fully funded phd in law

Fully Funded JD and PhD Programs In Law

Last updated February 28, 2022

Next in my series on  How To Fully Fund Your PhD , I provide a list below of universities that offer full funding to all students admitted to their doctoral programs and joint PHD-JD programs in law and justice studies.

When seeking funding for the 4-6 years of your doctoral studies, it is ideal to be accepted to programs offering full funding to all admitted students. When a university indicates that they provide full funding to their PhD students, in most cases this means they provide each admitted doctoral student full tuition and a stipend for living expenses for the four to six year duration of the student’s doctoral studies. Not all universities provide full funding to their doctoral students, so be sure to research the financial aid offerings of all the potential PhD programs in your academic field, including small and lesser-known schools both in the U.S. and abroad.  

In the  ProFellow database , we also list several competitive fellowships for graduate and doctoral study.

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University of Arizona, Duel PhD-JD in Philosophy and Law  (Tucson, Arizona): Most students in the doctoral program receive financial assistance in the form of fellowships, teaching assistantships, and/or research assistantships. 

Arizona State University, PhD in Justice Studies (Tempe, AZ): Each year we aim to admit the number of doctoral students who can be fully funded with graduate fellowships and teaching and research assistantships. These awards cover your tuition, health insurance, and also carry a stipend.

University of California, Joint PhD-JD in Philosophy and Law (Los Angeles, CA): All admitted students receive two years of fellowship support. Fellowships cover living expenses, university fees, health insurance, and out-of-state tuition if needed. The university awards some multi-year fellowships to highly qualified students. In years when students do not receive fellowship support, they are awarded teaching assistantships that provide a salary and cover university fees and health insurance. Summer teaching may also be available.

University of Chicago Booth, Joint PhD-JD in Business and Law (Chicago, IL): All admitted Ph.D. students at Chicago Booth enjoy generous financial assistance consisting of a tuition grant, a stipend, student health insurance, a computer or computer subsidy, and access to research and travel funding. Ph.D. stipend is $43,500 per year. During your third and fourth years in the Ph.D. program, you are guaranteed the opportunity to work as a teaching assistant.

Columbia University JD-PhD Program (New York, NY): During the GSAS portion of the JD/PhD program, students will receive funding as a GSAS doctoral student, multi-year support consists of a combination of fellowships and teaching or research assistantships.

Northwestern University, PhD-JD in Law (Chicago, IL): Northwestern offers the most financially generous JD-PhD program in the country, typically providing full funding—including tuition and living expenses—for six academic years and three summers, for up to five students per year.

University of Miami School of Law, Joint J.D./Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Policy (Coral Gables, FL): Students will receive 4 years’ worth of stipends and tuition waivers from the ECS program for their Ph.D. work, with the obligation to serve as a Teaching Assistant for 1 year out of the 4. The Law School will provide a $25,000 tuition scholarship for the first year in Law School.

University of North Carolina Center for Media Law and Policy, Duel JD-PhD in Law, Media and Communication (Chapel Hill, NC): Both the UNC School of Law and School of Media and Journalism provide scholarships and other funding including writing competitions, employment assistance, and summer grants to students who have an interest in media law and policy. Scholarships at the School of Media and Journalism are available to all students.

Vanderbilt University, PhD in Law and Economics (Nashville, TN): Law and economics students are fully funded by a competitive package of fellowship support covering both tuition and stipend.

Yale University, PhD in Law (New Haven, CT): Law Ph.D. students will receive a full-tuition fellowship, and a stipend at an amount set by the Graduate School (for the 2019-1920 academic year, this will be $43,300), Yale Basic Health coverage, and a Health Award covering the cost of hospitalization and specialty coverage.

To view over 1,500 professional and academic fellowships, including fellowships for graduate and doctoral study and pre and post-doctoral research, sign up to view ProFellow’s fellowship database.

© Victoria Johnson 2020-2021, all rights reserved.

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Northwestern's JD-PhD program is open to students who intend to pursue an academic or research career and whose teaching and research will be enriched by both degrees. The program is designed to allow students to complete both degrees more effectively than they would through consecutive degree programs. Students are able to complete the entire program, including dissertation, in as few as six years.

Northwestern JD-PhD graduates have obtained faculty positions in law and graduate schools as well as prestigious judicial clerkships.

Advantages of Northwestern's JD-PhD Program

The most integrated program of its kind.

The program offers a coherent course of study on a set track that integrates the rigorous terrains of doctoral and law studies. Faculty members from each of the schools jointly supervise students' research and dissertations.

An Accelerated Course of Study

Students can complete the entire program in as few as six years (varies by department). All students can earn both degrees more quickly than they would through consecutive degree programs. JD-PhD students spend the first two years doing graduate-level course work in various disciplines through The Graduate School, the following two years at the Law School, and the final years completing their dissertations.

A Strong Community

Students from various doctoral programs are treated as a cohort, so they have a community of peers in law, in their disciplines, and among those seeking the combined degree. Both law and graduate school faculty are involved at every step to support students' progress in the program and to ensure that each student progresses consistently.

An Important Qualification

There is a growing trend among top law schools to hire faculty who have PhDs as well as law degrees. Northwestern's JD-PhD program presents the most efficient option to obtain these credentials.

Outstanding Faculty

Interdisciplinary study is a hallmark of Northwestern and the Law School has a higher percentage of PhD-trained scholars than any top law school in the country.

The Most Generous Funding in the Country

Northwestern offers the most financially generous JD-PhD program in the country, typically providing full funding—including tuition and living expenses—for seven academic years and six summers.

Related Links

The Graduate School | Law School Course Catalog | JD-PhD Brochure  (pdf)

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Vanderbilt Law School's Ph.D. Program in Law and Economics is unlike any other. Dual-degree students pursue a J.D. and a Ph.D. concurrently in a fully integrated curriculum that combines economic theory and methodology with the study of law. The program is designed so that students complete both degrees in just 6 years. Admitted students receive a full funding package , including tuition for both degrees and a competitive annual stipend, for all 6 years of study.

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Applicants must complete separate applications to Vanderbilt Graduate School and Vanderbilt Law School. Each applicant's Law School and Graduate School applications will be considered together in a collaborative admissions process.

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Program graduates are in tenured or tenure-track positions at University of Alabama, University of Arkansas, University at Buffalo, Florida State University, George Mason University, University of Texas, Vanderbilt University, and Western Kentucky University, as well as in positions in government, legal practice, and consulting.

The Law & Economics/Applied Microeconomics Seminar Series brings scholars from around the world to Vanderbilt to present research spanning a variety of fields and topics. The program also hosts a variety of conferences, including the biennial Frontiers in Law and Economics (FILE) conference. 

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Top 10 Best PhD in Law Programs [2024]

A PhD in law is an advanced qualification that will make you a true legal expert. You can use that credential to work as a legal research scholar or teach at a post-secondary level. This is not only a prestigious career path but also a lucrative one — today’s law PhD holders have an average salary  of $93,000.

Today’s law schools emphasize an interdisciplinary approach to legal education, equipping students to work in a diverse range of fields.

Interested in an advanced criminal justice  career? Below we’ll cover the top PhD in law programs, universities, and what you need to know before pursuing a doctorate in law.

Table of Contents

Top PhD in Law Programs

Yale university, law school.

Yale University’s Law School ranks first  in the nation, with its 20 legal clinics offering an immersive experience for students. This PhD program has a purely academic focus. To qualify for admission, you’ll need to already have a JD (Juris Doctor) degree. If accepted, you’ll be able to benefit from Yale Law School’s acclaimed “Yale Teaching Program.”

• Courses: Criminal law & administration, international human rights, and complex civil litigation.
• Duration:  3 years
• Delivery: On-campus
• Tuition: Fully funded
• Financial aid: Full tuition coverage, health insurance, and stipend.
• Acceptance rate:  7%
• Location: New Haven, Connecticut

Stanford University

Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD)

Stanford University is another highly acclaimed institution in the field of law education with a tough admissions process. Only a few exceptionally gifted students with an international JD or LLB or a SPILS (Stanford Program in International Legal Studies) qualification are accepted into this program every year. The program has an emphasis on an interdisciplinary approach to law.

• Courses:  Advanced antitrust, current issues in business law, and reinventing American criminal justice systems.
• Credits: 44 units
• Duration: 4 years
• Tuition : $64,350 per year
• Financial aid: Scholarships, fellowships, grants, assistantships, federal work-study, and loans.
• Acceptance rate: 5%
• Location:  Stanford, California

The University of Chicago, The Law School

Doctor of Jurisprudence (JSD)

The Law School of the University of Chicago is renowned for its interdisciplinary approach to teaching and cross-lists its courses with other departments. The faculty include philosophers, political scientists, historians, and law scholars. Students also have the option to pursue a Doctorate in Comparative Law (D.Comp.L.) instead of a JSD if they wish.

• Courses: Antitrust & intellectual property, civil rights clinic: police accountability, and American legal history.
• Duration: 5 years
• Tuition : $7,647 per year
• Financial aid: Full tuition scholarship, fellowship, and health insurance.
• Acceptance rate: 7%
• Location: Chicago, Illinois

Columbia University, Law School

JSD Program

The Columbia Law School emphasizes experiential learning with law clinics, moot courts, and externships, offering opportunities for innovative education and valuable intellectual exchange. Students can conduct independent research with the help of their faculty advisors and they need to submit a DPR (Dissertation Progress Report) at the end of each year.

• Courses:  Intellectual property & technology, international & comparative law, and law of the workplace.
• Duration:  5-6 years
• Tuition : $75,572 per year
• Financial aid: Grants, loans, and first child allowance.
• Location:  New York City, New York

Harvard University, Law School

Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD)

Harvard University is one of the world’s most famous centers for education, and its Law School  is equally renowned. The school has a unique grading system that uses the classifications honors, pass, low-pass, and fail. This flexible SJD program allows students to design their own study plan and choose faculty supervisors for independent research.

• Courses: Advanced comparative perspectives on US law, environmental justice, and strategic litigation & immigration advocacy.
• Duration:  4 years
• Delivery:  On-campus
• Tuition : $67,720 per year
• Financial aid:  Scholarships, grants, and loans.
• Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

The University of Pennsylvania, Carey Law School

Doctor of Science of Law (SJD)

Carey Law School’s curricula cut across disciplinary and international lines to create law experts in every field, including business, health, technology, education, and social work. For admission to the Carey Law School PhD, you must already hold an LLM or JD from the same school or an institution of similar standing.

• Courses: Privacy & racial justice, appellate advocacy, and disability law.
• Tuition : Refer tuition page
• Financial aid: Full tuition, stipend, health insurance, and scholarships.
• Acceptance rate: 9%
• Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law

The University of Arizona’s James E. Rogers College of Law is one of the country’s most affordable top-tier law schools. This PhD law degree offers the choice of two concentrations: International Trade & Business Law, and Indigenous Peoples Law & Policy.

• Courses:  International business & investment structuring, federal Indian law, and trusts & estates.
• Duration:  3-5 years
• Tuition and fees : $26,000 per year
• Financial aid:  Scholarships, federal work-study, loans, veteran benefits, and fellowships.
• Acceptance rate: 85%
• Location: Tucson, Arizona

The University of Texas at Dallas, School of Economic, Political, and Policy Sciences

Doctor of Philosophy in Criminology

The University of Texas’ School of Economic, Political, and Policy Sciences creates professionals capable of dealing with modern issues like risk management, political violence, social inequality, healthcare, and international trade & conflict resolution. You’ll need a bachelor’s in criminology or a related discipline to apply for this PhD in criminology.

• Courses: Advances in criminology theory, evidence-based crime prevention, and regression & multivariate analysis.
• Credits: 75 semester credit hours
• Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, and loans.
• Acceptance rate: 79%
• Location:  Richardson, Texas

Abraham Lincoln University, School of Law

Juris Doctor (JD)

This school was founded with to provide affordable education to working professionals who cannot attend regular law school. This doctorate in law is a flexible JD degree that can be completed entirely online through the university’s high-level education technology.

• Courses:  Criminal law, civil procedure, and wills & trusts.
• Delivery: Online
• Tuition : $10,100 per year
• Acceptance rate: 90.3%
• Location:  Glendale, California

Walden University

Online PhD in Criminal Justice

Walden University aims to help working professionals pursue advanced degrees and has been ranked #1  in research doctorates for African-American students. This program was one of the first online doctorates in criminal justice and allows students to explore national and international issues in criminal justice administration with a dual emphasis on contemporary theory and practice.

• Courses: History & contemporary issues in criminal justice, policy & analysis in criminal justice systems, and research theory, design & methods.
• Credits: 77 quarter credits
• Tuition : $636 per quarter hour
• Financial aid: Grants, scholarships, loans, and veteran benefits.
• Acceptance rate: 100%
• Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota

What Do You Need to Get a PhD in Law?

The exact requirements vary depending on the program, but you’ll typically need a LLB, LLM, or JD as a basic prerequisite.

As part of the admission process, you usually need to submit:

• Academic transcripts from previous studies
• Personal essay and/or research proposal
• Recommendation letters

To earn your doctorate, you’ll have to complete coursework, qualifying examinations, and usually a dissertation to a high standard.

Preparing for a Law Doctorate Program

The best PhD in legal studies programs are competitive, so it’s important to start preparing early. Keep up to date on developments in the field and research the best universities that offer your preferred specialization.

Look into leading faculty members in your areas of interest, and network by joining relevant professional communities. Once you’ve decided on your dream program, check admission requirements to prepare the strongest possible application.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Law PhD Program

Choosing the best law PhD program will depend on a range of factors, including your passions and interests. However, there are a few general factors that are essential for everyone deciding on a law school for their PhD to consider:

• Location:  First, a school close by could save you on accommodation costs. But that’s not the only location consideration. You should look at your school destination for evidence of a booming legal or education industry. For example, New York is a hub for business, while Boston is known as a center for technology.
• Cost and funding:  Ensure the program costs align with your budget and explore financial aid opportunities.
• Specialization:  Some schools offer unique specializations like social justice, law and economics, and international law. Choose a program with a focus on your preferred specialization.
• Faculty:  The university’s reputation is important, but its faculty credentials are equally critical. Explore faculty backgrounds by researching published papers and social media profiles like LinkedIn.
• Class sizes:  Smaller class sizes mean better one-on-one attention; however, a larger cohort offers better networking opportunities.
• Placement support:  What happens after graduation? Are you on the hook for finding a job on your own, or does the school offer placement options? Find out where alumni are employed to get an idea.

Why Get a Doctorate in Law?

A doctorate degree in law will allow you to pursue roles in the legal field as a scholar, researcher, or academic, and build a worthwhile career.

Several candidates apply for admission to PhD in jurisprudence programs every academic year, but top law schools have low acceptance rates, and only a few are accepted. For example, Harvard only has around 70 SJD students  while hundreds or thousands may apply. Therefore, with this qualification, you’ll belong to an exclusive group of in-demand professionals.

Jobs for PhD in Law Degree Holders

Here are some common roles for PhD holders in law with the average annual salaries for each:

• General Counsel ($170,183 )
• Staff Attorney ($71,106 )
• Professor of Law ( $131,926 )
• Project Manager ( $76,264 )
• Senior Research Associate ( $75,029 )

Course Costs

The cost greatly depends on where you study, but prestigious law schools can charge annual tuition of around $65,000. Once you factor in living expenses, books, and facility fees, the total cost can add up to around $100,000 a year. However, you can find programs with tuition and fees for as little as $7,500 a year. Moreover, most top institutions offer full-tuition scholarships, stipends, and similar financial aid that cover almost all of your expenses.

Course Length

Typically, a PhD in law takes 3-5 years to complete. However, most programs will give you extra time to complete your doctorate if needed.

Skills You’ll Gain through a PhD in Law

Aside from giving you in-depth and expansive legal knowledge, PhD in law programs can also help you develop the following skills:

• Communication
• Presentation
• Critical Thinking
• Project Management
• Problem Solving

Key Takeaways

A PhD in law is an excellent choice for legal professionals seeking a career in research or academia. While a JD or Juris Doctor is equivalent to a PhD, the former equips you to become a law practitioner.

On the other hand, if you want to teach at a post-secondary level or conduct further legal research, you will need a PhD. Prepare early and choose a program that will best help you to achieve your career goals.

For more law education advice, take a look at our guide on the best master’s in criminal justice programs , or weigh up your options with the highest-paying PhDs .

PhD in Law FAQs

What is a phd in law called.

A PhD in law is usually called a Doctor of Law or Doctor of Laws. Some universities offer a JD (Juris Doctor or Doctor of Jurisprudence) degree, while others offer SJD (Doctor of Juridical Science) or JSD (Doctor of Science in Jurisprudence) programs.

Is a PhD in Law the Same as a JD?

A JD (Juris Doctor) degree is suitable for anyone who wants to practice as a licensed legal professional. These programs usually take three years to complete and are mostly coursework-focused.

On the other hand, a PhD in law may take 5-6 years to complete and usually involves a dissertation or major research project. If your aim is professional research or a job in academia in the discipline rather than practicing law, a PhD is better for you.

What is the Highest Degree in Law?

A PhD in law is generally considered the most advanced law degree. While some universities call it by other names, such as SJD (Doctor of Juridical Science) or JSD (Doctor of Jurisprudence degree), this is essentially the same thing.

How Long is a PhD in Law?

PhD Law programs typically take 3-5 years to complete. You may take longer for individual reasons, such as if you choose to study part-time.

What Does a PhD in Law Do?

A PhD in law will equip you to work in legal research or academia.

Lisa Marlin

Lisa is a full-time writer specializing in career advice, further education, and personal development. She works from all over the world, and when not writing you'll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or enjoying a glass of Malbec.

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Ph.D. Program

The ph.d. in law degree.

The Ph.D. in Law degree program is designed to prepare J.D. graduates for careers as legal scholars and teachers through a doctoral program aimed at the production of a substantial body of academic research and writing under the close supervision of a three-member faculty dissertation committee. Unlike programs designed for students who wish to learn about law from the disciplinary perspectives of the social sciences or the humanities, the Ph.D. in Law is directed at students who wish to pursue advanced studies in law from the perspective of the law. This program offers emerging scholars an opportunity to contribute to the development of law as an academic field, and it provides an alternate pathway into law teaching alongside existing routes such as fellowships, advanced degrees in cognate fields, legal practice, and clerkships.

Because our entering Ph.D. students will have already completed their J.D. degrees, the anticipated course of study toward the Ph.D. in Law degree is three academic years and two summers in residence. In their first two semesters, Ph.D. students will enroll in courses designed to help them acquire the background and research skills needed to complete a dissertation in their field of interest and to prepare them for qualifying examinations that test the depth and breadth of the literacies and skills they have acquired. During their second year, students will prepare a dissertation prospectus and begin work on a dissertation. The dissertation may take the form of either three law review articles or a book-length manuscript and will make up a portfolio of writing that will be essential for success in the job market. Ph.D. students will also gain experience in the classroom, and receive the full support of Yale Law School’s Law Teaching Program , which has had remarkable success in placing graduates in tenure-track positions at leading law schools.

Ph.D. students receive a full-tuition waiver, a health award for health insurance coverage, and a stipend to cover their year-round living expenses, as well as support for participation in national and international conferences.

Applications for admission to the Ph.D. in Law program are available starting on August 15. The deadline for submission of all materials is December 15. Applicants to the Ph.D. in Law program must complete a J.D. degree at a U.S. law school before they matriculate and begin the Ph.D. program. Any questions about the program may be directed to Gordon Silverstein, Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs, at [email protected] .

Watch Gordon Silverstein, Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs, describe the Ph.D. program at Yale Law School.

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PhD Programme in Law

The opportunity to undertake advanced legal research at one of the world's best law schools.

The London School of Economics is a world centre for advanced research and teaching with an outstanding reputation, with a campus situated in the heart of London, one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. Only a short distance from Europe's financial, legal and cultural centres, LSE stands at the crossroads of international debate, a location that is fundamental to our identity as an outward looking institution with an active involvement in UK and world affairs. Each year the School attracts many influential outside speakers. Regular events and seminars involving politicians, regulators, practitioners and academics take place to complement your studies. 

LSE Law School is one of the UK's pre-eminent research institutions for law. Our academics are the authors of influential and often path-breaking scholarship, and many have globally leading reputations.  LSE Law is also one of UK's largest law schools, with over 70 academic members of staff. It is a uniquely cosmopolitan academic community, with staff and students coming from all over the world.  Our academics draw on a wide range of literatures and traditions, and pursue analyses that seek to situate the law within the political, social and economic context within which it is formed and operates. 

PhD Programme

The PhD programme at the London School of Economics and Political Science offers the opportunity to undertake advanced legal research at one of the world's best law schools. Students in our PhD programme receive excellent training and work under the supervision of leading scholars with strong international, comparative and interdisciplinary commitments. Our doctoral students become members of a lively academic community which is at the cutting-edge of legal scholarship and which plays a major role in the education of lawyers and law teachers from around the world.

We hope that the questions you have about our PhD programme will be answered in these web pages. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us , or see our Frequently Asked Questions  ...

PhD Funding

PhD Current research

PhD placements What do our PhD students do after leaving LSE?

FAQs Your questions about the PhD programme

PhD completions Browse our completed PhDs

Careers Our careers information and resources

Visiting research students How to apply as a visiting student

PhD Academy A dedicated space for PhD students

LSE Life Academic, personal, professional development

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Ph.D. in Law

The Ph.D. in Law prepares graduates for global leadership in the judiciary, academia, business and government. Since 1966, the program has offered a select number of diverse students the opportunity to attain their highest professional aspirations and career goals. A preeminent center for interdisciplinary legal studies, UW Law offers a global focus and innovative approach to integrating legal scholarship within the humanities and social sciences, medicine and global health, business and technology, and environmental and public policy.

The Ph.D. program is designed to provide a rich and thorough foundation in research methodologies, jurisprudence, legal theory, policy, dissertation preparation and ready access to specialized elective coursework from within the law school and university-wide research centers, institutes and schools. Throughout the program, our graduate students receive individualized attention from exceptional faculty and staff.

With its long and respected history, the Ph.D. program provides students with a global alumni network. Alumni are committed supporters and mentors and lead in many sectors around the world.

The Ph.D. program requires a minimum of three years’ study, at least two years of which are comprised of coursework taken while in residence at the UW. Ph.D. candidates must complete 90 credits. A minimum of 60 credits must be taken at the UW including a minimum of 27 dissertation credits. Some of the credits earned in an LL.M. program may be counted among the 60 credits.

Doctoral dissertation committees are led by faculty experts from UW Law and include members with deep knowledge and expertise from across the university. Students can customize their studies with interdisciplinary coursework, independent study, field research, global internships and externships.

See full curriculum

• Current Ph.D.s in Law
• PhD Admissions

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Graduate Programs, UW School of Law William H. Gates Hall Box 353020 4293 Memorial Way Seattle, WA 98195-3020, USA gradlaw@ uw .edu

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The Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) Program

• Bios of Current S.J.D. Candidates

The Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) is a research doctorate in law and is the highest degree conferred by the University of Virginia School of Law. It is designed for highly qualified, independent students who wish to pursue an extended program of research under the supervision of a faculty member, leading to the submission of a dissertation that makes an original and substantial contribution to legal scholarship.

The School of Law’s S.J.D. program is intended primarily for aspiring legal academics. Graduates have joined the faculty of law schools and universities in many countries, including Canada, China, Egypt, Ghana, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States. Others have pursued careers in international organizations, governments and private practice worldwide.

Current students and graduates of the School of Law’s LL.M. program may apply for admission to the S.J.D. program. The Graduate Committee also considers applications from students who have received, or will receive at the end of the academic year during which they apply, the LL.M. degree with high academic standing from another leading U.S. law school.  The admission standards are described on the Application Instructions page.

All students enrolled in the S.J.D. program are required to design and complete an individualized first year study plan approved by their faculty supervisor and the Chair of the Graduate Studies Committee, consisting of a combination of reading lists, course audits, independent research and/or other training designed to prepare the candidate to write his or her dissertation.  Students are expected to remain in residence in Charlottesville for at least one additional academic year after completing their first year program.

S.J.D. candidates pay tuition at a substantially reduced research rate .  The Law School does not provide financial aid to S.J.D. candidates.

For further information on the requirements to obtain the S.J.D., see Degree Requirements .

For information on applying to the S.J.D. program, see S.J.D. Application Instructions .

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Coordinated JD/PhD Program

Harvard Law School and the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

The Coordinated JD/PhD Program is designed for students interested in completing interdisciplinary work at Harvard University and is founded on the belief that students’ legal studies and their arts and sciences graduate studies can be mutually enriched through this pursuit. Students completing the coordinated program receive a JD from Harvard Law School (HLS) and a PhD from the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences  (Harvard Griffin GSAS). It is expected that these students will be strong candidates for teaching posts at law schools and in arts and sciences programs, as well as for other positions in law and academia. Prospective students interested in the coordinated program may reach out to  HLS J.D. Admissions  and the  Harvard Griffin GSAS Office of Admissions  to learn more. Current and admitted students interested in the coordinated program are encouraged to contact  April Pettit , in the Office of Academic Affairs at HLS for questions about the JD program, or  Dan Volchok , Assistant Dean of Student Success at Harvard Griffin GSAS for questions about the PhD programs.

Prospective students must separately apply to and be admitted to both HLS and a Harvard Griffin GSAS PhD program in order to participate in the coordinated JD/PhD program.

• Students enrolled in HLS, but not yet admitted to Harvard Griffin GSAS, must apply to Harvard Griffin GSAS no later than the 2L year, meeting the Harvard Griffin GSAS application deadline for matriculation the following year.
• Students enrolled in Harvard Griffin GSAS, but not yet admitted to HLS, should apply to HLS no later than the G3 year, meeting the HLS application deadline for matriculation the following year.
• Please see below for details about participation in the coordinated program for Harvard Griffin GSAS students who apply and are admitted to HLS after the G3 year.

Once admitted to both schools, students must submit a proposed Plan of Study to the coordinated program no later than October 1 of the academic year following admission to both schools. Students should submit the Plan of Study to April Pettit in the Office of Academic Affairs at HLS.

Please note: Harvard Griffin GSAS students who apply to and are admitted to HLS after the G3 year at Harvard Griffin GSAS must then separately apply to the coordinated program. The application to the coordinated program should include (1) a statement detailing the way in which the student plans to integrate his or her legal studies with his or her graduate studies including how work done at HLS will inform the dissertation work and vice versa; and (2) a letter of support from the primary Harvard Griffin GSAS advisor; and (3) the Plan of Study.

The JD/PhD committee will review the applications to determine admission to the coordinated program.

Students will be registered in only one School during any given semester/term. Pursuant to ABA rules, students must  complete all requirements for the JD degree within seven years of the date they first enroll in HLS ; they may graduate from HLS before completing the PhD. Students must have satisfactorily completed at least 16 half courses in their Harvard Griffin GSAS department to receive the PhD. Students in the coordinated program will have two primary faculty advisors, one at HLS and one at Harvard Griffin GSAS, who will jointly advise students.

Students will be expected to complete the first-year program, three upper-level fall or spring semesters, and two winter terms at HLS, for a total of five fall and spring semesters and three winter terms. In lieu of the sixth HLS semester generally required of JD students, students in the coordinated program may take a semester at Harvard Griffin GSAS, completing courses or dissertation work pre-approved by HLS, and equivalent to at least 10 HLS credits. This Harvard Griffin GSAS semester may be taken only after a student has matriculated at HLS and completed their entire first year of study there. Students and their faculty advisors will determine the most appropriate sequencing for each student’s course of study, keeping in mind the HLS course, credit, and residency requirements for this program.

Course and Credit Requirements

First-year program.

The first year at HLS consists of (1) Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, Legislation and Regulation, Property, and Torts; (2) First-year Legal Research and Writing; (3) January Experiential Term; and (4) a spring upper-level elective at HLS of a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 classroom credits.

Upper-Level Years

Credit and residency requirements.

Students must earn no fewer than 52 credits beyond the first year, including 36 HLS classroom credits. Classroom credits include those connected to courses, seminars and reading groups, but not writing or clinical credits. The 36 required classroom credits also include the required minimum of two credits to satisfy the Professional Responsibility Requirement and credits from the required winter terms (provided that the course chosen offers classroom credits). Of the remaining 16 required HLS credits, a maximum of ten are earned through courses or tutorials taken in Harvard Griffin GSAS and/or for dissertation writing (see below). Note that students must have their advisor’s approval before engaging in a semester of Harvard Griffin GSAS dissertation writing that is expected to count toward the HLS credit requirements . The remaining six required HLS credits may be earned in classroom, writing or clinical courses.

While at HLS, students must be enrolled in a minimum of ten total credits each semester in HLS or Harvard Griffin GSAS, with no fewer than eight of these being HLS classroom credits toward the requirement of 36 HLS classroom credits.

Winter Term Requirement

Students also must enroll in the HLS winter term two times during their upper-level years in the program. Each of the winter terms must follow a fall term enrollment or precede a spring term enrollment at HLS. Students may register for a course of two or three credits. JD/PhD students will be permitted to spend one of the winter terms in the HLS Winter Writing Program, provided they are engaged in written work for HLS credit according to the rules of that program.

Written Work Requirement

JD/PhD students must complete the JD Written Work Requirement. Students are permitted to satisfy the requirement with a portion of their dissertation, provided this work meets HLS standards for written work. However, any portion of the dissertation counted toward the JD Written Work Requirement cannot also be used as part of the 10 HLS-equivalent credits earned during a student’s Harvard Griffin GSAS semester. Further information about the J.D. Written Work Requirement and the Winter Term Writing Program is available from the HLS Registrar’s Office .

Pro Bono Requirement

JD/PhD students must complete the  HLS Pro Bono Requirement  of 50 hours of public service.

Residency Requirement

A minimum of two years of full-time study in residence is required for all PhD programs in the Harvard Griffin GSAS. During the period of registration at HLS, coordinated JD/PhD students will have “study-at-another-Harvard-school” status in Harvard Griffin GSAS.

Structure of Academic Work

Students will ordinarily be enrolled for at least four years (8 terms) in Harvard Griffin GSAS. They must complete at least 16 half courses to receive their PhD. Students may cross-register for a limited number of Harvard Griffin GSAS courses during their upper-level terms at HLS. Depending on the Harvard Griffin GSAS department, these courses may count toward the PhD. However, JD/PhD students may count a maximum of 10 credits from Harvard Griffin GSAS coursework or dissertation writing toward the JD. Therefore, students planning to spend a semester enrolled at Harvard Griffin GSAS taking courses or writing the dissertation for which they will earn 10 HLS credits may not also count cross-registered Harvard Griffin GSAS courses toward the JD.

General Examinations

In most departments, once having completed the required coursework, students must pass a general examination or other preliminary or qualifying examinations before undertaking independent research on a dissertation. Normally, when the nature of the field and previous preparation permit, students should pass these examinations by the end of the second year of full-time academic residence.

PhD Dissertation

The student’s dissertation prospectus must be approved by the department. A student who wishes to present as a dissertation a published article, series of articles, book or other document, or a manuscript that has been accepted for publication, must have the approval of the department concerned. In no case, however, may a dissertation be presented that has already been submitted toward another degree, either at Harvard or elsewhere. The Dissertation Acceptance Certificate must be signed by at least three readers approved by the student’s department, two of whom must be members of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS). FAS emeriti (including research professors) and faculty members from other schools at Harvard who hold appointments on GSAS degree committees are authorized to sign the Dissertation Acceptance Certificates as FAS members. GSAS strongly recommends that the chair of the dissertation committee be a member of FAS. The third reader may be a member of the HLS faculty.

Requirement of Satisfactory Status

Continuous registration, a satisfactory grade record, and evidence that satisfactory progress is being made toward the degree are required of all candidates for graduate degrees offered by FAS. All students in Harvard Griffin GSAS must be making satisfactory progress in order to be eligible for any type of financial aid and teaching. The following five provisions are the general definition of satisfactory progress during registration in Harvard Griffin GSAS:

• During the first two years of graduate study any student who has completed expected requirements is considered to be making satisfactory progress.
• In each of the first two years, a student must have achieved the minimum grade-point average required by the faculty, a B average. (see Harvard Griffin GSAS Policies: Grade and Examination Requirements ).
• By the end of the third year, a student must have passed general examinations or the departmental equivalent.
• By the end of the fourth year, a student must have obtained approval of a dissertation prospectus or its departmental equivalent.
• By the end of the fifth year and each subsequent year during which a student is allowed to register, they must have produced at least one acceptable chapter of the dissertation.

For more information about satisfactory progress, please see Harvard Griffin GSAS Policies .

Other Requirements

Ordinarily, programs will have a language requirement and an expectation of teaching. Students should consult with their Harvard Griffin GSAS departments for more information about these requirements.

There are a number of possible academic schedules for students pursuing both degrees. Three sequences are outlined below, but students may propose alternative sequences. In considering their courses of study, students should be aware that their financial aid packages might be affected at the school in which they defer enrollment.

Year 1: HLS Year 2: Harvard Griffin GSAS Year 3: Harvard Griffin GSAS Year 4: HLS Year 5: 1st term, HLS Year 5: 2nd term, Harvard Griffin GSAS (earning the equivalent of 10 HLS credits in dissertation work) Following year(s): Harvard Griffin GSAS until completion of dissertation

Year 1: Harvard Griffin GSAS Year 2: Harvard Griffin GSAS Year 3: HLS Year 4: Harvard Griffin GSAS Year 5: HLS Year 6: 1st term, HLS Year 6: 2nd term, Harvard Griffin GSAS (earning the equivalent of 10 HLS credits in dissertation work) Following year(s): Harvard Griffin GSAS until completion of dissertation

Year 1: HLS Year 2: HLS Year 3: Harvard Griffin GSAS Year 4: Harvard Griffin GSAS Year 5: 1st term, HLS Year 5: 2nd term, Harvard Griffin GSAS (earning the equivalent of 10 HLS credits in dissertation work) Following year(s): Harvard Griffin GSAS until completion of dissertation

Updated Plans of Study

By October 1 each year, current JD/PhD students should submit an updated Plan of Study to April Pettit, in the HLS Office of Academic Affairs.

Other Academic Information

Faculty advising.

Students in the program will have primary faculty advisors at both HLS and at Harvard Griffin GSAS. If possible, HLS faculty advisors should be selected before the completion of the 2L year. The HLS faculty advisor must sign off on any dissertation writing a student expects to use for JD credit. In some Harvard Griffin GSAS departments, the director of graduate studies serves as the faculty advisor during the first two years of study. Faculty advisors will supervise students’ academic work, advise students on their courses of study and on specific classes appropriate for their PhD work, and approve the courses of study for their students on an annual basis. If appropriate, the HLS advisor will be the third reader on the student’s dissertation committee, with at least two readers required to be members of FAS.

Leaving the JD/PhD Program

If a student fails to make adequate progress toward the PhD, the student’s faculty advisors will be permitted to withdraw the student from the program. In such cases, in order to receive the JD degree, a student will still need to meet the graduation and credit requirements for the JD degree.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Harvard law school.

Students must pay five semesters of full tuition. Students will be eligible for HLS financial aid for all semesters during which they pay tuition to HLS. For more information on Financial Aid, visit the Student Financial Services Financial Aid webpage .

Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

The minimum financial requirement for the PhD is at least four terms of full tuition followed by two years of reduced tuition and a facilities fee unless the degree is completed in less than four years. The financial aid awarded upon admission to the PhD program is available during those terms in which the student is enrolled in Harvard Griffin GSAS. Students should refer to their notice of financial support provided by their department upon admission to Harvard Griffin GSAS. Students should consult with their GSAS departments for more information.

Administrative Information

The HLS Registrar’s Office, the FAS Registrar’s Office, the GSAS Assistant Dean of Student Success, the HLS Associate Director of Academic Affairs, and the appropriate financial aid officers, will coordinate on students’ registration status and updated plans of study.

Housing and Student Life

GSAS and HLS will work together to ensure that the student services offered by both Schools are available to JD/PhD students during all their years in the Coordinated Program, including career and counseling offices, financial aid offices, student centers, and alumni offices. Students in the coordinated program will have email accounts at both schools throughout the program. Disability services and visa requirements will be coordinated on a case-by-case basis by the HLS Dean of Students and Registrar and by the Harvard Griffin GSAS Assistant Dean for Student Success. Students may apply for housing through either School for the years in which they are enrolled for at least one semester/term at both Schools. In all other years, students must apply for housing to the School in which they are enrolled.

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FellowshipBard

Fully funded phd programs in law 2024.

Are you holding Master’s degree in Law and looking for fully funded PhD positions in Law? Multiple Universities invite online application for multiple fully funded PhD Programs / fully funded PhD positions in various Law research areas.

Candidates interested in fully funded PhD positions can check the details and may apply as soon as possible. Interested and eligible applicants may submit their online application for PhD programs via the University’s Online Application Portal. 

1. Fully Funded PhD Program in Law & Economics at Vanderbilt University

Summary of phd program:.

Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, offers a PhD program in Law and Economics that is fully funded. The program integrates legal studies with analytical training in economic theory and technique. Students who complete the program obtain a PhD in Law and Economics as well as a J.D. Law and economics, risk and environmental regulation, labor markets and human resources, and behavioral law and economics are the main areas of research. Although extensive knowledge of mathematics and economic principles is helpful, a major or master’s degree in economics is not required.

All students enrolled to the Ph.D. Program in Law and Economics get full tuition support as well as a stipend for living expenses during their studies.

Application Deadline: Dec 01, 2024

2. fully funded jd-phd program in philosophy and law at university of arizona.

The University of Arizona, located in Tucson, Arizona, provides a fully funded dual JD-PhD program in Philosophy and Law. Earn your doctorate in philosophy while also studying law. This curriculum entails concurrent enrollment in the College of Law’s Juris Doctor (J.D.) program and the Department of Philosophy’s Ph.D. program (in the Graduate College). You must be admitted to each program independently and authorized for inclusion in the concurrent degree program.

The majority of PhD students receive financial support in the form of fellowships, teaching assistantships, and/or research assistantships.

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3. Fully Funded PhD in Justice Studies at Arizona State University  

A fully funded PhD in Justice Studies is available at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. The varied community of academics brings students and faculty together across academic boundaries to strategically generate democratic, inclusive, and just social change. The PhD/JD option enables qualified students to obtain a Juris Doctor from ASU’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law while also pursuing a transdisciplinary doctorate in justice studies.

Each year, they admit a number of doctorate students who are completely sponsored by graduate scholarships, teaching and research assistantships, and other means. These prizes pay for your tuition, health insurance, and a stipend.

4. Fully Funded JD-PhD in Philosophy and Law at University of California

The University of California, Los Angeles, has a fully funded JD-PhD program in Philosophy and Law. JD-PhD program for highly brilliant and devoted individuals interested in pursuing careers in law and philosophy research and teaching.

All admitted students are provided with a two-year fellowship that covers living expenses, university fees, and health insurance. Highly qualified students are given multi-year fellowships by the university. In years when students do not obtain fellowship assistance, they are offered teaching assistantships, which include a salary and other benefits and can last up to five years if they perform well.

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5. fully funded jd-phd in business and law at university of chicago booth.

In Chicago, Illinois, the University of Chicago Booth provides a fully funded JD-PhD in Business and Law. The Joint JD-PhD Program prepares you for a career in law or business. You’ll graduate with two advanced degrees. As a PhD student in this joint-degree program, you will have the freedom to follow your research interests wherever they may take you.

All admitted Ph.D. students at Chicago Booth get a tuition grant, a stipend, student health insurance, a computer or computer subsidy, and access to research and travel support. The stipend for a Ph.D. is $43,500 per year. Teaching assistantships are guaranteed in the third and fourth years.

6. Fully Funded JD-PhD Program at Columbia University

Columbia University in New York, New York, provides a fully funded JD-PhD program. Biological Sciences, Economics, English and Comparative Literature, History, Political Science, Psychology, Religion, and Sociology are among the GSAS departments that have chosen to participate in the JD-PhD program. Students with any major or concentration are encouraged to apply.

Students will receive financing as GSAS doctoral students for the GSAS phase of the JD/PhD program, which requires a multi-year commitment as mentioned in the official letter of admission from the Dean. This multi-year funding is made up of fellowships and teaching or research assistantships.

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7. fully funded jd-phd in law at northwestern university.

Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois, provides a fully funded JD-PhD in Law program. The JD-PhD program at Northwestern is open to candidates who want to pursue an academic or research career and whose teaching and research will be enhanced by both degrees. Students can finish the entire program, including the dissertation, in as little as six years.

Northwestern University has the most generous JD-PhD program in the US, typically giving full support (including tuition and living expenses) for up to five students each year for six academic years and three summers.

8. Fully Funded JD-PhD in Environmental Science and Policy at University of Miami

The University of Miami School of Law, located in Coral Gables, Florida, provides a JD-PhD program in Environmental Science and Policy that is fully funded. Students with significant interests in both environmental policy and law can prepare for employment in either the private or public sectors in less time than if they pursued both degrees separately.

For their Ph.D. studies, students will receive stipends and tuition waivers from the ECS program for four years, with the commitment to serve as a Teaching Assistant for one of those four years. The Law School will award a tuition scholarship of $25,000 for the first year of law school.

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9. fully funded jd-phd in law, media and communication at university of north carolina.

The University of North Carolina Center for Media Law and Policy at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, offers a fully funded JD-PhD program in Law, Media, and Communication. The dual degree program in JD-PhD in Media and Communication is primarily designed for individuals interested in academic careers in media law and policy.

Scholarships and other support, such as writing competitions, job aid, and summer fellowships, are available to students interested in media law and policy at both the UNC School of Law and the UNC School of Media and Journalism. Scholarships are offered to all students in the School of Media and Journalism.

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10. fully funded jd-phd in law and economics at vanderbilt university.

Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, provides a fully funded JD-PhD program in Law and Economics. In a completely integrated curriculum that combines economic theory and methods with the study of law, dual-degree students pursue a law degree and a Ph.D. concurrently. The curriculum is designed to allow students to obtain both degrees in as little as six years. The Ph.D. Program in Law and Economics is one of a kind.

A competitive package of fellowship support comprising both tuition and stipend is provided to law and economics students.

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11. fully funded phd in law at yale university.

Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, provides a fully funded PhD in Law program. The Ph.D. in Law program provides an excellent avenue to a career in legal scholarship and law teaching, in addition to providing an opportunity to study and contribute to the evolution of law as an academic field of study.

Candidates for the Ph.D. in Law will receive a full-tuition fellowship and a living stipend provided by the Graduate School, as well as Yale Basic Health coverage and a Health Award covering the cost of hospitalization and speciality coverage.

12. Fully Funded PhD in Justice, Law and Criminology at American University

American University in Washington, DC, offers a fully funded PhD program in Justice, Law, and Criminology. The Ph.D. program is grounded in current criminology, criminal justice, terrorism and homeland security studies, and legal studies theory, principles, practices, and research methodologies. Students plan their programs on one of two areas of study.

Students chosen for AU financing are awarded a fellowship with full funding for four years of study, contingent on sustaining good progress each year, with opportunities for additional funding possible.

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13. fully funded phd in criminology, law and society at university of california-irvine.

The University of California-Irvine in Irvine, California, offers a fully funded PhD program in Criminology, Law, and Society. The Ph.D. program aims to improve students’ theoretical and methodological sophistication in order to prepare them for professor positions at major universities and colleges, as well as research, training, and administrative work in the justice system.

CLS Ph.D. students are entitled for 12 quarters of support as a Teaching Assistant (TA), making this the most popular source of funding. Departmental and university scholarships provide additional funding.

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PhD Programme in Law

Amsterdam Law School welcomes talented researchers who are interested in writing a legal doctoral thesis.

PhD Research at the Amsterdam Law School

The doctoral programme

PhD admissions procedure

PhD education programme

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PhDs in Human Rights (Fully Funded)

If you are interested in pursuing your academic career in human rights, there are Universities that offer a variety of funding and financial assistance opportunities for prospective PhD students. Fully funded opportunities are allocated through an university or external funds. Depending on the program, scholarships cover full tuition costs, living expenses and monthly stipends. The following is an overview of 5 fully-funded PhDs in human rights.

International Joint PhD Programme “Human Rights, Society, and Multi-level Governance”

“Human Rights Society and Multi-level governance” is a three-year doctoral joint academic program with interdisciplinary approach. It is coordinated by University of Padova in Italy in partnership with Universities in Australia, Croatia and Cyprus. The goal of this doctorate program is to form researchers with multi-interdisciplinary profile. Thus, during the programme students will have an opportunity to implement various legal, political, social, philosophical and economic approaches and methodologies in the area of human rights.

While students carry out their research and attend courses at the University of first enrolment, they need to spend at least one semester at one of the partner Universities. During that time, they will be supervised by their mentor from the home University and co-mentor from host University, if the student desires to choose co-mentorship. Additionally, students will be required to do internships at both universities.

When applying, students need to send a research proposal together with other needed documents. If approved by the Academic board, the student will be admitted and then undertake his/her research during the next three years. The program includes teaching, courses (mandatory and free of choice), research and training within the area of human rights studies.

The call for admission to this PhD programme for the academic year 2020/2021 is now open! The deadline for submission of application is June 16 th 2020 by 1 pm Italian time. The first preselection meeting of the Evaluating Commission will be held on 6 th July 2020 and by the 8 th of July the Commission will publish the results of the of evaluation qualifications on the following website. In order to be admitted to the examination, the candidate must get a score of at least 7/10 in the preselection.

More information regarding the fees and scholarships can be found on the University of Padova website. Generally, students can apply for full-tuition funding through their home university, while other types of funding are available as well at the Western Sydney University in Australia, Zagreb University Faculty of Law in Croatia, Panteion University – Athens in Greece and University of Nicosia in Cyprus.

PhD in Security, Conflict and Human Rights – University of Bristol

This program is one of the five South West Doctoral Training Partnership interdisciplinary programs, provided in partnership with the Universities of Bath and Exeter. The PhD in Security, Conflict and Human Rights aims at delivering traditional approaches of the security and conflict discourse, together with interdisciplinary perspectives on protection of human rights. Therefore, students are required to articulate clearly their proposed research which must be interdisciplinary in nature.

This PhD program equips researchers and responds directly to challenges. As the focus is put on interdisciplinary, students are required within their proposal to clearly and substantively articulate how and in what ways the proposed research is interdisciplinary in nature. The offer of a place to the program depends on the availability of co-supervision from two staff members from different disciplines, in relation to the student’s proposal. Students are required to identify this in the ‘proposed supervisor’ section of their application.

When it comes to the funding and fees, the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law allocates 1+3 and +3 ESRC scholarships, while students can also apply for other types of funding from the University of Bristol scholarship fund or alumni PhD scholarship fund. Funding is quite competitive and it is available for exceptional research proposals. The tuition fee is $20,152 per year for international students and $5,441 for EU or EEA citizens. However, University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a ten per cent reduction in tuition feels for postgraduate study. The application deadline is not fixed for students who wish to apply as self-funded, while the closing date for ESRC scholarships is usually open until the end of January.

The PhD in Security, Conflict and Human rights equips students for a number of different careers. During the years, the students got employment in areas of academia, international security, development and conflict issues, and they have worked as policy researchers, consultants, policy civil servants or the military.

Human Rights PhD – University of Sussex

This PhD program in Human rights goes beyond a narrow legalistic approach. Admitted students are supposed to work under the supervision of faculty experts, while focusing on human rights area in the fields of poverty, violence, identity, globalization, the emergence of global forms of governance etc. Duration of this PhD program is 4 years if enrolled full time or 6 years if enrolled part time. Students may also choose when they want to start – in September, January or May.

In order to apply, prospective students need to write an outline research proposal four to five pages long, stating the nature, ambition, research questions and the methodology of a research proposal. On the website of the University instructions on how to write a research proposal can be found.

Students can choose to study for a PhD or an MPhil. These degrees are different in duration and in the extent of research work. The PhD requires research work that will make a substantial original contribution to knowledge or understanding in a chosen field, whereas for an MPhil, student’s work is considered to be an independent piece of research but in less depth compared to PhD. Students graduate with the degree title Master of Philosophy and are able to change to a PhD while studying for an MPhil.

University of Sussex offers various types of scholarships and interested students should check application deadlines for funding opportunities.

PhD in Human Rights and Global Politics – Scuola Superiore Sant’ Anna

PhD in Human Rights and Global Politics is considered to be strongly interdisciplinary, aiming at providing the knowledge which will enable students to carry out systematic academic research and make them professionals in the field of human rights. After three-year’s program, doctoral students can undertake career within international, national and regional entities, both in private and public sectors. When writing an application, prospective students need to indicate main and complementary research area, choosing between Political Philosophy, Public International Law, Agri-food and Agri-environmental Law and Political Economy. They are strongly advised to explore the website pages of these faculties and research profiles of faculty members and prospective supervisors.

Deadline for application to this PhD program is 4 th June 2020 by 12:00 Rome time. The number of positions eligible for scholarships is four and amongst four scholarships available, two are reserved for students with an academic title earned from a non-Italian University. Application requires research proposal written by following specified guidelines. If admitted, doctoral students will carry out the research during the next three years.

There are no positions opened for self-funded students. Admitted students will receive monthly stipend and all fees covered. The Program accepts application from all over the world, while one or more places are usually reserved for students residing outside European Union. For further information about application process, fees and funding visit the official website.

PhD in Human Rights – Centre for Applied Human Rights – University of York

The University of York offers full funded PhD program in Human rights within its Centre for Applied Human Rights. The Centre undertakes researches on various topics – human rights defenders, human rights practice, human rights and development, legal empowerment, refugee law and policy, responsibility to protect, transitional justice etc. PhD program is supported by the Department of Politics and York Law School and inter-departmental Development and Conflict Working Group and York Law School’s Socio-Legal Research group as well. Besides regular courses, Centre often organizes lectures, workshops and conferences on the topic of human rights issues.

Interested students are invited to make online application, choosing the option of “PhD in Politics” or the “PhD in Law”, depending on their preferences. Potential supervisor should also be stated during the application. Finally, draft dissertation proposal should be submitted following the template provided on the website.

There are different funding opportunities for students who have been accepted into the program. Both University of York and external funders offer financial assistance. There are also part-time employment opportunities as tutors or lecturers. Potential scholarship opportunities and other forms of assistance are discusses with students who have been admitted. Nevertheless, students should keep in mind that many scholarships have early application deadlines.

During past few years, the Centre has successfully nominated and advocated on behalf of prospective students for an awarded and ESRC scholarship funding. In the case of UK students, this funding covers tuition and provides a basic stipend. For international students, this funding is limited and usually covers a certain percentage of tuition. Nevertheless, students seeking funding should apply early in the academic year since ESRC funding decisions are by April. Therefore, to be considered for funding, students should submit their applications by the end of January.

We have 3 Law (fully funded PhD for international students) PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

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Law (fully funded PhD for international students) PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

School of law phd programmes (phd in law, and phd in criminology), funded phd programme (european/uk students only).

Some or all of the PhD opportunities in this programme have funding attached. It is available to citizens of a number of European countries (including the UK). In most cases this will include all EU nationals. However full funding may not be available to all applicants and you should read the full programme details for further information.

Law Research Programme

Law Research Programmes present a range of research opportunities, shaped by a university’s particular expertise, facilities and resources. You will usually identify a suitable topic for your PhD and propose your own project. Additional training and development opportunities may also be offered as part of your programme.

PROBabLE Futures – Probabilistic Systems in Law Enforcement Futures (Reference: RDF24/EE/CIS/MONTAGUE

Phd research project.

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

This research project has funding attached. It is only available to UK citizens or those who have been resident in the UK for a period of 3 years or more. Some projects, which are funded by charities or by the universities themselves may have more stringent restrictions.

PROBabLE Futures – Probabilistic Systems in Law Enforcement Futures (Reference: RDF24/BL/LAW/OSWALD)

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