Are you planning to pursue an MPhil or PhD in Law and looking for funding to support your postgraduate research? UCL Laws offers several competitive scholarship and funding opportunities for prospective MPhil/PhD students.
These funding opportunities are designed to support academically excellent researchers undertaking advanced legal research at University College London (UCL). Available opportunities include Faculty of Laws Research Scholarships, Research Opportunity Scholarships, the BAME Research Opportunity Scholarship, the IBIL Intellectual Property PhD Scholarship, UCL Research Excellence Scholarships, and Global Centre for Democratic Constitutionalism PhD Studentships.
For applicants hoping to secure funding, an important deadline is 19 November 2026. Submitting an MPhil/PhD application by this date means applicants will be automatically considered for the funding opportunities listed by UCL Laws, although individual awards may have their own specific requirements.
About the UCL Laws MPhil/PhD Programme
The MPhil/PhD programme at UCL Laws is designed for students who want to undertake advanced, independent research in law.
A research degree provides an opportunity to investigate a specific legal issue in depth, contribute to academic knowledge, and develop advanced research skills.
Unlike a taught postgraduate programme, an MPhil/PhD involves substantial independent research under academic supervision.
Students considering applying should therefore have a clear research interest and be prepared to undertake extensive academic investigation.
UCL Laws MPhil/PhD Fees and Finance
Before applying for an MPhil/PhD, prospective students should understand the financial commitments involved.
Tuition fees cover the core elements of the programme, including:
- Tuition
- Registration
- Examination
If additional research expenses apply, these may be specified in the student’s formal offer of admission.
UCL publishes tuition fees for each academic year through its official fee schedules.
The fees for subsequent years may increase, meaning students should take potential annual increases into account when planning their finances.
Tuition Fees for UK and International Students
UCL provides separate information about postgraduate research tuition fees for UK and international students.
The information currently available for the 2026–27 academic year provides an indication of what students may expect to pay, although fees for the following academic year may increase.
Prospective students should therefore check the latest UCL fee information before making financial plans.
Students should also consider whether their intended scholarship or funding opportunity covers tuition fees, living costs, or both.
Living Costs for MPhil/PhD Students
Tuition fees are only one part of the cost of undertaking postgraduate research at UCL.
Students also need to budget for living expenses, particularly because UCL is located in London.
Potential expenses include:
- Accommodation
- Food
- Local and international travel
- Study materials
- Personal expenses
- Other costs associated with living and studying in London
Applicants should therefore develop a realistic financial plan before beginning their programme.
Funding that covers tuition fees does not necessarily mean that all living expenses will automatically be covered, so applicants should carefully examine the terms of individual scholarships.
UCL Laws PhD Funding and Scholarships
UCL Laws provides several scholarship opportunities for prospective PhD students.
The funding opportunities are competitive and are generally awarded on the basis of academic excellence.
Importantly, applicants should first submit an application for a place on the PhD before applying for funding.
UCL states that submitting a PhD application by 19 November 2026 will mean that applicants are automatically considered for the funding opportunities listed below.
However, applicants should still read the information associated with each individual award because specific scholarship requirements may apply.
1. Faculty of Laws Research Scholarships
The Faculty of Laws Research Scholarships are among the funding opportunities available to students undertaking postgraduate research in UCL Laws.
These scholarships are intended to support strong candidates pursuing advanced legal research.
Because the scholarships are competitive, applicants should demonstrate academic strength and present a well-developed research proposal.
A strong application should clearly communicate:
- The proposed research topic
- The importance of the research
- The research questions being investigated
- The contribution the research could make
- The applicant’s academic background
- The applicant’s ability to undertake independent research
Applicants should consult the latest UCL Laws scholarship information for the specific funding terms and eligibility requirements.
2. Faculty of Laws Research Opportunity Scholarship
The Faculty of Laws Research Opportunity Scholarship is another funding opportunity available to prospective research students.
The scholarship is intended to provide funding support for eligible applicants undertaking postgraduate research in law.
Applicants should ensure that their academic and research background meets the requirements of the scholarship.
As with other UCL Laws funding opportunities, academic excellence is an important consideration.
3. Faculty of Laws BAME Research Opportunity Scholarship
The Faculty of Laws BAME Research Opportunity Scholarship is listed among the annual scholarship opportunities offered by UCL Laws.
The scholarship is designed around widening participation and supporting eligible applicants from backgrounds represented within the award’s eligibility criteria.
Applicants interested in this scholarship should carefully review the current UCL requirements to confirm whether they qualify under the applicable criteria.
4. IBIL Intellectual Property PhD Scholarship
The IBIL Intellectual Property PhD Scholarship is focused specifically on doctoral research relating to intellectual property.
This opportunity may be particularly relevant to applicants whose proposed research falls within areas such as:
- Intellectual property law
- Innovation
- Copyright
- Patents
- Trademarks
- Technology and intellectual property
- Commercialisation of intellectual property
- Related legal and policy issues
Applicants interested in pursuing doctoral research in intellectual property should review the specific requirements of the scholarship and ensure that their proposed research aligns with its focus.
5. UCL Research Excellence Scholarships
The UCL Research Excellence Scholarships provide another potential funding route for high-achieving research students.
These scholarships are designed to support academic excellence across UCL’s research programmes.
For an applicant to be competitive, academic achievements and the strength of the proposed research are likely to be important considerations.
Students applying through UCL Laws should carefully review the relevant UCL Research Excellence Scholarship requirements in addition to the Faculty of Laws information.
6. Global Centre for Democratic Constitutionalism PhD Studentships
The Global Centre for Democratic Constitutionalism PhD Studentships provide another potential source of funding for applicants whose research interests align with the centre’s area of focus.
The opportunity may be particularly relevant to researchers interested in topics connected to:
- Constitutional law
- Democracy
- Democratic institutions
- Constitutional development
- Governance
- Comparative constitutionalism
- Related legal and political questions
Applicants should review the specific studentship information to determine whether their research proposal aligns with the centre’s priorities.
Important Application Deadline
The key deadline stated by UCL Laws is:
19 November 2026
Applicants who submit their PhD application by this deadline will be automatically considered for the funding opportunities listed by UCL Laws.
This makes the deadline particularly important for applicants who require financial support for their MPhil/PhD studies.
Applicants should not wait until the final day if they can submit earlier. Preparing a strong research proposal, academic documents, references, and other required materials can take considerable time.
Why You Should Apply Before the Deadline
Submitting your application before the deadline is important because the funding opportunities are competitive.
Applicants should allow enough time to:
- Develop a strong research proposal.
- Identify an appropriate research area.
- Review the MPhil/PhD admission requirements.
- Prepare academic documents.
- Check eligibility for individual scholarships.
- Complete the application correctly.
- Submit the application before 19 November 2026.
Who Should Consider Applying?
The UCL Laws MPhil/PhD funding opportunities may be suitable for applicants who:
- Want to pursue advanced research in law.
- Have strong academic backgrounds.
- Are interested in completing an MPhil or PhD.
- Have a clear legal research interest.
- Can develop a strong research proposal.
- Want to contribute to legal scholarship.
- Are interested in areas such as intellectual property, constitutionalism, democracy, or other areas of law.
- Require funding support for postgraduate research.
Applicants should remember that individual scholarships may have additional eligibility criteria.
How to Strengthen Your Application
Because the scholarships are competitive, applicants should take time to prepare a strong application.
Develop a Strong Research Proposal
The research proposal is one of the most important parts of a research degree application.
Your proposal should clearly explain:
- What you intend to research
- The central research question
- Why the topic is important
- The existing research or legal debate
- The gap your research intends to address
- Your proposed methodology
- The potential contribution of your research
A clear and focused proposal can help demonstrate that you understand your research area and are prepared for doctoral-level study.
Demonstrate Academic Excellence
The scholarships are awarded competitively based on academic excellence.
Applicants should therefore clearly present their academic achievements and relevant research experience.
Where applicable, applicants can highlight:
- Previous degrees
- Academic results
- Research projects
- Publications
- Academic awards
- Conference participation
- Relevant professional experience
Choose Your Research Area Carefully
Applicants should ensure that their proposed research fits within the expertise and research interests of UCL Laws.
This is particularly important for applicants interested in specialised scholarships such as the IBIL Intellectual Property PhD Scholarship or the Global Centre for Democratic Constitutionalism PhD Studentships.
Understand the Financial Requirements
Even when applying for scholarships, students should understand the full financial requirements of studying in London.
Consider:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation
- Food
- Transportation
- Research expenses
- Study materials
- Other personal living costs
Applicants should carefully examine what each scholarship covers before assuming that all expenses will be funded.
Application Process
The process begins with an application for a place on the MPhil/PhD programme.
UCL Laws states that the PhD application should precede the funding application.
Applicants should therefore focus first on meeting the academic admission requirements and submitting a strong research degree application.
Submitting the PhD application by 19 November 2026 will result in automatic consideration for the listed funding opportunities.
Applicants should nevertheless review the details of each award to understand whether additional steps or requirements apply.
Additional Funding Options
UCL also provides guidance on other potential sources of funding for postgraduate research students.
Applicants who are not successful in one scholarship competition may therefore wish to investigate other funding opportunities available through UCL or external organisations.
Exploring multiple funding options can be particularly important for international students because postgraduate study in London can involve significant tuition and living expenses.
What International Applicants Should Know
International applicants should carefully review UCL’s requirements for postgraduate research students.
They should consider:
- International tuition fees
- Visa requirements
- Living costs in London
- Available scholarships
- Funding coverage
- Research expenses
- Financial requirements for studying in the UK
The scholarship information provided does not state that these opportunities are exclusively for UK applicants. However, eligibility varies between individual awards, so international applicants should check the specific requirements of each scholarship.
Visit HERE to learn more about the UCL Laws MPhil/PhD Scholarships 2027
Countries and Regions
The information provided does not establish one universal nationality requirement for all the UCL Laws scholarships.
Eligibility can vary depending on the specific scholarship.
Prospective applicants from outside the UK should therefore check the individual award requirements and UCL’s requirements for international postgraduate research students.
Applicants should not assume that every scholarship listed has identical eligibility criteria.
Category of People Who Qualify
The opportunities are primarily aimed at prospective MPhil/PhD students in Law who demonstrate strong academic ability and have an appropriate research interest.
Depending on the specific scholarship, eligible applicants may include:
- UK students
- International students
- Applicants with strong academic backgrounds
- Prospective postgraduate researchers
- Applicants interested in intellectual property law
- Applicants whose research relates to democratic constitutionalism
- Applicants who meet the specific criteria of the relevant Faculty of Laws scholarship
The Faculty of Laws BAME Research Opportunity Scholarship has specific eligibility criteria relating to the target group named in the award, while other scholarships may have different requirements.
Applicants should check the individual scholarship conditions before applying.
Key Information at a Glance
Institution: University College London (UCL), Faculty of Laws
Programme: MPhil/PhD in Law
Funding: Multiple scholarship and studentship opportunities
Basis of awards: Academic excellence and competitive selection
Key application deadline: 19 November 2026
Automatic funding consideration: Yes, for the listed funding opportunities when the PhD application is submitted by the deadline
Study location: London, United Kingdom
Suitable for: Prospective MPhil/PhD researchers in Law
Funding areas include: General legal research, research opportunities, intellectual property, research excellence, democratic constitutionalism, and related areas
Conclusion
The UCL Laws MPhil/PhD scholarships and funding opportunities provide prospective legal researchers with several potential routes to financial support for advanced postgraduate research.
The available opportunities include the Faculty of Laws Research Scholarships, Faculty of Laws Research Opportunity Scholarship, Faculty of Laws BAME Research Opportunity Scholarship, IBIL Intellectual Property PhD Scholarship, UCL Research Excellence Scholarships, and Global Centre for Democratic Constitutionalism PhD Studentships.
All of these opportunities are competitive, and academic excellence is an important factor in the funding process.
One of the most important dates for prospective applicants is 19 November 2026. Submitting an MPhil/PhD application by this deadline means that applicants will automatically be considered for the funding opportunities listed by UCL Laws, subject to the specific requirements of each award.
Applicants should begin preparing well in advance by developing a strong research proposal, reviewing admission requirements, gathering supporting documents, and investigating the individual scholarship criteria.
For students who are academically strong and interested in undertaking advanced legal research at one of the UK’s leading universities, the UCL Laws MPhil/PhD funding opportunities could provide an important pathway toward postgraduate research.
Visit the OFY website to discover more opportunities like this.
