Key information
- Duration: Full-time: 36 months; Part-time: 72 months (Flexible)
- Start dates & application deadlines: Starting October 2026. Apply anytime. Applications will close when the course is full.
Overview
Kingston University is known for its dynamic approach to legal research, offering a supportive environment where your work can flourish. You'll have access to expert guidance and state-of-the-art resources, and the opportunity to contribute to significant developments in the legal world.
The Department of Law is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). Our school has been accredited as an outlet for research training for doctoral students. The Law PhD programme is recognised by the ESRC for fulfilling requirements to provide a broad-based programme of research training at doctoral level. Visit the programme website for more information
The expert academic team that supports this PhD course includes National Teaching Award winners and Fellows from the Higher Education Academy. Many of our lecturing staff combine teaching with legal practice, to maintain up-to-date knowledge of the industry.
Career
Law PhD at Kingston University opens doors to a range of career opportunities in academia, research, policy-making, and law.
Kingston’s comprehensive research training equips you with transferable skills in critical thinking, research methodologies, and communication, making you highly employable in a variety of sectors.
Accreditation
- The Department of Law is a recognised Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) outlet for research training for doctoral students.
Programme Structure
- As a guide, for a full-time PhD you should commit to a similar number of hours to a full-time job – approximately 35 hours of PhD work a week. For a part-time PhD, this would be halved. We would also expect you to take a similar number of holiday days to full-time or part-time employment.
- Your PhD thesis should be around 80,000 words and will be the subject of an oral examination, the 'viva voce'. You will need to show how you have critically investigated your area of research and made an independent and original contribution to knowledge.
Admission requirements
Academic requirements
GPA: Lower Second Class
English requirements
IELTS: 7
Other requirements
General requirements
You should have:
- a first or second class honours undergraduate degree and a masters degree in Law or a law-related subject; and
- two personal references from academic referees confirming your suitability for the programme.
You will also need to provide evidence of:
- relevant educational, professional and personal experience;
- your ability to meet the high intellectual and personal demands of the programme; and
- your potential to complete the programme within the designated time.
We welcome applications from international students. If you hold a non-UK degree or legal professional qualification, see our guidance on equivalent qualifications.
Make sure you meet all requirements
Fees and funding
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees are shown in AUD and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.
- International: Non-residents: 34,008 AUD / year (≈ 18,000 GBP / year)
Additional Details
Part time: International students: £9,000
Living costs
London, United Kingdom: 2,148-4,075 AUD / month
Funding
Kingston University offers a range of postgraduate scholarships, including:
- Inspire the Future scholarship
- Postgraduate scholarships for international students
Scholarships
Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Law.
Available Scholarships
- Alumni Discount (Kingston University, Sutton, United Kingdom) – Merit-based – Deadline: Anytime
- Postgraduate Progression Scholarship (Kingston University, Sutton, United Kingdom) – Merit-based – Deadline: Anytime
- Commonwealth Scholarships (Kingston University, Sutton, United Kingdom) – Merit-based – Deadline: Not specified
- Postgraduate Progression Scholarship (Kingston University, Sutton, United Kingdom) – Need-based – Deadline: Anytime
- Fulbright U.S. Student Program (U.S. government) – Deadline: 07 Oct 2026
- ACES Scholarships (ACES Education Fund) – 3500 USD – Deadline: 15 Nov 2026
- ServiceScape Scholarship (ServiceScape) – 1000 USD – Deadline: 30 Nov 2026
- Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility (OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation) – Merit-based – Deadline: Not specified
- Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship (Boustany Foundation) – Merit-based – Deadline: 28 Feb 2027
- Scholarships for PhD Students (Junhua Li) – 19000 GBP – Merit-based – Deadline: Not specified
- $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship (IvyPanda) – 1000 USD – Merit-based – Deadline: 31 Oct 2026
- Women Scholarship for International Students (educations.com) – 5000 USD – Merit-based – Deadline: 28 Aug 2026
- Voice Talent Online Scholarship (Voice Talent Online) – 1000 USD – Deadline: 01 Mar 2027
- The PhD Prep Fellowship (Admit Lab) – 10000 USD – Merit-based – Deadline: 01 Sep 2026
- Dream Chaser Scholarship (Salvado Law) – 1000 USD – Merit-based – Deadline: 13 Jan 2027
- Scholarship for students with disabilities (Anonymous Hope Fund) – 3000 USD – Need-based – Deadline: 31 Dec 2026
- Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids (UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)) – 22500 GBP – Deadline: Not specified
- The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship (IELTS from 6 to 9) – 1500 USD – Deadline: Not specified
- Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme (The Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme) – 12000 USD – Deadline: 11 Jan 2027