Prospective Students

• Undergraduate Studies
• Postgraduate Research Programme - PhD / MPhil
  • Application process
• Prospective Student Links
• Key Contacts
• International Students

I am pleased that you are considering a postgraduate research programme with the Queen's University Law School.

The School of Law is one of the leading centres for legal research in these islands, and was rated as joint 7th in the UK in the RAE 2008.  Legal research at Queen’s has international, national and local dimensions. Though Northern Ireland has its own separate legal system and a unique relationship with the Westminster Parliament, the close similarities between much of the law of Northern Ireland and that of England and Wales make it possible to carry out research which simultaneously serves both local needs and, very importantly, contributes to national scholarship.  With the recent striking globalisation and Europeanisation of Law,  it is no longer possible to carry out research work which ignores the wider international context of law.  Therefore, at Queen’s we fully encourage and support the student who is interested in the international jurisdiction, or the international legal problem.

The PhD and MPhil programmes are awarded on the basis of original research work. Students will study, write a thesis and then be orally examined on this by a respected academic in the field who teaches and researches at a different university. Usually PhD students are enrolled as "undifferentiated" (that is, for both PhD and MPhil) and after one year, a joint decision is made about whether the student will terminate with an MPhil or carry through to a PhD.  Students can register on a full-time or part-time basis.

The School greatly values the contribution of its research students to scholarship and to the life of the School, and students are encouraged to participate actively in School and University seminar and training programmes.

As a member of the Russell Group of top ten UK universities, Queen's is recognised as one of the best universities in the UK and Ireland, and is situated in a leafy suburb of Belfast, a city with a vibrant artistic, cultural and social life.

The links below will give you more information on postgraduate research in the School, but if you require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact our Postgraduate Administrator Denise Toner or myself.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Dr Graham Ellison
Postgraduate Coordinator