Law PhD

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

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Entry requirements

Degree requirements

You’re normally expected to have a Masters degree and an upper second-class (2.1) undergraduate honours degree.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Egypt