Key information
- Duration:
- Up to 4 years full time, 8 years part time
- Start date:
- Choose to start in September 2025 or January 2026
- Apply by:
- 1 month before start (UK), 3 months before start (international)

“The PhD certainly changed my life! Sussex has enabled me to find the profession I am passionate about, and helped me develop the confidence and skills needed to succeed.”
dr Anne Wesemann Head of Department, Open University Law School
From the effects of the internet on society to the impact of hate crimes on minority communities – Sussex Law School is a vibrant, exciting environment for doctoral research.
You benefit from first-class facilities and support, and work with researchers who engage beyond the academic community, working with NGOs, parliaments, professionals and private institutions.
Areas of study
Our world-renowned faculty explores issues across a range of areas including, among many others:
- child and family law
- criminal law
- cyber law
- dispute resolution
- employment
- environmental law
- healthcare law
- human rights
- migration.
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.
Explore our free PhD webinars
Courses, applying and masterclasses – find out about postgraduate research at Sussex
March to July 2025
Entry requirements
Degree requirements | You’re normally expected to have a Masters degree and an upper second-class (2.1) undergraduate honours degree. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in law or a related subject area but you may still be considered for the degree if you have a qualification in a different subject area. In certain circumstances, you may also be considered for the degree if you have other relevant professional qualifications or relevant research experience of equivalent standing. |
Please select your country from the list.
Argentina
Masters degree requirement | You’re normally expected to have the equivalent of a UK Masters degree, which will mean having completed some academic study beyond your Bachelors degree. |
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Undergraduate degree requirement | Licenciado/Titulo with a final mark of at least 7.5-8.5 depending on your university. |
Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in law or a related subject area but you may still be considered for the degree if you have a qualification in a different subject area. In certain circumstances, you may also be considered for the degree if you have other relevant professional qualifications or relevant research experience of equivalent standing. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Australia
Masters degree requirement | You’re normally expected to have the equivalent of a UK Masters degree, which will mean having completed some academic study beyond your Bachelors degree. |
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Undergraduate degree requirement | Bachelors degree with second-class upper division. |
Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in law or a related subject area but you may still be considered for the degree if you have a qualification in a different subject area. In certain circumstances, you may also be considered for the degree if you have other relevant professional qualifications or relevant research experience of equivalent standing. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Azerbaijan
Masters degree requirement | You’re normally expected to have the equivalent of a UK Masters degree, which will mean having completed some academic study beyond your Bachelors degree. |
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Undergraduate degree requirement | Magistr or Specialist Diploma with an average mark of at least 4 or 81% |
Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in law or a related subject area but you may still be considered for the degree if you have a qualification in a different subject area. In certain circumstances, you may also be considered for the degree if you have other relevant professional qualifications or relevant research experience of equivalent standing. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Bahrain
Masters degree requirement | You’re normally expected to have the equivalent of a UK Masters degree, which will mean having completed some academic study beyond your Bachelors degree. |
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Undergraduate degree requirement | Bachelors degree with CGPA 3.0/4.0 (Grade B). |
Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in law or a related subject area but you may still be considered for the degree if you have a qualification in a different subject area. In certain circumstances, you may also be considered for the degree if you have other relevant professional qualifications or relevant research experience of equivalent standing. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Bangladesh
Masters degree requirement | You’re normally expected to have the equivalent of a UK Masters degree, which will mean having completed some academic study beyond your Bachelors degree. |
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Undergraduate degree requirement | A 4-year Bachelor degree with GPA of at least 3.3/4.0 |
Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in law or a related subject area but you may still be considered for the degree if you have a qualification in a different subject area. In certain circumstances, you may also be considered for the degree if you have other relevant professional qualifications or relevant research experience of equivalent standing. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Brazil
Masters degree requirement | You’re normally expected to have the equivalent of a UK Masters degree, which will mean having completed some academic study beyond your Bachelors degree. |
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Undergraduate degree requirement | Bacharel, Licenciado or professional title with a final mark of at least 7.5 or 8 depending on your university. |
Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in law or a related subject area but you may still be considered for the degree if you have a qualification in a different subject area. In certain circumstances, you may also be considered for the degree if you have other relevant professional qualifications or relevant research experience of equivalent standing. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Brunei
Masters degree requirement | You’re normally expected to have the equivalent of a UK Masters degree, which will mean having completed some academic study beyond your Bachelors degree. |
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Undergraduate degree requirement | Bachelors (Honours) degree with second class upper division or CGPA 3.1/4.0. |
Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in law or a related subject area but you may still be considered for the degree if you have a qualification in a different subject area. In certain circumstances, you may also be considered for the degree if you have other relevant professional qualifications or relevant research experience of equivalent standing. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Canada
Masters degree requirement | You’re normally expected to have the equivalent of a UK Masters degree, which will mean having completed some academic study beyond your Bachelors degree. |
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Undergraduate degree requirement | Bachelors degree with CGPA 3.3/4.0 (grade B+). |
Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in law or a related subject area but you may still be considered for the degree if you have a qualification in a different subject area. In certain circumstances, you may also be considered for the degree if you have other relevant professional qualifications or relevant research experience of equivalent standing. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Chile
Masters degree requirement | You’re normally expected to have the equivalent of a UK Masters degree, which will mean having completed some academic study beyond your Bachelors degree. |
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Undergraduate degree requirement | Licenciado with a final mark of at least 5-5.5/7 depending on your university. |
Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in law or a related subject area but you may still be considered for the degree if you have a qualification in a different subject area. In certain circumstances, you may also be considered for the degree if you have other relevant professional qualifications or relevant research experience of equivalent standing. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
China
Masters degree requirement | You’re normally expected to have the equivalent of a UK Masters degree, which will mean having completed some academic study beyond your Bachelors degree. |
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Undergraduate degree requirement | Bachelors degree with a minimum overall mark of at least 70%-75% depending on your university. Sussex uses Project 211/985 to inform offer levels. As evidence of completing your degree you must provide both a Degree Certificate and Graduation Certificate. |
Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in law or a related subject area but you may still be considered for the degree if you have a qualification in a different subject area. In certain circumstances, you may also be considered for the degree if you have other relevant professional qualifications or relevant research experience of equivalent standing. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Colombia
Masters degree requirement | You’re normally expected to have the equivalent of a UK Masters degree, which will mean having completed some academic study beyond your Bachelors degree. |
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Undergraduate degree requirement | Licenciado with ‘Acreditacion de alta calidad' and a CGPA of 3.5. |
Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in law or a related subject area but you may still be considered for the degree if you have a qualification in a different subject area. In certain circumstances, you may also be considered for the degree if you have other relevant professional qualifications or relevant research experience of equivalent standing. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Cyprus
Masters degree requirement | You’re normally expected to have the equivalent of a UK Masters degree, which will mean having completed some academic study beyond your Bachelors degree. |
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Undergraduate degree requirement | Bachelors degree or Ptychion with a final mark of at least 7.5. |
Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in law or a related subject area but you may still be considered for the degree if you have a qualification in a different subject area. In certain circumstances, you may also be considered for the degree if you have other relevant professional qualifications or relevant research experience of equivalent standing. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Denmark
Masters degree requirement | You’re normally expected to have the equivalent of a UK Masters degree, which will mean having completed some academic study beyond your Bachelors degree. |
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Undergraduate degree requirement | Bachelors degree with an overall mark of at least 7 (Good Performance). |
Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in law or a related subject area but you may still be considered for the degree if you have a qualification in a different subject area. In certain circumstances, you may also be considered for the degree if you have other relevant professional qualifications or relevant research experience of equivalent standing. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Ecuador
Masters degree requirement | You’re normally expected to have the equivalent of a UK Masters degree, which will mean having completed some academic study beyond your Bachelors degree. |
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Undergraduate degree requirement | Licenciado with a final mark of at least 17/20. |
Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in law or a related subject area but you may still be considered for the degree if you have a qualification in a different subject area. In certain circumstances, you may also be considered for the degree if you have other relevant professional qualifications or relevant research experience of equivalent standing. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |