What will I learn?

Welcome to MPhil/PhD Criminology

An interdisciplinary subject, criminology draws on a range of perspectives relating to crime looking at sociology, psychology, and law, and as such provides new opportunities for scholarship and advanced research.

Postgraduate research in the School of Social and Political Sciences is informed by the expertise of its team of academics who have long-standing links to government, research organisations, and the voluntary sector.

Opportunities for research are available across a range of topics in social and political sciences.

Current students' research projects include:

- Motivation of officers in the police force
- Women and Prevent
- Regional inequalities in attitudes to policing in England.

How You Study

Research students can enrol for MPhil or PhD awards. These degrees are normally undertaken wholly by thesis and can be carried out either on a full-time or a part-time basis.

The School aims to provide appropriate support to enable students to become independent researchers. Students are required to follow a structured pattern of activity during which their progress can be monitored and encouraged.

How You Are Assessed

A PhD is usually awarded based on the quality of the student's thesis and ability to present and successfully defend their chosen research topic in an oral examination (viva voce). They are also expected to demonstrate how their research findings have contributed to knowledge or developed existing theory or understanding.