Professional Doctorate in Policing Studies MPhil

LJMU's Centre for Advanced Policing Studies is at the forefront of developing new research in policing, criminal justice, security and related fields.

• Join an ambitious School and student/staff body known for its impactful and sector-leading research
• Explore the availability of research scholarships
• Experience expert supervision from former serving officers, practitioners and leading academics
• Receive research training and opportunities to communicate research within and outside the University
• Benefit from excellent facilities and great multi-discipline connections

The Liverpool Centre for Advanced Policing Studies has significant expertise in the Policing sector and can thus provide supervision in a wide range of topics. We are particularly interested in interdisciplinary methodologies. Our suite of Policing Studies qualifications are focused on developing the professionalisation agenda for policing and we work with the professional body, the College of Policing, as well as local policing organisations to ensure the relevance, credibility, and currency of its courses.

To meet the increasing demand for new research, the Centre is offering excellent postgraduate research opportunities to complement our multi-disciplinary agenda and impact-led teaching. Our particular areas of strength include:

• transnational and public order policing
• serious organised crime
• victimology and domestic violence
• terrorism and counter-terrorism
• intelligence-led policing
• human trafficking  

Advanced Policing Studies Course Topics

Specific research-related training needs are identified on an individual basis. You can study topics such as:

• Advanced Presentation Skills 
• Applying for Ethical Approval 
• How to be an Effective Researcher
• Poster Presentation/Design
• Postgraduate Employability Skills
• Project Management
• Writing Skills including Creative Planning for Writing your Thesis
• Surviving the Viva
• Speed Reading

Study hours

You can study for an MPhil full-time over one or two years or part-time over two to four years. Progressing from an MPhil (and including MPhil registration), you can study for a PhD full-time over 33 to 48 months or part-time over 45 to 84 months. If you are taking a direct route PhD, you can study full-time over two to three years or part-time over three to six years.

Teaching methods

You will be allocated up to three supervisors and a Director of Study 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 Graduate School which offers expert advice and guidance to those enrolled on MPhil and PhD programmes.

Assessment

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. Assessment techniques vary from module to module to reflect relevant assessment approaches and the key learning points of each topic.

You can progress from MPhil to PhD, via a written and oral assessment in Year 2 (full-time students) or Year 3 (part-time students).

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

Employability

LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2017) 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’.