The PhD programme is a full research programme leading to submission of a thesis based on individual supervised research. All research proposals must be approved and supervised by the Faculty.
Entry Requirements
1. Bachelor of Laws degree with honours or equivalent, CGPA not less than 3.0; and
2. Masters degree by research; or
3. Masters degree by mixed mode CGPA not less than 3.7; or
4. Masters degree by Coursework or mixed mode, CGPA between 2.0 – 3.69; or
5. Masters degree by Coursework or mixed mode, CGPA between 2.0 – 3.69, and undergraduate CGPA between 2.5 – 2.99, on the fulfilment of at least one (1) of the following criteria:
(i) relevant work experience, or
(ii) publication in the relevant field; or
(iii) a scholarship holder, or
(iv) a University of Malaya undergraduate.
English Language Requirement:
1. A foreign candidate intending to follow this programme must have obtained a score of 600 for TOEFL or band 7.00 for IELTS.
2. A foreign candidate may be exempted from the English Language requirement if the Faculty is satisfied that the candidate’s degree has been obtained from a university or institution of higher learning where the medium of instruction is English.
Bahasa Malaysia Requirement:
1. A candidate who is a non-Malaysian citizen will be required to attend and pass a course in Bahasa Malaysia conducted by the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics before being conferred his Master’s degree unless he possesses at least a pass in Bahasa Malaysia at the level of Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia or Peringkat III Sijil Kecekapan Bahasa Malaysia or Peringkat III Sijil Intensif Bahasa Malaysia of the University or an equivalent level.
2. A candidate who is a Malaysian citizen must possess at least a pass in Bahasa Malaysia at the level of Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia or Peringkat III Sijil Kecekapan Bahasa Malaysia or Peringkat III Sijil Intensif Bahasa Malaysia of the University or an equivalent level before being conferred his Master’s degree.
Programme Structure
A candidate for the PhD is required:
1. to carry out independent research involving a comprehensive study of a scope and size that can normally be completed between 4 semesters to 12 semesters; and
2. to make a substantial contribution to learning by uncovering new knowledge, conceiving new ideas or reinterpretation of established theories and approaches and demonstrate an ability to relate the research done to the broader legal framework at a standard that is internationally recognized.
At the end of the candidature, a candidate is required to produce a thesis not exceeding 100,000 words on the subject of his/her research and shall satisfy the examiners that the thesis is a connected piece of writing that contains original work and critical interpretations worthy of publication and is of sufficient standard and merit to qualify for PhD.
A candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy must submit to the Registrar an application setting out his academic qualifications, research experience and research proposal. The application form may be downloaded from http://ips.um.edu.my.
