MPhil/PhD Studentship in Westminster Law School 2026/27 University of Westminster in United Kingdom

[Fee waiver at the home fee rate and an annual stipend of £22,780 (2025/26 rate) for three years. International students must pay the difference between home and international fees.]

The University of Westminster's Westminster Law School (WLS) is offering a prestigious MPhil/PhD Studentship for the 2026/27 academic year, designed for outstanding candidates seeking to pursue doctoral research in law. The studentship provides a home fee waiver and an annual stipend of £22,780 (2025/26 rate) for three years, supporting full-time study in the heart of Central London. The School hosts a vibrant research environment, with several active research centres and groups including the Centre for Law, Society and Popular Culture, the Research Group on Commercial, Corporate and Financial Law, the Westminster Law and Theory Lab, the International Law at Westminster Research Centre, the Westminster Law and Technology Hub, the Law, Development and Conflict Research Group, the Centre for Legal Education and the Legal Profession, and the Centre for Law, Gender, Race, and Sexuality.

Applications are welcomed from candidates with exceptional research potential in any area of law, including interdisciplinary and innovative approaches. The School values diversity in legal scholarship and encourages applicants from under-represented backgrounds. Prospective students are advised to discuss their draft research proposal with a potential supervisor prior to application, and to consult the School’s ‘Find a Supervisor’ page for information on academic staff and their research interests. Comprehensive training and mentoring are provided through the University of Westminster Graduate School, ensuring personal and professional development throughout the doctoral journey.

International students are eligible to apply but must cover the difference between the home fee waiver and the international fee. The studentship covers three years of study, followed by a six-month no-fee period for writing up. If submission does not occur within this period, a £1,500 fee applies. Minimum full-time enrolment before submission is 33 months. Entry requirements include a minimum upper second class honours degree (2:1) or equivalent, and a Masters degree (or pending). Applicants needing to demonstrate English proficiency must have an IELTS score of 7.0 overall, with at least 6.5 in each component.

Applications must be submitted online by 11.59pm GMT/UTC on 20 February 2026, clearly stating 'WLS Studentship' in the application. Interviews will be conducted via online video communication. For further details on research proposal preparation, fees, and entry requirements, refer to the provided links. For general queries or informal research area enquiries, contact the WLS PhD Admissions Tutor, Dr Alexandra Fowler, at [email protected].