Description
IMLI offers a Research Degree programme leading to the award of the Degree of Magister Juris (M.Jur.) in International Maritime Law and the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in International Maritime Law. Normally, a candidate is required to first complete M.Jur. degree prior to undertaking studies for Ph.D.
Admission to the Ph.D. requires that the candidate has been awarded (or listed for award of) the M.Jur. Degree from IMLI, together with a recommendation from the M.Jur. Examiners for Ph.D. enrolment. However, in exceptional circumstances, the Director may waive this requirement after consultation with the Academic Committee. Such waivers are granted sparingly and usually require very strong equivalent qualifications or prior advanced research experience in maritime law.
The Research Degree programme offers a high degree of independence to the candidates and they can undertake their research from abroad. They are assigned world-renowned individual academic supervisors. However, during the period of research, the candidate may engage in resident research at the Institute for a time to be determined in each case prior to enrolment.
Class 2018 / 2019 on Maritime Field Trip
Academic Requirements:
Magister Juris (M.Jur.) in International Maritime Law
Prospective candidates for the M.Jur. programme must possess either a first degree in law or a Master’s degree from a recognized university or other academic institution, provided that in the case of a Master’s degree other than in law the candidate has demonstrated the capacity to undertake legal research. Candidates may also be required to demonstrate qualifications of a comparable standard including relevant professional legal experience, published work. Additionally, candidates must possess such qualifications and satisfy such other conditions as the Director may, from time to time, establish for this purpose in the form of bye-laws.
A detailed 1,000-word research proposal on a topic within the official Research Degree Programme Syllabus is required, along with academic transcripts, proof of English proficiency (if applicable), two referee statements, and a list of publications (if any).
Studies for the M.Jur. Degree are to extend over a period of one (1) year after enrolment in the programme. Candidates for the M.Jur. must engage in resident research at the Institute for a time to be determined in each case prior to enrolment, and must attend such IMLI courses as may be required by the Director following consultation with the candidate’s supervisor. The candidate must submit his or her M.Jur. dissertation not later than the end of the second calendar month following the end of the academic year.
Please click here for a detailed programme structure.
Award of the Degree
Award of the M.Jur. degree is conditional upon the successful examination of a dissertation of not less than twenty-five (25) thousand words containing an original, detailed, and specialized research intended for inclusion in the composition of an IMLI Ph.D. thesis, or containing original, detailed, and specialized research in a subject within syllabus of the Institute in a dissertation intended for publication. The dissertation (minimum 25,000 words) must be submitted no later than the end of the second calendar month following the end of that academic year.
Academic requirements:
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in International Maritime Law
An applicant for the Ph.D. Programme must have been awarded or listed for the award of the M.Jur. Degree with a recommendation from the M.Jur. Examiners that the candidate be enrolled in the Ph.D. programme, provided that, in exceptional circumstances, the Director, in consultation with the Academic Committee, may waive this requirement.
Studies for the Ph.D. Degree shall extend over a period of not less than two (2) and not more than four (4) years after enrolment as a candidate for that degree, provided that when the M.Jur. dissertation is a written work on a completely unrelated research topic to the eventual Ph.D. thesis, studies for the Ph.D. Degree shall extend over a period of not less than three (3) and not more than five (5) years after enrolment as a candidate for that degree. During this period the candidate shall engage in resident research at the Institute for a time or times to be determined in each case prior to enrolment. Students are required to register with the Institute at the beginning of each academic year throughout the programme.
Research must align with the official Research Degree Programme Syllabus, covering four main areas:
- International Law of the Sea
- International Marine Environmental Law
- International Maritime Security Law
- Shipping Law (with numerous detailed sub-topics such as UNCLOS regimes, pollution conventions, piracy, carriage of goods, maritime liens, limitation of liability, etc.).
Award of the degree
The Ph.D. Degree shall be awarded upon the successful examination of a thesis of between eighty (80) and one hundred (100) thousand words containing original and significant contributions to knowledge in a subject within the syllabus of the Institute. The thesis must be submitted by the end of the prescribed period of time.
Please click here for a detailed programme structure.
Sequential Pathway
Most candidates follow the sequential pathway, taking approximately three (3) to five (5) years in total; one (1) year for M.Jur. plus two (2) to four (4) years for Ph.D. If the topics are unrelated and an extension is requested, the duration may extend to 6 years. Annual registration is mandatory throughout, requiring a satisfactory progress report from the supervisor each year.
Fee and Financial Support
The M.Jur. / Ph.D. programme fee stands at € 8,415 (Eight thousand four hundred fifteen Euros) per annum. The fee accounts for the costs of academic supervision, administration by the Institute, examiners and the conduct of examinations.
A non-refundable €750 deposit is required early in the process (after shortlisting and supervisor matching) to confirm acceptance.
The fees are payable upon admission or registration or, as the case may be, upon renewal of registration.
The Institute does not offer any fellowships/scholarships for the Magister Juris (M.Jur.) programme or the Ph.D. programme. Occasional topic-specific fellowships may be advertised separately (e.g., the IMLI-Lloyd’s Register Foundation Research Degree Programme Fellowship for specific emerging topics like alternative fuel pollution liability). These are competitive, time-limited, and announced via separate calls on the IMLI website.
Payments should be remitted to the Institute's bank account (transfer charges are to be borne by the applicant). Details are as follows:
Account Name: IMO International Maritime Law Institute
Address: University of Malta Campus, Triq Roberto Ranieri Costaguti, Msida MSD 2080, Malta
Telephone No.: (356) 2131 9343
Account No.: 4001 3713 797
Bank Name: Bank of Valletta p.l.c.
Bank Branch Name: San Gwann Branch
Bank Address: 184, Naxxar Road, San Gwann SGN 9030, Malta
IBAN: MT58 VALL 2201 3000 0000 4001 3713 797
SWIFT Code: VALLMTMT
Currency: Euro
How to apply:
Applicants for the Research Degree programme must provide the following supporting documents with their application:
- Duly filled Research Degree Application Form
- Research Proposal of approximately one thousand (1,000) words on a topic mentioned in the Research Degree Programme Syllabus;
- Proof that you meet our academic entry requirements, please provide:
- Copies of all relevant degrees,diplomas and certificates;
- If your supporting documents are not in English, we require officially translated versions as well as copies in the original language;
- Certificate of proficiency in the English language in case if English is not the first language;
- Supporting statements from two referees - referees must be able to comment on the knowledge of the candidate in maritime law, research skills and suitability for research degree-level study;
- List of published articles, monographs, books.
Admission Process:
Application forms will be reviewed by the Academic Committee of the Institute to assess the academic eligibility of the candidates and the potential of the submitted proposal. Candidates will be advised of the decision of the Academic Committee together with any comments or suggestions the Committee may give and will be asked to confirm whether they wish to proceed with the research as suggested. If the candidate agrees to the Committee’s suggestions, he/she is required to deposit the amount of € 750, after which the Institute will approach prospective supervisors.
When all criteria for admission have been met, including the appointment of supervisor and confirmation of financing, acceptance of the candidate for admission will be notified, in writing, to the candidate.
For further details, please contact:
Dr. Sanjeet Ruhal
The Nippon Foundation Lecturer on International Maritime Security Law
IMO International Maritime Law Institute
University of Malta Campus
Triq Roberto Ranieri Costaguti
Msida MSD 2080
Malta
Tel.: +356 21 319343, 310816, ext. 113
Fax: +356 21 343092
E-mail: sanjeet.ruhal@IMLI.org
Applications should be sent to:
The Director
IMO International Maritime Law Institute
University of Malta Campus
Triq Roberto Ranieri Costaguti
Msida MSD 2080
Malta
