The IMO International Maritime Law Institute established, in the year 2000, its Programme leading to the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in International Maritime Law.

The Degree is awarded upon the successful defence of a thesis of not more than one hundred thousand (100,000) words containing original and significant contributions to knowledge in a subject within the syllabus of the Institute.

Candidates who are not IMLI graduates are expected to undertake a probationary period of one (1) year during which they must be present at the Institute for not less than eight (8) weeks between June and August. Within this probationary period candidates must submit a written paper of not more than ten thousand (10,000) words on a subject of their choice within the syllabus of the Institute. At the end of the probationary period, and if the submitted paper is deemed by the Institute to demonstrate the candidate’s satisfactory research capabilities, the candidate will be allowed to proceed with the Programme.

Studies for the degree are supervised, but candidates are expected to carry out their studies with a high degree of independence. Thus, the research-based programme can be largely undertaken from abroad. Although the supervisor does not act as an examiner, he submits a progress report on the work of the candidate on a yearly basis.

Studies for the Degree must extend over a period of not less than three and not more than five years. The candidate is required to register with the Institute in each year of the Programme. This registration is only allowed upon the submission of a satisfactory progress report from the candidate’s supervisor.

The final submission of a thesis is only allowed with the agreement of the supervisor. The submitted thesis is then examined by a Board of Examiners appointed for the purpose by the Director in consultation with the Academic Committee. The Board of Examiners shall consist of at least two (2) examiners, one of whom shall be an external examiner.

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree will be awarded to successful candidates at the Graduation Ceremony for the LL.M. programme following the successful defence of the thesis.