Course summary

This Masters course allows you to explore many of the rich and varied components of comparative criminology through the focusing in turn on aspects of contemporary justice, social harms, violence, oppression, the penal system and its reform, transnational policing, and past and current controversies in the criminal justice system. You will study these themes in depth under the care of tutors who have a keen interest in and expert knowledge of these fields. As the culmination of the course, you will undertake a piece of independent research in the form of a 15,000 word dissertation on a topic based on one or more of the taught components of the course. Guidance in this undertaking will come from your appointed dissertation supervisor but also from the Research Methods core module, which will be studied prior to you commencing your research. The MA draws on a vast range of expertise and will prepare you for future research at doctoral level, as well as further developing your interpersonal and professional skills Its especial strength resides in the sustained combination of criminological, historical, policing and social science approaches and expertise made available to you by the course team. The sound grounding that you will have acquired by the time of completion will provide the skills and the confidence to consider and seek opportunities in public and private sector research-based employment, as well as a wide range of jobs within academia, customs and excise, border control, policing etc. to name but a few examples. In preparation for future employment, an optional Work Placement module is available in which you will have the opportunity to undertake accredited work-based activities and experiences which will give you the opportunity to reflect on and apply the skills and knowledge learned on the course in a practical situation.