Criminology (Research)

Founded in 1901, the Department of Law and Criminology has an extensive, distinctive and varied experience of legal and criminological education and academic work. The Department of Law and Criminology is always keen to welcome research students who make an important contribution to the Department and University. We pride ourselves on the high standard of supervision provided for postgraduate students. You’ll find that your supervisor will not only be there to help, advise and offer encouragement, but also guide you through the PhD process.

We encourage our students to publish their research, in many different forms, including books and journal articles. Members of staff are happy to support you with this and give advice regarding publishing your work. The close-knit nature of our department means that you’ll have opportunities to cross collaborate and partake in the variety of research projects currently being undertaken. This has led to many of our students joint publishing with staff.

Your PhD is awarded upon the satisfactory completion of a thesis of between 80-100,000 words, followed by the viva voce examination, where you verbally defend your thesis. The normal period of registration is three years (full time) and it is expected that the thesis will be submitted within four years of initial registration. Part of the first year is spent undertaking research training. The second and third years involve full-time research into your chosen topic. Undertaking a PhD enables you to become expert in your chosen subject and to explore the intricacies of your subject, be it in law or criminology, in context. In order to satisfy the examiners, you must demonstrate originality of thought as well as detailed analysis.