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The PhD in Law facilitates research in a wide range of areas that are represented through the Essex Law School's eight research clusters.

Our four-year PhD in Law (with research and communication skills) course has been specifically designed to support students, whilst also offering additional support for UK students who do not have English as a first language. We recognise and understand the importance of continuing professional development for students and have designed this course for students who do not have English as a first language and may have been studying in a different country, or out of a traditional academic environment for some time.

Our PhD Law offers supervision in 2 of our research clusters: human rights and law and technology. Our research engages with debates about the meaning of justice in the UK and beyond.

Develop a detailed knowledge of the fast developing and niche field of Maritime Law. Our LLM Maritime Law is a specialist course which will provide you with the skills and knowledge to pursue or advance your career within the maritime and shipping sector.

How does international law peacefully resolve disputes? What role do various international organisations play in the shaping and operation of international law? How does international law play a role in current events? In an increasingly globalised world, international law is a vibrant and fast-moving area of law.

Every day we hear about new atrocities and mass crimes in all parts of the world. Increasingly, efforts are underway to ensure that the perpetrators of these acts are brought to justice.

Our PhD Human Rights was established to meet the demands of our students who have an established interest in human rights and wish to pursue doctoral research which goes beyond a single academic discipline but includes a distinct multi and interdisciplinary perspective. Supervision is available across a broad range of academic interests in human rights and our research is wide-ranging and in-depth.

The international community faces considerable challenges in achieving sustainability relating to all aspects of the environment and development. These goals include the need to achieve social justice and economic resilience, and as such pose complex legal and policy questions.

Explore the legal issues and pertinent regulatory principles in trade relationships and the broad spectrum of related services. At its core, international trade law concerns the regulation of the sale and transaction of goods.

Situations of armed conflict and acute crisis affects the lives of millions of people globally. How does international law regulate the conduct of hostilities, and the protection of victims of conflict and acute crisis? What are the implications of developments like the so-called ‘war on terror' and ‘migration crisis' on the effectiveness of international law? Are the existing legal frameworks fit-for-purpose in responding to the challenges posed by new technologies such as automated weapons and cyber warfare? In recent years, armed conflicts in Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Yemen, amongst others, have reminded us that the need to ensure respect for international law is as acute as ever.