MSc CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
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I appreciated the approachable staff, the broad expertise in the department combined with the amount of freedom to expand my research interests; all of this within the beauty and rich history of the city André de Vries MSc Criminal Justice and Criminology graduate 2014
Criminology at Durham The School of Applied Social Sciences, Durham University has a distinguished history of sociological research into crime and justice, including a long-standing commitment to innovation in prison education and research. The MSc programme in Criminology and Criminal Justice has been running since 2011 and provides students with an in-depth, advanced level study of crime and criminal justice that is applied to local and global contexts. The programme is framed by Durham Criminology’s interdisciplinary and critical approach to understanding crime, its causes and prevention, criminal justice policy, and the links between crime and societal responses. Students are lectured, supervised and tutored by a team of criminologists internationally renowned for their teaching and world-class publications.
“I really enjoyed the programme. The amount of freedom to pursue topics specific to my interests was great and I appreciated always having expert guidance when it was needed”. Ryan Croghan MSc Criminal Justice and Criminology graduate 2014
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You will study criminology and criminal justice in a school that has a thriving research environment and a vibrant and friendly postgraduate community. The Criminology team are active in various interdisciplinary Research Centres including the Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse; the Centre for Sex, Gender and Sexualities; and the Centre for Social Justice and Community Action. You will also be encouraged to participate in the research group Crime, Deviance and Culture - a space where postgraduate students can take part in lively debates, seminars and shared learning.
In addition to lectures and one-to-one supervision, you will also participate in seminars, workshops and small group work. Group-based teaching and learning methods is an important feature of our taught MSc programme in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Emphasis is placed on learning with and from each other through dialogue.
Through close links with various criminal justice agencies, government advisory bodies, NGOs and others, we’re driving vital debate on issues such as violence against women and girls, British drug policy, cybercrime, and sex worker rights. As a postgraduate student on the MSc programme you will benefit from the criminology team’s unique combination of areas of expertise, including international organised crime; crime and new technologies; youth crime and youth justice; gender, violence and abuse; race, crime and justice; migration; prostitution and sex work; sex, gender and sexualities; gender and crime; drugs, alcohol and drug policy; the management and policing of the ‘night time economy’, cultural and critical criminological theory; and feminist perspectives. Many of our students undertake in-depth study in one of these topic areas as part of their dissertation research.
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“I found the postgraduate degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice extremely thoughtprovoking. The course covered a wide variety of criminological issues and topics, while the core modules provided underpinning theories of research, crime and the criminal justice system. My chosen specialist modules deepened my knowledge within my own area of interest and I thoroughly enjoyed working with staff who are dedicated experts in the field of applied social sciences.� Joanna Murphy MSc Criminal Justice and Criminology graduate 2014
Programme Structure For academic year 2015/16 you will be required to take four core modules: Theorising Crime and Criminal Justice (30 credits) provides an advanced study of criminological theory and in workshops and guest speaker seminars you will apply criminological theory to various criminal justice issues. Perspectives on Social Research (15 credits) introduces you to the field of social research, exploring issues of research ethics and techniques of quantitative and qualitative research which can be explored further in other optional modules. Research Design and Progress (15 credits) provides in depth training in the process of research design and prepares you for carrying out your Dissertation (60 credits). The Dissertation is where you explore a specific research area in depth and you will work closely with a supervisor. For academic year 2015/16 you will be able to select from a variety of optional modules that will make up the remaining 60 credits. Reflecting the research specialisms in the school, optional modules, Drugs, Crime and Society (30 credits), Crime, Violence and Abuse (30 credits), Crime, Justice and the Sex Industry (30), Statistical Exploration and Reasoning (15), Qualitative Research Methods in Social Science (15), Cybercrime and Cybersecurity (30), Sociology of Forensic Science (30). You will also have the opportunity to take a range of modules from other programmes within the Faculty such as those associated with the MSc in Risk and Security. The availability of optional modules is subject to change depending on how many students select the modules and staff availability. The MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice is available as full-time or part-time programme. MSc CRIMINOLOGY & CRIMINAL JUSTICE | Page 04
“This Masters programme offers an innovative combination of themes and perspectives for advanced Criminology and Criminal Justice studies.”
MA Social Research Methods (Criminology) Available as a part-time or full-time programme. We also offer a Criminology pathway within the suite of MAs in Social Research Methods. This Masters programme offers an innovative combination of themes and perspectives for advanced Criminology and Criminal Justice studies. The pathway combines a research perspective with delivering core and established criminological disciplinary knowledge, whilst offering the most recent and innovative perspectives in theorising crime and criminal justice. Students have the option of specialising in the topics outlined above. This programme forms part of a recognised pathway for Social Policy and Social Work within the ESRC-funded North East Doctoral Training Centre. As such, candidates who complete this programme can apply for funding for ‘+3’ awards to support doctoral study in a Policy-related area. Alternatively candidates may apply through an annual competition to undertake this MA on a funded basis as part of 1+3 award (covering both the initial research training Masters programme and a PhD).
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Entry Requirements • Normally an upper second class honours degree or equivalent. • English Language requirements- ‘IELTS 7.0 with no element less than 6.5 (or recognised equivalent – see our website for current agreed equivalencies). We welcome applications from holders of international qualifications. For advice on the equivalency of international qualifications and further information on English language requirements, please contact our International Office (international.office@durham.ac.uk or visit our website at www.durham.ac.uk/international). We are especially keen to consider applications from professionals with a range of criminal justice backgrounds and experiences.
How to Apply/Further information For informal enquiries, please contact the programme director via sass.pgadmissions@durham.ac.uk Applications are made through the University’s online application form. For more information please follow the links on the School website below. School of Applied Social Sciences, Durham University 29 Old Elvet Durham DH1 3HN United Kingdom Telephone: 0191 334 1505 Email: sass.pgadmissions@durham.ac.uk Web: www.durham.ac.uk/sass
Staff 2015/16 Dr Ivan Hill
Dr Kate O’Brien
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The Criminal Justice System Masculinity Narrative enquiry Ethnography Policing
Dr Alison Jobe • • • • •
Gender and asylum law Children and young people seeking asylum Prostitution/ sex work and Human Trafficking Violence against women and children Child maltreatment and UK safeguarding/ child protection policy and practice
Dr Hannah King • • • • •
Young people and crime Youth justice and youth policy Violence and abuse Festivals, drugs and alcohol Biographical, visual and participatory methods
Professor Fiona Measham • • • • • •
Changing trends in legal and illegal drugs Licensed leisure, festivals and the night time economy New Psychoactive Substances Gender and drugs Prison education Critical and cultural criminology
Drugs and gender Drug markets Young people and crime Nightlife Prison education Ethnography Cultural and critical criminology
Professor Maggie O’Neill • • • • • •
Sex work Migration and forced migration Race, crime and justice Cultural and critical criminology Feminisms, gender and sexualities Creative, biographical and participatory methodologies
Professor Roger Smith • • • • •
Youth justice policy and practice Diversion in youth justice Participatory methods Power Childhood and children’s rights
Professor Nicole Westmarland • • • •
Domestic violence Rape and other sexual offences Online abuse Feminist research methods
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