Criminology(MA)

About the Course

Our MA in Criminology offers the students a high-quality educational environment in which they will explore a number of relevant criminological theories that relate specifically to the key concepts of social justice, criminality, inequality and political ideologies. The aim of the programme is to instil the students with the ability to visualise and conceptualise effective approaches to crime prevention and management while facilitating an awareness of challenges facing contemporary criminal justice systems. The course is rooted in an intersectional and multidisciplinary analysis of criminology across international contexts, including Sweden, the USA, the UK, and Japan. A comprehensive understanding of national and international discourses and approaches to crime, deviance and justice, will allow the students to utilize critical, analytical and evaluative skills in line with current developments in the field. This course facilitates learning through fostering action and working towards a creation of a more equitable society through transparent, and attainable, methods of justice. The interdisciplinary design is meant to provide a complex overview of pressing contemporary social and criminological issues, building on the values of critical awareness, reflexivity and empathy.

The MA Criminology is anchored in a vibrant research environment at Liverpool Hope, which allows our courses to benefit from diverse knowledge of research active colleagues across the School of Social Sciences. Our innovative pedagogical approach to teaching research combines introduction to relevant theoretical concepts by experts with practical research exercises in order to maximise the potential of student research projects. Our students are free to explore their topics of choice through an extended research project supervised by an academic with experience in the field.

Why choose Liverpool Hope?

• Ability to shape own studies – You will have the possibility to develop your own ideas and research interests, collect and analyse original data and participate in small group work and presentations. This work culminates in the opportunity to produce a final original dissertation project.
• Expert teaching and learning - Liverpool Hope University’s academic faculty has considerable teaching and research experience both in the UK and internationally. You will benefit from the knowledge of academics, professionals and practitioners within the discipline.
• Focused learning in small class settings - Students will have the benefit of focused teaching from dedicated specialists in a small group setting.
• Exciting new programme based on latest developments in the discipline - Liverpool Hope University’s MA Criminology has been written with a contemporary curriculum in mind ensuring that you gain the most up-to-date knowledge. This is a vibrant and exciting new post-graduate development in an up-and-coming research-focused department.
• Career development - Liverpool Hope University is renowned for its first class student support and career development. You will have a dedicated tutor available for one-to-one guidance on learning, academic writing and career planning.

Curriculum Overview

The programme consists of four modules and a dissertation (final research project) totalling 180 credits. Assessment methods will vary and may include academic essays, reports, presentations and examinations, research proposals and a research dissertation.

Courses:

• Advanced Research for Social Change (30 credits) – This module adopts an innovative pedagogical approach, which combines a study of research philosophies with practical exercises, thereby providing insights into strategies and experiences acquired by social scientists at Liverpool Hope. Here, you will learn about a diverse range of innovative research techniques and become equipped with the skills to design a high-quality research dissertation.
• Advanced Social Theory (30 credits) – You will engage with, evaluate and critically analyse a range of classical and contemporary social theory, with a focus on theoretical explanations of social change in the areas of economic relations, political ideologies, and patterns of political domination.  
• Comparative Criminology (30 credits) – This course is centred around several clusters of criminal justice systems from around the world. We will explore the general operation and some of the specifics of criminal justice in those jurisdictions.  A comparative lens will be applied at each stage of the course progression with a view of developing an appreciation for the value of comparative criminology. 
• Applied Criminology (30 credits) – This module will look at the ways in which criminology is applied in different settings, including the police, crime scene investigations, courts and prisons as well as consider theoretical underpinnings of such applications.  It will offer the students opportunity to explore the ways criminology has influenced policy and practice, as well as critical issues in the field. It will examine national and international crime agencies, forensic practice, criminal profiling, lie detection, false confessions, rehabilitation and risk assessment.
• Dissertation/Research Project (60 credits) – The focus of the research project will be on an issue of relevance to the study of criminology. The study can involve the collection of primary data or a literature-based dissertation.

Entry Requirements

A First Class or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in any relevant discipline.

Applications from students who do not hold a 1st or 2:1 Honours Degree (or equivalent) may be asked to demonstrate potential to achieve a Masters award via a sample of academic writing and interview before an offer is made.

International Entry Requirements

For students whose first language is not English there is a language requirement of IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 minimum of all components. In addition to this, we also accept a wide range of International Qualifications, for more information please visit our English Language Requirements page.

For additional information about country specific entry requirements visit the your country pages. 

Teaching and Research

All classes are held at Liverpool Hope University’s main campus, Hope Park. The campus is situated just four miles from the city centre and offers superb academic and support facilities, including on-campus library, free computer and wi-fi access, and a careers service for advice on part-time work opportunities and post-study careers.

The Department of Social Science is an exciting new development at Hope. Disciplines like Criminology and Sociology have been taught here for some years, but they have now been brought together into a single department.

We are a growing department with a diverse and enthusiastic staff team who are active researchers and are published widely in a number of areas. Areas of interest include: critical social theory, community penalties, criminal justice policy, crime and the media, legal and investigative psychology, resettlement of female prisoners, social movements and protest, political sociology.

UK/EU Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for Home/EU students for 2022/23 are £5,200

Funding

We offer a number of scholarships and loans to help fund your postgraduate studies. Visit our scholarships pages for more details.

International Tuition Fees

The International tuition fees for courses starting in the 2022/23 academic year are £12,500 per year.

If you are an international student, visit our international scholarships pages.

Careers

The MA Criminology will enhance the career development and prospects of entering occupations such as social work, public sector welfare work, probation service, teaching, journalism, local and national government, social research, charity/voluntary sector, campaigning and non-governmental organisations.

Graduates will also have developed the skills in research and communication and in critical and flexible thinking that are sought after by a wide range of employers. This postgraduate qualification will enable graduates to embark on a research degree or PhD programme.