Socio-Legal Research

The degree can either serve as a qualification in its own right or as a route into the Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) degree, including the DPhil in Socio-Legal Studies.

The MPhil in Socio-Legal Research normally takes place over a full academic year. You will take a Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS) course, ‘Theory and Methods in Socio-Legal Research’, mainly during your first two terms. This is intended to develop your appreciation of law as a social phenomenon, to introduce various theoretical perspectives and to consider the variety of empirical techniques by which research questions may be addressed.

Throughout the period of your studies, you will work with a supervisor with whom you should meet individually at regular intervals to discuss your project and who will provide feedback and advice. You will also be able to take part in an extensive range of seminar programmes and discussion groups, affording plentiful opportunities for interaction both with your peers and with academics working in the same or similar research areas.

You should submit your final thesis by the second Friday in September. The examination method is the same as that used for the DPhil – two examiners are appointed who read the thesis and then conduct an intensive oral examination with you, known as a viva voce, before providing a written report to the Law Faculty. On that basis your thesis may be judged to have passed, so that you can be awarded the MPhil in Socio-Legal Research degree, or to be in need of revision, in which case it is referred back to you for re-submission at a later date; in extreme cases it may be rejected.

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies.

In the case of students who require specific help to adjust to an academic programme or to a new range of skills, the supervisor should work with them to ensure that they have additional support.

MPhil students pursue a range of career paths after obtaining the degree. You might choose to continue studying to obtain a doctoral degree preparatory to an academic career, or to enter employment. The analytical and communication skills developed while studying should enhance your suitability for legal practice, for a civil service career, for work in non-governmental organisations or for a range of management positions in the private sector including consultancies.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. In certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information, please see our page on changes to courses.

Other courses you may wish to consider

If you're thinking about applying for this course, you may also wish to consider the courses listed below. These courses may have been suggested due to their similarity with this course, or because they are offered by the same department or faculty.

All graduate courses offered by the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies

Socio-Legal Research MPhil

Socio-Legal Studies DPhil

All graduate courses offered by the Faculty of Law

Bachelor of Civil Law BCL

Criminology DPhil

Criminology and Criminal Justice MSc

Intellectual Property Law and Practice PGDip

Law DPhil

Law MPhil

Law and Finance MSc

Magister Juris MJur

Socio-Legal Research MPhil

Socio-Legal Studies DPhil

Taxation MSc

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Entry requirements