Postgraduate Courses in Criminology

 

Criminology is mainly about why people choose to be deviant or criminal but it also covers issues about how crime can be prevented or controlled. Hence, most postgraduate programmes in criminology usually have a strong base in the sociology of crime and deviance and criminal justice, or a combination of both. However some programmes may include other aspects of criminology such as penology (the study of sentencing and punishments) and the sociology of law. Crime is a political issue and its study also involves understanding ethical and philosophical arguments, for example, about what is good or evil, right or wrong. In addition, most courses examine the broader social contexts and corollaries of crime and criminal justice including race, class and gender. Grappling with criminological issues demands intellectual as well as practical thinking.

 

What is available to study?
Approximately 100 postgraduate courses in criminology and related disciplines are offered in UK universities. The choices range from taught MA/MSc courses to MPhil/PhD research-based programmes. The course you decide to do will depend on personal interest or a future career choice. The multidisciplinary nature of criminology has made it possible for the subject to be taught in different academic departments the most common of which are law and sociology. Criminology may also be combined with a range of related social science subjects. An example is the MA programmes in social policy and criminology. In addition, there is growth in the development of postgraduate courses that combine criminology with scientific subjects, the most common of which are psychology and forensic science or simply crime science.

 

Of course, crime is a global problem. Postgraduate training in criminology can provide the opportunity to distinguish between what is ‘universal’ or specific (e.g. cultural) in the context of crime and justice. Moreover, with the growing interest in the phenomenon of globalisation and the concern with cross-border crime and international security, particularly post ‘9/11’, some universities have introduced specialised postgraduate courses that focus on global issues in crime and security and their impact at the local level. There is also a growing interest in the study of criminology and human rights. Such courses examine the nature and extent of the conflict between the need to protect human rights and enforce the law, either locally or internationally.

 

Finally, there are postgraduate criminology degrees that are combined with research training. These degrees are designed for those who aspire to pursue academic research for the PhD or a professional research career within the field of Criminology or Criminal Justice. If you are interested in undertaking research training you should look for those programmes that are recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and eligible for ESRC studentships.

 

Who can apply?
Most UK universities require a good upper second class undergraduate degree in a social science subject for admission to a Masters programme in criminology. However, graduates who have studied other subjects may apply provided they have performed particularly well in their respective subjects. In addition, those with practical experience in the criminal justice system
may also be admitted. Each case is decided on its own merit.

 

A postgraduate course in criminology is particularly valuable for those wishing to pursue careers in the public or voluntary sectors. Specifically a postgraduate degree in criminology will be advantageous to someone wishing to work with offenders – adult or young, victims, the social services, government departments such as the Home Office and criminal justice organisations such as the police, the prison service, youth justice and probation. A postgraduate course in criminology also provides useful general skills that are of relevance in most careers, such as critical and analytical skill, presentation and report writing skills. Postgraduate criminology courses are also attractive to criminal justice practitioners and professionals in the criminal justice field who want to update and broaden their knowledge in this area for the purpose of career advancement. Finally, a postgraduate degree is a necessary requirement for
someone wishing to pursue an academic career.

 

 

Dr. Bankole Cole
Director of MA
Criminology
Programmes
CASS: Criminology and Sociological Studies
University of Hull

CASS: Where theory meets practice …
To find out more about one of the UK’s leading and longest running postgraduate programmes in
Criminology look here .