MSc in Criminology (Campus Based)

This course includes or offers the following modules.

• Advanced Criminological Theory
• Contemporary Issues in Crime and Justice
• Contemporary Issues in Crime and Justice
• Doing Criminological Research
• Dissertation

What you'll learn

Overview

This innovative Master's in Criminology allows you to develop specialist knowledge of the current themes and policy debates surrounding crime, criminal justice, crime control, policing, penology, and offender management. It equips you with the intellectual, analytical, and research skills needed for understanding and applying criminological theories and concepts in practice.

The program also provides an in-depth understanding of the interactions between politics, criminology, and criminal justice, and the impact of public policy in these areas. You'll be taught by experts from criminological, sociological, and legal backgrounds with professional criminal justice experience. You'll also benefit from research-led teaching, as well as strong links to wider criminal justice professions and industry.

Recognizing your evolving needs as a student and professional, as well as the pressures of the modern workplace, this MSc uniquely allows you to not only choose between studying full-time or part-time but allows you to transfer to a distance-learning version of the program, should this better suit your changed circumstances.

Course structure

MSc Criminology is split into three trimesters, taught across either one year (full-time) or two years (part-time).

You’ll begin by looking at advanced theory and contemporary issues in crime and justice, before progressing to the research and evaluation-based modules of the course.

In your final trimester, you’ll complete your dissertation.

How will I be assessed?

You’ll be assessed in a variety of ways, including essays, practical projects, and presentations.

You’ll also complete a 15,000-word dissertation on a topic that you’ll choose in consultation with a supervisor. Your dissertation topic might be an area of interest that has emerged through your studies, or it could be linked to your current professional role and career aspirations.

We aim to equip you with the advanced criminological knowledge and practical skills you’ll need to pursue or develop your career in fields such as policing, crime prevention and reduction, security, offender management, prisons, probation, youth justice, social work, and community development. You could also choose to build on the skills in research you’ve gained during this course with further study.

You’ll hone your abilities in critical thinking and creative problem-solving, and develop your capacity to work and learn independently. You’ll also develop your research and evaluation skills – which are crucial, given that the sector is turning to evidence-based methods of working.

You’ll also develop a range of transferable skills that you can take into a career in several other sectors such as health and social care, marketing, HR, teaching, and the media.

How will I be taught?

The modules will be delivered through a combination of classroom-based seminars, workshops, interactive online discussions, and online content.

We recognize your evolving needs as a student and professional, which is why our MSc Criminology allows you to not only choose between studying full-time or part-time but also lets you take any module as a distance-learning module. Our online learning tools are delivered via Bath Spa University's virtual learning environment, Ultra.

Course length

One year full-time or two years part-time.