Criminology and Criminal Justice MSc

The module aims to foster an in-depth understanding, critical awareness and engagement with major theoretical trends and debates in contemporary criminology, with particular attention to critical criminological debates that have global relevance and practical application.

This module will equip you with a solid foundation in research design, ethical principles, and theoretical approaches. It develops skills for conducting quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews, analysing findings using descriptive and inferential statistics and thematic analysis. You will gain the knowledge and skills needed for dissertations, organizational research, and advanced methods and analysis.

This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of a range of contemporary and international issues in respect to youth crime and justice. It engages with interconnected dimensions of schools and education, families and wider community partnership arrangements, such as safeguarding, social services and social welfare support. 

This module uses the key criminal justice institutions to critically examine contemporary issues, debates and official policy. It draws on comparative perspectives to assist an understanding of different approaches to crime, offender management and justice system reform across European and international jurisdictions. It builds critical appraisal skills on whether approaches and philosophies in certain countries are more meaningful, socially just responses than in others, and from which policy transfer ideas can be learned.

This module addresses contemporary transformations of violent extremism and terrorism, together with policy and practice directions emerging in response.  The learning pathway is built around case studies and theoretical frameworks, with a focus on the UK and Europe, and is structured around the tension between transformations in violent extremism and theoretical, policy and practice frameworks. This task will include mapping counter-extremism and prevention actors and stakeholders at local, national and European levels, and the role of social science graduates in this field.

The dissertation is an opportunity for you to study independently and investigate a criminological and criminal justice topic in depth. It is an inquiry-based approach that employs the application of research skills. You will define your own topic area, conduct a comprehensive review of existing knowledge on the subject, formulate a methodology for conducting their inquiry and write an in-depth report of their research findings in the form of a dissertation.

This module is the culmination of a student’s Masters study and provides the opportunity to synthesise professional and academic learning. You will undertake a substantial work-based project that is designed to develop their professional practice and address reflectively their role in practice or a service issue. The module aims to link academic study with the 'real world’ of work by facilitating a process of reflective practice and applied learning and is designed to advance personal and professional development. 

This module aims to develop advanced skills in the application of theoretical concepts and frameworks in relation to drugs, drug use and drugs control and in critically analysing the relationship between drugs and crime. You will evaluate initiatives within the criminal justice system to address the drugs ‘problem’. The module aims to foster a critical interest in the reform of drugs policy and institutions at both national and international levels.

This module aims to develop your understanding of how psychology can assist law enforcement investigations. You will examine the application of cognitive and social psychology to the practice of investigative interviewing. You will analyse interpersonal behaviour of both interviewers and suspects in investigative interviewing situations. 

This module is an in-depth exploration of the intersection between artificial intelligence (AI) and society, examining how AI and digital media are reshaping personal, social, and political landscapes. Ethical issues such as privacy, surveillance, data governance, and algorithmic fairness, are examined while assessing AI's effects on power dynamics, social inequality, and identity. Using theoretical frameworks, case studies, and real-world applications, the course will equip you to critically engage with AI’s evolving role in contemporary society.

It will also provide you with essential skills to assess and navigate the ethical, social, and governance challenges of AI, preparing you for careers in digital policy, management, technology ethics, data governance, research, and social and political impact analysis across various industries and the public sector.

This module focusses on the societal drivers of climate change, who it impacts and how it is linked to global social inequalities. It interrogates the implications of colonialism, race, climate migration and climate refugees and hegemonic political and economic agendas in relation to climate. We examine critically a range of climate mitigation and adaptation solutions and social movements and develop an understanding of the necessary transformational change for an equitable, climate resilient future.

This module seeks to provide you with a general introduction to international criminal law, to the extent that it operates as a mechanism for the international protection of human rights. The aim to attain a comprehensive understanding of the rules, principles and machinery of international criminal justice, the relationship of international criminal law with other bodies of law and prospects for the future development of the law.

This module offers a dynamic and immersive exploration of key concepts and practices within the realm of cyber safety and security. The module engages directly with prominent researchers and leading practitioners in the field, where students will gain unique insights into real-world strategies for addressing cyber risks and creating safe digital environments.

This module seeks to advance your personal and professional development through a work-based learning experience and advancing your ability to link theory with practice. You will organise their learning to align with the work-based situation, its constraints, and the goals to be achieved, incorporating critical reflection and reflexivity.

The course is taught through weekly on-campus seminar and workshop sessions, supported by self-directed study and real-world assessments.

You’ll take part in interactive and participatory activities, including courtroom observations, prison visits, field trips, and guest lectures from professionals working in the criminal justice system.

You’ll learn from experienced academics who bring research-informed teaching and sector expertise into the classroom. Your learning will be further supported by small group work, set readings, and guided independent study.

Whether you are studying full or part-time – your course timetable will balance your study commitments on campus with time for work, life commitments and independent study.

We aim to make timetables available to students at least 2 weeks before the start of term. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on campus sessions.

Typical weekly breakdown

A typical week looks like this:

Learning terms

FT: Full-time students

PT: Part-time students

On-campus: This includes tutor-led sessions such as seminars, lab sessions and demonstrations as well as student-led sessions for work in small groups.

Online learning: This is teaching that is delivered online using tools like MS Teams, as well as work that you do yourself using online teaching resources.

Independent study: This is the work you do in your own time including reading and research.

Part-time study

You can also study this course part-time.

You will study at our leafy campus in Hendon.

There are no exams on this course. Instead, you’ll be assessed through a range of coursework methods, including individual seminar and recorded presentations, a variety of written assignments, project and portfolio work, policy reports, research briefings, empirical research and data analysis, contribution to online discussion boards, podcasts, case studies, observation, and a dissertation.

Academic support

Our excellent teaching and support teams will help you develop your skills from research and practical skills to critical thinking. Our Sheppard Library is open from 7am to 11pm Monday to Sunday during term time. And we offer free 24-hour laptop loans with full desktop software, free printing and Wi-Fi to use on or off campus.

Feedback

You'll evaluate your work, skills and knowledge and identify areas for improvement. Sometimes you'll work in groups and assess each other's progress. Each term, you'll get regular feedback on your learning.