We have a lively and supportive research culture with a number of specialist research groups led by internationally recognised academics.

As a research student, you will be encouraged to become involved in the School of Law’s research activities and will have the opportunity to work alongside Oxford Brookes academics who are at the forefront of a wide range of internationally recognised and world-leading research and projects.

Research expertise

The School of Law comprises a number of research groups, supporting our doctoral students and encouraging wide participation both through our partnerships with other research groups, and our busy programme of conferences, research events and lectures.
We strongly recommend that prior to submitting a full application you identify and make contact directly with a potential Director of Studies. Please look at our research group pages and individual staff profiles to help you identify the appropriate member of staff and to find out whether your proposed research focus is one that we can supervise.

Groups

 Criminal Law and Criminal Justice
 Fundamental Rights and Equality
 International Law

Degree routes

All students enrol as probationer research students. During the first year you will formally register your research proposal for one of the below routes.

The degree for which you register will depend on your academic qualifications and research experience.

MA by Research

These research degrees allow students to critically investigate and evaluate an approved topic and combine the equivalent of up to one semester’s taught programme (focusing on research training) with a major research project. As with other research degrees, they are examined by thesis and viva.

Thesis: 30,000 words.

Length of study: 1 year full time or 2 years part time.

Entry requirement: a first-class or upper second class honours degree or equivalent qualification.

PhD

There are two routes toward obtaining a PhD.

MPhil/PhD route

By far the most popular and common is the MPhil/PhD route. This entails students initially registering for the degree of MPhil/PhD, before transferring to full PhD status, should sufficient progress have been made with their work. Transfer to full PhD status normally happens after 18 months for full time students and after roughly 24-26 months for part time students.

Thesis: 80,000 - 100,000 words.

Length of study: minimum of three years full time and four years part time.

Entry requirement: the minimum entry requirement for the MPhil/PhD route is:

 a first-class or upper second-class UK honours degree
 a relevant master’s qualification
 or an equivalent qualification.

Applications from those holding qualifications other than the above will be considered on their merits and in relation to the nature and scope of the work proposed.

PhD Direct

The alternative route toward obtaining a PhD is known as a PhD Direct in which the student registers directly to study for a PhD. Accordingly, the student does not need to undergo a formal transfer assessment and the minimum period of study is shorter compared to the MPhil/PhD route.

Thesis: 80,000 - 100,000 words.

Length of study: minimum of two years full time and three years part time.

Entry requirement: This is the same as for the MPhil/PhD route, except that the student must demonstrate an exceptional level of preparedness and aptitude for PhD study, for instance in the form of an MPhil degree or an outstanding performance at Masters level in an area very closely aligned with the PhD.

Research Degree involving Creative Work

You may undertake a programme of research in which your own creative work or practice forms the most significant part of the intellectual enquiry. They must be undertaken as part of a registered research programme.

Thesis: for a PhD,15,000 - 25,000 words.
for an MPhil, 8,000 - 10,000 words.

Length of study: minimum of three years full time and four years part time.

Entry requirement: a recent master’s degree in a discipline appropriate to the proposed research. The master’s needs to have included research training and a research project.

In exceptional cases, applicants who have a good honours degree (or equivalent) may apply if they have appropriate research or professional experience at postgraduate level which has resulted in published work, written reports or other appropriate evidence of accomplishment.

Research Degree involving preparation of an Edition of Works

This allows you to complete a programme of research where the main focus is the preparation of a scholarly edition of:

 a text or texts
 musical or choreographic work
 other original artefacts.

The final submission includes:

 a copy of the edited text(s) or collection of artefact(s)
 appropriate textual and explanatory annotations
 a substantial introduction and critical commentary which set the text in the relevant historical, theoretical or critical context.

Thesis: for a PhD, 30,000 - 40,000 words.
for an MPhil, 15,000 - 20,000 words.

Length of study: minimum of three years full time and four years part time.

Entry requirement: a recent master’s degree in a discipline appropriate to the proposed research. The master’s needs to have included research training and a research project.

In exceptional cases, applicants who have a good honours degree (or equivalent) may apply if they have appropriate research or professional experience at postgraduate level which has resulted in published work, written reports or other appropriate evidence of accomplishment.

PhD by Published Work

The degree of PhD on the basis of published work may be awarded to candidates whose submitted work:

 reflects the same academic standards as those which operate for a traditional PhD based upon an approved programme of supervised research
 forms a coherent programme of research
 demonstrates the use of appropriate research methodology
 and makes an original and sufficient contribution to the present state of knowledge in a particular field to the satisfaction of the examiners.

Thesis/critical appraisal: 7,500 - 15,000 words.

Length of study: Normally 1 year.

Entry requirements: Applicants should normally have had a very clear and demonstrable association with Oxford Brookes University (e.g. as a past student or member of staff, as an associate lecturer undertaking regular teaching at Brookes, or as a research collaborator with an established member of staff). The submission for examination comprises the published work on which the application is based, together with a supporting critical appraisal of this work.