Program Overview

Criminology

MA

Attendance

• Full-time
• Part-time

Attendance

• Campus: Preston Campus

Start

• September 2025

Duration

• 1 year

Delivery

• In-person

Why study with us

• Our flexible and modular study approach allows you to build your own pathway to a relevant qualification.
• You will be taught by members of staff with broad national and international professional and academic experience.
• Classes, consisting of small group seminars, are delivered on one day per week (daytime classes), so study can be combined with work or other commitments.

What you'll do

• You’ll be taught by academic staff who are highly research active.
• Explore criminological perspectives, theories, and academic debates surrounding various areas of criminal justice.
• Develop key skills in social research.
• You’ll have the choice to specialise through a variety of optional modules.

Modules

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Theory & Methods in Criminology: Develop your understanding of methodological topics and theories within criminology.
• Comparative Criminology and Criminal Justice: Introduce you to the key theoretical approaches to comparative research in criminology and criminal justice.
• Power, Violence and Oppression: Introduce you to key theoretical approaches surrounding power, violence and oppression.
• Dissertation: Provide you with the skills to undertake an extended programme of research.

Optional modules

• International Drug Policy: Evaluate UK and international drug control, examining it both historically and in society.
• The Politics of Prison and Punishment: Critically explore the use and experiences of prison in contemporary society.
• Understanding Domestic and Sexual Abuse: Provide an evidence-based foundation to think critically about criminal justice and multi-agency responses to domestic and sexual abuse.
• Transnational Regulation of Human Trafficking: Consider the International, European and UK legal framework relating to human trafficking.
• International Commercial Mediation: Examine the law and practice of mediation.

Entry requirements

• Applicants should hold at least 2:2 degree
• Applications from all candidates will be considered on their merits in the light of the nature and scope of the programme and if they have relevant experience or qualifications

Fees and funding

• UK: £9,450 per year (full-time), £1,050 per 20 credits (part-time)
• International: £17,900 per year (full-time)

Additional costs

• As part of your course there may be additional costs to consider that are not included in your tuition fees.

Scholarships and bursaries

• We offer many scholarships, bursaries and funds to support you during your studies.

Learning and assessment

• The course is delivered via small group seminars.
• Assessments are conducted through a variety of written and oral methods.

Industry links

• We have built relationships with external bodies such as the Prison Service, Police and the Probation Service.

Pathway opportunities

• Graduates may be interested in progressing to a PhD in Criminology.
• Two alternative exit awards are:
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Criminology
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Criminology

Further information

• The MA in Criminology is normally completed in one year, or two years if you choose part-time study.