Programme Specifications

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The core education aims of the MSc Criminology and Criminal justice are to:

• Provide a detailed and critical understanding of the interdisciplinary area of criminology and a consideration of the major theories and key political, social and legal issues arising out of the discipline;

• Develop students’ ability to apply knowledge to the resolution of theoretical and practical real world crime problems.

• Develop students ability to understand crime, victimology, academic criminological debates and social and other responses to these from local, national and international perspectives and to recognise the impact of political, media and popular opinion on this area;

• Develop powers of critical, analytic thinking, problem solving and logical argument;

• Raise student awareness of political, policy and social issues and how they interact with crime and its control, and encourage reflection on how these impact on people’s lives;

• Equip students with the social science research skills to permit them to locate, read and critically assess the work of others and to conduct their own independent empirical research study;

• Develop excellence in a range of subject-specific and transferable skills that will enable graduates to proceed to further studies in criminology or to employment in agencies and organisations associated with this field;

• Promote and inspire independent study and thought, enquiring minds, and a commitment to personal scholarship of the highest standard;

• Generate in students a genuine interest and passion for the areas studied, thus providing them with a broad basis for life-long intellectual, personal and social development;

• Provide a structured programme of delivery that is academically rigorous and meets current and future benchmarking requirements.

The learning outcomes of this programme are designed to meet the expectations of the latest Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education Benchmarking Statement for Masters Degrees Criminology. As per the guidelines, those successful in their completion of the MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice will be able to demonstrate:

• a critical understanding and awareness of key theories, concepts and principles in the field of criminology and criminal justice matters and reflect on the synergies between these and other disciplines;

• a critical awareness of the historic development of criminological thinking and research and the application of such to the practice of criminology in different cultural and social contexts;

• a critical awareness of the intersectionality of power in relation to criminal justice agencies and their responses to crime, law and order;

• an ability to research, develop, evaluate and present findings on key themes and principles in criminology and to demonstrates a critical understanding of the major issues and complexities involved;

• A detailed understanding and ability to apply social science research methods to undertake real world research on crime, disorder and deviations from social norms;

• the ability to work independently and in a group, demonstrating original thought and self-enquiry, and excellence in the understanding and problem solving of complex concepts;

• an ability successfully to complete a substantial empirical research project, systematic review or systematic case study, informed by wide current understandings in the subject

• A1 Demonstrate a critical knowledge of core criminological theories and other fundamental concepts within the discipline of criminology relating to crime, victimisation, criminalisation and responses to crime and deviance;

• A2 The ability to identify key criminological problems currently confronting 21st century societies and offer suitable crime prevention and management solutions to these challenges;

• A3 To critically examine the practice and impact of key criminal justice agencies and non-governmental organisations that administer responses to crime prevention and intervention in the United Kingdom and other jurisdictions;

• A4 To critically reflect on how criminology and criminal justice concerns connect to and interact with wider social issues in contemporary society and in an in an international context;

• A5 Demonstrate a critical awareness of how crime, victimisation and other criminal justice matters are portrayed by the media and government agencies and the impact that this has on policy and practice;

• A6 An in-depth understanding of innovative research methods and the ability to utilise them in practice and in different contexts and synthesize the results accordingly;

• A7 To convey specialist knowledge and expertise of a particular aspect of criminology through independent research and scholarship to a Level 7 standar

Learning and Teaching

Students 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 research efforts of the student. Lectures introduce broad areas of theory and knowledge, which the students then build upon in preparing for and participating in seminars. These seminars provide students with an opportunity to learn how to engage with, and reflect on, their modules in a supportive learning environment. They can draw on this experience when preparing and completing assessments. Students are supported in their learning through academic progress meetings with their personal tutors, as well as receiving feedback on progress from subject tutors.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

The assessment regime for these schemes 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 and criminal justice agencies and voluntary organisations in the crime and justice field. These include:

• Essay and report writing;

• Individual and group presentations;

• Writing of an academic article;

• Designing and facilitating a group workshop;

• Producing a group wiki;

• Designing and developing a portfolio and

• Producing a podcast

10.2.1 Intellectual Skills

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

• B1 Competency to engage in scholarly debate at an academic, policy and practice based level on a range of criminological and criminal justice issues;

• B2 The ability to interpret texts, formulate reasoned and critical arguments and make ethical judgments about published research, policy documents and other related resources from an international and contemporary perspective;

• B3 A critical and reflective construction of their own learning and placing it in both global and social contexts of crime and crime prevention and management strategies;

• B4 An ability to critically assess social / criminal justice policy and practice and understand the implications for individuals and groups involved in criminal justice processes (e.g. offender / victim groups, criminal justice practitioners etc.)

• B5 The ability to design, complete and evaluate an empirical based research dissertation in criminology, criminal justice or a related field

Learning and Teaching

Student development towards outcomes B1 to B5 is primarily promoted through self-directed learning and small group teaching associated with each of the modules. Learning is enhanced through critical enquiry taking place in group discussions and workshops, and one to one supported teaching with their Personal Tutor and their Dissertation Supervisor when they conduct their independent research project in Semester 3.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

The assessment regime for these schemes 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 and criminal justice agencies and voluntary organisations in the crime and justice field. These include:

• Essay and report writing;

• Individual and group presentations;

• Writing of an academic article;

• Designing and facilitating a group workshop;

• Producing a group wiki;

• Designing and developing a portfolio and

• Producing a podcast

10.2.2 Professional practical skills / Discipline Specific Skills

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

• C1 The skills required to undertake independent criminological research and analysis at postgraduate level;

• C2 The capacity to develop and present ideas, arguments and research findings through various means of communication to different audiences;

• C3 Competency regarding the ethical issues that may occur in criminological research design and practice and the ability to propose solutions to overcome these concerns;

• C4 Critical analysis and application of theoretical approaches, concepts and ideas from criminology and related disciplines;

• C5 A contemporary and comparative understanding of key criminological theories, concepts and approache

Learning and Teaching

Student development towards outcomes C1 to C5 is primarily promoted through self-directed learning and small group teaching associated with each of the modules. Learning is enhanced through critical enquiry taking place in group discussions and workshops, and one to one supported teaching with their Personal Tutor and their Dissertation Supervisor when they conduct their independent research project in Semester 3.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

The assessment regime for these schemes 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 and criminal justice agencies and voluntary organisations in the crime and justice field. These include: Essay and report writing;

• Individual and group presentations

• Writing of an academic article

• Designing and facilitating a group workshop

• Designing and developing a portfolio

• Producing a podcast

• Designing, researching, conducting and evaluating an independent piece of resear

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate: 

• D1 To critically evaluate self in relation to personal and professional development; 

• D2 Effective communication and presentation skills (both written and oral); 

• D3 Effective research skills;  

• D4 Adherence to ethical working practices;  

• D5 Interpersonal and team working skills;  

• D6 IT skills – e.g. WWW, legal and criminal justice databases, e-learning (including e-journals and other electronic library resources), word processing, powerpoint / other presentation software, email etc.;  

• D7 Time management and personal organisation; 

• D8 The ability to problem solve and utilize appropriate research and resources to substantiate approach and conclusions reached. 

Learning and Teaching 

Lectures, seminars, supervisions, practical sessions, group work and the independent, guided reading and research efforts of the student 

Assessment Strategies and Methods 

Essays, group work, practicals, presentations, research design, completion and evaluation.