Undertake doctoral studies at a leading academic centre concentrating on international refugee law and policy. As a PhD student at the Refugee Law Initiative, you'll be at a national focal point for producing and promoting cutting edge research in these fields. The School of Advanced Study's Refugee Law Initiative (RLI) is a world-leading academic centre promoting interdisciplinary research on law, policy and practice in refugee and displacement contexts. Doctoral students at the RLI benefit from its distinctive refugee law and policy expertise in the UK and globally. You'll be offered valuable publication and editing experience as part of the RLI’s International Refuge Law book series (Brill) and Working Papers Series. You will also benefit from the RLI’s specialist doctoral training on refugee research, and the University of London doctoral training programme in legal research methods. The RLI hosts extensive global networks of research affiliates, senior research associates and practitioners, which provide a unique infrastructure for doctoral scholars to pursue innovative, practice-focused research. As part of this scholarly community, you will also have the opportunity to participate in shared training events and seminars.
September 2026
Online Campus
Senate House,
Malet Street,
London,
Greater London,
WC1E 7HU, Southern England, United Kingdom
A Masters degree (or equivalent) in Law, Human Rights, International Relations, Political Science, or a closely related discipline from a recognised university.
Demonstrated ability to undertake independent academic research in areas related to refugee, migration, or international human rights law.