Law - Research

Overview

The School of Law at Queen’s has over 100 years of achievement in both education and research. We are ranked as a leading centre for legal research in the UK, and our academics are recognised experts at home and abroad.



We offer MPhil supervision across the legal field, supporting a range of approaches, from the doctrinal to the socio-legal, comparative, criminological and critical.



Our research students go to exciting careers, including as academics at law schools across the UK. Our base in Belfast gives us direct contact with the legal profession and judiciary, allowing excellent access in terms of the study of law and legal practice.



We are committed to making research students part of the life of the School of Law and the wider university. We have created a bespoke training programme for new research students. Research students also have the opportunity to get involved in editorial work for the Northern Ireland Legal Quarterly (one of the UK’s oldest law journals), or with LawPod, a podcasting venture hosted by the School of Law, or with the student-led Research Network. Funding is available to support students who want to present their work at conferences or expert seminars.



Subject Summary

You will join the 70 research students in the School who make up a vibrant postgraduate community contributing to the School’s scholarship and research culture. Research supervision is available in a wide range of legal areas including: Human Rights: this is a longstanding area of strength within the School, with expert colleagues at all levels and a dedicated Human Rights Centre, which research students can join. A human rights conference is held annually, hosted by research students, who choose the conference theme and manage the event. Our expertise spans both core and emerging areas of human rights, including gender, health, refugees, equality and non-discrimination, the EU and human rights, conflict and human rights, business and human rights, and new technologies and human rights. Justice: Justice is a further longstanding area of strength within the School, which has close relations with the University's George Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice.



Our expertise ranges from transitional justice to criminal justice, with additional strengths in areas such as the legal profession, judicial review and international criminal law. Law and Governance: Our track record on questions of law and governance is impressive and wide-ranging. We have expertise in commercial, contract and business law, in EU law and governance, and in questions of law and ethics, and law and risk. Importantly, the School is able to host research students across an array of research methods. Our experts use a particularly wide range of legal research methods, allowing us to offer supervision to projects that are doctrinal, sociolegal, critical, criminological or oral-history based. We are also able to host interdisciplinary research students, working with experts from across Queen's. We are also delighted to be able to welcome applications in the following emerging areas of legal studies: - The UK's changing relationship with the European Union (EU) - Business and human rights - Heritage, property and culture - Law and new technologies, from the human right to science, to the legal implications of AI.



Course structure

An MPhil is awarded for original research in a topic chosen by the student. MPhil studies may be undertaken on a full (2 years) or part-time (4 years) basis.



Research students are appointed a primary and secondary supervisor who will guide them through their research.



"The School of Law provides training for PhD law students, covering the necessary aspects for a successful PhD journey. In addition, postgraduate students may sign up for a range of training courses offered by the Graduate School.



Throughout the year, the School of Law also organises seminars and invites scholars from different universities to present their research on a wide range of topics, which postgraduate students are welcome to attend.

Graduate

An Upper Second or First Class Honours degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) in law or another relevant discipline, plus a Master's degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) with an average above 60%.



Applicants with an Upper Second or First Class Honours degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) in law or another relevant discipline who are currently studying a Master’s degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) will also be considered.



Applicants with an Upper Second or First Class Honours degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) in law or another relevant discipline plus evidence of ability to conduct independent and original research will be considered on a case by case basis.



International Students

Please see International Student's link below.

How to Apply

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

MPhil studies may be undertaken on a full (2 years) or part-time (4 years) basis.

Entry Year: Academic Year 2025/26

Career Prospects

Introduction

Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus, bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts helps our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally. For further information on career development opportunities at MPhil level please contact the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Career Development Team on ahssdevoffice@qub.ac.uk / +44 28 9097 5175 Development Officers Cathy Wilson and Aileen Carson will be happy to provide further information on your research area career prospects. https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/