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Which university for Phd in law
I am planning to do a Phd in the UK next year. I wanted to have your opinion on what universities I should try to apply for. I have looked at the league tables and here on the forums but most seems to be based on undergraduate studies and I realise things could be very different for postgraduate studies.
As I haven't studied in the UK I don't think I have a very complete or accurate view on which universities would be suitable. I have the feeling that many students just stay with the university where they have previously studied but of course I could be wrong.
I am interested in doing a Phd in law and more specifically in international commercial/contract law. So which universities would you recommend?
I have been thinking about UCL and Essex in the first place as well as Kent, Birkbeck,Edinburgh and Bristol. What would you think about those?
Also someone recommended Oxford's Brookes University. That person did a Masters there and said that although they don't have a great reputation yet there are making really good progress. I saw however that on research they get only a 4 in the league tables compared to 5 to the other universities I consider. Should I really concern myself however with the league tables?
Thank you for any advice and input you might have
As I haven't studied in the UK I don't think I have a very complete or accurate view on which universities would be suitable. I have the feeling that many students just stay with the university where they have previously studied but of course I could be wrong.
I am interested in doing a Phd in law and more specifically in international commercial/contract law. So which universities would you recommend?
I have been thinking about UCL and Essex in the first place as well as Kent, Birkbeck,Edinburgh and Bristol. What would you think about those?
Also someone recommended Oxford's Brookes University. That person did a Masters there and said that although they don't have a great reputation yet there are making really good progress. I saw however that on research they get only a 4 in the league tables compared to 5 to the other universities I consider. Should I really concern myself however with the league tables?
Thank you for any advice and input you might have
Myrcella
I am planning to do a Phd in the UK next year. I wanted to have your opinion on what universities I should try to apply for. I have looked at the league tables and here on the forums but most seems to be based on undergraduate studies and I realise things could be very different for postgraduate studies.
As I haven't studied in the UK I don't think I have a very complete or accurate view on which universities would be suitable. I have the feeling that many students just stay with the university where they have previously studied but of course I could be wrong.
I am interested in doing a Phd in law and more specifically in international commercial/contract law. So which universities would you recommend?
I have been thinking about UCL and Essex in the first place as well as Kent, Birkbeck,Edinburgh and Bristol. What would you think about those?
Also someone recommended Oxford's Brookes University. That person did a Masters there and said that although they don't have a great reputation yet there are making really good progress. I saw however that on research they get only a 4 in the league tables compared to 5 to the other universities I consider. Should I really concern myself however with the league tables?
Thank you for any advice and input you might have
As I haven't studied in the UK I don't think I have a very complete or accurate view on which universities would be suitable. I have the feeling that many students just stay with the university where they have previously studied but of course I could be wrong.
I am interested in doing a Phd in law and more specifically in international commercial/contract law. So which universities would you recommend?
I have been thinking about UCL and Essex in the first place as well as Kent, Birkbeck,Edinburgh and Bristol. What would you think about those?
Also someone recommended Oxford's Brookes University. That person did a Masters there and said that although they don't have a great reputation yet there are making really good progress. I saw however that on research they get only a 4 in the league tables compared to 5 to the other universities I consider. Should I really concern myself however with the league tables?
Thank you for any advice and input you might have
Hi
Firstly, which country are you from and what is your undergraduate and masters degree classifications (I understand yours will most likely be marked differently to the ones in the UK)
I may be biased yes..but UCL is fantastic for Phd's the research facilites are enormous, its very multicultural and we have many distinguished speakers and academics on the staff. Being in the centre of London too is a great advantage as there are many resources to be had here.
Essex is meant to be very good for research I have heard and gives alot of support too but in terms of reputation, UCL is better. Avoid Birkbeck for a Phd, it does not have a great reputation at all (regarding Legal careers I mean). Bristol and Edinburgh are good choices too, though ensure that Edinburgh does the course you want as they may do Scots law only -not sure....
Who am I kidding?
That last post was totally biased
That last post was totally biased
First of all, hello and welcome to TSR
They are, yes. Which league tables have you looked at? Also, by forums, do you mean the university comparison sticky?
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=88536
Yes, these can have a focus on undergraduate study and the sticky in the law subforum lists the universities that are the most "prestigious" and targeted by the city firms or whose graduates dominate the bar. This is little concern to you as a PhD student, of course, so don't be too misled about them. The content on the sticky can provide some guidance on "the leading" departments in the country but, when it comes down to it, traditional prestige, career prospects and undergraduate teaching has little to no relevance to you.
Most are top departments, all have good research. Some are larger than others and from what I can remember (I was looking at postgraduate law degrees myself two years ago, despite still being an undergrad!) Bristol have a good range of research specialisms, including your chosen areas.
If other people are going to be biased then so am I!
Have you considered Durham, OP?
http://www.dur.ac.uk/resources/postgraduate/researchdegrees/subjects/Law_RP.pdf
They are one of the country's top law departments (at undergraduate and, in terms of research and breadth, postgraduate). The department is being moved at the moment, away from its present location in the historic centre of the city (by the cathedral and castle) and into a brand new building where the science departments are, outside the city. This will give it more room for expansion and a larger library (at the moment it's in a cramped historic townhouse, with the library by the Cathdral). However, as a student, it may be an unsettling time to be there. It all depends on how well organised they are and, with Durham, you just never know. The move will take place in a couple of years, I think. So if this is an issue then fine. If not then, if you haven't considered Durham yet and they do have strengths in your chosen areas, they are certainly worth a look at as it's otherwise a great uni and department.
[QUOTE="Myrcella"]Also someone recommended Oxford's Brookes University. That person did a Masters there and said that although they don't have a great reputation yet there are making really good progress. I saw however that on research they get only a 4 in the league tables compared to 5 to the other universities I consider./QUOTE]
By, "not a very good reputation" they probably mean it's one of the former polytechnics. These are the "new" universities that were granted university status in 1992. There's much snobbery about them but Brookes has always been one of the leading ones. I think they may share law facilities with Oxford university? (someone correct if I'm wrong as I probably am).
Anyway, the research scores you are looking at are out of date, so bear that in mind. They were collected from 1997(?) to 2001, so a decade out of date really. The new RAE scores are due to be published soon, I think.
Myrcella
I have looked at the league tables and here on the forums but most seems to be based on undergraduate studies and I realise things could be very different for postgraduate studies.
They are, yes. Which league tables have you looked at? Also, by forums, do you mean the university comparison sticky?
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=88536
Yes, these can have a focus on undergraduate study and the sticky in the law subforum lists the universities that are the most "prestigious" and targeted by the city firms or whose graduates dominate the bar. This is little concern to you as a PhD student, of course, so don't be too misled about them. The content on the sticky can provide some guidance on "the leading" departments in the country but, when it comes down to it, traditional prestige, career prospects and undergraduate teaching has little to no relevance to you.
Myrcella
I am interested in doing a Phd in law and more specifically in international commercial/contract law. So which universities would you recommend?
I have been thinking about UCL and Essex in the first place as well as Kent, Birkbeck,Edinburgh and Bristol. What would you think about those?.
I have been thinking about UCL and Essex in the first place as well as Kent, Birkbeck,Edinburgh and Bristol. What would you think about those?.
Most are top departments, all have good research. Some are larger than others and from what I can remember (I was looking at postgraduate law degrees myself two years ago, despite still being an undergrad!) Bristol have a good range of research specialisms, including your chosen areas.
If other people are going to be biased then so am I!
Have you considered Durham, OP?http://www.dur.ac.uk/resources/postgraduate/researchdegrees/subjects/Law_RP.pdf
They are one of the country's top law departments (at undergraduate and, in terms of research and breadth, postgraduate). The department is being moved at the moment, away from its present location in the historic centre of the city (by the cathedral and castle) and into a brand new building where the science departments are, outside the city. This will give it more room for expansion and a larger library (at the moment it's in a cramped historic townhouse, with the library by the Cathdral). However, as a student, it may be an unsettling time to be there. It all depends on how well organised they are and, with Durham, you just never know. The move will take place in a couple of years, I think. So if this is an issue then fine. If not then, if you haven't considered Durham yet and they do have strengths in your chosen areas, they are certainly worth a look at as it's otherwise a great uni and department.
[QUOTE="Myrcella"]Also someone recommended Oxford's Brookes University. That person did a Masters there and said that although they don't have a great reputation yet there are making really good progress. I saw however that on research they get only a 4 in the league tables compared to 5 to the other universities I consider./QUOTE]
By, "not a very good reputation" they probably mean it's one of the former polytechnics. These are the "new" universities that were granted university status in 1992. There's much snobbery about them but Brookes has always been one of the leading ones. I think they may share law facilities with Oxford university? (someone correct if I'm wrong as I probably am).
Anyway, the research scores you are looking at are out of date, so bear that in mind. They were collected from 1997(?) to 2001, so a decade out of date really. The new RAE scores are due to be published soon, I think.
Hi
Firstly, which country are you from and what is your undergraduate and masters degree classifications (I understand yours will most likely be marked differently to the ones in the UK)
I may be biased yes..but UCL is fantastic for Phd's the research facilites are enormous, its very multicultural and we have many distinguished speakers and academics on the staff. Being in the centre of London too is a great advantage as there are many resources to be had here.
Essex is meant to be very good for research I have heard and gives alot of support too but in terms of reputation, UCL is better. Avoid Birkbeck for a Phd, it does not have a great reputation at all (regarding Legal careers I mean). Bristol and Edinburgh are good choices too, though ensure that Edinburgh does the course you want as they may do Scots law only -not sure....
Thank you very much for your responses. I have done my studies in France and have a Master degree from a university in France. UCL does sound good as does Essex too. I'll definitely look further into those.
So Birkbeck perhaps not. A friend of mine studied there and was very enthousiastic but she did politics so that might be different.
I had not considered Durham so I have ordered a prospectus from then and read a bit on their website. It does sound very interesting. Is the town really small? How is the student life?
I had looked at the times league table and some of the "which university" topics here but this was mostly concerned with undergrad studies. Do you know when the new RAE scores will be published? I can probably wait with the applications untill then.
Firstly, which country are you from and what is your undergraduate and masters degree classifications (I understand yours will most likely be marked differently to the ones in the UK)
I may be biased yes..but UCL is fantastic for Phd's the research facilites are enormous, its very multicultural and we have many distinguished speakers and academics on the staff. Being in the centre of London too is a great advantage as there are many resources to be had here.
Essex is meant to be very good for research I have heard and gives alot of support too but in terms of reputation, UCL is better. Avoid Birkbeck for a Phd, it does not have a great reputation at all (regarding Legal careers I mean). Bristol and Edinburgh are good choices too, though ensure that Edinburgh does the course you want as they may do Scots law only -not sure....
Thank you very much for your responses. I have done my studies in France and have a Master degree from a university in France. UCL does sound good as does Essex too. I'll definitely look further into those.
So Birkbeck perhaps not. A friend of mine studied there and was very enthousiastic but she did politics so that might be different.
I had not considered Durham so I have ordered a prospectus from then and read a bit on their website. It does sound very interesting. Is the town really small? How is the student life?
I had looked at the times league table and some of the "which university" topics here but this was mostly concerned with undergrad studies. Do you know when the new RAE scores will be published? I can probably wait with the applications untill then.
[QUOTE="River85"]First of all, hello and welcome to TSR
They are, yes. Which league tables have you looked at? Also, by forums, do you mean the university comparison sticky?
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=88536
Yes, these can have a focus on undergraduate study and the sticky in the law subforum lists the universities that are the most "prestigious" and targeted by the city firms or whose graduates dominate the bar. This is little concern to you as a PhD student, of course, so don't be too misled about them. The content on the sticky can provide some guidance on "the leading" departments in the country but, when it comes down to it, traditional prestige, career prospects and undergraduate teaching has little to no relevance to you.
Most are top departments, all have good research. Some are larger than others and from what I can remember (I was looking at postgraduate law degrees myself two years ago, despite still being an undergrad!) Bristol have a good range of research specialisms, including your chosen areas.
If other people are going to be biased then so am I! Have you considered Durham, OP?
http://www.dur.ac.uk/resources/postgraduate/researchdegrees/subjects/Law_RP.pdf
They are one of the country's top law departments (at undergraduate and, in terms of research and breadth, postgraduate). The department is being moved at the moment, away from its present location in the historic centre of the city (by the cathedral and castle) and into a brand new building where the science departments are, outside the city. This will give it more room for expansion and a larger library (at the moment it's in a cramped historic townhouse, with the library by the Cathdral). However, as a student, it may be an unsettling time to be there. It all depends on how well organised they are and, with Durham, you just never know. The move will take place in a couple of years, I think. So if this is an issue then fine. If not then, if you haven't considered Durham yet and they do have strengths in your chosen areas, they are certainly worth a look at as it's otherwise a great uni and department.
Thank you very much for your answer.
I hadn't thought about Durham, no. I just ordered their prospectus so I can read a bit more about them. I understand you study there. Is the student life good? Is the town very small? From what I read it sounds very good.
With the topic here on the forums I meant most discussion in the chose a university section really seem about undergraduate studies. It seems more difficult to get information on postgraduate.
I have looked at the league tables published by the Times.
Do you know when the updated RAE scores are published?
They are, yes. Which league tables have you looked at? Also, by forums, do you mean the university comparison sticky?
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=88536
Yes, these can have a focus on undergraduate study and the sticky in the law subforum lists the universities that are the most "prestigious" and targeted by the city firms or whose graduates dominate the bar. This is little concern to you as a PhD student, of course, so don't be too misled about them. The content on the sticky can provide some guidance on "the leading" departments in the country but, when it comes down to it, traditional prestige, career prospects and undergraduate teaching has little to no relevance to you.
Most are top departments, all have good research. Some are larger than others and from what I can remember (I was looking at postgraduate law degrees myself two years ago, despite still being an undergrad!) Bristol have a good range of research specialisms, including your chosen areas.
If other people are going to be biased then so am I!
Have you considered Durham, OP?http://www.dur.ac.uk/resources/postgraduate/researchdegrees/subjects/Law_RP.pdf
They are one of the country's top law departments (at undergraduate and, in terms of research and breadth, postgraduate). The department is being moved at the moment, away from its present location in the historic centre of the city (by the cathedral and castle) and into a brand new building where the science departments are, outside the city. This will give it more room for expansion and a larger library (at the moment it's in a cramped historic townhouse, with the library by the Cathdral). However, as a student, it may be an unsettling time to be there. It all depends on how well organised they are and, with Durham, you just never know. The move will take place in a couple of years, I think. So if this is an issue then fine. If not then, if you haven't considered Durham yet and they do have strengths in your chosen areas, they are certainly worth a look at as it's otherwise a great uni and department.
Myrcella
Also someone recommended Oxford's Brookes University. That person did a Masters there and said that although they don't have a great reputation yet there are making really good progress. I saw however that on research they get only a 4 in the league tables compared to 5 to the other universities I consider./QUOTE]
By, "not a very good reputation" they probably mean it's one of the former polytechnics. These are the "new" universities that were granted university status in 1992. There's much snobbery about them but Brookes has always been one of the leading ones. I think they may share law facilities with Oxford university? (someone correct if I'm wrong as I probably am).
Anyway, the research scores you are looking at are out of date, so bear that in mind. They were collected from 1997(?) to 2001, so a decade out of date really. The new RAE scores are due to be published soon, I think.
By, "not a very good reputation" they probably mean it's one of the former polytechnics. These are the "new" universities that were granted university status in 1992. There's much snobbery about them but Brookes has always been one of the leading ones. I think they may share law facilities with Oxford university? (someone correct if I'm wrong as I probably am).
Anyway, the research scores you are looking at are out of date, so bear that in mind. They were collected from 1997(?) to 2001, so a decade out of date really. The new RAE scores are due to be published soon, I think.
Thank you very much for your answer.
I hadn't thought about Durham, no. I just ordered their prospectus so I can read a bit more about them. I understand you study there. Is the student life good? Is the town very small? From what I read it sounds very good.
With the topic here on the forums I meant most discussion in the chose a university section really seem about undergraduate studies. It seems more difficult to get information on postgraduate.
I have looked at the league tables published by the Times.
Do you know when the updated RAE scores are published?
Myrcella
Do you know when the updated RAE scores are published?
Do you know when the updated RAE scores are published?
http://www.rae.ac.uk/
15 days to go
18th December.Durham is a small, historic city. It's an old city but not, by an stretch of the imagination, a metropolis. It has a population of around 40,000 (students will bump that up to around 55,000).
It's a beautiful city but is quiet. Undergraduate student life (I can speak for postgrad) tends to revolve around its colleges (bars, formals), sport (which is a big thing) and societies. Theatre is quite a big thing. There are a few good "homely" pubs but it isn't a clubbing night spot at all. There are only two decent nightclubs.
It's really hard to really give an impression. If you're someone who likes fairly quiet, historical setting (with a social life of its own) but the option of enjoying the occasional city nightlife (at Newcastle, regularly voted one of the party capitals of Europe) then it may be for you. If you're looking for constant city excitement then it's not. It's just I've noticed Kent and Essex are two of the unis you're looking for, they can't offer the city nightlife either (and that's no criticism).
The university has a reputation as having a dominant white, middle class/wealthy student population. I think this is true of all traditional universities, to a greater or lesser extent. The postgraduate community, as with all universities, is far more varied.
River85
http://www.rae.ac.uk/
15 days to go 18th December.
Durham is a small, historic city. It's an old city but not, by an stretch of the imagination, a metropolis. It has a population of around 40,000 (students will bump that up to around 55,000).
It's a beautiful city but is quiet. Undergraduate student life (I can speak for postgrad) tends to revolve around its colleges (bars, formals), sport (which is a big thing) and societies. Theatre is quite a big thing. There are a few good "homely" pubs but it isn't a clubbing night spot at all. There are only two decent nightclubs.
It's really hard to really give an impression. If you're someone who likes fairly quiet, historical setting (with a social life of its own) but the option of enjoying the occasional city nightlife (at Newcastle, regularly voted one of the party capitals of Europe) then it may be for you. If you're looking for constant city excitement then it's not. It's just I've noticed Kent and Essex are two of the unis you're looking for, they can't offer the city nightlife either (and that's no criticism).
The university has a reputation as having a dominant white, middle class/wealthy student population. I think this is true of all traditional universities, to a greater or lesser extent. The postgraduate community, as with all universities, is far more varied.
15 days to go
18th December.Durham is a small, historic city. It's an old city but not, by an stretch of the imagination, a metropolis. It has a population of around 40,000 (students will bump that up to around 55,000).
It's a beautiful city but is quiet. Undergraduate student life (I can speak for postgrad) tends to revolve around its colleges (bars, formals), sport (which is a big thing) and societies. Theatre is quite a big thing. There are a few good "homely" pubs but it isn't a clubbing night spot at all. There are only two decent nightclubs.
It's really hard to really give an impression. If you're someone who likes fairly quiet, historical setting (with a social life of its own) but the option of enjoying the occasional city nightlife (at Newcastle, regularly voted one of the party capitals of Europe) then it may be for you. If you're looking for constant city excitement then it's not. It's just I've noticed Kent and Essex are two of the unis you're looking for, they can't offer the city nightlife either (and that's no criticism).
The university has a reputation as having a dominant white, middle class/wealthy student population. I think this is true of all traditional universities, to a greater or lesser extent. The postgraduate community, as with all universities, is far more varied.
I'll at least wait then before the 18th of december before sending in my applications. Or probably untill after Christmas.
It's not a problem that Durham is a small town. As long as most things are within reach an exciting nighlife is not really necessary. I have been reading on their website and it does sound good. I'll definitely consider them. i'll send them an email now to ask them whether or not they could offer supervision on the topic that I am considering.
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