About us
Our mission is to identify excellent students from around the world and train them to conduct leading edge research in security and crime science. Numerous scientific leaders have passed through our programmes, before going on to work in prestigious careers in our organisations such as the UK Home Office, DSTL (the UK Defence Science and Technology Lab), the UK National Crime Agency and a range of top universities.
Our programmes embody not only world class doctoral research, supervised by leading academics, but also focuses on developing important transferable skills such as networking, presenting and entrepreneurship.
At UCL, every PhD student is affiliated to a Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) that is responsible for their pastoral care and co-curricular activities. In our department, you have the choice between:

EPSRC CDT in Cyber-physical risk
Topics of interest include hybrid threats, disinformation, offender behaviour in cyber and physical spaces, cyber-physical systems, etc.

EPSRC CDT in Cybersecurity
Providing an MPhil/PhD in Cybersecurity (4 years full time). Topics of interest include information security, cryptocurrencies, security testing, etc.

UCL CDT in Security Science (SECReT)
Topics of interest include terrorism and organised crime, policing, forensic sciences, etc.
Interested in applying?
You can find out more about each CDT programme and how to apply on the links above. Before applying, it is very important that you have researched and contacted a potential supervisor.
You can also get more details about our PhD scholarships prior to applying.
Please make sure that you have familiarised yourself with the information on all of these pages before applying or emailing us. We cannot accept speculative CVs by email and we will direct you to these pages if you contact us in this way.
Find out more

Research
Find out more about our research. The JDI aims to promote multidisciplinary research in crime and security.

People
Find out more about our academic and teaching staff. Our team combines academics, researchers and professional staff supporting teaching, research, events and partnerships.
Start your PhD in Security and Crime Science at UCL
Watch our 2024 Open evening and alumni testimonials to see how a UCL PhD could transform your future.
Got questions? Get in touch
Contact us with any questions about admissions, general enquiries, media or events.
Telephone: +44 (0)20 3108 3206. Our telephone is open Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm.

New and prospective students
Click to email. scs-admissions@ucl.ac.uk
Current students
Click to email. scs-teaching@ucl.ac.uk
Media enquiries and events
Click to email. scs@ucl.ac.uk