Funding and Employment
CSLS Student Support Scheme
This annual scheme provides financial support to continuing DPhil students (from their second year onwards). Typically, two or more awards are made each year, with funding of up to the equivalent of the UK annual college fee.
Applications open in Trinity Term, and a call is circulated by email. Decisions are usually communicated shortly after the application deadline.
In return for receiving the award, students are expected to contribute to the academic and community life of the Centre. This contribution can take various forms, including:
- Acting as a student representative at CSLS
- Helping to organise the Socio-Legal Discussion Group
- Supporting the delivery of Centre events, such as seminars, workshops, and guest lectures
This scheme offers both financial support and an opportunity to play an active role in shaping the Centre’s research environment.
CSLS Fieldwork Fund
The CSLS Fieldwork Fund offers small grants to support student research and help cover costs not already met by the Law Faculty or Colleges.
Students may apply once per academic year for:
- Up to £500 towards fieldwork-related expenses (e.g. travel, equipment, transcription)
- Up to £250 to support conference attendance (normally only once during the doctorate)
Calls for applications are issued twice a year, usually in mid-Michaelmas Term and mid-Hilary Term. The deadline for submission will Friday, Week 7 in MT and HT.
Applications must be:
- Supported by your supervisor
- Submitted to the Centre Manager
If you have questions about your eligibility or how to apply, please contact the Centre Manager, Nikki Macmichael, for guidance.
Faculty of Law Graduate Travel Grant Scheme
In addition to CSLS funds, students may also apply for a Faculty of Law Graduate Travel Grant, administered by the Graduate Studies Committee. Please note that students may not receive both a Faculty grant and a CSLS grant in the same academic year.
Applications are invited each term and are due by Friday of Week 2. There are two grounds for funding:
- Essential fieldwork outside Oxford that is integral to your research project.
- Presentation of a thesis chapter at an academic conference.
Other travel purposes will not be considered.
Applications must be made in advance and include:
- A completed application form (available from the Faculty website)
- A 200-word explanation of how the travel supports your studies
- Full costings of the journey
- Confirmation and support from your supervisor
- A signed Risk Assessment Form (see the University’s Travel Insurance page for the latest version)
All documents should be submitted to Olga Pavlova at student.funding@law.ox.ac.uk. Decisions may take up to four weeks following the deadline.
Important Notes:
- The maximum amount awarded is £300 per academic year.
- Funding is only available for travel within the current academic year, up to and including the next Long Vacation.
- All applications must be supported by a supervisor’s confirmation that the travel is essential to your studies.
- Travel to countries with FCDO warnings may take longer to process. Supervisors must confirm they are aware of any additional risk.
University Travel Insurance
- All students undertaking travel on University business must be covered by the University’s Group Travel Insurance Scheme, available free of charge. This insurance only covers the period related to the approved academic activity, not any additional personal travel.
- For high-risk destinations (per FCDO guidance), insurance approval may take up to four weeks and is not automatically guaranteed.
- Students must apply for insurance via the University’s online portal and upload their signed risk assessment.
Ethical Approval and Fieldwork
If your research involves fieldwork requiring ethical approval, you must confirm that the relevant permissions have been obtained before applying for travel support. For guidance, please consult the University’s Research Ethics pages or speak with your supervisor.
Claiming Your Grant
- Keep original receipts for all expenses to be reimbursed.
- Do not send receipts with your application; they will be required at the point of claiming.
- All expenses relating to a travel grant must be claimed before the start of the next academic year.
- If your plans change and you are no longer able to travel, please notify Olga Pavlova or the CSLS Manager, Nikki Macmichael, as soon as possible so the funds can be reallocated.
Other Sources of Funding
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ESRC and AHRC-funded students should apply first to the Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) via granduniondtp@socsci.ox.ac.uk.
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Your college may also offer travel or research funding — contact your College Office or Tutor for Graduates for further details.
Work Permits and Visa Information
Students from outside the UK who wish or need to find paid employment will need to check their right to work in the UK. See the University’s and the UK government's guidance. There is also further information on the University's Visa and Immigration pages for students.
Research Assistance
DPhil students who are eligible to work in the UK and have funding approval can take on research assistant work for Faculty members. These opportunities are shared occasionally through the Faculty email lists.
Before accepting any job that’s not part of their own research, students should first speak with their supervisor.
Students must have passed their Qualifying Test before working as a Research Assistant.
The University limits paid work to 8 hours per week for graduate students, including research assistance.
The Law Faculty will fund a maximum of 120 hours of research assistance per student per year.
If you are a CSLS student, you must also get approval from the Centre Director before doing research work for your own supervisor.
Teaching Opportunities
Research students who have transferred to DPhil status and have the right to work in the UK are eligible to undertake teaching.
While CSLS, as a research centre, does not offer teaching roles, the Faculty of Law runs a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) scheme. These positions are available in subject areas specified by the Faculty’s convenors.
GTAs typically provide up to 48 hours of tutorial teaching per academic year, and may teach up to the University’s weekly limit for paid work (including preparation and marking). In exceptional cases, and with permission from the Graduate Studies Committee, GTAs may combine this role with other posts — provided the total number of teaching hours stays within the University’s regulations.
Teaching is paid by the relevant college. Appointments are competitive, and applications are invited during Trinity Term. Further details, including other teaching and work opportunities, are shared via the Law Faculty’s postgraduate email list.