Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: See fees section below
International/EU: £17,725 per year -
How long will I study?
4 Years
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Where will I study?
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When do I start?
October 2025
February 2026
May 2026
Where will I study?
Course summary
Your research will take place in the Sheffield Institute of Law and Justice. We are a group of approximately 80 academics specialising in a wide range of research areas.
We have particular research interests in
- desistance and recovery
- criminal justice institutions
- human rights and social justice
- socio-legal studies
- learning and teaching
How you learn
Your supervisory team will include a Director of Studies – as well as one or more second supervisors with expertise in your research area. Much of the work for your degree will be carried out independently, so you’ll need the initiative, motivation and commitment to succeed. Your supervisors will help you to define your research programme, agree any associated training requirements, and provide direction while encouraging you to develop as an independent researcher.
Applied learning
You can use a range of methodologies for your thesis. Some students use a doctrinal method to undertake legal scholarship. Many other students have interactions with members of communities, groups and industry – using techniques including case studies, interviews and surveys, as well as real-client and simulated-client interactions as a basis for their data collection.
Live projects
You’ll be part of an active research community in the Law and Criminology Department, College and wider university. This gives you a range of opportunities to take part in seminars, reading groups, writing retreats and collaborative projects.
The Law and Criminology Group conduct research projects and publish academic papers and monographs across a range of disciplines – unified by a common concern with human rights and social justice.
You’ll be part of the Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice, a leading centre for social justice and human rights. With the support of the centre, you’ll be able to develop innovative projects which have broader significance for community, national and international policy engagement.
Networking opportunities
You’ll be part of Hallam's community of researchers – with opportunities to attend and contribute to a range of disciplines, presentations, training and conferences. You’ll be encouraged to join in the wider activities in the department – including joining research clusters, undertaking specialist training, and engaging in public events involving academics and policy makers.
There are regular research training events, seminars and informal meetings where you can practise delivering conference papers in a supportive environment. Funds are available to support you in attending conferences and we encourage you to deliver papers and publish your work.
Our research and knowledge exchange activities are coordinated through the Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice. Here we retain strong links with organisations such as probation services and police forces nationally and internationally. These connections form the basis for criminal justice related research projects. We also have strong links with international human rights organisations – supporting our work in India and across the human rights spectrum.
Future careers
Research degrees are essential qualifications for many academic careers. You’ll develop a range of transferable skills which are applicable to many employment sectors. Successful graduates are able to progress within a wide variety of roles in the academic, legal professions and associated fields.
This course prepares you for a career in
- government department advice
- local government
- various business-related roles
- consultancy
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
Our PhD students are based in the Heart of the Campus building – a modern office space with a dedicated resources room to help create a supportive and collegial space, with easy access to support staff and academic colleagues. Our students have access to computing facilities to help them complete their studies, along with a suite of training and on-hand experts to guide their development as researchers.
We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.
Entry requirements
All students
All applicants should hold a strong, relevant undergraduate degree (2.1 or above) and/or a relevant masters qualification (merit and above).
Application
To apply, candidates must submit a fully complete online application including:
- A research proposal. This should include an outline of the research questions/area, aim of the project, an understanding of the current knowledge/literature and context, the proposed methodology, the potential impact and contribution to knowledge of your project and referencing key background literature. The maximum word count is 1,500 words.
- A personal statement - In submitting your personal statement, you must answer these 4 questions. We recommend no more than 200 words for each question, and include specific examples from your previous experiences (academic and professional). We want to learn more about you.
- What relevant skills and experience do you have which you feel would help you undertake this research project? (200 words maximum).
- How did you come up with your project proposal? (200 words maximum).
- What opportunities do you think the doctorate will give you? (200 words maximum).
- Provide an example demonstrating your approach to engaging with new experiences or ideas. This can be an example from your studies, work, or personal experiences. (200 words maximum).
- Copies of qualifications, certificates, and results transcripts.
- Details of two referees who can comment on your academic ability and readiness for PhD study.
- Copies of your passport and any relevant visas, for international applicants.
All suitable candidates are invited to an interview which can take place in-person or online. You will be asked questions about the project proposal and your interest in PhD level study. You are encouraged to find out more about our staff and their current research to inform the development of your research proposal and to ensure it aligns with our research themes.
International Students (Additional Information)
Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate their English language proficiency through one of the following:
1. Recent academic IELTS demonstrating an overall score of 7.0 or above with no score below 6.5 in the other components or equivalent. Recent means that your IELTS results must have been awarded two years preceding your doctoral programme's start date.
2. Educated with a UK Master's degree level (merit and above) within two years preceding your doctoral programme's start date.
Please note that UKVI provide a list of countries exempt from the language entry requirements. If you are a national of one of these countries you will not need to provide evidence as listed above.
Students who are based overseas may be able to study for a PhD by Distance Learning, subject to establishing a satisfactory distance learning agreement, as part of the application process.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK postgraduate research students will be aligned to the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) fees which have not yet been confirmed for 2025/26. For an indication of the tuition fees, please view the 2024/25 course page.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU postgraduate research students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,725 per year.
Doctoral student loans
Up to £25,700 available to help you while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Sheffield Institute of Law and Justice (PDF, 141.3KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
