Overview

Offered jointly by the Law School and the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies (SPAIS), the Socio-Legal Studies programme offered by the University of Bristol explores contemporary legal issues from multiple perspectives. You will develop strong empirical research skills and theoretical insights, enabling critical examination and effective influence on legal and social policies.

Ideal for those interested in the dynamic relationship between law and society, this MSc is perfect for aspiring academics, PhD candidates, and professionals seeking to impact legal and social change. It provides robust research training, practical dissertation experience, and interdisciplinary perspectives, preparing you for careers in NGOs, government, or broader socio-legal fields.

Career prospects

Graduating from a world-leading university* can open doors to careers in a variety of sectors. The MSc in Socio-Legal Studies:

is the academic basis and preparation for students choosing the 1+3 PhD programme (with three years of doctoral training following completion of this interdisciplinary master's degree). This is achievable if a student is awarded ESRC funding.

provides an ideal introduction to working for NGOs and other organisations that work for legal or social change, or within government.

is good preparation for students choosing to enter the legal profession carrying with them a broader understanding of the way law operates within society.

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Programme Structure

Courses include:

Gender, Family and Migration

Philosophy and Research Design in the Social Sciences

Advanced Qualitative Research

Advanced Quantitative Research

The International Analysis of Poverty and Social Exclusion

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Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months
Part-time
- 24 months
- Flexible

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-21 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-08-27 00:00:00 , International
- Apply before 2026-09-21 00:00:00 , National

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

95

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PTE Academic

71

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IELTS

7

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Credits

180 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Bristol, United Kingdom

Disciplines

Sociology Legal Studies View 271 other Masters in Sociology in United Kingdom

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Academic requirements

GPA

Upper Second Class

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

95

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

71

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

7

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in Law.

OR an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent non-law degree in a related field, such as Sociology, Social Policy, Social Welfare, Public Administration, Social Administration, Demography/Population Studies, Geography, Economics, Political Science, History and Philosophy.

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Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

29400 GBP / year

≈ 29400 GBP / year
Domestic Applies to you

Applies to you

Citizens or residents

15700 GBP / year

≈ 15700 GBP / year

Additional Details

Home: part-time

£7,850 per year

Living costs

Bristol

United Kingdom

750 - 1260 GBP / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Socio-Legal Studies.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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About

Overview

Career prospects

Get more details

Programme Structure

Check out the full curriculum

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

Explore more key information

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Make sure you meet all requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic Applies to you

Additional Details

Living costs

Bristol

Funding

Check for any work restrictions

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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