Undertaking a PhD is a stimulating and rewarding experience and allows you to undertake research into a legal issue that interests you. In order to gain the award of PhD your thesis must bring a new and original standpoint to the study of law either through the development of a novel doctrinal and/or theoretical perspective on the legal issue(s) under discussion and/or through empirical research that creates new insights into a legal issue.The Centre's approach is critical, independent, comparative and contextual. It draws upon a diverse group of research staff and a unique legacy as one of the UK's earliest and most influential centres in European Legal Studies.The Centre engages with an international circle of scholars, practitioners, the political community and State and non-State actors. It is assisted in its work by an advisory board. In addition, the Centre maintains collaborative links with other research centres and disciplines on broader themes such as transnational private and commercial law, constitutionalism, human rights, and new forms of governance.<br><br>This research Masters could form the basis of an academic career, but, equally, enhance your prospects should you wish to follow a career in the legal profession. You will benefit from the School's excellent links with members of the legal profession both regionally, nationally and internationally. We have a superb reputation with graduate recruiters and graduates from the School of Law compete very successfully in the employment market. Every year the Careers and Employment Service holds an annual Law Careers Fair, attended by many legal firms that target the University's graduates.