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.
The University requires all non-native speakers of English to reach a minimum standard of proficiency in written and spoken English before beginning a postgraduate degree. Certain subjects require a higher level.
For detailed information see our English language requirements web pages.
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.
Information about supervision and assessment can be found here: www.dcgc.eu/programme/supervision-and-progress/
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
The 2024/25 annual tuition fees for this course are:
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
For students continuing on this programme fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* 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.
Find out more about 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.
Search scholarships
In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, 100% of our Social Work and Social Policy research was classified as ‘world-leading’ or 'internationally excellent' for impact and environment.
Following the REF 2021, Social Work and Social Policy at Kent was ranked 3rd in the UK in the Times Higher Education.
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/
Full details of staff research interests can be found on the School's website.
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.
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.
Admissions for the DCGC are managed by the University of Kent. Full application details including guidance and advice on making your application can be found at www.dcgc.eu
Online enquiries can be submitted at www.dcgc.eu/contact-us
University of Kent Postgradate Office:
T: +44 (0)1227 823684
F: +44 (0)1227 827005
T: +44 (0)1227 823254
E: internationalstudent@kent.ac.uk
