Master of Philosophy in Criminology

The Master of Philosophy in Criminology (MPhil) is a one-year full-time degree available only to those who have completed the MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice degree. Admission to the MPhil is conditional upon good performance in the MSc. Students must normally take up their MPhil place straight after the MSc. MPhil students write a supervised thesis of between 25,000 and 30,000 words on a topic of their choice within the field of criminology, broadly conceived. They have the opportunity to undertake fieldwork in order to test theoretical ideas or to conduct sophisticated statistical analysis and thus to complete a major investigation. Alternatively, they may choose to conduct library-based research. MPhil students must also attend classes on research methods. One year (October-October)  is allowed for the completion of the degree.

• More about funding for postgraduate students.

• More about the MSc in Criminology taught postgraduate degree (including admissions).

• The Criminology MPhil handbook (pdf), which explains in more detail what to expect as a MPhil student, including more details of the course in legal research method.

• General questions about life as a postgraduate student? Check out our FAQs. 

For those interested in taking their research further, the MPhil year can also double as the first year of the Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) programme. A student intending to study for an Oxford DPhil must anyway spend a year as a 'probationer research student' and then take a 'qualifying test' to become a full DPhil student. If you are an MPhil student during this first year, you can arrange to have your proposal for DPhil work assessed at the same time as your MPhil thesis; the MPhil examination then doubles as your qualifying test. (NB it is possible to pass the MPhil without passing the qualifying test.)

The route MSc (1 year) » MPhil (1 year) » DPhil (approx. 2 further years) is regarded by the Law Faculty as the optimum route to a doctorate in Criminology. The MSc year creates an ideal platform from which to launch into serious research. Despite having spent that extra year before turning to research, those who follow this route tend to reach their doctoral goal more expeditiously than others and often with less anxiety. Subject to certain regulations your MPhil thesis can be incorporated into your DPhil thesis.

• More about the Criminology DPhil
• General information about the Oxford Law DPhil and the alternative routes into it.