Criminology at University of Leicester - UCAS

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Course summary

This is for you if... you want to learn about the processes of criminalisation, offending, and victimisation in order to develop a sophisticated and critical understanding of contemporary issues and debates in criminology and victimology. The MSc in Criminology will provide you with an in-depth theoretical and applied understanding of crime, deviance, offenders, and victims and will enable you to focus on your particular area of interest. You will gain the knowledge and skills sought by the broad spectrum of agencies associated with the criminal justice process. The course will provide you with a thorough insight into the criminal justice system and develop your critical awareness of historical debates, theories and research in criminology and victimology. You will also examine the current political, economic and social context of relevant debates on crime in the UK and abroad. The course has been prepared by lecturers who are at the forefront of research in this field. Our selection of option modules allows you to specialise in areas of interest that relate to your professional needs including Forensic and Legal Psychology, Responding to Terrorism, Hate Crime and the Psychology of Evil. This degree will develop your capacity for imaginative, rigorous and critical thinking. As well as gaining specific knowledge of the social processes of crime, criminalisation and the criminal justice system, you will strengthen your ability to understand and use different types of evidence. You will develop transferable skills that are highly sought after by employers, including the ability to present and develop a cohesive argument, communicate information to academic and non-academic audiences, conduct research and identify solutions to theoretical and research problems.

Assessment method

You will be taught through a combination of lectures and seminars where you will have the opportunity to discuss and clarify ideas with lecturers and fellow students. Some modules will also involve practical skills workshops or online tasks and interaction. Our assessment strategy is coursework-based and provides you with opportunities to both consolidate and strengthen academic skills through assessments such as short written pieces, annotated bibliographies, essays and research exercises; whilst also completing tasks which develop the skills required in future employment. These more ‘authentic’ modes of assessment may take the form of oral presentations, practitioner briefing papers, reports and letters to government ministers. You will also complete a dissertation of up to 15,000 words in which you will conduct research on a topic of your choice.


Entry requirements

Candidates should normally possess a First or Second Class honours degree from a British University or equivalent international academic qualifications. It is expected that this would usually be in Criminology or a cognate discipline. Comparable professional qualifications or experience will be considered. However, where more clarity is required applicants will be asked to undertake a short written assessment. IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.


Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Additional fee information

Please see website for 23/24 postgraduate fee information
Criminology at University of Leicester - UCAS