Ilanah Fhima

The University College London (UCL) Faculty of Laws, recognized as the top law school for research quality in the UK, is inviting applications for its PhD programme. UCL Laws offers a vibrant and diverse research community, welcoming outstanding candidates from the UK, EU, and around the world. The PhD programme is highly competitive and designed for those seeking to advance legal thought and practice. Applicants must hold a UK bachelor’s degree with First or good Upper Second-class Honours (2:1) or an equivalent international qualification. While a master’s degree in a relevant field is not strictly required, it is strongly preferred and most successful applicants have one, ideally with distinction. Those without a master’s must demonstrate strong research ability through substantial written work. English language proficiency at an advanced level is required, with specific minimum scores for IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL. The application process involves researching your project proposal, identifying and contacting a suitable supervisor, and submitting an online application with all supporting documents, including academic transcripts, references, research proposal, and proof of English proficiency. The application window for entry in 2026/27 is open from 1st September 2025 to 18th November 2025, 5:00 pm UK time. UCL Laws encourages applications from women and candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds, reflecting its commitment to diversity and inclusivity. No specific funding or scholarship details are provided, so applicants may need to explore external funding options. For further information or enquiries, applicants can contact [email protected]. Join UCL Laws to become part of a global research community dedicated to addressing pressing legal challenges.

University College London (UCL) Faculty of Laws is offering several PhD scholarships for entry in September 2026, with a focus on Intellectual Property (IP) Law through the Institute of Brand and Innovation Law (IBIL). The programme welcomes outstanding candidates from the UK, EU, and overseas, and is committed to diversity and inclusion, especially encouraging applications from women and ethnic minority backgrounds. The IBIL Intellectual Property PhD Scholarship funds one student for research in any area of IP, including trade mark law, copyright, and patents, with supervision available from leading academics such as Professor Ilanah Fhima, Dr Alina Trapova, and Dr Matt Fisher. Other scholarships include Faculty of Laws Research Scholarships, Research Opportunity Scholarships (for UK-domiciled students), BAME Research Opportunity Scholarships (for underrepresented ethnic groups), Joseph Hume Scholarship, and UCL Research Excellence Scholarships. Most scholarships cover full tuition fees and a maintenance stipend of at least £22,780 per year for three years. Applicants must have a UK bachelor’s degree with First or good Upper Second-class Honours (2:1) or an equivalent overseas qualification. A master’s degree is strongly preferred, typically with distinction, but candidates without a master’s may apply if they can demonstrate research ability through substantial written work. English language proficiency at UCL Level 4 is required (IELTS 7.5 overall, PTE 75, or TOEFL 109). The application window is open from 1 September to 18 November 2025. Applicants should research their project proposal, identify and contact a potential supervisor, and submit their application online with all supporting documents. All PhD applicants are automatically considered for available scholarships; no separate application is needed. The UCL Laws PhD community is vibrant and international, offering a supportive environment for research in all areas of law, with particular strength in intellectual property.