Criminology

Entry requirements

Minimum of second-class honours degree, or equivalent, in criminology or a related subject; evidence of relevant certificated or extended non-certificated practice.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Our Criminology MA will provide you with an in-depth understanding of the complex nature of crime, harm and victimisation, together with an appreciation of the role of criminal justice systems in relation to crime control, protection and the delivery of justice.

This course will develop your critical thinking skills whilst also providing you with the tools to undertake rigorous, high quality criminological research. Through a theoretical and applied lens, you will gain a broad understanding of criminological issues and debates. For example, you will question why particular behaviours and populations are criminalised and you will challenge local and global responses to crime. You will develop a range of transferable skills sought after by employers in the field.

This course is designed for those who have a social science, socio-legal or policy studies background and who want to develop their knowledge further. The course is open to those who have a good undergraduate degree in a relevant area, and, or, to those whose background is characterised by practitioner experience at an appropriate level in a relevant field.

• Kingston is well-located, offering you opportunities to see, at first hand, the criminal justice system in operation in the extensive London network of courts. As well as being in close proximity, for visits, to community-based crime-reduction programmes and many non-government organisations and charities who are connected to crime prevention and justice.
• You may access first-hand experiences, such as hearing about imprisonment, the transition from prison, and the desistance process.
• This course challenges traditional understandings, drawing on themes that include anti-racist, feminist, green, Marxist and queer perspectives.

Criminology is a dynamic and multi-disciplinary subject that draws upon a range of theoretical frameworks and social research techniques to explore criminological phenomena. You will engage with the theoretical ideas that govern the discipline and apply them to better understand the substantive issues in the study of crime, harm, victimisation, criminalisation, punishment, rehabilitation and justice. You will explore historical and contemporary criminal justice policy, practice and politics in local and global contexts and develop a critical appreciation of the dynamics between criminological theory, social relations and criminal justice policy. During the course of your study, you will develop methodological knowledge and skills in order to prepare for your own criminological enquiry.

Information for international students

All non-UK applicants must meet our English language requirements. For this course it is Academic IELTS of 6.5 overall, with no element below 5.5.