Criminology MSc - 2022/3

Awarding body

University of Surrey

Teaching institute

University of Surrey

Framework

FHEQ Level 7

Final award and programme/pathway title

MSc Criminology

Subsidiary award(s)

Award Title
PGDip Criminology
PGCert Criminology

Modes of study

Route code Credits and ECTS Credits
Full-time PLE61022 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits
Part-time PLE61023 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits

QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)

Other internal and / or external reference points

N/A

Faculty and Department / School

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences - Sociology

Programme Leader

MCGUIRE Michael (Sociology)

Date of production/revision of spec

12/09/2023

Educational aims of the programme

  • The MSc in Criminology provides a thorough grounding in the discipline of criminology combined with advanced training in the full range of qualitative and quantitative methods of social research. It is designed to meet the needs of students graduating from a first degree who have an interest in crime and the criminal justice system, people who are currently employed and wish to apply a knowledge of criminological research within their present job, or those who wish to move into a criminological research career. The degree provides an ideal foundation to undertake a part-time or full-time PhD.
  • The degree is suitable for a wide range of students in terms of age, professional background, and current occupation and circumstances. Because of this diversity of experience, students on the degree learn a great deal from each other, including at the residential Weekend Conference in the middle of the first semester.

Programme learning outcomes

Attributes Developed Awards Ref.
Gained experience in conducting an extended piece of criminological research of a high calibre PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Obtained a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of the discipline of criminology MSc
Developed and demonstrated extensive knowledge about the core debates in academic criminology and the central issues in criminal justice policy MSc
Understood how the concerns of criminology and the criminal justice system connect to and interact with wider social issues MSc
Acquired and utilised practical knowledge of a range of different traditions and methods relevant to conducting criminological research, from survey research to field methods MSc
Planned, manage and execute research as part of a team MSc
Developed the analytic skills and substantive knowledge to enable them to pursue a successful career in academe, research institutes, or relevant government departments MSc
Obtained a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of the discipline of criminology PGDip
Developed and demonstrated extensive knowledge about the core debates in academic criminology and the central issues in criminal justice policy PGDip
Understood how the concerns of criminology and the criminal justice system connect to and interact with wider social issues PGDip
Acquired and utilised practical knowledge of a range of different traditions and methods relevant to conducting criminological research, from survey research to field methods PGDip
Planned, managed and executed research as part of a team PGDip
Developed the analytic skills and substantive knowledge to enable them to pursue a successful career in academe, research institutes, or relevant government departments PGDip
Obtained an understanding of the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of the discipline of criminology PGCert
Developed and demonstrated knowledge about the core debates in academic criminology and the central issues in criminal justice policy PGCert
Obtained some understanding of how the concerns of criminology and the criminal justice system connect to and interact with wider social issues PGCert
Acquired and utilised practical knowledge of a range of different traditions and methods relevant to conducting criminological research, from survey research to field methods PGCert
Show critical awareness and understanding of the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of the discipline of criminology K PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Show systematic knowledge of basic principles of research design and strategy K PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Understand the use and value of a wide range of different research approaches across the quantitative and qualitative spectra K PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Appreciate the epistemological and ontological questions that underpin social research K PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Developed competence about the core debates in academic criminology and the central issues in criminal justice policy K PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Show engagement with innovations and developments in social research K PGDip, MSc
Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of research ethics K PGDip, MSc
Understood how the concerns of criminology and the criminal justice system connect to and interact with wider social issues C PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Acquired and utilised practical knowledge of a range of different traditions and methods relevant to conducting criminological research, from survey research to field methods C PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Systematically formulate researchable problems C PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Analyse qualitative and quantitative data drawn both from `real world' and `virtual world¿ environments, using basic and more advanced techniques, and draw warranted conclusions C PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Critically evaluate the range of approaches to research C PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Use the range of research techniques commonly employed in criminological research P PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Generate both quantitative and qualitative data through an array of techniques, and select techniques of data generation on appropriate methodological base P PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Employ a quantitative and qualitative software package to manage and analyse data P PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Work to deadlines and within work schedules T PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Apply computing skills for research instrument design, data analysis, and report writing and presentation T PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Communicate ideas, principles and theories by oral, written and visual means T PGCert, PGDip, MSc

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Programme structure

Full-time

This Master's Degree programme is studied full-time over one academic year, consisting of 180 credits at FHEQ level 7. All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)

Part-time

This Master's Degree programme is studied part-time over two academic years, consisting of 180 credits at FHEQ level 7. All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)

Programme Adjustments (if applicable)

N/A

Modules

Year 1 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7

Module code Module title Status Credits Semester
SOCM006 FIELD METHODS Compulsory 15 1
SOCM008 CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM Core 15 2
SOCM064 SOCIAL DATA ANALYTICS Compulsory 15 1
SOCM068 POLICING AND THE POLICE Core 15 2

Module Selection for Year 1 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7

N/A

Year 2 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7

Module code Module title Status Credits Semester
SOCM026 LAW, SOCIETY & SOCIAL CONTROL Core 15 2
SOCM032 CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORIES Core 15 1
SOCM035 MASTERS DISSERTATION Core 60 Year-long
SOCM067 COMPARATIVE CRIMINOLOGY Core 15 1
SOCM019 CRIME & OFFENDING Core 15 2

Module Selection for Year 2 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7

N/A

Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity

Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics N
Professional Training Year (PTY) N
Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) Y Students on the CCJSR MSc are encouraged to take up opportunities for experiential learning in workplace settings, providing extended opportunities for work experience and career development in professional research settings. Finding a placement is primarily a student led process, though the department will support students in finding 3-4 week research placements during Spring and Summer vacation periods. This approach has recently been supplemented to include strategies of support for students seeking a wider range of opportunities for professional development in the first-hand experience of research organisation - including such activities as part-time internships over longer periods, workplace visits, or shadowing research professionals. This introduces further flexibility in a student-led process of professional development in light of increasing external pressures on students¿ commitments and responsibilities. All, however, involve opportunities to consider issues in career development and professional skills. The support process involves the Department working closely with students on a one-to-one basis toward their goals and requirements, in association with the Universitys Careers Service, to offer pastoral advice and support.
Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) N
Study exchange (Level 5) N
Dual degree N

Quality assurance

The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:

https://www.surrey.ac.uk/quality-enhancement-standards

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2022/3 academic year.