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Law (Structured PhD)

Structured PhD (Law)

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Course Overview

The Structured PhD is available as a 4-year full time programme and as a 6 year part-time programme (360 ECTS). Each student must obtain 30 ECTS through structured modules having a taught or skills component over the course of the PhD. The thesis remains central to the award of the PhD. The remaining ECTS are derived from the research component.

Structured PhD modules:

Research students undertaking a Structured PhD in Law must take 30 ECT in structured modules (see Guidelines for Postgraduate Research Degree Programmes 2023-24 for details). Structured modules can be chosen from the following:

  • Law PhD modules:

Article-based PhDs are also possible: see Article-Based-PhDs-Guidelines (College of Business, Public Policy and Law) for further information.

 

Programmes Available

Structured PhD (full-time, four years; part-time, six years)

Applications are made online via University of Galway's Postgraduate Applications System. 

Associated

Learning Outcomes

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the PhD programme, a candidate must normally have obtained an LL.M or other Master’s degree to honours standard (or equivalent international qualification). However, at a minimum, the candidate must have reached a high honours standard at the examination for the primary degree or presented such other evidence as will satisfy the Head of School and the College of his/her fitness.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Current research projects

 

 

Current funded research opportunity

Work Placement

Related Student Organisations

Career Opportunities

Find a Supervisor / PhD Project

If you are still looking for a potential supervisor or PhD project or would like to identify the key research interests of our academic staff and researchers, you can use our online portal to help in that search

Course Outline

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Research Areas

If you are considering applying for a PhD, you should first prepare a research proposal – see this guidance document for more on what this should contain.

You should also consider how you will fund your studies. The two main sources of scholarships in Galway are the Hardiman scheme and the Irish Research Council Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme. The College of Business, Public Policy and Law, the School of Law and the Research Centres will also sometimes have funding for specific projects from time to time – please check our social media presences to stay up to date on those. In general, individual staff will not have funding for new PhD students and sourcing this is your responsibility.

Areas of expertise include:

  • Human Rights 
  • Disability Law
  • Housing Law and Policy
  • Family Law
  • Constitutional Law
  • Criminal Law
  • Criminology
  • Refugee and Immigration Law
  • Information Technology Law
  • Lawtech/Legaltech
  • Intellectual Property Law
  • EU Law
  • Commercial Law
  • Jurisprudence

Researcher Profiles

Once you have a well-developed proposal and have considered the practicalities, you should review the profiles and expertise of our staff to locate individuals who are a good match for your research proposal. You can also use our online portal to help locate a supervisor in a research area. Candidates who are unsure who to contact in relation to supervision, or who wish to obtain more information, should review the current relevant staff listing or contact Dr. Charles O'Mahony or the School of Law Administration.

A generic message to all staff is unlikely to yield success. Contact an appropriate expert with your proposal and CV, explaining clearly how your project fits with their interests. If your intended supervisor responds positively, they will assist you in finalising your application, which then needs to be submitted through the relevant online platform. Your application will then be considered by the School of Law. Candidates, proposed topic, and intended supervisor of research must be approved by the School.

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€5,750 p.a. (€5,890 including levy) 2024/25

Fees: Non EU

€14,500 p.a. (€14,640 including levy) 2024/25

Extra Information


EU Part time: Year 1 €4,250 p.a. (€4,390 including levy) 2024/25


All students, irrespective of funding, must pay the student levy €140.

Contact Us

Structured PhD GuidelinesGuidelines for Postgraduate Research Degree Programmes 2023-24

Dr. Charles O'Mahony or School of Law Administrator
School of Law, University of Galway.
T +353 91 494391 or +353 91 492389
E charles.omahony@universityofgalway.ie or law@universityofgalway.ie
www.universityofgalway.ie/law/

 

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