PhD Policing and Law Enforcement at University of West London

Our Policing and Law Enforcement PhD offers an excellent opportunity to study a topic in-depth and to develop your intellectual, technical and managerial skills within the policing sector. Research, consider and reflect on different aspects of policing and law enforcement at the Institute for Policing Studies (IPS).

Duration: 4 years full-time online; 4 years full-time; 6 years part-time online; 6 years part-time  |  Study mode: full-time (part-time available; online/distance option)  |  Intake: September 2027, February 2027  |  Location: London, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

During your Policing and Law Enforcement PhD, 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: a series of master classes and lectures from industry figures support by a supervisor and a second supervisor suited to your project.

Career pathways

Studying for a Policing and Law Enforcement PhD enables you to develop an area of specialism that will give you an edge whether you are planning to work in the policing sector or to develop expertise to teach in academia. Many of our research graduates go on to take up roles within academia, whilst others pursue careers in areas such as the criminal justice sector, government or civil service.

Official programme page