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Doctoral programme "Legal Sociology"

Training unit: Department of Public Law

Brief Description

The doctoral programme aims to develop:

  • The analytical and research competences of doctoral candidates.
  • The ability to systematise knowledge of the conceptual framework and main theoretical approaches in the sociology of law, as well as the methods and findings of empirical research in the legal field.

Through the programme, doctoral candidates acquire fundamental knowledge of the role of society in the realisation of law, the mechanisms through which law operates socially, legal forecasting and related topics.

The main objectives of the programme are to:

  • Study controversial and debated issues in the sociology of law.
  • Develop an understanding of the sociological foundations of contemporary legal theory and practice.
  • Enable doctoral candidates to analyse theoretical and practical problems in legal scholarship using the methods of the sociology of law.

Professional Competences Acquired upon Completion

Graduates of the programme develop the following competences:

  • Ability to conduct independent research in law using the specialised research methods and tools of the sociology of law.
  • Ability to generate, classify and analyse data concerning legal phenomena and processes.
  • Academic writing skills.
  • Ability to apply newly acquired knowledge when preparing legal opinions.
  • Ability to present a specific topic at academic forums and engage in discussion with an audience.
  • Development of teaching skills, where possible.
  • Achievement of the required standards of foreign-language and computer proficiency.

Potential Career Opportunities

Graduates may pursue careers as:

  • Researchers capable of undertaking further independent research and producing research findings with practical applications.
  • University lecturers.
  • Judges, prosecutors, lawyers, in-house legal counsel, and experts specialising in legal forecasting and the assessment of legislation, as well as professionals in other fields where the knowledge acquired through the doctoral degree is relevant.