phd in criminal justice uk

Professional Doctorate in Criminal Justice DCrimJ

The Professional Doctorate in Criminal Justice (DCrimJ) offers a framework for criminal justice professionals to reflect on and contribute to practice in their area of work and become research professionals. 

Key information

• 4-7 years part-time
• October 2024

Course information

Please select the page of your interest

Showing content for section Overview

Benefits of a Professional Doctorate in Criminal Justice

Our Professional Doctorate in Criminal Justice (DCrimJ) is a structured 4-year programme. The first two years are focused on workshop-based teaching in Portsmouth, while the latter two years are focused on supervised research, leading to a thesis.

Established in 2007, this course offers a framework for criminal justice professionals to reflect on and contribute to practice in their area of work. And unlike the more traditional PhD route – which aims to develop professional researchers – the Professional Doctorate in Criminal Justice develop researching professionals.

Students are drawn from a variety of backgrounds in criminal justice – including policing, counter fraud, the private security industry, the voluntary sector, youth justice, prisons, probation, the legal profession, and forensic mental health.

The aim of the course is to develop criminal justice professionals whose work informs and is informed by original research in the field. Previous graduates have followed research projects into profession-related subjects such as:

• Reform and the Garda in the Republic of Ireland
• The National Intelligence Model and reduced risk in the public sector
• Gender within specialist police departments

Contact information

+44 (0) 23 9284 5566

You'll be studying with the same cohort of people over the whole course – the interaction this provides will give you the opportunity to work, learn and develop together. 

What you'll study

Core modules, professional review and development - 30 credits on this module, we'll introduce you to professional doctorate studies..

You'll reflect critically on your skills and experience, using professional knowledge models and literature to identify any areas for improvement.

You'll join your fellow students for discussion groups where you'll analyse complex theories relating to professionalism and practice.

This module gives you the essential foundations, analytical abilities and autonomy to shape your own doctoral path.

Advanced Research Techniques - 30 credits This module will give you a grounding in qualitative and quantitative research techniques appropriate for doctoral-level work - regardless of your final methods.

You'll examine relevant literature on methodology and strategies, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses.

You'll then identify and justify methods for a particular project, design a relevant research instrument, and complete ethical review documentation.

Publication and Dissemination - 30 credits On this module, you'll learn how to write an academic article suitable for publication in a journal of your choice and present to your fellow students in a style that mimics an academic conference.

You'll get to grips with the academic experience of journal searching, targeting, writing and conference presenting first-hand.

You'll also reflect on your academic learning and development needs while preparing original research that meets peer review standards and merits publication.

Proposal for Professional Research and Development Project - 30 credits In this module, you'll reflect on and consolidate your prior learning to draft your own professional research or development proposal.

When preparing your proposal, you'll identify practice-based questions, critically appraise literature gaps, make informed methodological judgments, appraise ethical issues, and apply advanced writing skills.

With staff and peer review to support you, you'll produce a well-structured, coherent, realistic, achievable and costed proposal ready for the research phase of your course.

Professional Research and Development Project - 360 credits This doctoral thesis module enables you to undertake primary, secondary or literature-based research within criminal justice, examined through a 50,000-word thesis.

Within your thesis, you'll interpret new knowledge that contributes to the field of criminal justice, satisfies peer-review and merits publication.

You'll also present your ideas via a formal presentation to a specialist audience of practitioners and academics.

Professional Research and Development Project - 240 credits On this module, you'll complete an original research project and substantial written thesis.

You'll design, plan and implement your research to uncover new knowledge, to a standard that satisfies peer review, contributes to the field of criminal justice and merits publication.

You'll use a range of advanced research techniques and communicate your ideas clearly to a specialist audience of experts and academics through your written thesis and a formal presentation.

Changes to course content

We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.

Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

Teaching and assessment

The Professional Doctorate in Criminal Justice aims to develop your research ability to an advanced level and promote evidence-based practice development. The development of the quality and value of your practice and research will be enhanced through:

• seminars and workshops on critical research and criminal justice issues specifically focused on the development needs of criminal justice professionals
• support from peers and staff to ensure your work reaches the necessary (doctoral) standard
• supervision from a team with a very wide range of development and research interests and many years of professional experience
• access to University of Portsmouth library facilities including a large number of e-books, journals and databases accessed electronically
• the use of an online learning environment enabling you to keep in easy touch with your peers and the course team
• development of wider national and international perspectives through networking with the peer group
• building ongoing productive links between criminal justice organisations
• raising the profile, credibility and influence of your profession in both academic and practice contexts

How you'll be assessed

You will be assessed on the strength of your thesis, which is up to 50,000 words.

The assessment includes two elements:

• a 50 minute presentation with an invited audience (plus 10 minutes of Q&As)
• followed by a Viva Voce conducted by external and internal examiners

Entry requirements

October 2024 start.

A master's degree in a relevant subject, preferably of Merit level. It is essential that applicants are professionally engaged in one of the many areas of criminal justice. Applicants should be working at a senior level and/or have strong relevant criminal justice experience. All applicants will be invited to attend a face-to-face or telephone interview. 

English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a  pre-sessional English programme  before you start your course.

Course costs and funding

Tuition fees.

• Home/CI students : £5,400 p/a*
• EU students : £5,400 p/a* (including  Transition Scholarship )
• International students : £9,050 p/a*

*All fees are subject to annual increase

This course is eligible for the  Government Doctoral Loan .

Tuition fees terms and conditions

How to apply

Before you start your application, you'll need to have the following documentation ready:

• A  research proposal  and personal statement
• Proof of your first degree and grades (officially certified and translated copies if not in English)
• Proof of a relevant postgraduate degree with at least 60 credits having been completed
• Details of 2 referees or 2 references on official headed paper, one of which should ideally be an academic reference
• Proof of your English language proficiency (if English is not your first language)
• An up-to-date copy of your CV

Apply to start in 2024

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Criminology PhD

Course detail, entry requirements.

• Fees & funding
• Study & career progression

A PhD in Criminology offers one of the leading areas of research at the University of West London (UWL), as recognised in the rating of our work in Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 .

Criminological research at UWL spans a range of topics and areas from policing to sentencing, security studies, transnational crime and terrorism, socio-legal studies and judicial processes.  

Our supervisors have strong research backgrounds, often with a focus on key groups that fall under the heading of diversity and inclusion.  Our supervisors also have extensive links with criminal justice agencies,  voluntary groups and a range of think tanks and research organisations.

Applications are invited for research in the areas indicated below. We are committed to providing access and maintaining a high standard of support for students. Our recent doctoral graduates have gone on to lectureships at universities and successful careers in related fields of work.

Criminology and criminal justice

• Criminal justice policy and politics
• Comparative criminal justice
• Socio-legal studies
• Gender and Crime
• Criminology theory
• Social justice
• Youth studies and youth justice
• Security studies

Criminology, law and legal processes

• Drug Policy
• Terrorism and Extremism
• Bail, Sentencing, Imprisonment and Indeterminate Sentences
• The Parole Board and Probation Service

Law, criminology and social sciences

• Transitional justice
• Genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity
• Human Rights and  International criminal justice
• Criminal justice and the Arts
• Justice architecture
• Courtroom procedure and Criminal evidence
• Sexual and Domestic Abuse
• Migration, refugees and crime

Criminal justice and policing

• Police governance, accountability and complaints
• Policing ethics
• Evidence and procedure
• Investigative interviewing
• Safeguarding (Children and Adults)
• Cyberdeviance
• Cyber bullying / harassment
• Policing, racism and diversity

See a list of potential PhD supervisors and read about their expertise, in the 'Supervisors' section lower down the page. 

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study Criminology with us?

What our students say…

The staff members that I encountered were warm, welcoming and supportive of my studies. The relatively small size of the University’s postgraduate school created a close family/communal environment for both staff and students. This provided a good support system as I could quickly grow acquainted with the postgraduate team and other Doctoral research candidates.

Research article by Dr Maya Flax

Loss and disillusionment of being shunned from the Jehovah’s Witness community and its impact

Research article by Professor Alison Wakefield

Private Investigation and Policing

Research article by Professor Karim Murji

Stuart Hall as a criminological theorist-activist

Research article by Dr Rashid Minhas

When law enforcement interview witnesses and write their statements

You will have a supervisory team made up of a Director of Studies with expertise in your chosen field, a further supervisor and, where appropriate, an additional adviser. Your research will be judged through the presentation of a thesis or artefact and a viva voce for academic assessment. We provide a stimulating and supportive environment where you will benefit from: 

• peer feedback and discussion   
• a series of master classes and lectures from industry figures   
• support by a supervisor and a second supervisor suited to your project. 

About PhD study

This course is available for you to study either on a full-time or part-time basis and you have the flexibility to switch should you need to.

A PhD is founded on independent research.  You will undertake a systematic and in-depth exploration of your chosen topic to produce a substantial body of knowledge and make an original and important contribution to the subject area.  

The support provided by your supervisory team will be vital to your student experience and scholarly advancement.  You and your supervisors will have regular one-to-one meetings which will provide you with opportunities to develop your research topic and discuss your progress.

School of Health and Human Science's Research Centres

Our School is closely involved in the  Cybersecurity and Criminology Centre .

The Cybersecurity and Criminology Centre investigates crime and security as part of the complex challenge that face citizens, governments and businesses in London and beyond.

Our research record

View our  academic journal 'New Vistas'   to see the work of students and academics who are making an impact both locally and globally through their research findings. 

Based in the heart of Ealing, west London, you can make use of the excellent transport links to travel to the the capital or further afield - ideal for attending research meetings and networking events.

Got a question?

If you would like guidance or more information about studying for a research degree, you can contact Professor Karim Murji . 

To enable you to enhance your professional profile, we support you throughout your research degree by:

• providing research seminars
• organising doctoral events and activities
• facilitating networking and collaboration opportunities
• encouraging and supporting publication and dissemination of your research
• offering opportunities to gain teaching expertise and experience.

We provide structured research training, expert supervision, and an environment where you can discuss your research with other PhD students and researchers.

We run seminars in research methods from the Graduate Centre, as well as an ongoing series of events and activities organised by Schools and Colleges. Specialist help with academic English for students for whom English is not their first language is available.

Crime scene rooms

The crime scene room enables students on criminology, policing and forensics courses to learn from scenarios based on real-life police investigations.

Our Biopac tools allow us to measure physiological indicators such as heart rate, sweat responses, and electromyography (EMG).

Cantab Cognitive Research Software

The software helps us measures cognitive functions in  correlation to neural networks. It allows us to understanding the role of specific brain functions across a range of disorders and syndromes.

Observation room

Our observation room has the look and feel of a domestic setting but consists of wall mounted cameras and live video feed.  These are managed from the control room which has recording facilities.

The Paul Hamlyn Library

The Paul Hamlyn Library provides an extensive range of books, journals and digital resources, PC and Mac workstations and a variety of study spaces. Find out more about what the  Paul Hamlyn Library has to offer .

We contribute to national and international initiatives and promote collaboration and networking opportunities. We also encourage and support you to publish and disseminate your research in academic journals and via presenting papers at conferences.

We run an annual conference for doctoral students, where you are encouraged to present a paper about your research. As well as being an opportunity to discuss your work with other students, the conference is a chance to gain valuable experience in presenting your research and participating in open discussions with academic peers.

You will also find other opportunities such as postgraduate student seminars and forums within your specific subject area.

Once you start a PhD course at UWL, you become part of our research community. You will have access to a postgraduate common room, located at our Ealing campus on St Mary’s Road, where you will meet fellow researchers from other subject disciplines offering scope for collaborations or simply to discuss ideas, allowing you to be part of a vibrant research environment.

• Requirements: UK
• Requirements: International

The minimum entry requirements for a research degree are:

• a good first degree (First Class or Upper Second Class), or equivalent qualification in a relevant field
• a Masters Degree (MA, MSc, MBA or MRes) with Merit, or equivalent postgraduate or research experience.

We look for students with:

• a passion for their chosen subject.

You will also have a well thought through and persuasive proposal.

• Competence in written and spoken English is a pre-requisite for entrance to this programme. An IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 6.5 (with no element under 6.0).

Fees & funding

• Funding: UK
• Funding: International

The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

Funding for postgraduate students usually comes from one or more of a range of key sources:

• research councils
• charities and trust funds, including those funded by the UK government
• higher Education institutions
• overseas governments (international students only)
• professional and career development loans
• self-funding (including family funds).

Find out more about funding opportunities. Examples of most of these types of funding are included on the postgraduate studentships website , (with the exception of funding you may be able to obtain from your employer and self-funding).

Bursaries and scholarships

We offer generous bursaries and scholarships to make sure your aspirations are your only limit. See our PhD scholarships , scholarships and bursaries .

For any overseas students, your first port of call should be grant-awarding bodies in your own country (eg The Ministry / Department of Education) and your local (or nearest) office of the British Council.

The British Council manage a small number of international studentship grants in some countries and should be able to tell you what other awards may be available to you - they also produce the Sources of funding for international students guide.

Supervisors

Dr maya flax.

Dr Rashid Minhas

Dr Allan T Moore

Professor Karim Murji

Professor Alison Wakefield

Study & career progression

Studying for a PhD enables you to develop an area of specialism that will give you an edge whether you are planning to work in industry or to develop expertise to teach in academia.

Many of our research graduates find success in academic careers, both in the UK and internationally. Others carve out paths in non-governmental organisations, local authorities, specialised think tanks, government departments, charities, media production, and market research.

By the end of your PhD degree, you'll have gained the skills, experience, and knowledge to step into postdoctoral work, be it in research and teaching or another related profession.

How to apply

• How to apply: UK
• How to apply: International

To apply for one of our research courses, click the green 'apply now' link shown below to complete an online application form. You will need to attach the following documentation to your online application form:

• research proposal outline (5000 words maximum)
• transcript of your highest qualification.

The research proposal outline, or statement of research interests, enables us to assess your suitability for higher degree work including:

• viability of the topic as a research study
• the most appropriate supervisor(s) to be appointed.

Click here  for more information on applying for a PhD.

Apply for this course

Next steps after making your application.

We aim to make a decision on your application as quickly as we can. If we need any more information about your qualifications, we will be in touch.

In the meantime, come and visit us and find out more about what studying at UWL is like. Sign up for an  open day  or join a campus tour .

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Talk to our tutors and find out about our courses and facilities at our next open day or join a campus tour.

We're here to help

Any questions about a course or studying at UWL? We're here to help - call us on 0800 036 8888 (option 2, Monday – Friday 10am-4pm) or email us on [email protected].

To apply for one of our research courses, click the green 'apply now' link shown below to complete an online application form.  You will need to attach the following documentation to your online application form:

• research proposal outline

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What do you want to do?

Find our about our research in criminology.

• Criminology PhD

Find a supervisor

Mode of study

3 years full-time

6 years part-time

International   £21,260

UK   £4,786

Entry requirements

Research profile.

The Division of Criminology and Criminal Justice is made up of an exciting, diverse and intellectually curious community of researchers. Together, we are the forefront of criminological study in a range of spaces including: mental health and crime; street cultures; online sexual commerce and deviance; young people and crime; gender; race and ethnicity; immigration; the criminalisation of marginalised communities; legal decision-making and the criminal justice system; ‘high-risk offenders’, gambling, and immigration.

Collectively, we have a range of theoretical and methodological expertise to help you on your doctoral journey. We have experience and expertise in a number of research methods, including mixed methods, policy analysis, ethnography, narrative/life history methods, and media analysis. Across the department we have good experience of undertaking research in a range of spaces, including policing, the legal system, imprisonment, forensic mental health services, probation and more. We also have good experience of working with different funders and research councils including the Ministry of Justice, Department of Health, and Howard League for Penal Reform. We have close links with the policing programme at Brunel University and benefit from being part of the Department of Social and Political Sciences, which comprises of experts from politics, sociology, anthropology and history. Across the university, we have links with many other disciplines including law and psychology.

By joining our innovative, supportive and critical research community you can hope to do the following:

• Join an expert interdisciplinary community that publishes innovative and world-leading research addressing contemporary criminological concerns and emerging social and cultural challenges.
• Be part of a thriving research culture where researchers have received regular grants from the Ministry of Justice, the NHS, and third sector criminal justice charities, including the Howard League for Penal Reform.
• Benefit from excellent multi-disciplinary supervisory teams to support your postgraduate study.
• Enjoy being part of a collegial and active research environment.

Find out about the exciting research we do in this area. Browse profiles of our experts, discover the research groups and their inspirational research activities you too could be part of. We’ve also made available extensive reading materials published by our academics and PhD students.  

Learn more about research in this area.

You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour .

Our researchers create knowledge and advance understanding, and equip versatile doctoral researchers with the confidence to apply what they have learnt for the benefit of society. Find out more about working with the Supervisory Team .

You are welcome to approach your potential supervisor directly to discuss your research interests. Search for expert supervisors for your chosen field of research.

While we welcome a wide range of topics in the areas of Criminology, here is an list of some potential research areas where we have specific expertise:

•      Health, crime and inequalities
•      Race, ethnicity and crime
•      Sex and crime
•      Mediated forms of sex work
•      Religion and crime
•      Street violence and street cultures
•      Illicit drug economies
•      Legal decision making
•      Policing
•      Imprisonment
•      Probation
•      CJS staffing, organisation, and occupational cultures
•      Desistance
•      Mental health and the criminal justice system
•      Gambling and crime
•      Violent and sexual offenders
•      The criminalisation of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.
•      Immigration
•      Narrative criminology
•      Ethnography and visual criminology
•      Psychosocial criminology

While these are some of the areas we have explicit expertise in, we are committed and interested in expanding our own understanding by supporting your areas of interest and development. We are confident in our ability to support emerging scholars in a range of criminological topics, and committed to supporting the development of new, critical and exciting areas of scholarship within our discipline.

While we welcome applications from student with a clear direction for their research, we can also provide you with some ideas. Search for PhD topics for your chosen field of research.

Research journey

A PhD involves demonstrating through original research or other advanced scholarship the creation and interpretation of new knowledge, a systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge at the forefront of an academic discipline or professional practice, the ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the general of new knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of the discipline.

This course can be studied 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time, starting in January. Or this course can be studied 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time, starting in October. Or this course can be studied 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time, starting in April.

Find out about what progress might look like at each stage of study here:  Research degree progress structure.

Research support

Excellent research support and training

The Graduate School provides a range of personal, professional and career development opportunities. This includes workshops, online training, coaching and events, to enable you to enhance your professional profile, refine your skills, and plan your next career steps as part of the Researcher Development Programme . The researcher development programme (RDP) offers workshops and seminars in a range of areas including progression, research management, research dissemination, and careers and personal development. You will also be offered a number of online, self-study courses on BBL, including Research Integrity, Research Skills Toolkit, Research Methods in Literature Review and Principles of Research Methods.

Library services

Brunel's Library is open 24 hours a day, has 400,000 books and 250,000 ebooks, and an annual budget of almost £2m. Subject information Specialists train students in the latest technology, digital literacy, and digital dissemination of scholarly outputs. As well as the physical resources available in the Library, we also provide access to a wealth of electronic resources. These include databases, journals and e-books. Access to these resources has been bought by the Library through subscription and is limited to current staff and students.

Dedicated research support staff provide guidance and training on open access, research data management, copyright and other research integrity issues.

Find out more: Brunel Library

Potential funding sources

TECHNE2 awards supporting outstanding innovative, interdisciplinary research with an emphasis on creativity and practice. The programme is delivered through a partnership between Royal Holloway, University of London, Brunel University London, Kingston University, Loughborough University, University of Brighton, University of Roehampton, University of the Arts London, University of Surrey and University of Westminster.

The Grand Union: Excellence and Innovation in Social Science Research Training is an ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership uniting Brunel University London, The Open University and the University of Oxford.

Careers and your future

You will receive tailored careers support during your PhD and for up to three years after you complete your research at Brunel. We encourage you to actively engage in career planning and managing your personal development right from the start of your research, even (or perhaps especially) if you don't yet have a career path in mind. Our careers provision includes online information and advice, one-to-one consultations and a range of events and workshops. The Professional Development Centre runs a varied programme of careers events throughout the academic year. These include industry insight sessions, recruitment fairs, employer pop-ups and skills workshops.

In addition, where available, you may be able to undertake some paid work as we recognise that teaching and learning support duties represent an important professional and career development opportunity.

Find out more.

Students with a particular interest in media are also able to undertake a National Qualification in Journalism (NQJ) at no extra cost alongside their doctoral studies.

UK entry requirements

The general University entrance requirement for registration for a research degree is normally a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree (1st or 2:1). 

An interview will be required as part of the admissions process and will be conducted by at least two academic staff members remotely via MS Teams, Zoom, or face to face.

Applicants will be required to submit a personal statement  and a research statement. Please contact your proposed supervisor, where possible, to receive feedback and guidance on your research statement before submitting it. Learn how to prepare a research statement  here .   

EU and International entry requirements

If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by  UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list . This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.

English language requirements

• IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
• Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
• BrunELT : 63% (min 58% in all areas)
• TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all) 

You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our  English Language Requirements  page.

Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our  Brunel Language Centre .

Please check our Admissions  pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.

Fees and funding

2024/5 entry, international.

£21,260 full-time

£10,630 part-time

£4,786 full-time

£2,393 part-time

Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.

Some courses incur  additional course related costs . You can also check our  on-campus accommodation costs  for more information on living expenses.

Brunel offers a number of funding options to research students that help cover the cost of their tuition fees, contribute to living expenses or both. Recently the UK Government made available the Doctoral Student Loans of up to £25,000 for UK and EU students and there is some funding available through the Research Councils. Many of our international students benefit from funding provided by their governments or employers. Brunel alumni enjoy tuition fee discounts of 15%.

Scholarships and bursaries

• Brunel Graduate Discount

Criminology and Criminal Justice Postgraduate Research - 2024 Entry

Course details.

• Qualification PhD
• Duration 3-6 years

About This Course

The School provides a stimulating and supportive environment for postgraduate training. The emphasis is on small groups, close working relationships between students and supervisors, and development towards full professional participation in the subject area. Research in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Bangor is focussed on comparative study at a number of cross-cultural levels: national, international and rural-urban comparisons are three of the most important ways in which comparative criminological work is undertaken. For research students we are able to provide both a full research training programme and high quality expert supervision across a broad spectrum of subjects.

Research Areas

Criminology and Criminal Justice with specialisations in:

• Youth homelessness and crime
• Institutional child abuse
• Critical approaches to law, crime and criminology
• Sociology of Law
• Public opinion on crime and criminal justice
• Penal policy
• Rural criminology
• Law judges and jurors
• Procedural justice
• Popular legal culture, including film and TV
• Victimology
• Islamic extremism and terrorism
• Trust in police, courts and the legal profession
• Crime and Civic Society:
• Support for the police
• Political violence and terrorism
• Media and public opinion
• Begging in North Africa and South Asia
• Popular Legal Culture
• Violence in intimate relationship
• Postcolonial societies, crime and deviance
• Theoretical criminology
• Criminal Justice Systems
• Lay participation in the administration of justice

Current graduate students are conducting research on:

• Women’s accounts of their violent behaviour
• An ethnographic study of cannabis use in a North Wales community
• Identity fraud
• Social problems and juvenile delinquency in Malawi
• Restorative justice and rehabilitation
• Accommodating sex offenders after prison

Programme Length

PhD: 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time; MPhil: 1 to 2 years full-time, 2 to 3 years part-time; MARes: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Entry Requirements

A good honours degree in a related discipline is required. Students without a Masters degree in a relevant discipline will be required to undertake a taught research training programme in their first year. Students should submit a research outline which must be approved by the Course Director.

For those whose first language is not English or Welsh, the minimum English language requirements is:

• IELTS: 6.5 (with no individual score lower than 6.0)
• Pearson PTE: 62 (with no individual score lower than 58)
• Cambridge English Test – Advanced: 176 (with no individual score lower than 169)

Explore More in Criminology and Criminal Justice

The issues raised by Crime and Justice today present new challenges for legitimacy, security and social justice. Our research degrees in Comparative Criminology and Criminal Justice allows you to study those challenges in local, international and global contexts.

Explore More in Law

Bangor Law School provides expert PhD and MPhil supervision in a range of legal areas. Staff expertise is reflected in our teaching, as well as our extensive research activity in the fields of procurement and international law.

Explore More in Sociology and Social Policy

Social policy is an exciting subject to study because of its relevance to society – its structures and everyday life. We have a very active PhD culture in the School with current students researching areas of welfare inequality and social development. 

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Discover more about Criminology at Manchester

PhD Criminology / Programme details

Year of entry: 2024

• View full page

Programme description

The Department of Criminology has specialists in research around five key themes:  

• Fraud, white-collar and organised crime;
• Prisons, punishment and policing;
• Violence, abuse, exploitation and intersectionalities;
• Quantitative measurement and evaluations of crime and deviance;  
• Drug markets, consumption and policy.

The School welcomes applications that fit with the particular specialisms of our research staff. For example, we currently have grants in the areas of desistance, fraud, drugs, cryptomarkets, modern slavery, corruption, organised crime, policing and punishment, amongst others.  

In addition, the department has extensive skills in diverse methodologies, including:  

• biographical and narrative approaches to interviewing;
• ethnography;
• psychosocial case analysis;
• network analysis;
• deliberative methods;
• qualitative and quantitative longitudinal research;
• survey design and applied statistical analysis;
• programme evaluation;
• policy analysis.
• Engage in state-of-the-art doctoral research investigating a diverse array of social and criminological issues.
• Work closely with research centres which specialise in research clustered around five key themes: drugs, violence, fraud, social exclusion and justice innovation

Special features

• The School of Social Sciences is a proud member of the Economic and Social Research Council’s North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership and is approved by the Arts and Humanities Research Council to award funded studentships, both of which provide extensive training across the region. 
• We are a member of the N8 Policing Research Partnership.
• We are also able to host Commonwealth and Fullbright Scholarships, as well as annually advertised School funded studentships in addition to industry and public sector funded PhDs.

Additional programme information

Humanities Doctoral Academy

Our Humanities Doctoral Academy combines the strengths of our four schools to bring expertise, knowledge, support and high-quality services for postgraduate researchers.

We are a community of academic leaders and postgraduate researchers across all levels in the Faculty of Humanities. The Doctoral Academy Hub houses our specialist professional service teams who support postgraduate researchers throughout the programme journey. This includes admissions, registration, student experience, progression, examination, and graduation. We collaborate closely with other University directorates including Manchester Doctoral College, Researcher Development team, and the corresponding Doctoral Academies in the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health. Together we provide the best experience and support for your studies and research.

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities.

We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.

We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.

All appointments are made on merit.

The University of Manchester and our external partners are fully committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Teaching and learning

Distinguished academic researchers working at the forefront of their disciplines lead our research programmes, ensuring your qualification comes with a reputation that will open doors across the world. Our research activities and postgraduate research programmes are also informed by close partnerships with organisations from many different sectors.

Coursework and assessment

For a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), you must successfully complete a period of supervised research and training, the results of which show convincing evidence of your capacity to pursue research and scholarship, and to make an original contribution and substantial addition to knowledge.   

You must prepare a substantial thesis, usually of no more than 80,000 words and satisfy the examiners in an oral examination on the subject of the thesis. The subject is chosen by the PGR but must be approved by the School's Research Committee.

Related research

In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), Criminology was assessed as part of The University of Manchester's 'Law' submission.  

82% of our research was judged to be in the highest two categories: (4*) 'world-leading' or (3*) 'internationally excellent'.  

Our research impact was also judged to be strong, with 100% judged to be (4*) 'world-leading' or (3*) 'internationally excellent'.

Read more about our Criminology research at Manchester. 

What our students say

The University of Manchester Library  

Manchester is home to one of the UK's five National Research Libraries - one of the best-resourced academic libraries in the UK and widely recognised as one of the world's greatest research libraries.

Find out more about libraries and study spaces for postgraduate research students at Manchester.

Disability support

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Criminology PhD

Key information.

• 1st  in the UK for our research impact in Sociology in  REF 2021   (Times Higher Education)
• 8th   in the UK for Sociology  (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023)

Sussex is an exciting place to pursue a PhD in Criminology.  We’re an active, research-intensive team of criminologists, and our work is influencing public and policy debates worldwide.  Our faculty have specific expertise in:

• crime and violence
• drugs, alcohol and crime
• gender and crime
• criminological theory
• terrorism and extremism
• technology and crime
• surveillance
• crime and public policy
• prisons and punishment
• historical criminology
• race and criminal justice.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.

Masters and P h D events

Meet us on campus or online

Book your place

Entry requirements

• UK requirements
• International requirements

Please select your country from the list.

Philippines

Saudi arabia, south africa, south korea, switzerland, united arab emirates, my country is not listed.

If your country is not listed, you need to contact us and find out the qualification level you should have for this course. Contact us

English language requirements

Ielts (academic).

High level (6.5 overall, including at least 6.0 in each component).

IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.  Find out more about IELTS

We accept IELTS One Skills Retake.

We do not accept IELTS Online.

Check full details of our English Language requirements and find out more about some of the alternative English language qualifications listed below

Alternative English language qualifications

Proficiency tests, cambridge advanced certificate in english (cae).

169 overall, including at least 162 in each skill.

We would normally expect the CAE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.

You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about Cambridge English: Advanced

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

We would normally expect the CPE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.

You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about Cambridge English: Proficiency

LanguageCert International ESOL SELT

High level (International ESOL SELT B2 with a minimum of 39 in each component)

LanguageCert International ESOL scores are valid for two years from the test date. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about LanguageCert SELT

We only accept LanguageCert when taken at SELT Test Centres. We do not accept the online version.

Pearson PTE Academic

High level (62 overall, including at least 59 in all four skills)

PTE (Academic) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about Pearson (PTE Academic)

We do not accept the PTE Academic Online test.

TOEFL (iBT)

High level 88 overall, including at least 20 Listening, 19 in Reading, 21 in Speaking, 23 in Writing.

TOEFL (iBT) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about TOEFL (iBT)

We do not accept TOEFL (iBT) Home Edition.

The TOEFL Institution Code for the University of Sussex is 9166.

English language qualifications

As/a-level (gce).

Grade C or above in English Language.

Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE)/ AS or A Level: grade C or above in Use of English.

GCE O-level

Grade C or above in English.

Brunei/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.

Singapore/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.

GCSE or IGCSE

Grade C or above in English as a First Language (Grade 4 or above in GCSE from 2017).

Grade B or above in English as a Second Language.

Ghana Senior Secondary School Certificate

If awarded before 1993: grades 1-6 in English language.

If awarded between 1993 and 2005: grades A-D in English language.

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)

 Level 4, including at least 3 in each component in English Language.

Indian School Certificate (Standard XII)

The Indian School Certificate is accepted at the grades below when awarded by the following examination boards:

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) – English Core only: 70%

Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) - English: 70% 

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)

English A or English B at grade 5 or above.

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education

Grades A - C in English language

Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) 1119/GCE O-level

If taken before the end of 2008: grades 1-6 in English Language.

If taken from 2009 onwards: grade C or above in English Language.

The qualification must be jointly awarded by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES).

West African Senior School Certificate

Grades A1-C6 (1-6) in English language when awarded by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or the National Examinations Council (NECO).

Country exceptions

Select to see the list of exempt english-speaking countries.

If you are a national of one of the countries below, or if you have recently completed a qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree or higher in one of these countries, you will normally meet our English requirement. Note that qualifications obtained by distance learning or awarded by studying outside these countries cannot be accepted for English language purposes.

You will normally be expected to have completed the qualification within two years before starting your course at Sussex. If the qualification was obtained earlier than this, we would expect you to be able to demonstrate that you have maintained a good level of English, for example by living in an English-speaking country or working in an occupation that required you to use English regularly and to a high level.

Please note that this list is determined by the UK’s Home Office, not by the University of Sussex.

List of exempt countries: 

• Antigua and Barbuda
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• The British Overseas Territories
• Trinidad and Tobago
• United Kingdom

** Canada: you must be a national of Canada; other nationals not on this list who have a degree from a Canadian institution will not normally be exempt from needing to provide evidence of English.

English language support

If you don’t meet the English language requirements for your degree, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course

• Visas and immigration

If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us

• How to apply

If you’d like to join us as a research student, there are two main routes:

• browse funded projects in this subject area
• browse our potential supervisors and propose your own research project.

Find out how to apply for a PhD at Sussex

Full-time and part-time study

Choose to work on your research full time or part time, to fit around your work and personal life.  For details  about part-time study, contact us at  [email protected]

Our supervisors

Dr James Hardie-Bick

Senior Lecturer in Sociology and Criminology

[email protected]

View profile of James Hardie-Bick

Dr Suraj Lakhani

Senior Lecturer

[email protected]

View profile of Suraj Lakhani

Dr Hannah Mason-Bish

Senior Lecturer In Sociology And Criminology

[email protected]

View profile of Hannah Mason-Bish

Dr Paul McGuinness

Lecturer in Criminology and Sociology

[email protected]

View profile of Paul McGuinness

Prof Lizzie Seal

[email protected]

View profile of Lizzie Seal

Dr Nicholas Sinclair-House

Lecturer in Criminology

[email protected]

View profile of Nicholas Sinclair-House

Prof Dean Wilson

Professor of Criminology

[email protected]

View profile of Dean Wilson

Funding and fees

How can i fund my course, funded projects and scholarships.

Our aim is to ensure that every student who wants to study with us is able to despite financial barriers, so that we continue to attract talented and unique individuals. Don’t miss out on scholarships – check the specific application deadlines for funding opportunities. Note that funded projects aren’t available for all our PhDs.

£3,000 scholarships available to environmental influencers bringing about real-world behaviour change

Find out more

University of Sussex Stuart Hall Doctoral Scholarship

Applying for USA Federal Student Aid?

If any part of your funding, at any time, is through USA federal Direct Loan funds, you will be registered on a separate version of this degree which does not include the possibility of distance learning which is prohibited under USA federal regulations. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid .

Part-time work

We advertise around 2,500 part-time jobs a year so you can make money and gain work experience. We have a special scheme to employ students on campus, wherever possible.

Find out more about careers and employability

How much does it cost?

Fees for self-funding students.

Home students: £4,786 per year for full-time students

Channel Islands and Isle of Man students: £4,786 per year for full-time students

International students: £21,500 per year for full-time students

Home PhD student fees are set at the level recommended by United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) annually, rising in line with inflation. Overseas fees are subject to an annual increase - see details on our tuition fees page

Additional costs

Empirical research costs.

On top of your PhD fees and living costs, you may also need to cover some research and training costs, relevant to your research project. These costs will depend on your research topic and training needs, but may include: - travel (to archives, collections or scientific facilities) - a laptop - overseas fieldwork costs (travel and accommodation, and language training) - conference costs (travel, registration fees and accommodation) - laboratory consumables and workshop materials - participant costs - transcription or translation costs - open-access publication costs. If you have a scholarship from one of the UK Research Councils, your scholarship should cover these types of costs. You'll receive details of how to claim this additional funding. If you're self funded, or if your scholarship doesn’t cover these costs, check with the Research and Enterprise Co-ordinator in your School for details of School or Doctoral School funding that may be available.

• Living costs

Find out typical living costs for studying at Sussex

Find out about our terms and conditions

Explore our campus

Experience Sussex life in our virtual tour.

Start your virtual tour

PhD Information Sessions

Visit campus and chat to staff and students. Book your place

Online PhD Sessions

Join a live webchat. Book your place

International

Meet us in your country

Course enquiries

+44 (0)1273 876787

Send us a message

Admissions enquiries

If you haven’t applied yet:

+44 (0)1273 678655  lps@​sussex.ac.uk

Find out about the School of Law, Politics and Sociology

After you’ve applied:

+44 (0)1273 877773 [email protected]

Find out how to apply

Quick links

• Guide to PhD study
• PhD support
• Academic facilities
• Open Days and events
• Accommodation
• International students
• Student life
• Order a printed prospectus

What do you want to do next?

• Courses Browse our courses by subject area
• Sussex Life Find out about life at Sussex
• Visit Come to a PhD Open Evening
• Apply Find out how to apply

Research opportunities

Law, criminology and criminal justice.

Expertise of research area business law; criminal justice; criminal law; criminology; disability; disability law; law; legal education; policing; social justice

The School of Law at Leeds offers a successful and thriving collection of research degree programmes. You'll experience a supportive, stimulating and challenging research environment that operates on a global scale, allowing you to pursue your research interests among the brightest minds in Law.

<h3>Researching with us</h3> <p>We are well placed to continue to deliver excellence to our postgraduate researchers, bringing together high quality teaching with world-leading research. We have over 100 registered postgraduate researchers&nbsp;and an excellent record of completed research degrees. We have particular expertise in the areas of our research centres and units, and provide researchers&nbsp;with two trained and experienced academic supervisors that are experts in the field of research.</p> <h3>Your career and development</h3> <p>Whether you have your sights set on an academic career, or want to apply your knowledge to a specific area within an organisation, the skills developed throughout your studies will be highly sought after. Which research degree you choose often depends on your motivation for undertaking a postgraduate research programme and the amount of time you can dedicate to your research.</p> <p>We offer two research degree paths for postgraduate researchers:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.law.leeds.ac.uk/postgraduates/research-postgraduates/phd-research" target="_blank">Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.law.leeds.ac.uk/postgraduates/research-postgraduates/ma-by-research.php" target="_blank" title="About the MA by Research">MA by Research (MRes)</a></li> </ul> <p>Find out more about your&nbsp;<a href="https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/law-research-degrees/doc/career-development-4" target="_blank">career and development opportunities</a>.</p> <h3>Training and support</h3> <p>Whichever route you choose to pursue your research passion, as a postgraduate researcher in the School of Law, you will have a range of support services and opportunities available to you which will enhance your studies and your career prospects.</p> <p>Whether you are unsure how to plan your next steps, want to network with fellow researchers or you&rsquo;re looking to brush up your presentation skills, our research community and extensive resources can help.</p> <p>Find out more about our&nbsp;<a href="https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/law-research-degrees/doc/researching" target="_blank">research training and support</a>.</p> <h3>Our research and expertise</h3> <p>The School of Law fosters and promotes research in all major fields of legal study. Our research is organised into four leading research centres, whose staff deliver teaching and supervision to our researchers at all levels:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.law.leeds.ac.uk/research/business-law-practice/" target="_blank">Centre for Business Law and Practice</a>&nbsp;(CBLP)</li> <li><a href="http://www.law.leeds.ac.uk/research/criminal-justice-studies/" target="_blank">Centre for Criminal Justice Studies</a>&nbsp;(CCJS)</li> <li><a href="http://www.law.leeds.ac.uk/research/centre-for-innovation-and-research-in-legal-education" target="_blank">Centre for Innovation and Research in Legal Education</a>&nbsp;(CIRLE)</li> <li><a href="https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/research-centre-law-social-justice" target="_blank">Centre for Law and Social Justice</a>&nbsp;(CLSJ) (including&nbsp;<a href="http://www.law.leeds.ac.uk/research/disability-law-hub" target="_blank">Disability Law Hub</a>)</li> </ul> <p>Find out more about&nbsp;<a href="https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/law-research-expertise" target="_blank">our research and expertise</a>.</p>

<p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made <a href="http://www.leeds.ac.uk/info/130206/applying/91/applying_for_research_degrees" target="_blank">online</a>. When applying, please clearly&nbsp;state the research area you are interested in.</p> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University&#39;s minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

<p>For further information please contact the Faculty Graduate School admissions office:<br /> <br /> e:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a><br /> t: +44 (0)113 343 5009</p>

Security and Crime Science MPhil/PhD

London, Bloomsbury

UCL Security and Crime Science is widely recognised for the impact of its research on real-world crime problems. The Department has long-standing links with police forces, policy makers, academic research centres of excellence and security organisations in the UK and internationally.

A PhD with us allows you to pursue original research and make a distinct and significant contribution to your field.

UK tuition fees (2024/25)

Overseas tuition fees (2024/25), programme starts, applications accepted.

• Entry requirements

Evidence of graduate research experience, for example a Master's degree, and a minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor's degree, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Applicants must also consider whether the Department of Security and Crime Science has the relevant expertise available to offer sufficient supervision in their chosen area of research. You will be expected to identify two UCL academics to supervise your research before applying. Ideally you will have contacted them before applying to ensure they are able to support your application. Following consideration of applications at the department's Graduate Research Committee, students may be requested to attend an interview with prospective supervisors (either in person or by telephone).

The English language level for this programme is: Level 3

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website .

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

The Department of Security and Crime Science is organised into five centres of excellence:

• Geographical analysis
• The "Designing Out Crime" group
• The crime policy and evaluation group
• Terrorism and organised crime
• Forensic science

Staff and students work across these groups, across UCL and in the wider research community, which includes active international collaborations.

Who this course is for

Security and Crime Science is a multi-disciplinary subject, drawing on expertise in psychology, social science, statistics, mathematics, architecture, forensic sciences, design, geography and computing. This is reflected in our students, who come from a variety of backgrounds. This makes the department an interesting and stimulating environment in which to study.

We seek graduates from all disciplines who want to solve real-world security and crime problems.

What this course will give you

UCL Security and Crime Science is devoted specifically to reducing crime through teaching, research, public policy analysis and by the dissemination of evidence-based information on crime reduction. Our mission is to change crime policy and practice.

At UCL Security and Crime Science, we are committed to the quality and relevance of the research supervision we offer. As an MPhil/PhD student, you will work with academics at the cutting edge of scholarship. You will also be an integral part of our thriving and collaborative research community, in the department and more widely at UCL.

The foundation of your career

This PhD programme is a well-established programme that draws in students from around the world who have gone on to exciting careers in security and crime sectors.

Graduates from our research programmes go on to research careers and to take up lecturing posts in academic institutions. Others have taken up policy-related positions in the public and private security sectors.

Employability

This is the first Phd programme of its kind to combine a multidisciplinary crime or security doctoral degree with a programme of taught modules (focusing on the application of scientific method to crime reduction) and professional skills training. 

Our aim is to produce a new generation of crime and security practitioners with the skills to tackle modern and evolving crime threats. With over 60 partners in industry and the public sector and some of the world's leading academics at UCL working in these areas, we provide excellent supervision and career prospects.

We have long-established links with police forces, policy makers at all levels, academic research centres of excellence and security organisations in both the UK and internationally

The department attracts leading figures in the field to our extensive programme of events which inform debates around crime prevention. Regular events include the Women in Security showcase, annual International Crime Science conference, regular seminars and outside speakers.

These events provide a platform for students to connect with crime science practitioners and researchers across academia, government, and industry, offering a chance to learn from their expertise and establish valuable contacts.

Collaborative working at UCL is also an important aspect of our multidisciplinary research programme.The MPhil/PhD in Security and Crime Science gives students the opportunity to mix with peers from backgrounds including architecture, computer science, statistics, electronic engineering, chemistry, forensic sciences, psychology, philosophy, ethics and laws.

Teaching and learning

The initial registration on the programme will be on an MPhil basis. In order to progress to the PhD, students are required to pass an ‘upgrade’. The purpose of the upgrade is to assess your progress and ability to complete your PhD programme to a good standard and in a reasonable time frame.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) consists of a piece of supervised research, normally undertaken over a period of three years of full-time or five years of part-time study. Assessment is by means of a thesis, which should demonstrate your capacity to pursue original research based upon a good understanding of the research techniques and concepts appropriate to the discipline.

You should meet frequently with your supervisors and engage with the departmental and UCL communities more widely through events, training, and networking opportunities.

The PhD is examined by a viva committee comprising two experts in the field, an external examiner, and an internal examiner. Your supervisor nominates suitable examiners during your final year, in consultation with you, and the nominations are scrutinised by UCL’s examinations office who may approve or reject them. You should not have had prior contact with either examiner. The viva usually takes two to three hours.

As a full-time student you are expected to devote at least 35 hours per week to your studies for the full duration of your programme. If you are studying part-time, you should expect to spend at least 17.5 hours per week.

As a research student, your principal supervisor will establish a timetable of regular meetings where all matters relating to your work can be discussed.

These meetings should take place at least once per month. Subsidiary supervisors should stay acquainted with the progress of your work and be present at annual supervisory meetings, as a minimum.

Research areas and structure

The department has five main research groups:

• Counter-terrorism: situational prevention of terrorism; technology for counter-terrorism; transferable training between crime and terrorism
• Crime mapping: innovation in crime mapping methods; prospective crime mapping
• Crime policy analysis and evaluation: evaluation of crime prevention schemes; knowledge transfer
• Designing out crime: role of design in crime prevention; environmental design; crime risk and administrative procedure design
• Forensic sciences: forensic science reconstruction; interpretation of evidence; trace evidence dynamics (including DNA, residues/particulates, environmental evidence etc.).

UCL Security and Crime Science hosts the UCL Security Science Doctoral Research Training Centre (UCL SECReT), an international centre for PhD training in security and crime science.

We offer an integrated PhD programme for students wishing to pursue multi-disciplinary security or crime-related research degrees. We expect their research to be interdisciplinary and to involve some 'hard science' element. Our research is underpinned by a methodology combining science and engineering expertise with expertise from wider disciplines including the social sciences. We see four research 'domains' which can interact:

• Science and technology innovation: to create the next generation of security technologies
• People factors: understanding and incorporating human factors (via behavioural science, decision-making techniques, etc.) into the development of security solutions
• Process factors: enhancing security processes by increasing our understanding of the operational processes of activities, organisations or infrastructures under threat
• Policy: contributing to the development of government policy through research findings.

Research environment

Our department has a distinctly interdisciplinary outlook on the prevention of crime, terrorism and organised crime. We have long-established links with police forces, policy makers, academic research centres of excellence, and security organisations in the UK and internationally. 

The department has a successful track record of working closely with practitioners and is widely recognised for its knowledge transfer and exchange activities, as well as the impact of its research on real world crime problems.  

In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) exercise, the department’s research environment was deemed to be 87.5% ‘world-leading' and 12.5% ‘internationally excellent’, placing it 6th in this area of REF assessment.

As a Security and Crime Science MPhil/PhD student, you will have the opportunity to learn from, and contribute to, this thriving research culture.

The length of registration for ourresearch degree programmes is three years for full-time study and five years for part-time study.

You are required to register initially for the MPhil degree with the expectation of transfer to PhD after successful completion of an upgrade viva 9-18 months after initial registration.

Upon successful completion of your approved period of registration, you may start a writing period called Completing Research Status (CRS), within which you write up your thesis.

To successfully upgrade to a PhD, you are required to submit a piece of writing demonstrating sufficient theoretical, conceptual, and methodological development as well as a clearly articulated plan to finish the thesis.

You are also required to present and answer questions about this work to a panel consisting of your subsidiary supervisor and another member of the faculty who acts as an independent assessor.

You are required to register initially for the MPhil degree with the expectation of transfer to PhD after successful completion of an upgrade viva 24 months after initial registration.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk . Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team .

Online - Open day

Security and Crime Science PhD Open Evening

Join our open event series to learn more about our PhD programme, future career opportunities and what it's like to be part of our fantastic community. There are also questions for our academics, admission tutors and current students.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees .

Additional costs

There are no additional costs associated with this programme.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs .

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website .

CSC-UCL Joint Research Scholarship

Value: Fees, maintenance and travel (Duration of programme) Criteria Based on academic merit Eligibility: EU, Overseas

If you meet the entry requirements, you will need to identify at least two UCL academics with the expertise needed to assess your technical skills and act as your supervisors. To support with this, we suggest you check our departmental website to identify the interests and areas of expertise of current academics.

Before applying, please ensure you focus on a research proposal of approximately 3000 words which introduces the research questions and hypotheses you would like to investigate, and the research methods you would like to apply in your work. Clearly indicate how the required data will be obtained, and what resources you need for your project. You can find guidance on writing a research proposal online.

Deadlines and start dates are usually dictated by funding arrangements, so please check with the department or academic unit before applying to see if you need to consider these. In most cases, you should identify and contact potential supervisors before making your application.

For more information see our How to apply page and ensure you visit our website.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

Got questions get in touch.

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DPhil in Criminology

• Entry requirements
• Funding and costs

College preference

• How to apply

About the course

The DPhil Criminology is offered as either a full-time three to four year degree, or a part-time six to eight year degree. The DPhil entails researching and writing a thesis of between 75,000 and 100,000 words under the guidance of at least one supervisor who will be an acknowledged authority on your chosen topic. After three or at most four years (no later than eight years for the part-time pathway), you are expected to submit your final thesis. 

As a first-year full-time student, or in your first two years as a part-time student, you will follow courses of instruction in criminological research methods to develop your research skills, unless you have acquired sufficient methods training on a master's degree.

The Criminology DPhil programme is offered by the Centre for Criminology to develop academic and transferable skills. You must complete both modules during your DPhil and you can choose which term/academic year it would be most useful for you to take each.

Module One , Intellectual Foundations will help you think theoretically about criminological research and engage with the intellectual foundations of criminology in order to assist you in developing theoretical and conceptual frameworks for your own projects.

Module Two , Professional Development will help you with your professional development and to give you opportunities to present your own work ‘in progress’ and learn to critique the work of your peers.

The Faculty of Law and Social Sciences Division also offer skills training as appropriate to different stages of the graduate career. There are also opportunities to access advanced and specialist research methods training.

The areas in which members of the Centre for Criminology may be able to offer supervision include:

• policing and security
• crime and the family
• border control and the criminalisation of migration
• the death penalty
• the politics of crime and justice
• youth justice
• sociology of punishment
• psychology, law and criminal justice
• crime, risk and justice
• restorative justice
• public attitudes and responses to crime
• race and gender in crime and justice
• miscarriages of justice
• crime, criminology and social/political theory.

In addition to the DPhil Programme and methods training, you will be encouraged to attend the Oxford criminology and informal research seminars organised by the centre and get involved in the various criminology discussion groups. Research seminars bring you and other students together with academic and other research staff in the department to hear about ongoing research and provide an opportunity for networking and socialising.

Further information about studying part-time

The faculty's research degrees are not available by distance learning. Although there will be no requirement to reside in Oxford, part-time research students must attend the University on a regular basis (particularly in term-time: October and November, mid-January to mid-March, and late April to mid-June) for supervision, study, research seminars and skills training. This is also to ensure a comprehensive integration into the faculty's and University's research culture and with your full-time peer groups. In addition, you will sometimes ‘meet’ with their supervisors online. As a part-time student you will be required to attend classes in research methods (unless completed as part of the MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice), doctoral seminars, supervision meetings and other obligations in Oxford. There will be some flexibility in the dates and pattern of attendance which will be determined by mutual agreement with your supervisor. Attendance will be required during and outside of term-time on dates to be determined by mutual agreement with your supervisor. You will have the opportunity to tailor your part-time study and skills training in liaison with your supervisor and agree your pattern of attendance.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Centre for Criminology and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Centre for Criminology.

It is expected that you will have at least two substantial supervisions in each term (or for part-time students, at least one each term) and students and their supervisors tend to have other online or in person contact in addition to this, especially when the student is preparing for ‘milestone’ assessments.

All students will be initially admitted to the status of Probationer Research Student (PRS). Within a maximum of four terms as a full-time PRS student (eight terms for part-time pathway), you will be expected to apply for, and achieve, transfer of status from Probationer Research Student to DPhil status. This application is normally made by the third term for full-time students (sixth term for part-time pathway) and involves submitting a research outline and a substantial piece of written work. These are assessed by two members of the Centre for Criminology, who will also interview you about your work. A similar exercise then takes place in your sixth term (twelfth term for the part-time pathway) when you will apply for Confirmation of DPhil status to show that your work continues to be on track.

After three or at most four years (no later than eight years for the part-time pathway), you are expected to submit your original final thesis. Your thesis of between 75,000 and 100,000 words will be read by two appointed examiners who conduct an in-depth oral examination with you, known as a viva voce. On the basis of their report, you will either be awarded the DPhil Criminology or referred back to make revisions to the thesis.

Graduate destinations

Recent graduates of the DPhil Criminology have pursued careers in the following areas:

• professional careers in criminal justice agencies and the law
• university research and teaching in academic criminology and law schools
• research careers
• government departments
• voluntary organisations in the crime and justice field.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made in circumstances of a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

Entry requirements for entry in 2024-25

Proven and potential academic excellence.

The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

Please be aware that any studentships that are linked to this course may have different or additional requirements and you should read any studentship information carefully before applying. 

Degree-level qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:

• a master's degree with an average mark of 67% or above ;  and
• a first-class or a strong upper second class (usually a minimum weighted average of 67%) undergraduate degree with honours.

The qualifications above should be achieved in one of the following subject areas or disciplines:

• social policy
• history; or
• another social science or humanities subject relevant to criminology.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.7 out of 4.0.

If your degree is not from the UK or another country specified above, visit our International Qualifications page for guidance on the qualifications and grades that would usually be considered to meet the University’s minimum entry requirements.

GRE General Test scores

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience

Applicants will normally have:

• a broad, deep, advanced, and integrated understanding of a subject relevant to criminology such as law, sociology, economics, politics, psychology, social policy or history;
• outstanding analytical abilities, the ability to separate speedily the relevant from the irrelevant, and the ability to develop and sustain complex arguments under pressure; capacities for accurate observation and insightful criticism, including willingness and ability to engage with other social science disciplines; originality and creativity of thought, open-mindedness, and capacity for lateral thinking; excellent powers of synthesis and economy of thought;
• willingness and ability to express highly complex ideas clearly and effectively in English, with a particular eye to finesse and economy and an aspiration to professional standards of style and organisation in scholarly writing.

Potential applicants should identify any relevant publications which may enhance their application. Publications are not expected. They may, in certain circumstances, advantage an application but it is appreciated that the opportunity to publish may vary considerably depending on factors such as the stage the student has reached in their graduate career and the structure of the course(s) they have studied. Consequently, a lack of publications will not be assessed negatively.

Further guidance for part-time applicants

Part-time applicants will usually have some experience of working in criminal or social justice professions or in the law. In their applications, they will also be expected to show evidence of the ability to commit time to study and, if applicable, an employer's commitment to make time available to study, to complete coursework, and attend course and University events and modules. Where appropriate, evidence should also be provided of permission to use employers’ data in the proposed research project.

English language proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University's  higher level . If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. The minimum scores required to meet the University's higher level are detailed in the table below.

*Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) † Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)

Your test must have been taken no more than two years before the start date of your course. Our Application Guide provides  further information about the English language test requirement .

Declaring extenuating circumstances

If your ability to meet the entry requirements has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (eg you were awarded an unclassified/ungraded degree) or any other exceptional personal circumstance (eg other illness or bereavement), please refer to the guidance on extenuating circumstances in the Application Guide for information about how to declare this so that your application can be considered appropriately.

You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the types of reference that are required in support of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Supporting documents

You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the supporting documents that are required as part of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Performance at interview

Interviews are not normally held as part of the admissions process, though prospective supervisors may contact you for an online meeting to discuss your research plans before the Admissions Board meets to review applications. 

How your application is assessed

Your application will be assessed purely on your proven and potential academic excellence and other entry requirements described under that heading.

References  and  supporting documents  submitted as part of your application, and your performance at interview (if interviews are held) will be considered as part of the assessment process. Whether or not you have secured funding will not be taken into consideration when your application is assessed.

An overview of the shortlisting and selection process is provided below. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide  more information about how applications are assessed . 

Shortlisting and selection

Students are considered for shortlisting and selected for admission without regard to age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief (including lack of belief), sex, sexual orientation, as well as other relevant circumstances including parental or caring responsibilities or social background. However, please note the following:

• socio-economic information may be taken into account in the selection of applicants and award of scholarships for courses that are part of  the University’s pilot selection procedure  and for  scholarships aimed at under-represented groups ;
• country of ordinary residence may be taken into account in the awarding of certain scholarships; and
• protected characteristics may be taken into account during shortlisting for interview or the award of scholarships where the University has approved a positive action case under the Equality Act 2010.

Processing your data for shortlisting and selection

Information about  processing special category data for the purposes of positive action  and  using your data to assess your eligibility for funding , can be found in our Postgraduate Applicant Privacy Policy.

Admissions panels and assessors

All recommendations to admit a student involve the judgement of at least two members of the academic staff with relevant experience and expertise, and must also be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies or Admissions Committee (or equivalent within the department).

Admissions panels or committees will always include at least one member of academic staff who has undertaken appropriate training.

Other factors governing whether places can be offered

The following factors will also govern whether candidates can be offered places:

• the ability of the University to provide the appropriate supervision for your studies, as outlined under the 'Supervision' heading in the  About  section of this page;
• the ability of the University to provide appropriate support for your studies (eg through the provision of facilities, resources, teaching and/or research opportunities); and
• minimum and maximum limits to the numbers of students who may be admitted to the University's taught and research programmes.

Offer conditions for successful applications

If you receive an offer of a place at Oxford, your offer will outline any conditions that you need to satisfy and any actions you need to take, together with any associated deadlines. These may include academic conditions, such as achieving a specific final grade in your current degree course. These conditions will usually depend on your individual academic circumstances and may vary between applicants. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide more information about offers and conditions . 

In addition to any academic conditions which are set, you will also be required to meet the following requirements:

Financial Declaration

If you are offered a place, you will be required to complete a  Financial Declaration  in order to meet your financial condition of admission.

Disclosure of criminal convictions

In accordance with the University’s obligations towards students and staff, we will ask you to declare any  relevant, unspent criminal convictions  before you can take up a place at Oxford.

As a new full-time DPhil student you will be offered a desk at the Centre for Criminology, however it may not be possible to accommodate every student who requests a desk, and the centre cannot guarantee the availability of workspace in future years.

Within the Faculty of Law, there is a dedicated graduate reading room available in the Bodleian Law Library. This includes 50 study spaces, many of which are equipped with an Ethernet socket. Wireless access is also available.

You will have access to the Bodleian Law Library and Bodleian Social Science Library (in addition to other University libraries, and the centrally provided electronic resources). Training on how to use the library’s legal and journal database is jointly provided by the Faculty of Law and the Bodleian Law Library.

You will have the opportunity to attend a variety of skills training sessions and you will be required to successfully complete research methods training provided by the centre, as a condition of your transfer/admission to DPhil student status. There are also opportunities to access advanced and specialist research training provided through the Social Sciences Doctoral Training Centre.  The Social Sciences Division also organises an academic and professional development programme covering a range of relevant generic transferable skills which you will be encouraged to attend.

You will be encouraged to attend the Oxford criminology and informal lunchtime seminars organised by the centre and you will also have the opportunity participate in the criminology discussion group, criminological research workshops, and other relevant discussion groups which are held during term time. You will also have access to seminars organised by the Faculty of Law as well as other faculty discussion groups.

Oxford’s Faculty of Law, one of the largest in the UK, offers you the opportunity to study alongside some of the best law graduates of your generation, under the direct supervision of some of the world’s leading legal scholars.

Oxford's reputation for master's-level legal education has few equals. All of the courses on offer involve intensive work to a very high academic standard, and the BCL and MJur are exceptional in their use of tutorials as a principal means of course delivery. Both of these programmes offer an extensive variety of options and the opportunity to specialise in certain fields or to select a diverse combination of courses. For those with more specialist interests, the faculty also offers the MSc in Law and Finance, the MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice, the MSc in Taxation, and the Postgraduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law and Practice, the MSc in Intellectual Property, and the MSc in International Human Rights Law (formerly known as the MSt in International Human Rights Law and offered by the Department of Continuing Education).

For its research students, the faculty offers a wider range of legal and interdisciplinary specialisms corresponding to the diverse interests of faculty members. For many research students the ultimate goal will be a DPhil, the Oxford term for a doctoral qualification, but the faculty also offers a one-year MPhil course which can either be taken in its own right or as a route into the DPhil. As a research student, you can expect to work closely with a specialist supervisor who will help you develop your ideas and pursue your thesis to a successful conclusion.

Research students play a central role in the intellectual life of the faculty, collaborating in numerous discussion groups and colloquia and participating in many BCL, MJur and MSc course seminars.

Centre for Criminology Pursuing an innovative programme of criminological research and delivering high quality education.

The Centre for Criminology is an independent unit of the University’s Faculty of Law. The centre is dedicated to pursuing an innovative programme of criminological research and to delivering high-quality graduate education in criminology. It has a vibrant programme of research, aimed principally at fostering and developing clusters of research activity around seven substantive areas:

• security, rights and justice
• penal culture, policy and practice
• politics, legitimacy and criminal justice
• psychology, criminal justice and law
• victims and victimisation
• criminal justice, citizenship and migration.

Members of the centre are committed to:

• connecting criminological work to the broader concerns of the social sciences;
• thinking comparatively about crime and punishment;
• bringing together sociological and normative approaches to the analysis of crime and justice; and
• working at the intersections between criminology and public policy.

These approaches to the study of crime and criminal justice inform teaching and doctoral supervision in the centre. They create an intellectually stimulating and collaborative environment to pursue your study in criminology.

Centre for Socio-Legal Studies At the forefront of multidisciplinary research into the nature and role of law in society.

The Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS) brings together scholars with diverse academic backgrounds and ambitions, who pursue their own research topics and are also encouraged to collaborate widely and develop multifaceted research programmes. Researchers address fundamental questions about the nature of law, its relations with morality, religion, and justice, and its role in regulation, government and community, the nature of rules and legalistic thought, the development of laws, legal systems and legal cultures, and the social character of the rule of law.

The CSLS welcomes students who wish to pursue research in any aspect of socio-legal studies, broadly defined. The centre's staff have a range of expertise in socio-legal research and methodologies and draw on a range of cognate fields, including anthropology, jurisprudence, political science, regulation studies, economics and sociology. Supervision can be offered in most areas of social-legal studies.

The CSLS has a community of around thirteen full-time research staff and thirty-three graduate research students. Links with leading scholars in Oxford’s Faculty of Law and throughout the University enhance the breadth of the centre’s research and the resources made available to students.

Courses offered by the faculty

View all courses   View taught courses View research courses

The University expects to be able to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across the collegiate University in 2024-25. You will be automatically considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships , if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by the relevant December or January deadline. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential. 

For further details about searching for funding as a graduate student visit our dedicated Funding pages, which contain information about how to apply for Oxford scholarships requiring an additional application, details of external funding, loan schemes and other funding sources.

Please ensure that you visit individual college websites for details of any college-specific funding opportunities using the links provided on our college pages or below:

Please note that not all the colleges listed above may accept students on this course. For details of those which do, please refer to the College preference section of this page.

Further information about funding opportunities for this course can be found on the faculty's website.

Annual fees for entry in 2024-25

Full-time study.

Further details about fee status eligibility can be found on the fee status webpage.

Part-time study

Information about course fees.

Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability (your fee liability is the length of time for which you are required to pay course fees). For courses lasting longer than one year, please be aware that fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on changes to fees and charges .

Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. Unless specified in the additional information section below, course fees do not cover your accommodation, residential costs or other living costs. They also don’t cover any additional costs and charges that are outlined in the additional information below.

Continuation charges

Following the period of fee liability , you may also be required to pay a University continuation charge and a college continuation charge. The University and college continuation charges are shown on the Continuation charges page.

Where can I find further information about fees?

The Fees and Funding  section of this website provides further information about course fees , including information about fee status and eligibility  and your length of fee liability .

Additional information

There are no compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees (or, after fee liability ends, continuation charges) and living costs. However, please note that, depending on your choice of research topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses, such as travel expenses, research expenses, and field trips. You will need to meet these additional costs, although you may be able to apply for small grants from your department and/or college to help you cover some of these expenses.

Please note that you are required to attend in Oxford for a minimum of 30 days each year, and you may incur additional travel and accommodation expenses for this. Also, depending on your choice of research topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur further additional expenses, such as travel expenses, research expenses, and field trips. You will need to meet these additional costs, although you may be able to apply for small grants from your department and/or college to help you cover some of these expenses.

Living costs

In addition to your course fees, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.

For the 2024-25 academic year, the range of likely living costs for full-time study is between c. £1,345 and £1,955 for each month spent in Oxford. Full information, including a breakdown of likely living costs in Oxford for items such as food, accommodation and study costs, is available on our living costs page. The current economic climate and high national rate of inflation make it very hard to estimate potential changes to the cost of living over the next few years. When planning your finances for any future years of study in Oxford beyond 2024-25, it is suggested that you allow for potential increases in living expenses of around 5% each year – although this rate may vary depending on the national economic situation. UK inflationary increases will be kept under review and this page updated.

If you are studying part-time your living costs may vary depending on your personal circumstances but you must still ensure that you will have sufficient funding to meet these costs for the duration of your course.

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. Please note that ‘college’ and ‘colleges’ refers to all 43 of the University’s colleges, including those designated as societies and permanent private halls (PPHs). 

If you apply for a place on this course you will have the option to express a preference for one of the colleges listed below, or you can ask us to find a college for you. Before deciding, we suggest that you read our brief  introduction to the college system at Oxford  and our  advice about expressing a college preference . For some courses, the department may have provided some additional advice below to help you decide.

The following colleges accept students for full-time study on this course:

• Balliol College
• Blackfriars
• Brasenose College
• Campion Hall
• Christ Church
• Corpus Christi College
• Exeter College
• Green Templeton College
• Harris Manchester College
• Hertford College
• Keble College
• Kellogg College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Linacre College
• Lincoln College
• New College
• Oriel College
• Pembroke College
• Reuben College
• St Anne's College
• St Antony's College
• St Catherine's College
• St Cross College
• St Hilda's College
• Wadham College
• Wolfson College
• Worcester College
• Wycliffe Hall

The following colleges accept students for part-time study on this course:

Before you apply

Our  guide to getting started  provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

If it's important for you to have your application considered under a particular deadline – eg under a December or January deadline in order to be considered for Oxford scholarships – we recommend that you aim to complete and submit your application at least two weeks in advance . Check the deadlines on this page and the  information about deadlines and when to apply  in our Application Guide.

Application fee waivers

An application fee of £75 is payable per course application. Application fee waivers are available for the following applicants who meet the eligibility criteria:

• applicants from low-income countries;
• refugees and displaced persons; 
• UK applicants from low-income backgrounds; and 
• applicants who applied for our Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria.

You are encouraged to  check whether you're eligible for an application fee waiver  before you apply.

Readmission for current Oxford graduate taught students

If you're currently studying for an Oxford graduate taught course and apply to this course with no break in your studies, you may be eligible to apply to this course as a readmission applicant. The application fee will be waived for an eligible application of this type. Check whether you're eligible to apply for readmission .

Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?

Supervision is arranged by the department at the point of admission and you do not need to contact potential supervisors before an offer is made. However, you are encouraged to visit the relevant departmental webpages to read any further information about your chosen course.

Completing your application

You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents .

For this course, the application form will include questions that collect information that would usually be included in a CV/résumé. You should not upload a separate document. If a separate CV/résumé is uploaded, it will be removed from your application .

If any document does not meet the specification, including the stipulated word count, your application may be considered incomplete and not assessed by the academic department. Expand each section to show further details.

Proposed field and title of research project

Under the 'Field and title of research project' please enter your proposed field or area of research if this is known. If the department has advertised a specific research project that you would like to be considered for, please enter the project title here instead.

You should not use this field to type out a full research proposal. You will be able to upload your research supporting materials separately if they are required (as described below).

Proposed supervisor

It is not necessary for you to identify a potential supervisor in your application.

Referees: Three overall, academic preferred

Whilst you must register three referees, the department may start the assessment of your application if two of the three references are submitted by the course deadline and your application is otherwise complete. Please note that you may still be required to ensure your third referee supplies a reference for consideration.

Academic references are strongly preferred, provided by individuals familiar with the applicant's academic performance but a professional reference will be accepted as long as you also provide two academic references. Part-time applicants can submit two professional references but should also include an academic reference where possible.

Your references will support exceptional academic motivation; capacity for sustained and intense work; developed ability to organise time and set own agenda for study; and an intrepid attitude towards investigation and learning.

Official transcript(s)

Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.

More information about the transcript requirement is available in the Application Guide.

Research proposal: A minimum of 1,000 words to a maximum of 2,000 words

Your proposal should give details of the topic you propose to investigate, why it is legally or sociologically significant, and how you would carry out the research. It should also reflect the research interests and expertise of academics in the centre (see the list of areas in which members of the centre are able to offer supervision in About the Course). The proposal should be written in English, and the word limit does not need to include any bibliography or brief footnotes. 

This will be assessed for:

• the coherence of the proposal
• the originality of the project
• understanding of the proposed area of study
• the ability to present a reasoned case in English
• the feasibility of successfully completing the project in the time available for the course
• preliminary knowledge of research methods.

It will be normal for your ideas subsequently to change in some ways as you investigate the evidence and develop your project. You should nevertheless make the best effort you can to demonstrate the extent of your research question, sources and methods at the time of application.

Your proposal should focus on the proposed research project rather than personal achievements, interests and aspirations. However, you can make reference to any directly relevant personal achievements, interests or experiences that speak to the feasibility of the proposed project and to your motivations for research.

Written work: Two essays, a maximum of 2,000 words each

Academic essays or other writing samples from your most recent qualification, written in English, are required. Applicants for part-time study may include a report, or sections of a report, or other relevant document, they have written in their professional roles. Extracts from longer pieces are welcome but should be prefaced by a note which puts them in context and it should be indicated with square brackets which elements have been omitted from the original piece of work.

Ideally the works should relate to the proposed area of study. The word count does not need to include any bibliography or brief footnotes.

If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document.

This will be assessed for a comprehensive understanding of the subject area, an understanding of problems in the area, an ability to construct and defend an argument, your powers of analysis and powers of expression.

Start or continue your application

You can start or return to an application using the relevant link below. As you complete the form, please  refer to the requirements above  and  consult our Application Guide for advice . You'll find the answers to most common queries in our FAQs.

Application Guide   Apply - Full time   Apply - Part time

ADMISSION STATUS

Closed to applications for entry in 2024-25

Register to be notified via email when the next application cycle opens (for entry in 2025-26)

12:00 midday UK time on:

Friday 19 January 2024 Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships Final application deadline for entry in 2024-25

*Three-year average (applications for entry in 2021-22 to 2023-24)

Further information and enquiries

This course is offered by the Centre for Criminology within the  Faculty of Law

• Course page  and FAQs on the faculty's website
• Funding information from the faculty
• Academic and research staff  in Criminology
• Research at the  faculty  and centre
• Social Sciences Division
• Residence requirements for full-time courses
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Criminal Justice

The Professional Doctorate in Criminal Justice provides an alternative award for the traditional Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). The D.Prof is a unique programme designed for professionals working in the Criminal Justice sector who are interested in furthering their development as expert practitioners.

You’ll develop a critical awareness of topics at the forefront of criminal justice and the contexts and theories that influence practice in these areas.

This bespoke qualification can be tailored to professional requirements, increasing the potential for personal development and career progression.

The course has two points of entry - Stage One involves undertaking an MSc in Criminal Justice. Stage Two involves undertaking the Professional Doctorate Thesis, and a level 8 module. The course is either 4 years full time (1 year MSc + 3 years Professional Doctorate Thesis) or 8 years part time (2 years MSc + 6 years Professional Doctorate Thesis). If students are admitted directly at Stage 2 this will be reduced to 3 years full time or 6 years part time.

Why study with us

• Online resources provide the flexibility to study when and where it suits you, within a guided and structured framework.
• The course is taught by lecturers with frontline experience in criminal justice organisations and those who are research active in this area.   

What you'll do

• You’ll benefit from established professional links with Lancashire Constabulary and other law enforcement agencies, regionally, nationally and internationally.
• The Professional Doctorate course is delivered by a diverse range of experienced research/practitioner active staff from within the School.
• You’ll develop a professional approach to research practice in criminal justice by analysing and critiquing the philosophical dimensions of research methodology and the use of current research techniques.
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Compulsory modules

These modules are set and you have to study these as part of your course.

MSc Dissertation

In this module you will develop the ability to extract relevant information from a literature survey. You will have the opportunity analyse results then present in a formal manner showing your skills in working independently.

Criminal Justice - an International Perspective

This module aims to develop your ability to critically understand the wider criminal justice system at a conceptual and operational level, incorporating UK and international perspectives. Starting with the police, the module will move through the criminal justice system, identifying and critically evaluating key issues and debates. 

Research Methods

The module is designed for you to understand the nature of the scientific method and the techniques in social science research as applied to the collection analysis and interpretation of social and management data. Your project will develop as the module progresses and you will use relevant information from the module to justify the methodology of your case study.

Research in Practice

This module helps you learn and apply qualitative and quantitative research techniques, differentiating between method and methodology while evaluating research quality and validity. You'll get a theoretical framework upon which to base both empirical and practical approaches to research.

Organisational Development and Partnerships

The aim of this module is to provide you with the knowledge to evaluate organisational development. By the end of this module you will be able to appraise how organisational development models are best synergised.

Decision Making in the context of Threat, Risk and Harm

The purpose of this module is to develop your understanding of factors that influence decision making in relation to prioritisation and organisational models to assist in making decisions more informed. It will explore the principles for organisational development models and how they can be used to influence informed thinking and decision making.

Optional modules

Depending on how many compulsory modules you take, you may be able to choose optional modules to make up your course.

Investigating Terrorism

In this module you will begin to understand how complex terrorist crimes are investigated. You will look at the techniques, legislation and policies that are used when analysing terrorist incidents and examine how partner agencies use intelligence-led methods

Open Source Internet Investigation

The module introduces Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) in investigations and research. You'll learn how to use the internet as a valuable investigative tool and to operate in an online world. You'll study computer security, legislation and ethics, and online footprints.

International Criminal Law and Security

This module aims to introduce you to the substantive doctrine, values, and policies of international criminal law. It does so at a postgraduate level of analysis, which requires sustained critical analysis and independent research.

Doctoral Study and Reflective Practice

This module will enable the practitioner-researcher to gain a wider understanding of criminal justice research in light of current theories and innovative praxis, enabling a development of their professional skills to the highest standard. The module aims to provide resources and tools as well as a forum for the professional practitioner to engage in critical and purposive reflection, analysis and inquiry of criminal justice research. The module content will be participant -led as individual participants work with peers to evaluate and justify their selection of supporting evidence and to justify their choice of professional doctorate project. The dissertation will respond to a clearly identified research question, enabling the dissertation itself to make an original contribution to applied and/or theoretical knowledge of a standard meriting publication.

Thesis in Criminal Justice

This module will guide you to make a substantial original contribution to criminal justice knowledge through a significant written work. It cultivates your reflective practice and applied research skills. You'll develop and present an approved research topic supervised by academic and professional experts.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information. However, our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may cause alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses. Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies or revisions to subject benchmarks statements. As well as to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

How to apply for postgraduate research

Interested in studying postgraduate research? The application process can vary but we have some helpful tips.

View the course facilities

Academic expertise

Sarah’s research interests focus on gender, sexuality, sex crimes and sex work. In particular, her research has primarily focused on prostitution policy, women clients of commercial sex, the policing of sex work, and community attitudes and responses to prostitution. Sarah has b…

Fees and funding

Additional costs.

As part of your course there may be additional costs to consider that are not included in your tuition fees. Most of these will be optional, but some courses have essential additional costs. Find out more about additional costs .

Scholarships and bursaries

We have a wide range of bursaries, scholarships and funds available to help support you whilst studying with us.

Select your country to see eligibility information and how to apply by selecting more info on the cards below.

Dependants Bursary

Students with financially dependent children may be eligible for our Dependants Bursary as part of our financial support package. 

Sports scholarships

We offer student athletes support and opportunities for their playing careers whilst they study a high-quality degree.

Learning and assessment

As this course is exclusively online, the programme will make extensive use of Blackboard (eLearn), which promotes access to a variety of resources and materials designed to meet the learning needs of distance learning students.

Extensive resources are available to support your studies (ie SPSS) provided by the University’s Library and IT staff. You’ll have access to a huge range of electronic resources including e-journals and databases, eBooks, images and texts.

The Professional Doctorate course is delivered by a diverse range of experienced research/practitioner active staff from within the School. You can access information (eg about staff research interest and publications) via online staff profiles (available through the appropriate School web pages). In addition, specialist staff such as those from the University Learning Information Service’s may contribute to modules, where their particular expertise will enhance your learning experience.

Industry links

We have established professional links with Lancashire Constabulary and other law enforcement agencies, regionally, nationally and internationally.

Our industry links include:

• Youth Offending Teams
• National Health Service
• Local Government
• National Crime Agency
• Crown Prosecution Service
• Her Majesty Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC)
• Good links with Poland, Prague, Budapest and Netherlands law enforcement agencies.

Further information

The Professional Doctorate is designed to augment students in developing their careers through the following routes:

• To develop a career as an independent researcher
• To undertake research projects in a particular research setting that you may work in already (or propose to work in), or be associated to in some capacity
• To engage with other professionals in various criminal justice fields
• To enhance your career prospects as a researching professional with the ability to contribute to new practice through the generation of original knowledge
• To enter into a career within academia.

This course is based in the School of Law and Policing

For information on possible changes to course information, see our essential and important course information

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at the University of Central Lancashire on our student contract page

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Criminology

Criminology at Kent is a dynamic and interdisciplinary subject with political and legal influences.

Key information

• Duration MA 1 year full-time PhD 3 years full-time
• Start date MA: September PhD: September, January
• Location Canterbury

Criminology is an important part of the activities of the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research (SSPSSR), which is one of the four top institutions of its kind in the UK. The atmosphere of the School is informal and friendly and there is a lively and diverse postgraduate community.

Regular staff/graduate seminars introduce you to the work of academic staff and research students as well as academic visitors, and provide opportunities both for sociability and for intellectual stimulation. The large number of academic staff and our favourable staff/student ratios mean that academic staff are readily accessible. Where appropriate, research students are encouraged to teach part-time in the School.

Everything you need to know.

Entry requirements, study support.

A good honours degree or MA in criminology, criminal justice or a related social science discipline.

All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications. 

Please see our International Student website for entry requirements by country  and other relevant information. Due to visa restrictions, students who require a student visa to study cannot study part-time unless undertaking a distance or blended-learning programme with no on-campus provision.

English language entry requirements

This course requires a Very Good level of English language, equivalent to a high B2 on CEFR.  

Details on how to meet this requirement can be found on our  English Language requirements webpage . 

Examples:  

IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component 

PTE Academic 67 with a minimum of 59 in each sub-test 

A degree from the UK 

A degree from a Majority English Speaking Country

Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through  Kent International Pathways .

Postgraduate research is a fantastic opportunity and significant investment in your future, enabling you to expand your knowledge, skills and career options – all while making a meaningful impact and contribution to an area you are passionate about.

At Kent, we also recognise the significant financial investment that comes with postgraduate study, and we offer a range of scholarships for our postgraduate researchers, to help keep your mind on your studies, and off your finances.

Scholarships can be broad, or specific to your situation, background or even country – so please do use our scholarships finder to discover the options available to you.

We also have research partnership funding with research councils and government schemes in specific areas of interest that can help you take your research to the next level with additional financial support.

Find out more on our fees and funding page and discover what option is right for you.

Graduate School

The Graduate School ensures that the academic and social interests of postgraduate students are provided for within the University. It works alongside academic schools to support and develop internationally distinctive, exciting and innovative programmes of study that combine academic excellence with an exceptional student experience and appropriate learning resources through the provision of:

• high-quality postgraduate facilities
• a supportive environment for the intellectual interests of our postgraduates
• an excellent Researcher Development Programme
• a strong framework of specialist support for our postgraduates across the University
• the cultivation of external links with Research Councils, graduate schools and other organisations, both nationally and internationally, to provide further funding and study opportunities.

For more details see our Graduate and Researcher College  page.

Postgraduate resources

Across SSPSSR, there is a breadth and depth of research expertise and we can offer high-quality supervision in a wide range of areas in criminology. There are further details on the research activities and publications of individual members of staff and the School’s research units on our website. All research students take a research training programme with the School or Graduate School. Our MA by Research and PhD programmes benefit from the strong research culture and expertise in the School.

Our postgraduate students are given 24-hour access to dedicated office space within the Department and are able to take advantage of excellent library and computing facilities.

The Common Study Programme in Critical Criminology

All Canterbury-based Kent postgraduate students are offered the opportunity to add an international dimension to their criminological study by participating in the Common Studies Sessions in Critical Criminology. This student-led event provides the opportunity to exchange ideas and deliver papers on topics relating to critical, cultural and international criminology at a bi-annual conference run in collaboration with Kent’s international criminology partners, which include Erasmus University, Rotterdam; the Universities of Barcelona, Bologna, Ghent, Hamburg, Middlesex, Porto and Utrecht; ELTE, Budapest; the Democritus University of Thrace; the University of the Peloponnese, Corinth; and the CUNY Graduate Center, New York. The Common Study sessions are hosted in turn by each of the participating institutions.

Dynamic publishing culture

Staff publish regularly and widely in journals, conference proceedings and books. Among others, they have recently contributed to: The British Journal of Criminology ; Urban Studies ; Theoretical Criminology ; Crime, Media, Culture ; Ethnography .

Researcher Development Programme

Kent's Graduate School co-ordinates the Researcher Development Programme for research students, which includes workshops focused on research, specialist and transferable skills. The programme is mapped to the national Researcher Development Framework and covers a diverse range of topics, including subject-specific research skills, research management, personal effectiveness, communication skills, networking and teamworking, and career management skills.

Our research areas are listed below; wider research areas are also available from our European partner institutions.

Crime, Control and Culture

The School has a long-established tradition of conducting criminological research. The group covers a diverse range of topics, employs both qualitative and quantitative methodologies and draws upon different theoretical traditions. We have particular expertise in the following areas: cultural criminology; crime, punishment and social change; drug use; gender, crime and criminal justice; penology and imprisonment (especially of female offenders); policing; quasi-compulsory treatment for drug-using offenders; race, crime and criminal justice; restorative justice and young offenders; crime and the ‘night-time economy’, terrorism and political crime; violence; youth crime and youth justice.

Present and current research has been funded by the ESRC, the Home Office and the Youth Justice Board.

Staff research interests

Kent’s world-class academics provide research students with excellent supervision. The academic staff in this school and their research interests are shown below. You are strongly encouraged to contact the school to discuss your proposed research and potential supervision prior to making an application. Please note, it is possible for students to be supervised by a member of academic staff from any of Kent’s schools, providing their expertise matches your research interests. Use our ‘ find a supervisor ’ search to search by staff member or keyword.

Full details of staff research interests can be found on the School's website .

Building on Kent’s success as the region’s leading institution for student employability we place considerable emphasis on you gaining specialist knowledge in your chosen subject alongside core transferable skills. We ensure that you develop the skills and competences that employers are looking for including: research and analysis; policy development and interpretation; independent thought; writing and presentation as well as time management and leadership skills. You also become fully involved in the professional research culture of the School. A postgraduate degree in the area of Criminology is a particularly valuable qualification that can lead to many exciting opportunities and professions.

Recent graduates have gone on to pursue careers across the criminal justice system, encompassing areas such as counter-terrorism, advocacy, probation, social policy and research. Our graduates have found positions in organisations such as the Civil Service, the Ministry of Justice, various police services and the Probation Service.

The 2024/25 annual tuition fees for this course are:

• Criminology - MA by Research at Canterbury
• Criminology - PhD at Canterbury

For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide .

For students continuing on this programme fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact [email protected] .

Your fee status

The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from  UKCISA  before applying.

General information

For students continuing on this programme, fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* 

Additional costs

General additional costs.

Find out more about  general additional costs  that you may pay when studying at Kent. 

Search our scholarships finder for possible funding opportunities. You may find it helpful to look at both:

• University and external funds
• Scholarships specific to the academic school delivering this programme.

We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.

Ready to apply?

Learn more about the  application process  or begin your application by clicking on a link below.

You will be able to choose your preferred year of entry once you have started your application. You can also save and return to your application at any time.

Need help deciding?

Our friendly team is on hand to help you with any queries you have.

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Kent has risen 11 places in THE’s REF 2021 ranking, confirming us as a leading research university.

It’s easy to study on or off campus at Kent – discover what is right for you.