Doctor of Philosophy - Criminology

Victoria University of Wellington

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree involves original and sustained research, mentored by an academic supervisor. It’s an opportunity to make new discoveries, address some of the big issues of our time, challenge yourself, and develop a mix of transferable and specialised skills. Go deeper into the explanations for crime and the workings of the criminal justice system. Study the characteristics of offenders and how criminal behaviour relates to a wide range of social factors. You'll be intellectually challenged while digging deeply into social realities. Examine who goes to prison, the nature of punishment or the relationship between drugs and crime. Explore the experiences of victims within the justice system, or unpack public perceptions about crime. Consider responses to global problems such as trafficking or terrorism, genocide or ecocide. You'll develop the skills to carry out independent research into justice-related problems. You'll learn to evaluate a variety of situations with a critical, criminological mind. You'll improve your written and spoken communication as you present your findings in reports and in academic forums. At the School of Social and Cultural Studies, you'll learn from widely-published academics whose research is internationally recognised.