Criminology & Criminal Justice

Entry requirements

We require an undergraduate degree classification of 2:1, but a 2:2 will be considered. We will also consider applicants with relevant experience. Applicants who live abroad are welcome to apply.

Months of entry

September

Course content

This MA Criminology and Criminal Justice programme is designed to offer students, with or without a first degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, the opportunity to progress academically and professionally. The programme builds on expertise and specialist interests across the Criminology and Social Work programmes. It offers students and professionals the opportunity for Continuing Professional Development.

This programme can be completed over 1 year full time, or 2 years part time.

A distinctive feature of the MA Criminology and Criminal Justice programme is that it is delivered 100 per cent online, affording the busy student the flexibility to access postgraduate study while maintaining other commitments. The lectures are delivered via Moodle software, allowing excellent flexibility for times and days of study. Students will experience the programme and its online inter-active approach, its relevance to the work place and its challenging blend of modules both stimulating and supportive. This also means that the programme can be studied internationally.

The range of modules are contemporary and relevant to the current criminal justice landscape and will help to build on a number of key skills that enhance the student’s critical thinking and in turn, will thrive in a professional environment. Students will acquire an extensive range of generic skills which are widely accepted as providing an excellent preparation for many careers. In addition to subject skills and knowledge, graduates also develop skills in communication, numeracy, teamwork, critical thinking, computing, and independent learning. All are highly valued by employers.

The MA Criminology and Criminal Justice programme integrates theory, social research, skills and professional experience, preparing students with critical thinking skills for employment in the workforce in criminal and community justice related settings. The programme aims to:

• Provide an advanced level programme for students wanting to critically analyse the theory and practice of criminal justice.
• Engage students in critically assessing and synthesising theoretical perspectives on criminal justice policy and practice.
• Develop advanced appreciation of the complexities of working in the Criminal Justice arena.

Trimester One

The MA Criminology and Criminal Justice programme begins with two core modules. The Advanced Research Methods module explores paradigms and methods for research in the criminal justice area as a prelude for the Research Project module to be undertaken by those progressing to the MA award. Students complete one other core module called Contemporary Crime and Justice which explores various types of offences and categories of offenders so that students develop a critical appreciation of how processes of justice understand and respond to particular types of offending.

Trimester Two

Students then have the option of completing two out of four modules which deal with issues of relevance across a range of criminal justice practice contexts.

• Attachment Theory has become increasingly important in child and adult context for understanding offending behaviour and so this module explores how attachment deficits are linked to crime.
• Substance Misuse is a cross cutting concern in a range of criminal justice contexts and therefore also forms the basis for a specific module of study.
• Negotiated Learning will give students the academic flexibility to study a topic of their own choosing, which could be related to their work.
• Finally, students have the option of studying Terrorism and its Consequences.

Each module is delivered weekly over 12 sessions.

Trimester Three

The MA concludes when students submit a Research Project based on primary research into an issue of criminological significance.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to chang

Information for international students

If you are applying as an European / International Student, and live outside of the UK, you should make your application through our online application system, Centurus.

For information about the university’s entry requirements for EU/international students, please visit our international section.

Fees and funding

You do not have to pay your tuition fees upfront.

Wrexham University’s tuition fees for MA Criminology and Criminal Justice for 2024/25 are £7950 (full-time) and £3975 (part-time).

The fees you pay and the support available will depend on a number of different factors. Full information can be found on our fees & funding page.