Funding and Employment
FUNDING AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
CSLS Student Support Scheme
The Scheme is available annually. Generally two or more awards are made in amounts up to the equivalent of the annual fee for UK students. Applications are normally invited in the summer term and the scheme is open to continuing DPhil students in the second year onwards.
Students benefitting from this scheme are asked to contribute to the general academic and social life of the Centre. The contribution can take several forms, such as:
- being a student representative at the Centre
- carrying out editorial duties for the Centre’s blog
- co-ordinating the Socio-Legal Discussion Group
- giving practical support for the Centre’s annual events calendar, including seminars, workshops, and guest lectures.
A call for applications is circulated by e-mail and decisions are normally communicated shortly afterwards.
CSLS Fieldwork Fund
A small fund is available to support student research and to supplement the resources offered by the Law Faculty and Colleges. Students may apply once per year for a grant of up to £500 for expenses related to fieldwork and for up to £250 for conference (generally once during the course of the doctorate).
Calls for applications are circulated twice per year, normally in mid-Hilary Term and mid-Michaelmas Terms. Applications should be supported by the supervisor. Queries and applications should be directed to the Centre Administrator.
Other Funds
The Law Faculty offers Graduate Travel Grants. CSLS students are eligible to apply if they have not received a grant from the Centre in that year.
Students funded by the ESRC or AHRC should apply for the Research Training Support Grant in the first instance.
Most colleges also have funds for travel and other research expenses.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR LIMITED EMPLOYMENT
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
Subject to funding and right to work eligibility, DPhil students can undertake research assistance at the request of Faculty members. Opportunities are advertised from time to time through the Faculty email lists.
Students should consult their supervisor before taking this or any other job that is not related to their research project.
Students may not work as a Research Assistant until they have passed their Qualifying Test.
The University also places a limit of 8 hours per week on the paid work undertaken by graduate students.
The Law Faculty will not fund more than 120 hours of research assistance in one year by any student.
Centre students must obtain the approval of the Director before undertaking any research assistance for their own supervisor.
Teaching Opportunities
Subject to right-to-work eligibility, research students are permitted to undertake teaching once they have transferred to D.Phil. status.
The CSLS itself, being a research centre, cannot offer any teaching opportunities. However, the Faculty of Law has a programme of Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs) for students in areas specified by the Faculty’s subject convenors. A GTA is expected to provide up to 48 hours of tutorial teaching over the course of the academic year and may teach up to the weekly limit on paid work undertaken by graduate students (including preparation and marking time). GTAs may, in exceptional circumstances and with the permission of the Graduate Studies Committee, hold GTA positions in tandem with other posts, as long as the total number of teaching hours per week is within the limit specified by the University. The teaching itself is paid by the college. Appointment to one of these positions is competitive and applications are invited in Trinity Term. Details are distributed via the law postgraduate e-mail list, as are announcements about other teaching and work opportunities during the year.