Criminology (PhD)

Duration 3 years
Qualification Awarded Doctor of Philosophy in Criminology
Level of Qualification Doctorate Degree (3rd Cycle)
Language of Instruction English or Greek
Mode of Study Full time or Part time
Minimum ECTS Credits 180

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Profile of the Programme

The objective of the PhD programme is to provide students with a coherent and intellectually challenging degree that prepares them to conduct research among the many aspects of criminology and criminal justice, varying with individual interests and areas of specialty.

More specifically to:

  1. Develop students’ in depth understanding and critical analysis of current literature and research methodology in the field of Criminology.
  2. Provide students with a critical awareness of current problems and debates within the field, and enhance their skills in critical evaluation of theoretical and empirical literature relevant to criminological and criminal justice research.
  3. Develop students’ understanding in applying research competencies to practical issues, and develop skills in communicating criminological knowledge to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  4. Make a significant contribution to the status of criminal justice and criminology as a discipline, through the advancement of knowledge and professional practice within the sector.
  5. Enable students to independently acquire and interpret additional knowledge relating to research, and an understanding of the quality of work required to satisfy peer review for potential publications.
  6. Give students a broad understanding of research approaches and methods which will enable them to read and comprehend a wide range of academic research papers to enhance their research competence and facilitate the development of future research activities.

Career Prospects

A PhD in Criminology prepares students to lead change and/or policy making in the communities or the organisations they choose to work:

  • Academia (Research/Teaching Faculty)
  • Law enforcement agencies
  • Probation and parole services
  • Correctional settings
  • Social services
  • Research and analysis for government or private consulting firms

The minimum requirement for admission to the doctoral degree programme is a Master’s Degree and a Thesis Proposal.

In addition to the above, applicants must also satisfy the following requirements:

The Master’s Degree should be in the areas of Humanities and/or Social Sciences (i.e. Criminology, Psychology, Law, Sociology or other relevant disciplines)

English Language Proficiency

Students satisfy the English requirements if their first degree was taught in English. Otherwise, they would need to present a minimum TOEFL score of 550 paper-based or 213 computer-based, GCSE “O” Level with minimum “C” or IELTS with a score of 6.5.

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By the end of the period of doctoral study, students are expected to:

  1. Comprehend basic principles of research design, including an understanding of how to conceptualize criminological research, formulate researchable problems, and construct and test hypotheses.
  2. Be able to demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in their field.
  3. Be able to manage successfully all the stages of a research project, including managing data, and conducting and disseminating research in a way that is consistent with both professional practice and the normal principles of research ethics.
  4. Apply expert knowledge in specific areas of the discipline, such as Law, Law Enforcement, Corrections, Courts, Social Services etc.
  5. Be able to explain and identify open problems and areas needing development in their fields.
  6. Be able to act autonomously in the planning and implementation of research.
  7. Exhibit competence in the use of quantitative and qualitative methodologies in criminological enquiry and exhibit skills in the use of quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods.
  8. Develop skills in the dissemination of findings to the wider academic community, initially through writing-up their Thesis and then through publishing their work in academic journals and/or giving presentations in academic conferences and seminars.
  9. Challenge current assumptions and accepted practice within the areas of Criminology and Criminal Justice.
  10. Demonstrate a reflective approach to their research, professional development and application to their own area of practice.
Section: A – Courses
Min. ECTS Credits: 180  Max. ECTS Credits: 180
Notes:
Course Code Course Title ECTS Credits
PHDF-100 Doctoral Course – Fall semester 30
PHDS-100 Doctoral Course – Spring semester 30

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