Criminology PhD
Queen's University Belfast
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.4) View reviews

Want to know what it's like to study this course at uni? We've got all the key info, from entry requirements to the modules on offer. If that all sounds good, why not check out reviews from real students or even book onto an upcoming open days?

Different course options
2 options available
academic-cap
Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

location-pin
Location

Queen's University Belfast

beaker
Study mode

Full Time

calendar
Start date

SEP-25

time
Duration

3 years

Course info

Select a course option


Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Queen's University Belfast

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

3 years

SELECTED

Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Queen's University Belfast

Study mode

Part Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

6 years

SELECT

Subjects

Select a subject


Sociology
SELECTED

Exam type

Select a an exam type


Location

Select student location


Domestic
SELECTED

EU
SELECT

Rest of World
SELECT

Course info

OVERVIEWYou’ll be a social scientist committed to ways of working, through multidisciplinary research, that build knowledge and capacities in the communities around us and have a positive impact on human wellbeing. You’ll work in academia and/or social research, or in the public or third sector, including areas such as victims and/or perpetrators of crime, rights-based approaches, people that have come in conflict with the law, youth and criminal justice, policing, education, conflict and ...Read more

OVERVIEW

You’ll be a social scientist committed to ways of working, through multidisciplinary research, that build knowledge and capacities in the communities around us and have a positive impact on human wellbeing. You’ll work in academia and/or social research, or in the public or third sector, including areas such as victims and/or perpetrators of crime, rights-based approaches, people that have come in conflict with the law, youth and criminal justice, policing, education, conflict and social change, social inequality and similar areas.

Staff in the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work publish world-class research which has local and global impact. Our funders and partners include the research councils, government departments, the EU, Council of Europe and the large foundations. School research is informing thinking and the development of policies in many areas including the well-being of children, social cohesion and mental health. Key interdisciplinary research themes in the School include:

HEALTH, WELL-BEING AND INCLUSION
Research under this theme focuses on the health and well-being of children, young people and adults in schools, the community and in institutions such as prisons. Our research relates to issues as diverse as substance abuse, socio-economic inequality, disability and inclusion, social emotions and the formation of identity, as well as undertaking evaluations of interventions programmes designed to improve health and well-being outcomes, and the inclusion of people marginalised by inequality and injustice.

CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES: POLICY AND PRACTICE
Research under this theme explores the development of children and adolescents into young adulthood in their full social and structural contexts. A particular focus of our work in this area is improving social policies and social work interventions into the lives of families and young people. This multi-disciplinary research draws on a range of theoretical and methodological traditions with an overarching social justice ethos.

CRIME AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Research under this theme explores the antecedents of offending behaviours across the life course with an emphasis on the impact of traumatic life events and structural inequalities. The research also seeks to better understand the behaviours of criminal justice and other systems for their role in controlling or exacerbating this offending. The overarching social justice perspective that characterises this work situates these questions in the wider socio-political contexts in which they occur.

PEACE IN SOCIETIES
Research under this theme seeks to understand the sources, manifestations and impact of ethno-religious, national and social divisions in divided and transitioning societies, and the nature and effectiveness of efforts to build peace. Our particular interests relate to underpinning theories of conflict, the role of religion in divided societies, the impact of growing up in a divided society, the role of education and schools in promoting more positive intergroup relations in deeply divided societies, shared education, and issues relating to identity, culture and inclusion.

EDUCATION: ADVANCING UNDERSTANDING, IMPROVING OUTCOMES
Research under this theme focuses on education in schools, further and higher education, and on how to improve educational opportunities and outcomes. Our research encompasses issues relating to curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, inclusion and identity, and includes, for example, the effectiveness of literacy and numeracy programmes; peer tutoring and cooperative learning; teacher education; the nature of identity and authorship in higher education; teaching English to speakers of other languages and applied linguistics.

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
5/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
35th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
25th
What students say
E
Erin
02 Dec 24

Best- student union, student support, careers advice, online resources, academic teaching..Read more

M
Marianne
25 Nov 24

Best- - Lots of opportunities Worst- - Lecture areas are a..Read more

Entry requirements

The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work.

Tuition fees

Students living in

Domestic

£4,786 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Domestic

This is the fee you pay if the University is in the same country that you live in (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

This is the fee you pay if the University is in the same country that you live in (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

£20,500 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.

£20,500 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.

IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Criminology reviews

Criminology
Criminology
E
Erin
02 Dec 24
Criminology BA (Hons)
Best- student union, student support, careers advice, online resources, academic teaching...
Read more
M
Marianne
25 Nov 24
Criminology BA (Hons)
Best- - Lots of opportunities Worst- - Lecture areas are a...
Read more
Review breakdown
University rating
University rating
Students' union
Societies and Sports
University halls
Facilities
Lecturers and teaching quality
Local life
Career prospects
Student support
Location
Campus look and feel
Student life
Course rating
Course content
Work placements and internships
Tutor contact time
Subject facilities
University location
Cost of living
Safety
Public transport
Part-time work opportunities
Graduate employment opportunities
Diversity
Location
Safety
Room allocation
Internet/wifi
Value for money
Property management

How Criminology students rated:

Student rating
( 4.2) 21 reviews
5 star
43%
4 stars
43%
3 stars
10%
2 stars
4%
1 star
0%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.4) 1,946 reviews
5 star
51%
4 stars
42%
3 stars
6%
2 stars
1%
1 star
0%
Search reviews that mention

Uni info

Queen's University Belfast
University Road Belfast Northern Ireland BT7 1NN United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Balmoral   0.2 miles away
Thinking of studying in Liverpool?

Check out our

Liverpool city guide

Find a course

  • Undergraduate
  • HND / HNC
  • Foundation degree
  • Access & foundation
  • Postgraduate