PhD Policing Studies MPhil

Fees and funding

How to fund your postgraduate research

Securing funding can be one of the main hurdles you face when considering postgraduate research. However, help is available. LJMU has a team of fees and funding experts who can offer advice based on your personal circumstances. You can contact them on 0151 231 3153/3154 or via studentadvice@ljmu.ac.uk

Employability

Further your career prospects

LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.

Some postgraduate research students are already in full-time employment when they begin their studies, whilst others are recent graduates looking to extend their research capabilities and subject expertise.

A good proportion of our students return to their existing roles with enhanced career prospects, others move on to further study or take up teaching roles in universities and other educational establishments.

As well as enabling you to focus on your specific areas of interest and expand your subject knowledge ready for employment in your chosen sector, a postgraduate research qualification enables you to take charge of your career path by demonstrating your contribution to an area of knowledge. It enhances your self-confidence and showcases your ability to work independently and ‘go it alone’.

Teaching

An insight into teaching on your course

Study hours

Study duration is 4 years full-time, or you can choose to undertake the PhD over 7 years if studied part-time. 

Teaching methods

You will be allocated up to three supervisors and a Lead Supervisor who will work with you throughout your studies, provide you with appropriate levels of support and guidance.

Applied learning

The Centre will provide workshops, skills development opportunities and unique masterclass events, which bring frontline policing and security professionals to the University to discuss their experiences with students.

Throughout your studies, you will also have the support of LJMU’s Doctoral Academy which offers expert advice and guidance to those enrolled on MPhil and PhD programmes.

Assessment

How learning is monitored on your programme

To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.

The PhD requires:

• competence in conducting an independent enquiry
• competence in the use of appropriate research methods and techniques
• you to be at the forefront of understanding your specialist topic
• an original, personal contribution to the understanding of a problem, the advancement of knowledge or the generation of new ideas

Entry requirements

You will need:

• a minimum 2:1 honours undergraduate degree in a relevant subject
• a Masters degree with a research dissertation in a relevant subject
• to have had research training directly related to the PhD project

Additional information

• If you have qualifications other than those above, your application will be considered individually on merit. Appropriate research and previous experience will be taken into account.
• IELTS 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each component)
• We also welcome applications from those with non-standard qualifications who can demonstrate knowledge, experience, and skills developed in the workplace or other setting relevant to the programme of research. 
• If you do not hold the standard academic entry requirements, please use your personal statement to provide further details. Non-standard applications will be considered by the Admissions Tutor(s) on a case-by-case basis.

Application and selection

Securing your place at LJMU

Research degrees have three intake periods throughout each academic year:

• 3rd October 2022 - 17th October 2022
• 1st February 2023 - 15th February 2023
• 1st June 2023 - 15th June 2023

If you wish to enquire about making an application for a PhD or express your interest, please send a CV, brief personal statement and outline of your intended research proposal (no more than 500 words) to pgradmissions@ljmu.ac.uk

The department can then discuss appropriate supervision. You may then be invited to make a full application or offered information about your potential application. 

Should you then wish to make a full application please be aware of the following guidelines prior to submission. 

Your application should include two main elements: a Personal Statement and a Research Proposal. We recommend the following structure:

Personal Statement

Approx. 500 words to include:

1. Short paragraph on current role and responsibilities
2. Main paragraph on CV highlights ('greatest hits')
3. Short paragraph on future aspirations including reason for the study and proposed location

Research Proposal

Approx. 1500 words to include:

• Working Title of proposed research
• Research Aim(s) (maximum three aims)
• Research Question
• Background Statement - paragraph including information on the research field
• Literature Review - paragraph highlighting exemplars in relation to the proposed field of study
• Methods - paragraph including information on the proposed mode of study e.g. practice-led or thesis only
• Proposed Structure - in bullet point form (typically three bullet points will suffice at this stage)
• Indicative Bibliography - including approx. 10 publications

Application process 

• Complete and submit your application using the online form attaching official copies of documents (e.g. certificates) and official institution letterhead references 
• You will receive an acknowledgement 
• Your application will be considered by the Admissions Tutor
• You may need to provide further information or attend an interview
• You will be informed if your application has been successful and will find out about any conditions of acceptance