School of Law, Business and Policing PhD scholarship

Award

PhD scholarship including:

• a stipend of £20,780 per year*
• a tuition fee waiver for three years
• an annual expense allowance of £500.

*Please note that CCCU’s stipend rate is based on the UKRI rate. Rates beyond 2024-25 are forecasted and are subject to change.

Deadline

31 March 2025

Eligibility criteria

Applications will be considered based on the quality of the research proposal and its alignment with the research themes outlined below. The strengths of the individual candidate (in relation to academic competence and commitment) will be considered.

A good first degree and a good Master’s in Public International Law, International humanitarian, International Criminal Law, or International Human Rights Law is essential.

All non-native speakers of English must be proficient in written and spoken English.

The successful applicant will be required to undertake 150 hours of teaching related work during years 2 and 3 of study.

You must have applied for both a place on the PhD programme as well as a scholarship by the scholarship application deadline.

The successful candidate must be available to begin their studies in October 2025 on a full-time basis.

The successful candidate must live in the UK during their studies, within commutable distance to campus.

The successful candidate will need to have a focused area of research within one of the identified themes listed below. This candidate must also demonstrate a strong understanding of the literature surrounding that proposed area of research and be able to identify how the proposed research will be further developing the existing literature. This candidate must also show a competent understanding of the legal frameworks that are relevant to the proposed area of research.

Scholarship focus

The scholarship will be focusing on proposed research in international law and will give priority to proposed projects under any of these themes:

• Protections of individuals under human rights law
• Protection of civilians’ international humanitarian law
• Critical issues in contemporary international criminal law and the law of the ICC.

These themes align with the work of the academics within the law team in the School of Law, Business and Policing. We are a vibrant and dynamic school with a keen focus on developing new and innovative research that has meaningful social impact.

A key aim of this scholarship is to identify and support a strong candidate. This candidate should be able to produce strong research, with good potential for social impact, and who also demonstrates good research acumen, strong subject knowledge, and the ability to think and work independently. We also welcome candidates who can enrich our research culture.

Interested candidates are invited to email Dr Narisa Ramsundar for an informal chat.

How to apply

Please discuss your research ideas with a potential supervisor ahead of applying.

You will be required to submit a research proposal and asked to interview with a potential supervisor in the faculty.

Submit your application via our website:

• Click on the 'Apply now' button in the blue bar at the bottom of this page.
• Select ‘Law, Policing and Criminal Justice’ for the area of research.
• Select ‘Law’ for your subject area.
• Select full-time study and October 2025 as a start date.
• Tick the box on the proposal form to indicate application for a scholarship alongside a place on the PhD programme.

You will be required to upload:

• two references
• your completed research proposal form
• a Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• evidence of your qualifications
• a pass in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) if required.

For any queries about the application and admissions process please contact Postgraduate Admissions.