Highlights
Tuition fee
13730 EUR / year
7130 EUR / year
Unknown
Tuition fee
13730 EUR / year
7130 EUR / year
Unknown
Duration
48 months
Duration
48 months
Apply date
Unknown
Unknown
Apply date
Unknown
Unknown
Start date
Unknown
Start date
Unknown
Campus location
Dublin, Ireland
Campus location
Dublin, Ireland
Taught in
English
Taught in
English

About

Coming to the Law program of the University College Dublin creates the possibility of expert supervision by leading researchers in a wide variety of fields.

Overview

The Law program of the University College Dublin has the largest group of academic lawyers in Ireland and leading researchers of high international standing across many of the main fields of law including European Union law, commercial law, criminology, criminal justice and criminal law, regulatory studies, constitutional law and governance, human rights, administrative law, employment law, environmental law, intellectual property law, WTO law, legal history, agricultural law and private law.

Features

The aims of the PhD programmes offered by the School of Law in UCD are:
  • that candidates will conceive, design and give effect to a substantial and innovative piece of research which will expand the frontiers of knowledge. This is done by developing of a substantial body of work (leading to publication of a monograph or a series of academic articles);
  • that candidates will be able to evaluate and synthesise new and complex ideas;
  • that candidates will become effective communicators orally and through writing;
  • that candidates will demonstrate knowledge and understanding in their chosen field of legal study. They will develop advanced conceptual frameworks and provide systemic understanding of the problems they identify; and
  • that candidates will be able to promote intellectual, social and cultural advancement in a knowledge-based society.

Careers

Apart from being the highest level of academic achievement, obtaining a PhD is now regarded as an essential feature in the curriculum vitae of anyone aspiring to a career in academia. Many graduates of UCD Law School's PhD Programme are now themselves academics either in or outside Ireland. Graduates in recent years from UCD Law School's PhD programme have been appointed to academic positions in HEC Paris, the Queen's University Belfast, the University of Portsmouth, the University of Ulster at Jordanstown, University College Dublin, the University of Maynooth, Dublin City University and NUI Galway, among other institutions and universities.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

  • Advanced Research in Law
  • International Law
  • Criminal Law
  • Public Law

Key information

Duration

  • Full-time
    • 48 months
  • Part-time
    • 72 months
    • Flexible

Start dates & application deadlines

More details

 Students should contact the advisors first, explaining their motivation for pursuing the degree and their intended area of research.

Language

English
Duolingo English Test
120
TOEFL® IBT
90
OTE
140
IELTS
6.5

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  • 4.9/5 student rating

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

  • Dublin, Ireland

What students do after studying

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

GPA admission requirements GPA
Upper Second Class

English requirements

Duolingo English Test
120
TOEFL® IBT
90
OTE
140
IELTS
6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation
Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

  • Trusted by 300k learners
  • 98 accuracy using real exam data
  • 4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

  • a statement of the research question the candidate proposes to examine;
  • an outline of the proposed methodology (in other words, an outline of how the applicant proposes to go about their research); and
  • a short literature review. (The idea of this is to place the research within the current state of knowledge in the field in question. It should include a short, indicative, bibliography of works in the field)
  • Applications are invited from graduates with a degree (normally of a first class or very high 2.1 standard or equivalent). The degree should either (a)  in law or (b) in an inter-disciplinary degree in which law was a major component.  Holding a masters degree  in law will normally enhance considerably an applicant's chances of acceptance on one of our PhD programmes.

Student Insurance via Studyportals Partner

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items like Additional medical costs, Repatriation, Liability etc. Make sure your student insurance covers your needs.

Studyportals partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

Get your student insurance now

Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at University College Dublin and/or in Ireland, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.
  • International

    Non-residents
    13730 EUR / year
    13730 EUR / year
  • EU/EEA

    EU/EEA Nationals
    7130 EUR / year
    7130 EUR / year

Living costs

Dublin

Ireland
1100 - 1800 EUR / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Law.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

Provided by university
Grant
10000 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

University College Dublin
Dublin, Ireland
Provided by university
Grant
2000 EUR
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
PhD Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

University College Dublin
Dublin, Ireland
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program

Read more about eligibility

U.S. government
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship

Read more about eligibility

ServiceScape
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Ukrainian Researchers Scheme

Read more about eligibility

Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships

Read more about eligibility

ACES Education Fund
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
16 Aug 2026
Amberscholar Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Amber Student
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
6000 USD
Deadline
16 Aug 2026
Amberscholar Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Amber Scholar
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
28 Aug 2026
Women Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

educations.com
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
13 Jul 2026
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Salvado Law
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The PhD Prep Fellowship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Admit Lab
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
$1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

IvyPanda
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based

Read more about eligibility

Anonymous Hope Fund
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
$1,500 Annual Students’ Presentation Crafting Scholarship

Read more about eligibility

IvyPanda
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
11 Jan 2027
Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme

Read more about eligibility

The Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
20 May 2026
PlagiarismSearch Essay Contest
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

PlagiarismSearch
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
Not specified
The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship

Read more about eligibility

IELTS from 6 to 9
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid

Read more about eligibility

American Association of Petroleum Geologists Foundation
Location not available

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