Criminology 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
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
24/04/2024
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 (full-time) - FHEQ Level 7
Module Selection for Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Level 7
N/A
Year 1 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOCM006 | FIELD METHODS | Compulsory | 15 | 1 |
| SOCM008 | CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM | Compulsory | 15 | 2 |
| SOCM064 | SOCIAL DATA ANALYTICS | Compulsory | 15 | 1 |
| SOCM068 | POLICING AND THE POLICE | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOCM026 | LAW, SOCIETY & SOCIAL CONTROL | Compulsory | 15 | 2 |
| SOCM032 | CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORIES | Compulsory | 15 | 1 |
| SOCM035 | MASTERS DISSERTATION | Compulsory | 60 | Year-long |
| SOCM067 | COMPARATIVE CRIMINOLOGY | Compulsory | 15 | 1 |
| SOCM019 | CRIME & OFFENDING | 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 | 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:
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.