MA Criminology and Criminal Justice

The MA Criminology and Criminal Justice challenges students to engage with contemporary issues faced by the criminal justice system from both a criminological and legal perspective.

In the 21st Century, the means by which we respond as a society to crime and victimisation is under greater scrutiny than ever before. How we respond to cases of historic sexual abuse, the use of imprisonment as a just and effective means of punishing or rehabilitating criminals, and the challenges posed by organised crime and international terrorism, mean criminological and legal scholarship are being brought to the forefront.

This course is designed to equip students with the conceptual tools needed to engage with such issues, imparting a broad range of cognitive, analytical, and general transferable skills including judging and evaluating evidence, interpreting data, generating and synthesising information, and formulating reasoned arguments. Students can engage with criminological knowledge and learn to approach the legal questions raised by this knowledge in a reflective and critical way. Drawing on staff expertise across both social science and legal disciplines, students are able to study and engage in research on criminological theory, penology and penal policy, terrorism, policing, environmental crime, international criminal justice systems, and criminological research methods among many other issues of contemporary relevance to both criminologists and criminal lawyers.

Criminology graduates can pursue work in a variety of different areas including the civil service, police, academia, and the National Probation Service, although the combination of both criminological and legal analysis covered by the course offers graduates a wide array of different career choices.

The University Careers and Employability team can provide tailored, individual support and careers advice. The service can include one-to-one coaching, CV advice, and interview preparation. Alumni can continue to access support and advice for up 15 months after graduating. The service works closely with local, national and international employers, acting as a gateway to the business world.