The Doctorate in Cultural and Global Criminology (DCGC) is an international, collaborative, three year postgraduate research programme led by the University of Kent, with partners ELTE Budapest, University of Hamburg and Utrecht University, leading to the submission of a doctoral thesis.
The programme is carefully structured and divided into three main strands: research, subject-specific training and transferable skills training. You develop a politically engaged, international understanding and approach to crime, harm and its control. The programme prepares high-level doctoral candidates to work in the widest range of employment arenas concerned with understanding, preventing and responding to crime in a way that takes account of the global and cultural context. Through the integration of over 30 associated partners it responds to both the impact and the employability agenda in Erasmus Mundus objectives.
Applicants must submit a high quality research proposal fitting DCGC research themes and demonstrate eligibility and academic achievement.
All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications.
Please see our International Student website for entry requirements by country and other relevant information. Due to visa restrictions, students who require a student visa to study cannot study part-time unless undertaking a distance or blended-learning programme with no on-campus provision.
This course requires a Very Good level of English language, equivalent to a high B2 on CEFR.
Details on how to meet this requirement can be found on our English Language requirements webpage.
Examples:
IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component
PTE Academic 67 with a minimum of 59 in each sub-test
A degree from the UK
A degree from a Majority English Speaking Country
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.
Postgraduate research is a fantastic opportunity and significant investment in your future, enabling you to expand your knowledge, skills and career options – all while making a meaningful impact and contribution to an area you are passionate about.
At Kent, we also recognise the significant financial investment that comes with postgraduate study, and we offer a range of scholarships for our postgraduate researchers, to help keep your mind on your studies, and off your finances.
Scholarships can be broad, or specific to your situation, background or even country – so please do use our scholarships finder to discover the options available to you.
We also have research partnership funding with research councils and government schemes in specific areas of interest that can help you take your research to the next level with additional financial support.
Find out more on our fees and funding page and discover what option is right for you.
Addressing the urgent need for a new kind of high-level expert, the doctoral programme adopts a global perspective. Doctoral candidates conduct research which is relevant, international, transnational and intercultural and which has identified impact. Their doctoral training develops the capacity for critically informed policy-making and, in doing so, brings together in an integrated and structured way the insights of the social sciences and law.
For full details of the aims and objectives of the programme, including how the programme objectives meet six key needs in criminological doctoral research and training, visit www.dcgc.eu/objectives
Kent's Graduate School co-ordinates the Researcher Development Programme for research students, which includes workshops focused on research, specialist and transferable skills. The programme is mapped to the national Researcher Development Framework and covers a diverse range of topics, including subject-specific research skills, research management, personal effectiveness, communication skills, networking and teamworking, and career management skills.
The Doctorate in Cultural and Global Criminology is a three-year interdisciplinary, collaborative PhD-programme funded by the European Union as an Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorate and recognised as delivering training of outstanding quality. The programme combines the expertise and strengths of four universities with established reputations in the field.
You can find out more about academic staff research interests and expertise at www.dcgc.eu/about-us/academic-staff/
The 2025/26 annual tuition fees for this course are:
The 2025/26 annual tuition fees for UK postgraduate research courses have not yet been set by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). This is ordinarily announced in February. As a guide only for the full-time tuition fee for new and returning UK postgraduate research courses for 2024/25 is £4,786. The equivalent part-time fee for these courses is £2,393.
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
Tuition fees may be increased in the second and subsequent years of your course. Detailed information on possible future increases in tuition fees is contained in the Tuition Fees Increase Policy. If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk.
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
Tuition fees may be increased in the second and subsequent years of your course. Detailed information on possible future increases in tuition fees is contained in the Tuition Fees Increase Policy. If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk.
You'll need regular access to a desktop computer/laptop with an internet connection to use the University of Kent’s online resources and systems. We've listed some guidelines for the technology and software you'll need for your studies.
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, as well as general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Search our scholarships finder for possible funding opportunities. You may find it helpful to look at both:
We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.
Next steps
Learn more about the application process or begin your application by clicking on a link below.
You will be able to choose your preferred year of entry once you have started your application. You can also save and return to your application at any time.
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