PhD in Law — Albrecht Mendelssohn Bartholdy Graduate School of Law
Doctoral programme in law at the University of Hamburg with interdisciplinary research focus and scholarship opportunities.
Best for:Best for law graduates or applicants with a research-oriented Master's in a related field seeking a structured, interdisciplinary PhD in a major European legal research environment.
Overview
The Albrecht Mendelssohn Bartholdy Graduate School of Law at the University of Hamburg offers a structured doctoral programme for graduates of law and related disciplines who want to pursue ambitious doctoral research in an interdisciplinary environment. The programme spans six semesters and combines dissertation work with a curriculum of lectures, seminars, colloquia, and methodological courses designed to build legal research skills. Two key research areas are emphasized: International, European and Transnational Law, and Law in Context, which covers legal history, philosophy, sociology, and economic analysis of law, though other legal topics are also welcome. Doctoral candidates benefit from two supervisors per student, international guest lecturers, and a supportive academic community. Scholarships are available for particularly qualified applicants based on academic excellence.
What you'll do
- Conduct original doctoral research and write a dissertation in law or an interdisciplinary legal field
- Participate in the Graduate School's lecture programme, seminars, research workshops, and colloquia
- Present and discuss research progress in the doctoral colloquium with supervisors and peers
- Complete the 'Legal Research and Writing for PhD Students' course covering research integrity, scientific practice, and methods-based research
- Attend interdisciplinary courses that broaden perspectives on law and legal subdisciplines
- Engage with international guest lecturers and cross-faculty collaborative projects
- Participate in German or English language training if offered
- Meet regularly with two assigned supervisors for guidance and structured supervision
Requirements
Degree required: Outstanding degree in law or a research-oriented Master's degree in a non-legal discipline (e.g., business administration, political science, or sociology)
Degree offered: PhD in Law
Language: German or English at CEFR C1 level. German: TestDaF or DSH. English: TOEFL iBT ≥100, IELTS ≥7, or TOEIC ≥945. Non-native speakers must certify the language in which they will write their dissertation.
Instruction: German and English; lectures, seminars, and workshops are offered in either language depending on the topic and lecturer
- Strong academic record demonstrated by an outstanding degree
- Ability to develop and articulate a doctoral research proposal (up to four pages)
- Legal scientific research skills or willingness to acquire them through the programme
- Capacity for interdisciplinary thinking and cross-disciplinary engagement
- Open to applicants of all nationalities
- Applicants must hold an outstanding degree in law or a research-oriented Master's in a non-legal discipline
- Non-native speakers must prove C1-level proficiency in the dissertation language (German or English)
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2025-02-15 (Europe/Berlin)
Submit the application through the online application form on the Graduate School's website. Ensure all required documents, including a research proposal of up to four pages and two recommendation letters, are included. Applications are due by 15 February for admission in the following winter semester.
- Completed online application form
- Tabular CV (with optional publication list)
- Research proposal (up to four pages)
- Personal statement explaining motivation for applying
- Two recommendation letters from professors attesting suitability for doctoral work
- Diploma and transcript of records
- Language certificate (German or English at C1 level, if applicable)
Contact
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