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Postgraduate courses 2024/25

Applied Criminology, MA

This master's degree equips you with a deep understanding of how criminological theory, concepts and methods can be applied and understood in the context of criminal justice practice.

The MA in Applied Criminology offers students a practical, contemporary and critically engaged programme of study that draws on the extensive practice experience and applied research specialisms of the criminology teaching team. This master's degree equips you with a deep understanding of the criminal justice system and its partnered agencies, as well as practical knowledge of the organisational and structural aspects of the wider sector. This master's will be particularly useful for those seeking professional development and higher responsibility roles in; probation, prisons, rehabilitation, policing, youth justice, violence reduction, social justice and third sector services.

Location

Greenwich Campus

Duration

  • 1 years full-time
  • 2 years part-time

Start month

September

Home/international fees 2024/25

£11,000 /£17,450

What you should know about this course

  • The programme is ideal for practitioners already working in related fields, or those wishing to enter higher responsibility roles in the criminal justice sector.
  • Students aim to complete the MA within 12 months (full-time) or 24 months (part-time).
  • You can exit at intermediate stages with a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma award.
  • The MA includes a dissertation, which allows you to conduct your own research with 1-to-1 supervision.
  • You can tailor the programme to your specific areas of interest through a range of optional modules.

What you will study

Subject to validation

We continually develop new courses to reflect the needs of students, employers, and professional bodies. This course is currently subject to the final stage of our approval and validation process.

In the unlikely event that the course is not approved before the start date, we will help you find an alternative course.

This course remains subject to validation. As such, the structure shown below is indicative only.

FULL TIME COURSE

Year 1

Students are required to study the following compulsory modules:

  • Applied Criminology (15 credits)
  • Crime Theory (30 Credits)
  • Comparative Criminological Research Methods (15 credits)
  • Postgraduate Dissertation Project (60 credits)

Students are also required to choose 60 credits from this list of options:

  • Restorative Justice: Complex and sensitive cases (15 credits)
  • Psychology Development and Crime (15 credits)
  • Controversies in Contemporary Criminology (30 credits)
  • The voluntary sector in criminal and social justice (15 credits)
  • Prisons: Histories past and present (15 credits)
  • Crime and Criminal Justice in a Globalised and Gendered World (30 credits)
  • Crime, Terrorism and the State (30 credits)
  • Sexuality, Culture and Criminality (30 credits)

PART TIME COURSE

YEAR 1

Students are required to study the following compulsory modules:

  • Applied Criminology (15 credits)
  • Crime Theory (30 Credits)
  • Comparative Criminological Research Methods (15 credits)

Students are also required to choose 30 credits from this list of options:

  • Restorative Justice: Complex and sensitive cases (15 credits)
  • Psychology Development and Crime (15 credits)
  • Controversies in Contemporary Criminology (30 credits)
  • The voluntary sector in criminal and social justice (15 credits)
  • Prisons: Histories past and present (15 credits)
  • Crime and Criminal Justice in a Globalised and Gendered World (30 credits)
  • Crime, Terrorism and the State (30 credits)
  • Sexuality, Culture and Criminality (30 credits)

Year 2

Students are required to study the following compulsory modules:

  • Postgraduate Dissertation Project (60 credits)

Students are also required to choose 30 credits from this list of options (different to options taken in year 1):

  • Restorative Justice: Complex and sensitive cases (15 credits)
  • Psychology Development and Crime (15 credits)
  • Controversies in Contemporary Criminology (30 credits)
  • The voluntary sector in criminal and social justice (15 credits)
  • Prisons: Histories past and present (15 credits)
  • Crime and Criminal Justice in a Globalised and Gendered World (30 credits)
  • Crime, Terrorism and the State (30 credits)
  • Sexuality, Culture and Criminality (30 credits)

About the course team

Welcome to our Master's in Applied Criminology which is taught by the School of Law and Criminology. Your teaching is delivered by an experienced team of lecturers. These include academics and practitioners with experience in criminal justice. All of our teaching team hold a teaching qualification.

Come and meet us

We are offering virtual events so that you can still experience how Greenwich could be the right university for you.

Next Open Days

Got a question?

To find out more about our Open Days and Campus Tours or if you need any assistance, please email opendays@gre.ac.uk.

Entry requirements

If you are

An undergraduate (honours) degree at 2:2, or above, in Criminology, Law, or a relevant subject.

Applicants without a degree that have professional qualifications or relevant professional experience may be considered.

For more information, contact courseinfo@greenwich.ac.uk or 020 8331 9000.

You can also read our admissions policy.

The University of Greenwich accepts a broad range of international qualifications for admission to our courses. If you cannot find your country on this list, please contact international@gre.ac.uk.

Choose your country:

Further information about entry

If there is no degree relevant, a professional qualification and experience in the field of criminal justice may be considered, and you may be invited to interview to discuss this.

Available to overseas students?

Yes

Can I use Prior Learning?

If you hold qualifications or courses from another higher education institution, these may exempt you from courses of this degree.

Find out more on our Recognition of Prior Learning pages.

How you will learn

Teaching

In a typical week, learning takes place through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops. You'll be able to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller group sessions. Contact hours are likely to fall between 9am and 9pm but this depends on your elective modules and tutorials.

Class sizes

Lectures, seminars or tutorials are normally attended by smaller groups. Numbers can vary more widely for modules that are shared between degrees. Students also take part in shared/collaborative modules with students on other creative arts course, providing a perfect opportunity to develop skills in group and teamwork.

Independent learning

Outside of timetabled sessions, you'll need to dedicate time to independent study to prepare for coursework, presentations and exams. Our Stockwell Street library and online resources will support your further reading and research. You can also join a range of student societies, including the university's student Criminology Society which holds debates and social events.

Overall workload

Your overall workload consists of contact hours (lectures, seminars, etc.), independent learning, and assessments. For full-time students, the workload should be roughly equivalent to a full-time job. For part-time students, this will reduce in proportion to the number of modules you are studying.

Assessment

On this course, students are assessed by coursework and presentations. Some modules may also include exams. There are also practice assessments, which help you to monitor your own progress and make continual improvement.

Feedback summary

We aim to give feedback on assignments within 15 working days.

Dates and timetables

The academic year runs from September to June.
Full teaching timetables are not usually available until the start of the term. For any queries, please call 020 8331 9000.

Fees and funding

Your time at university should be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress. Planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.

Full time Part time Distance learning
Home £11,000 £1,850 per 30 credits N/A
International £17,450 £2,908 per 30 credits N/A

Accommodation costs

Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for. University accommodation is available from £126.35 per person per week (bills included), depending on your location and preferences. If you require more space or facilities, these options are available at a slightly higher cost.

Accommodation pages

Funding your study

There is a range of financial support options available to support your studies, including the Aspire@Greenwich award for study resources that many full-time students will receive.

EU students may be eligible for a bursary to support their study. View our EU bursary to find out more.

Discover more about grants, student loans, bursaries and scholarships. We also provide advice and support on budgeting, money management and financial hardship.

Financial support

Further costs may include (but are not limited to):

  • Resources: you may need to purchase books for your studies, as well as specific computer software (estimate, £150 per year).
  • Memberships: applying for membership of a learned society (or societies) or student societies may incur further costs.

Careers and placements

What sort of careers do graduates pursue?

Many of our graduates already have careers, but some seek promotion or change roles within the same organisation. Others join the criminal justice system (police, courts, probation, prisons), work in security, youth justice, intelligence, social justice, research or for a charitable or commercial organisation.

Do you provide employability services?

Employability activities take place all the time at Greenwich and students are encouraged to take part in as many opportunities as possible. The central Employability and Careers Service provides support for students preparing to apply for placements and graduate roles, such as CV clinics, mock interviews and employability skills workshops. In addition, your School has a dedicated Employability Officer who will be organising work-related activities throughout the year which will help you to build your industry knowledge and networks.

Support and advice

Academic skills and study support

We want you to make the most of your time with us. You can access study skills support through your tutor, our subject librarians, and our online academic skills centre. Where appropriate, we provide support in academic English and mathematics. If you need to use particular IT packages for a specific module, we provide training for this.

Support from the department

The School of Law & Criminology provides pastoral support throughout your studies with us. Students have a personal tutor and access to training in study skills, dissertation preparation, methods and ethics and can have access to advice on employability and careers. Additionally, joining societies such as the University's student Criminology Society or initiatives such as the Innocence Project London can build skills and present new opportunities.

Accommodation information

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Apply now

If you are a UK student or have settled/pre-settled status (EU) and you want to study full-time then you apply through the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS).

If you are a UK student or have settled/pre-settled status (EU) and you want to study part-time then you can apply directly via our online application form.

If you are from outside the UK, you can apply via UCAS, directly via our online application form or via one of our in-country representatives. If you require a student visa, you cannot study part-time at undergraduate level.