The basic aims of both MPhil programmes are:

• to offer up-to-date and high-quality degree courses, introducing students to some of the most important theory, methods and research in criminology;
• to offer a sound academic foundation to those who aspire to undertake a PhD or a career in teaching and research in criminology or related fields; and
• to provide a sound foundation of knowledge and methodological skills to those who wish to work in a wide range of criminal justice agencies, the legal profession, or other professional or voluntary organisations.

The MPhil in Criminology provides a foundational education in prominent criminological theories, research methods, and areas of criminological knowledge. Compulsory modules on criminological theories and research methods familiarise students with historic and contemporary criminological thinking and research. A variety of optional seminars are on offer each year covering a wide range of criminological topics. What is on offer varies by year, but in recent years has included topics such as criminal justice, policing, crime prevention, organised crime, the sociology of punishment, the sociology of prison life, psychiatry and crime, developmental criminology, neurocriminology, social contexts of crime, and cross-cultural comparative criminology.

The MPhil in Criminology does not require empirical research as part of the final dissertation and therefore does not include the practical training in analytical methods which is offered through the MPhil in Criminological Research.