Our research students benefit immensely from a vibrant research community, a supportive environment and many opportunities to engage critically with academic research and contemporary issues. They are immersed in a research culture which situates legal studies in its historical, social and economic context.

The Law School has an active and supportive student community, with excellent dedicated postgraduate facilities. Students are usually allocated two supervisors, who give guidance about the nature of the research, the standard of work required, and about the relevant literature and sources that should be consulted.  Students and supervisors meet monthly, ensuring consistent and continuous support during the length of the degree.

We welcome applications for research degrees in a wide range of areas (this post on our Countercurrents blog helps offer an insight into the diverse aspects of the law our scholars choose to interrogate). We recommend you contact the School informally before applying, and you should accompany your application with a brief (two to four-page) outline of the research project you envisage and your intended methodology. You may find it helpful to discuss your project informally with an appropriate member of staff (contact details are on our website) or with the Director of Postgraduate Research. You may also find it helpful to read our 'Guide to writing a PhD or LLM by Research proposal.'

About Kent Law School

Kent Law School (KLS) is the UK's leading critical law school with internationally recognized expertise in socio-legal studies. A cosmopolitan centre of world-class critical legal research, it offers a supportive and intellectually stimulating place to study postgraduate taught and research degrees.

In addition to learning the detail of the law, students at Kent are taught to think about the law with regard to its history, development and relationship with wider society. This approach allows students to fully understand the law. Our critical approach not only makes the study of law more interesting, it helps to develop crucial skills and abilities required for a career in legal practice.

You study within a close-knit, supportive and intellectually stimulating environment, working closely with academic staff. KLS uses critical research-led teaching throughout our programmes to ensure that you benefit from the Law School’s world-class research