MA Criminology

University of Manchester

Course description

The MA in Criminology course allows you to develop specialist knowledge of the current themes and historical debates surrounding crime causation, crime control and regulation of behaviour.

The course equips you with the intellectual, critical, and analytical skills needed for understanding and applying criminological theories and concepts in practice. The course also provides an in-depth understanding of the interactions between politics, criminology and criminal justice, and the impact of public policy in these areas.

This innovative course is taught by experts from sociological, legal, and psychological backgrounds with real-world experience. You will benefit from research-led teaching, as well as strong links to wider criminal justice professions and industry.

Aims

• Develop your intellectual, critical and analytic skills in the academic areas of criminology and criminal justice.
• Provide you a thorough understanding of the key theoretical and political positions, and concepts within criminology and criminal justice. As well as the ability to use this knowledge in sophisticated ways in the critical assessment and development of public policy and interventions.
• Provide you with the opportunity to explore a range of optional courses on particular areas of study that are either professionally relevant or of academic interest.
• Improve your quantitative and qualitative research method skills in a way that is consistent with the demands of the discipline and the professional market.
• Develop your appreciation for interdisciplinary studies as the only way to confront the complexity of our object of study, an interest in the applied dimension of scientific knowledge and the awareness of the ethical implications of the scientific criminological project.
• Enhance your transferable skills including proficiency in oral and written communication; the capacity for independent learning; the ability to reflect on the ethical and ideological components of your work; and the capacity for working co-operatively with others to produce professional outputs in a timely fashion.
• Develop criminological knowledge and research skills for the writing of a master's dissertation.

Teaching and learning

This course is taught by an interdisciplinary team using a variety of delivery methods: lectures, workshops, student-led presentations and debate, group work and individual research.

Coursework and assessment

Most course units are assessed by 3,500-word essay or by essay and presentation.

Career opportunities

This master's offers you the specialist knowledge attractive for a range of criminal justice careers, in areas such as local and central government and criminal justice agencies, for example:

• as a criminal intelligence analyst within the police;
• probation services;
• the voluntary sector and NGOs;
• pressure groups; and
• think-tanks.

It also allows you to develop skills applicable to jobs in social research, management, third sector services, social work, and teaching.