Transnational Crime (MRes)

About the Course

Transnational crime has become a major concern among policy makers around the world and its significance is growing rapidly among scholars as well. The MRes in Transnational Crime draws on Liverpool Hope's significant research strength in this field, and offers an innovative programme for aspiring academic researchers, policy makers, and practitioners with an interest in a subject at the cutting edge of contemporary criminology.

As the first of its type in the North West, this unique degree programme aims to give students a robust grounding in the study of transnational crime, and the nature of key theoretical, practical, and policy responses to it by state and non-state actors. Across two taught modules. Students will engage with in-depth subject teaching in this area, as well as advanced quantitative and qualitative research skills and the ethics and practicalities of conducting research on transnational crime. This will build towards the production of an original research dissertation that explores a contemporary transnational crime issue in line with the course theoretical content.

By providing students with a world-leading understanding of the core issues around this field and the skills to produce high-quality original research, it will allow them to pursue careers in and around criminal justice and security policy or practice, or to engage in advanced academic study via further postgraduate research qualifications.

Course Leader - Dr. Sebastian A. Cutrona

Hello, I'm Dr. Sebastian A. Cutrona, Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Liverpool Hope University. My research focuses on organized crime, drug trafficking, and their profound impacts on democratic regimes. As the Programme Lead for the MRes in Transnational Crime, I am passionate about supervising innovative research in these areas, as well as other pressing global challenges. This innovative and intellectually stimulating programme, unique in the North West, offers a combination of in-depth subject teaching and advanced research training in a flexible hybrid format. Whether you aspire to pursue further academic research, work in criminal justice, or shape policy within governmental, non-governmental, or multilateral organizations, this MRes will equip you with the expertise to make a meaningful impact. I am excited to welcome you to this cutting edge programme, and I look forward to supporting you in achieving your goals!

View my academic profile here: Dr. Sebastian A. Cutrona

Curriculum Overview

The MRes in Transnational Crime is structured as a 180-credit programme. It comprises two compulsory taught modules of 30-credit each and a compulsory 120-credit dissertation. Assessment methods may include coursework, in the form of essays, reports, presentations, and the final 30,000 words research dissertation, a key component of the MRes.

Modules

During the course you will study

Transnational Crime (30 credits - compulsory)

This module will critically explore key drivers of transnational crime, its historical evolution, manifestations, and law enforcement responses at both national and international levels. Drawing on insights from criminology, sociology, and political science, the module will address a wide spectrum of historical and contemporary risks including drug trafficking, cybercrime, human trafficking, and environmental crime. Supporting case studies will be situated within economic, social, and institutional contexts across different geographic regions such as Latin America, Western Europe, and East Asia.

The module will be delivered in a blended learning format. Short online asynchronous lectures will be provided prior to attending a series of face-to-face seminars. Lecture content will address concepts, theories, actors, and responses to transnational crime, while seminars will take a problem-based approach, focusing on case studies and practical exercises aimed at consolidating the theoretical content addressed in the lectures.

Advanced Research Methods (30 credits - compulsory)

This module will provide students with an overview of the advanced social research methods that provide the foundation for their dissertation research. It will cover a range of relevant topics and skills, including quantitative and qualitative research methods, research design, ethical issues in research, sources of data collection, and the use of specialist software.

The module will be delivered through a flexible blended learning approach, with asynchronous lecture content provided as pre-recorded micro-lectures for students to view in their own time prior to attending the face-to-face seminars. Lectures will be grouped into themes of quantitative and qualitative research methods, and cover topics such as research design, ethical issues, sources of data, and analyzing data using specialist software.

Seminars will be delivered during intensive on-campus blocks. These sessions will focus on practical research skills, and will provide students with the opportunity to work in groups on the design and analysis of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research projects. The sessions will also provide guidance for students in developing a research proposal for an empirical dissertation project.

Extended dissertation (120 credits - compulsory)

The extended dissertation offers students the opportunity to produce a longer piece of original research on a topic of interest from within the broad field of Criminology and Security Studies. This may draw on themes introduced in taught modules, or may alternatively speak to interests and/or topics from outside the programme syllabus.

Produced under the guidance and oversight of a member of academic staff through regular one-hour one-on-one supervisory meetings, the 30,000-word extended dissertation will involve the collection, analysis, and presentation of results from original primary and/or secondary research. In so doing it will provide a test of the student's knowledge and understanding of ethics, research practice, planning, and time-management.

Entry Requirements

Normally a minimum of a Second-Class Honours degree in a relevant discipline awarded by a UK university, or an equivalent higher education qualification is required.

International Entry Requirements

Possess a degree from an overseas institution that is judged by the Registrar or Nominee to be equivalent to a second class honours degree from a UK University.

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

UK/Channel Island Tuition Fees

2025/26

Tuition fees for Home students are £9,500

Funding

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

EU/Non EU International Tuition Fees

2025/26

Tuition fees for EU/Non-EU International students for 2025/26 are £15,250

Please be aware that the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your tuition fees. Learn more about your fee status and which tuition fees are relevant to you.

Careers

As illegal markets and the actions of criminal organisations become increasingly transnational in the globalisation context, the need for professionals equipped with cutting-edge knowledge to respond to these threats is evident. This programme will appeal to those who wish to work or are seeking development in a broad range of sectors such as the government, multinational organisations, and NGOs, as well as to scholars willing to progress towards a doctorate degree.