervisory team. Where appropriate, staff from Colleges/Schools other than the ‘home’ College/School (other Colleges/Schools) within the University will contribute to cognate research areas. There may also be supervisors from an industrial partner.

The Primary/First Supervisor will normally be the main contact throughout the student journey and will have overall responsibility for academic supervision. The academic input of the Secondary Supervisor will vary from case to case. The principal role of the Secondary Supervisor is often as a first port of call if the Primary/First Supervisor becomes unavailable. The supervisory team may also include a supervisor from industry or a specific area of professional practice to support the research. External supervisors may also be drawn from other Universities.

The primary supervisor will provide pastoral support. If necessary the primary supervisor will refer the student to other sources of support (e.g. Wellbeing, Disability, Money Advice, IT, Library, Students’ Union, Academic Services, Student Support Services, Careers Centre).

Programme Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this programme, doctoral researchers should be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding

Attitudes and values

Research Skills

Skills and Competencies

Progression Monitoring

Progress will be monitored in accordance with Swansea University regulations. During the course of the programme, the student is expected to meet regularly with their supervisors, and at most meetings it is likely that the student’s progress will be monitored in an informal manner in addition to attendance checks. Details of the meetings should ideally be recorded on the on-line system. A minimum of four formal supervision meetings is required each year, two of which will be reported to the Postgraduate Progression and Awards Board. During these supervisory meetings the student’s progress is discussed and formally recorded on the on-line system.

Learning Development

The University offers training and development for Doctoral Researchers and supervisors.

Swansea University’s Postgraduate Research Training Framework is structured into sections, to enable students to navigate and determine appropriate courses aligned to both their interest and their candidature stage.

There is a training framework including for example areas of Managing Information and Data, Presentation and Public Engagement, Leadership and working with others, Safety Integrity and Ethics, Impact and Commercialisation and Teaching and Demonstrating. There is also range of support in areas such as training needs, literature searching, conducting research, writing up research, teaching, applying for grants and awards, communicating research and future careers.

A range of research seminars and skills development sessions are provided within the Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law and across the University. These are scheduled to keep the student in touch with a broader range of material than their own research topic, to stimulate ideas in discussion with others, and to give them opportunities to such as defending their own thesis orally, and to identify potential criticisms. Additionally, the Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law is developing a research culture that will align with the University vision and will link with key initiatives delivered under the auspices of the University’s Academies, for example embedding the HEA fellowship for postgraduate research students.

Research Environment

Swansea University’s Research Environment combines innovation and excellent facilities to provide a home for multidisciplinary research to flourish. Our research environment encompasses all aspects of the research lifecycle, with internal grants and support for external funding and enabling impact/effect that research has beyond academia.

Swansea University is very proud of our reputation for excellent research, and for the calibre, dedication, professionalism, collaboration and engagement of our research community. We understand that integrity must be an essential characteristic of all aspects of research, and that as a University entrusted with undertaking research we must clearly and consistently demonstrate that the confidence placed in our research community is rightly deserved. The University therefore ensures that everyone engaged in research is trained to the very highest standards of research integrity and conducts themselves and their research in a way that respects the dignity, rights, and welfare of participants, and minimises risks to participants, researchers, third parties, and the University itself.

The Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law

The Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law is a dynamic and diverse research environment, bringing together scholars from a wide range of specialist subject areas and academic backgrounds. Research within the Unit centres around three principal areas: Commercial and Maritime Law, Governance and Human Rights, and Criminology and Criminal Justice. Ranging from theoretical to empirical and socio-legal to doctrinal, our research displays a high level of diversity in the approaches deployed. The School is committed to the core principles of inclusivity, transparency, collegiality, and equality, which inform all its activities.

The School seeks to provide all its postgraduate research students with a supportive research environment and equip them with the necessary skills for graduate employment. The School’s Director of Postgraduate Research, supported by a full-time PGR Administrator, is proactive in identifying and responding to the needs of the Postgraduate Research community. A programme of events offering bespoke support to Postgraduate Researchers has been developed (complementing the University’s doctoral training programme and the courses provided by the Central Postgraduate Research Office). It includes a comprehensive induction and training programme, an annual Postgraduate Research Colloquium that offers students the opportunity to present their research in progress and receive feedback from faculty and fellow students, a regular Postgraduate Research student/staff forum, Postgraduate Research-led discussion groups, and a weekly writing forum. Each student benefits from a dedicated Postgraduate Research suite within the School and an annual research allowance to cover the cost of conference attendance and other research-related expenses. Students can also apply for additional funding via the ad hoc School Research Fund.

Career Opportunities

Having a Master of Philosophy degree shows that you can communicate your ideas and manage tasks. Jobs in academia, education, government, management, the public or private sector are possible.

The Postgraduate Research Office Skills Development Team offer support and a training framework for example in creating a researcher profile based upon publications and setting up your own business. The Swansea Employability Academy assists students in future career opportunities, improving CVs, job applications and interview skills.

• The opportunity to conduct high quality postgraduate research in a world leading research environment.
• Key skills needed to undertake advanced academic and non-academic research including qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
• Advanced critical thinking, intellectual curiosity and independent judgement.
• Entry and confirmation of candidature
• Main body of research
• Thesis and viva voce
• Demonstrate the systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge through the development of a written thesis.
• Create, interpret, analyse and develop new knowledge through original research or other advanced scholarship.
• Apply research skills and subject theory to the practice of research.
• Apply process and standards of a range of the methodologies through which research is conducted and knowledge acquired and revised.
• Make informed judgements on complex issues in the field of Law often in the absence of complete data and defend those judgements to an appropriate audience.
• Apply sound ethical principles to research, with due regard for the integrity of persons and in accordance with professional codes of conduct.
• Demonstrate self-awareness of individual and cultural diversity, and the reciprocal impact in social interaction between self and others when conducting research involving people.
• Respond appropriately to unforeseen problems in project design by making suitable amendments.
• Communicate complex research findings clearly, effectively and in an engaging manner to both specialist (including the academic community), and non-specialist audiences using a variety of appropriate media.
• Correctly select, interpret and apply relevant techniques for research and academic enquiry.
• Develop the foundations for on-going research and development within the discipline.
• Implement independent research skills.
• Locate information and apply it to research practice.
• Display the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment, including the exercise of personal responsibility and initiative in complex situations.

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Programme Disclaimer

The University will seek to deliver each course in accordance with the descriptions set out in the relevant course web pages at the time of application. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after enrolment.

The information below is for students starting their courses in 2016 or later.

The University will not normally make very substantial changes to courses (for example, a change to the course title, significant restructuring, substantial change in course content, or the introduction of a progression hurdle) which would impact on students who have already begun their course. In exceptional circumstances, it may be necessary for the University to make such a change after acceptance of a place by an offer-holder. This will not happen less than 5 months before enrolment. The offer-holder will be notified of the change and will have the opportunity to withdraw their application and apply elsewhere.

Other changes could be made to course content, study location, delivery and teaching provision because of developments in the relevant subject, enhancements in teaching or assessment practice, requirements of external accreditation processes, changes in staffing, resource constraints or changes in the availability of facilities. Such changes will take account of the reasonable expectations of prospective and current students.

Research areas