PhD in Law

We are a vibrant community committed to research excellence.

Research in the School is focussed around six research clusters, which include PGR students.

YLS has a wide range of research expertise, spanning a diverse array of topics, and applying a variety of research methods: from doctrinal to philosophical, empirical, historical and critical.

Programme Structure

• The Law School offers a programme of research skills workshops for 1st year research students, spread across the three main terms of the academic year.
• As well as offering support in designing your research project, refining your research question, and in critical reading and thinking, it offers a forum for research students to meet together as a cohort, to learn together and support each other.
• At faculty level, the Research School of Social Sciences permits student to audit certain modules (subject to availability) on its MA in Social Research. YLS students, where appropriate, may gain training in quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• At University level, all research students take part in transferable skills training, which develops competence in communication skills, career management, networking and team building and personal effectiveness.

Admission Requirements

Academic Requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English Requirements

TOEFL iBT: 96

TOEFL iBT is accepted by more than 13,000 universities and other institutions in over 160 countries. The test can be taken at a test center or at home. The test measures your English-language abilities in an academic setting. The score refers to the total score of 4 subjects (writing, listening, speaking, and reading), each subject has a range of 0 - 30.

OR IELTS: 7

The International English Language Test System (IELTS) tests your English-language proficiency on a scale of 1 – 9. The score refers to the combined average score of 4 subjects (writing, listening, speaking, and reading).

Other Requirements

• You would normally have a good undergraduate degree in Law or in a discipline related to the research area in which you intend to work.
• We would normally expect you have obtained an average of at least 65% overall and a minimum of 65% in your undergraduate dissertation. In addition, you would have a Masters degree in Law or another discipline relevant to your research topic.
• We would normally expect you have obtained an average of at least 65% in the Masters degree overall and a minimum of 65% in the dissertation module.

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees

International: 48,285 AUD/year (approx. 25,350 GBP/year)

Domestic: 9,977 AUD/year (approx. 5,238 GBP/year)

Living Costs

York, United Kingdom: 1,230-2,141 AUD/month. The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Scholarships are available:

• Fulbright U.S. Student Program (U.S. government) – Various benefits – Deadline: 07 Oct 2026
• ServiceScape Scholarship – 1000 USD – Deadline: 30 Nov 2026
• ACES Scholarships – 3500 USD – Deadline: 15 Nov 2026
• Erasmus+ – Grants for study mobility – Various benefits – Deadline: Not specified
• Scholarships for PhD Students – 19000 GBP – Deadline: Not specified
• Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship – Various benefits – Deadline: 28 Feb 2027
• $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship – 1000 USD – Deadline: 31 Oct 2026
• Voice Talent Online Scholarship – 1000 USD – Deadline: 01 Mar 2027
• Women Scholarship for International Students – 5000 USD – Deadline: 28 Aug 2026
• The PhD Prep Fellowship – 10000 USD – Deadline: 01 Sep 2026
• Dream Chaser Scholarship – 1000 USD – Deadline: 13 Jan 2027
• Scholarship for students with disabilities – 3000 USD – Deadline: 31 Dec 2026
• Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids – 22500 GBP – Deadline: Not specified
• The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship – 1500 USD – Deadline: Not specified
• Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme – 12000 USD – Deadline: 11 Jan 2027