Doctor of Law

Year 1

The course has been designed to help you return to academic work, reconnect with formal learning through carefully selected taught modules aims at strengthening your specialist knowledge and developing your research skills. You will study three research-related modules (if you are a full time student). In addition to that, you will select and study one module (30 credits) or two modules (15 credits each). You will also have regular meetings with your supervisory team.

Year 2

Following completion of the taught modules in Year 1, and a successful Research Degree Transfer process, students will continue to work with their respective supervisory teams on the doctoral thesis for the remainder of the period of study. 

Year 3

Students will continue their research and the writing of a 60,000-word thesis which must focus on applied research. The outcome must necessarily include practical recommendations.

Learning Methods

Throughout the taught stage of the course, the main mode of delivery will be lectures and interactive seminars, with appropriate support materials and discussion forums on the Virtual Learning Environment, CampusMoodle. The Law School encourages the utilisation of diverse range of teaching and learning methods (such as tutorials, forum interactions, online real time interactions, group work etc.) designed to encourage students to participate in the learning process. This approach will apply to full-time and part-time students. The group sizes for the DLaw will naturally be small and will therefore allow for effective interactions between learners and facilitators. 

Activity Summary

• Lectures, Seminars & Webinars - 5-10 students per group, 50 hours per module
• Project (Thesis) Supervision - one-to-one, 276 hours for the whole course
• Independent Study - up to 26 hours per week

How long is a Doctor of LAw course?

The course length can vary between 30-48 months for full time and 42-72 months for part-time.

Independent Study

You will be expected to take ownership of your study and development as a researcher. This will require that you study independently throughout the course. We expect that you will spend approximately 50 hours per module for the taught aspect and approximately 26 hours per week for the research component.

Staff Delivering on This Course

The taught element of the DLaw programme will benefit from the in-school expertise through on campus and online learning and the innovative teaching approaches employed by Law School staff across our postgraduate modules. Staff with a blend of professional, academic, research and practice experiences will supervise/guide students through their doctoral journey. They will be the first point of contact for all academic issues and will be responsible for agreeing on individual schedule of work with students. They will provide guidance on the completion of the taught elements of the programme; preparing students for the transfer viva; meeting with them throughout the process to discuss and provide feedback on their research; monitoring progress and reporting progress to the Graduate School through the Research Degrees Coordinator of the Law School.

Assessment

Typically students are assessed each year:

YEAR 1

• 2 written assignments, including essay
• 2 reports

YEAR 2

• 1 oral assessment

YEAR 3 

• 1 oral assessment
• 1 thesis of 60,000 words

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Academic Support

The Inclusion Centre advises and supports students who disclose a sensory or mobility impairment, chronic medical condition, mental health issue, dyslexia and other specific learning differences. Applicants are encouraged to arrange a pre-entry visit to discuss any concerns and to view the facilities.

Online Learning & Support

All undergraduate and postgraduate students, whether you are learning on campus or by online learning, benefit from using our collaborative virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle. You will be provided with 24/7 online access to your learning material and resources, along with the ability to interact with your class members and tutors for discussion and support.

Study Skills Support

The Study Support Team provides training and support to all students in:

• Academic writing
• Study skills (note taking, exam techniques, time management, presentation)
• Maths and statistics
• English language
• Information technology support

Library Support

The Library offers support for your course, including the books, eBooks, and journals you will need. We also offer online reading lists for many modules, workshops and drop-ins on searching skills and referencing, and much more.

Job Prospects

The DLaw will allow professionals to further enhance their practice-based learning and expertise, while also securing the highest academic qualification - a doctorate. 

It will give them a route to career development and advancement through demonstrating higher level research and analytic skills, and the ability to turn that research into something with a practice-based application and benefit to their employer and professional sector.

Entry Requirements

What is required for a Doctor of Law?

Academic Qualifications

There are four alternative academic requirements for admission:

• A first degree in law (e.g., LLB, LAM) with a minimum of upper second class (2:1) from a recognised university and a Master of Laws (LLM) degree.
• A first degree in a relevant field outside law (e.g., BSc, BA) with a minimum of upper second class (2:1) and a Master of Laws (LLM) degree with a minimum of a ‘merit’.
• A first degree in law (e.g., LLB, LAM) with a minimum of upper second class (2:1) from a recognised university and master’s degree in a relevant field outside law (e.g., MSc, MEng, MA) with a minimum of a ‘merit'.
• A first degree in law (Bachelor of Laws Degree (Honours) with a minimum of upper second class (2:1) and five years professional or practice experience.

In exceptional circumstances, applicants with a minimum of first degree in any subject area with extensive (20 years and above) work or practice experience in law or a related field may be considered.

If unsure whether you meet any of the requirements, please contact the Course Leader for clarification.

In addition to satisfying one of the academic requirements, you must also satisfy all of the Experience, Language and Writing Skills requirements.

Experience and Language & Writing Skills

• A minimum of three years' relevant legal/professional experience in dealing with legal matters within the applicant's professional sector. For candidates with Bachelor of Laws degree (Honours) (2:1) only, a minimum of five years relevant legal/professional experience is required. 
• Applicants should be currently in a position to (or aspiring) to influence change at organisational, industry or national level.
• Good writing skills as exhibited by a research proposal (2,000 words maximum) setting out clearly the research problem (what), justification for the research (why) and the proposed research methodology (how). Guidance on writing this outline can be obtained from the Law School.

Alternative Qualifications

• Relevant First or Second Degree (preferably in Law) and extensive professional or practice experience.

The course leader shall have discretion to review all applications not meeting entry requirements, and to make the final decision on suitability of each candidate for admission in line with the University’s general admission requirements.

English Language Requirements

All international students for whom English is not their first language, must provide evidence of linguistic ability at a minimum of IELTS 6.5 (in each component) or TOEFL equivalent.

We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:

Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact admissions@rgu.ac.uk for further information.

Academic Year 2025-2026

All Students

• Full Time - £16,020 per year
• Part Time - £6,860 per year

Additional Costs

• Cost associated with travelling for DLaw related research

Employer funding

If you are studying a subject that will be directly beneficial to your current employer, it may be worth discussing with them the possibility of full or part sponsorship.