MSc Criminology and Evidence-Based Policing

About the course

This course is suitable for recent graduates interested in a career in policing, analysis or research, as well as for practitioners currently working in policing or investigation who seek to progress into leadership or specialist roles. You will explore contemporary policing issues and how evidence and research findings can be used to develop the most effective policing strategies and on-the-ground approaches. You will learn about current challenges as well as analytical and policing practices, while also gaining the necessary research skills to evaluate and develop the most appropriate responses.

• This global course is relevant not just for those working, or hoping to work, in the UK but also for students and practitioners from other countries and international organisations. Though situated within the policing framework of England and Wales, you will explore approaches and evidence from multiple countries, and can tailor some of your assessments, including your research project, to the needs or approaches in your country of origin.
• This unique, contemporary course enables you to focus on evidence-based policing as a key way to develop and transform modern policing with a view to meeting emerging and future challenges.
• Explore issues relevant to your interests and operational needs through your independent evidence-based policing research project.
• Learn about the importance of evidence-based policing approaches, practice hands-on analytical techniques used in policing and investigation, and gain advanced research skills to support your future work and career.
• Delivered by experts in researching policing and investigation as well as practitioners who have, or continue to work in the field. Our staff have a wealth of experience, including operational policing, crime analysis and serious crime investigation. We pride ourselves on the policy and practice focus of the research we undertake, be it exploring crime patterns (such as crime hotspots), investigative practice (including child homicide and ‘cold cases’), street-craft (for example self-selection policing and false-detail giving) and even more unusual topics such as wildlife crime or necrophilia.

This course will assist you in developing your career in respect to evidence-based policing, crime analysis and leadership skills in policing, as well as enabling you to tailor the course around your particular areas of crime interest.

Successful students gain a Masters award. However, this course is not accredited by the College of Policing and it is not a direct entry route into work as a police officer.

Placements

The course does not have a formal work placement, but you are encouraged to utilise relevantpractice experience (paid or voluntary) within the course. You can do this through designing your choice of assessments, for example, based on particular policing or analysis challenges you face in your work, or designing an evaluation or action-based research project.