Criminology (Cybercrime and Cybersecurity) MSc - 2023/4

Awarding body

University of Surrey

Teaching institute

University of Surrey

Framework

FHEQ Level 7

Final award and programme/pathway title

MSc Criminology (Cybercrime and Cybersecurity)

Subsidiary award(s)

Award Title
PGDip Criminology (Cybercrime and Cybersecurity)
PGCert Criminology (Cybercrime and Cybersecurity)

Modes of study

Route code Credits and ECTS Credits
Full-time PLE61026 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits
Part-time PLE61027 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, Business and Social Sciences - Sociology

Programme Leader

MCGUIRE Michael (Sociology)

Date of production/revision of spec

26/09/2024

Educational aims of the programme

  • The MSc pathway in Cybercrime + Cybersecurity on the MSc Criminology will combine grounding in the discipline of criminology and training in the full range of qualitative and quantitative methods of social research with specialised understanding of the key issues in cybercriminality and the cybersecurity measures being developed against this. It is designed to meet the needs of students graduating from a first degree who have an interest in cybercrime, people who are currently employed and wish to apply knowledge of criminology and cybercrime within their present job, or those who wish to move into specialised research or practice in the fields of cybercrime and cybercriminality. 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.
Obtained an understanding of the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of the discipline of Criminology PGDip
Developed and demonstrated knowledge about the core debates and issues in cybercrime and cybersecurity PGDip
Obtained some understanding of how the concerns of Criminology interact with wider social and policy issues around cybercriminality and cybersecurity 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
Developed competence about the core debates in academic Criminology and the central issues in criminal justice policy K MSc
Show critical awareness and understanding of the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of the discipline of Criminology, especially as it intersects with cyberoffending and the measures required to prevent this K PGCert
Show systematic knowledge of basic principles of research design and strategy K PGCert
Understand the use and value of a wide range of different research approaches across the quantitative K PGCert
Recognise the significance of social/political contexts of cybercrime and the uses of research in enhancing understanding of its causes and preventative approaches K PGCert
Understood how the concerns of Criminology and the criminal justice system connect to and interact with wider social issues C 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 C PGCert
Systematically formulate researchable problems C PGCert
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
Critically evaluate the range of approaches to research C PGCert
Use the range of research techniques commonly employed in criminological P PGCert
Generate both quantitative and qualitative data through an array of techniques, and select techniques of data generation on appropriate methodological base P PGCert
Employ a quantitative and qualitative software package to manage and analyse data P PGCert
Work to deadlines and within work schedules T PGCert
Apply computing skills for research instrument design, data analysis, and report writing and presentation T PGCert
Communicate ideas, principles and theories by oral, written and visual means T PGCert
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 and issues in cybercrime and cybersecurity PGDip
Understood how the concerns of Criminology interact with wider social and policy issues around cybercriminality and cybersecurity 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, the cybercrime and cybersecurity fields or relevant government departments PGDip
Developed a good understanding of the core debates in academic Criminology and the central issues in criminal justice policy K PGDip
Show critical awareness and understanding of the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of the discipline of Criminology, especially as it intersects with cyber-offending and the measures required to prevent this K PGDip
Show systematic knowledge of basic principles of research design and strategy K PGDip
Understand the use and value of a wide range of different research approaches across the quantitative spectra K PGDip
Recognise the significance of social/political contexts of cybercrime and the uses of research in enhancing understanding of its causes and preventative approaches K PGDip
Show engagement with innovations and developments in research methods for the study of cybercrime K PGDip
Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of research ethics K PGDip
Understood how the concerns of Criminology and the criminal justice system connect to and interact with wider social and policy issues in cybercrime and cybersecurity C PGDip
Acquired and utilised practical knowledge of a range of different traditions and methods relevant to conducting criminological and cyber-focused research, from survey research to field methods C PGDip
Systematically formulate researchable problems C PGDip
Analyse qualitative and quantitative data drawn both from `real world' and `cyber¿ environments, using basic and more advanced techniques, and draw warranted conclusions C PGDip
Critically evaluate the range of approaches to researching cybercrime C PGDip
Use the range of research techniques commonly employed in criminological research P PGDip
Show awareness of the key requirements in protecting information systems and typical criminal strategies for misusing or disrupting them P PGDip
Generate both quantitative and qualitative data through an array of techniques, and select techniques of data generation on appropriate methodological base P PGDip
Employ a quantitative and qualitative software package to manage and analyse data P PGDip
Work to deadlines and within work schedules T PGDip
Apply criminological and computing skills to understand risks to a variety of information systems T PGDip
Apply computing skills for research instrument design, data analysis, and report writing and presentation T PGDip
Communicate ideas, principles and theories by oral, written and visual means T PGDip
Gained experience in conducting an extended piece of criminological research into cybercrime and/or cybercriminality of a high calibre 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 and issues in cybercrime and cybersecurity MSc
Understood how the concerns of Criminology interact with wider social and policy issues around cybercriminality and cybersecurity 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, managed and executed 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, the cybercrime and cybersecurity fields or relevant government departments MSc
Developed a comprehensive understanding of the core debates in academic Criminology and the central issues in criminal justice policy K MSc
Show critical awareness and understanding of the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of the discipline of Criminology, especially as it intersects with cyber-offending and the measures required to prevent this K MSc
Show systematic knowledge of basic principles of research design and strategy K MSc
Understand the use and value of a wide range of different research approaches across the quantitative and qualitative spectra K MSc
Recognise the significance of social/political contexts of cybercrime and the uses of research in enhancing understanding of its causes and preventative approaches K MSc
Show engagement with innovations and developments in research methods for the study of cybercrime K MSc
Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of research ethics K MSc
Understood how the concerns of Criminology and the criminal justice system connect to and interact with wider social and policy issues in cybercrime and cybersecurity C MSc
Acquired and utilised practical knowledge of a range of different traditions and methods relevant to conducting criminological and cyber-focused research, from survey research to field methods C MSc
Systematically formulate researchable problems C MSc
Analyse qualitative and quantitative data drawn both from `real world' and `cyber¿ environments, using basic and more advanced techniques, and draw warranted conclusions C MSc
Critically evaluate the range of approaches to researching cybercrime C MSc
Use the range of research techniques commonly employed in criminological research P MSc
Show awareness of the key requirements in protecting information systems and typical criminal strategies for misusing or disrupting them P MSc
Generate both quantitative and qualitative data through an array of techniques, and select techniques of data generation on appropriate methodological base P MSc
Employ a quantitative and qualitative software package to manage and analyse data P MSc
Work to deadlines and within work schedules T MSc
Apply criminological and computing skills to understand risks to a variety of information systems T MSc
Apply computing skills for research instrument design, data analysis, and report writing and presentation T MSc
Communicate ideas, principles and theories by oral, written and visual means T 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
SOCM032 CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORIES Compulsory 15 1
COMM037 INFORMATION SECURITY MANAGEMENT Compulsory 15 1
SOCM019 CRIME & OFFENDING Compulsory 15 2
SOCM026 LAW, SOCIETY & SOCIAL CONTROL Compulsory 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
SOCM035 MASTERS DISSERTATION Core 60 Year-long
SOCM064 SOCIAL DATA ANALYTICS Compulsory 15 1
SOCM006 FIELD METHODS Compulsory 15 1
COMM050 INFORMATION SECURITY FOR BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT Compulsory 15 2
SOCM051 CYBERCRIME AND CYBERSECURITY Compulsory 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 Y
Professional Training Year (PTY) N
Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) Y Yes
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 2023/4 academic year.