Back to search
PhDRecommendedScholarship available
PhD of Law
- Cambridge, United States
- 3 years
- English
- On campus
- PhD
About the program
A structured research doctorate in law leading to a PhD thesis.
Program highlights
- Internship available: no
- Placement support: yes
- Work during study: yes
- Post-study work rights (1 year): yes
- PR pathway friendly: no
What you will learn
- Learners studying Law can develop the ability to interpret relevant legal or policy concepts
- Evaluate evidence and arguments and communicate structured
- Ethically informed analysis
- And conduct and communicate an original research project where this is a research doctorate. These are indicative learning goals
- Not a confirmed list of the university's assessed course outcomes.
Career outcomes
- Paralegal Assistant
- Legal Researcher
- Compliance Assistant
Curriculum
- Structured PhD in Law (four years full-time
- Six part-time unless stated): an original research thesis written under a supervisor
- Supported by taught graduate-education modules
- Discipline-specific modules and progress milestones. Applications are accepted at any time.
Entry requirements
Academic
- Law degree(s) obtained with distinction
- Students without a Harvard or other leading US LL.M. Are virtually never admitted
- LL.M. Paper
- Research proposal
- Personal statement
- Transcripts
- Two recommendations
- Official TOEFL if applicable.
- Previous law degrees must be obtained with distinction
- Distinguished record in the Harvard LL.M.
Accepted academic background
First law degree with distinction and, Normally, A Harvard LL.M. (or rarely another leading US LL.M.) including a 50-page LL.M. Paper.
Language tests
- TOEFL iBT 5.5 overall with 5.5 in reading and listening and 5.0 in writing and speaking (new scale)
Documents you’ll need
- Academic Transcripts
- English Language Test Results
- Personal Statement
- CV or Resume
- Research Proposal.
How to apply
- Check eligibility an HLS LL.M. Is normally required first and the deadline 1 April 2026 for fall 2026 entry
- Next date not yet posted. Apply through the Graduate Program online application and pay the 90 USD fee. Upload CV
- Transcripts
- Personal statement
- LL.M. Paper and summary
- A 2
- 500-word research proposal
- Two or more recommendations including the LL.M. Paper supervisor and proposed HLS supervisor
- an official TOEFL report if applicable. Submit the financial aid application if needed
- Decisions come in early June.
Other costs
| Tuition per year | $86,344, $80,760 USD |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $90 USD |
| Deposit | $500 USD |
Program details
| Campus | Cambridge |
|---|---|
| Faculty or school | Harvard Law School |
| Department | Department of Law (S.J.D.) |
| Teaching language | English |
| Credit value | 90 |
| Study pace | Fixed |
| Post-study stay | 1 year |
| Scholarship note | Applicants may be considered for institutional awards subject to program-specific and international-student eligibility. |
Intakes and deadlines
Program starts
September 2027
Apply by
15 Jun 2027
213 days left
Scholarships
Applicants may be considered for institutional awards subject to program-specific and international-student eligibility.
Browse scholarships →Frequently asked questions
The program takes 3 years.
The next deadline is 15 Jun 2027. Apply early, because some programs close when places fill up.
Tuition is $86,344, $80,760 USD per year. The application fee is $90 USD. The deposit is $500 USD. The estimated living cost is $35,966 USD.
Accepted language tests: TOEFL iBT 5.5 overall with 5.5 in reading and listening and 5.0 in writing and speaking (new scale).
Applicants may be considered for institutional awards subject to program-specific and international-student eligibility.