Program Overview

MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice

Key Facts

• Qualification: MSc
• Course duration: 1 year
• Available for: September start 2025

Typical Entry Requirements

• Entry Requirements: 2:2 Bachelors (Honours) degree in criminology or a related subject area, or equivalent
• English Language Requirements: IELTS 6.5 with minimum 5.5 in each component, or equivalent
• Other Requirements: Applicants are encouraged to submit an up-to-date CV as part of their application

Course Overview

The Department of Law & Criminology provides a stimulating learning environment where students can engage in rigorous academic enquiry and develop their own criminological interests and skills. The MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice is premised on a core belief in the importance of application of theory to practice, and utilisation of robust empirical evidence to evaluate the outcomes.

About this course

• Duration: One year full-time or two year part-time
• Contact Time: During the first two semesters you will normally have one 2-3 hour class per module per week
• Assessment: The assessment regime for this scheme has been carefully considered to enable the appropriate assessment of students as per the latest QAA Benchmarking Statement for Masters Degrees Criminology (2019) and in an effort to maximise the development of transferable graduate skills suitable for careers in research, criminal justice agencies and voluntary organisations in the crime and justice field

Modules September start - 2025

Core

• Dissertation (LAM6260) - 60 credits
• Designing Criminological Research (CRM1810) - 10 credits
• Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis (0720) (PGM0720) - 20 credits
• Quantitative Data Collection and Analysis (for social scientists) (PGM1010) - 10 credits

Options

• Criminological Theory and Perspectives (CRM1020) - 20 credits
• Critical Youth Justice (CRM1120) - 20 credits
• Heritage, Arts and Antiques Crime Around the World (CRM9920) - 20 credits
• International Comparative Youth Justice (CRM1220) - 20 credits
• International Criminal Law (LAM0620) - 20 credits
• International Criminology and Criminal Justice (CRM2020) - 20 credits
• International Environmental Law (LAM0820) - 20 credits
• International Humanitarian Law (LAM4220) - 20 credits
• Law and Gender (LAM2420) - 20 credits
• Migration and Asylum Law (LAM4420) - 20 credits
• Miscarriages of Justice (CRM1320) - 20 credits
• Understanding and Investigating Serious Crime (CRM1420) - 20 credits

Careers

Graduates from this degree will leave with the professional knowledge and capacity to independently practice, reflect, review and build upon disciplinary expertise and judgement. The programme's teaching, learning and assessment requires students to develop ethical practice, critical analytical skills, research skills and presentation skills which will enable you to share your criminological expertise in both academic and professional settings.

Graduate career opportunities include (but not restricted to):

• government departments and criminal justice agencies
• voluntary organisations / non-governmental organisations in the crime and justice field
• international organisations, such as the UN
• research and academia

Teaching & Learning

You will be provided with a stimulating learning environment, with small learning groups, conducive to a focused and personalised learning experience. Throughout the scheme, there is an emphasis on self-directed learning, engagement with the classical and contemporary criminological theory and debate, and application of core criminological perspectives and principles to specific areas of consideration.

The learning outcomes (knowledge and skills) are achieved through an integrated programme of lectures, seminars, supervisions, practical sessions, group work and the independent, guided reading and your own research efforts. Lectures introduce broad areas of theory and knowledge, which you will build upon in preparing for and participating in seminars. These seminars provide you with an opportunity to learn how to engage with, and reflect on, your modules in a supportive learning environment. You can draw on this experience when preparing and completing assessments. You will be supported in your learning through academic progress meetings with your personal tutor, as well as receiving feedback on progress from subject tutors.