Criminology

PhD

  • Entry year 2026 or 2025
  • Duration Full time 3 - 4 years, Part time 4 - 7 years
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Overview

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  • 6th in the UK for Research Impact (REF2021), 88% rated "outstanding"

We welcome applications for PhD research degrees in a wide range of criminological topics. For students who wish to study for a shorter period, we also offer a two-year MPhil research degree.

As a research student you will be supervised by one or more of our academic staff, meeting with them periodically to discuss your research and progress (supervision via video-conferencing is available for students who are not based in Lancaster). Your supervisors are also able to give you guidance on preparing for conferences and writing for publication, as well as advice on academic and other careers. You will also undertake Faculty based research training.

Criminology is researched and taught within the School of Social Sciences, which is a vibrant research environment where many colleagues are engaged in numerous aspects of criminological research. You will be invited to attend any guest lectures and seminars hosted by the School, as well as encouraged to join and participate in the activities of the School's different research groups and centres. We also host student-led seminars, arranged by the research students themselves for the discussion of work in progress.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

Bachelor's degree: an upper second class honours degree (UK or equivalent) in any background

Master's degree: a good Master's degree in any background

Additional requirements

As part of your application you will also need to provide a viable research proposal. Guidance can be found on our writing a research proposal webpage.

English language requirements

We require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 5.5 in each element of the test.

We also consider other English language qualifications and if your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes.

Help from our Admissions team

If you are thinking of applying to Lancaster and you would like to ask us a question, complete our enquiry form and one of the team will get back to you.

We also have more details on our website about:

Pre-master's programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored pre-master's pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University master's degrees. Visit INTO Lancaster University for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Fees and funding

We set our fees on an annual basis and the 2026/27 entry fees have not yet been set.

Additional fees and funding information accordion

Scholarships and bursaries

Details of our scholarships and bursaries for 2026-entry study are not yet available, but you can use our opportunities for 2025-entry applicants as guidance.

Check our current list of scholarships and bursaries.

Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to the stated entry year and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. Find out more about our  Charter and student policies.