PhD Criminology at University of Glasgow

Programme overview

A PhD in Criminology within a research community rooted in sociological analyses of crime and punishment and linked to the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research. Students may enrol in either the PhD in Sociology or the PhD in Criminology.

Department: Criminology | Duration: 3 years full-time; 5 years part-time | Location: Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Thesis of 70,000-100,000 words with training in research methods, including mixed methods and creative, visual and digital approaches. Staff expertise includes youth justice, gender-based violence, criminalisation of women, sentencing and the penal system, desistance, and criminological theory.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Criminology PhD/MRes: usually a Master's degree or a 2.1 honours degree. Qualifications in criminology or a closely related subject (law, psychology, social work, sociology) help but are not essential. Required documents: academic transcripts and degree certificates, CV, research proposal, two references, named supervisor information. Applicants must secure the agreement of an academic supervisor before the application is processed. Applicants currently enrolled on a Master's without results can be considered for unconditional acceptance with a 2.1 honours degree or equivalent.

Domestic applicants: GBP 5,238 a year (2026/27). Annual fee for full-time study; part-time study is charged at half the full-time fee. Home fee for 2026/27 as stated; the 2027/28 home fee is to be confirmed. Source

International applicants: GBP 28,275 a year (2027/28). Annual fee for full-time study; part-time study is charged at half the full-time fee. Research bench fees may apply in addition. Source

Intake: September

Duration: 3 years full-time; 5 years part-time

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