Course description
The MRes in Criminology course provides you with the advanced theoretical, conceptual and methodological expertise and skills necessary to undertake and critically evaluate criminological, socio-legal and criminal justice research.
Combining core research skills with specialist criminology and criminal justice teaching from research-active staff, this course encourages you to critically examine the theoretical foundations that underpin applied criminological research.
The course also provides formal, comprehensive, multi-disciplinary training in research methodologies and transferable employment related skills, for those interested in applying for a PhD and/or planning a professional research career in the voluntary, public or private sectors.
The MRes is an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and North West Social Science Doctoral Training Centre (NWSSDTP) recognised foundation course for research training.
This is an essential first step if you wish to undertake doctoral research as part of the 1+3 PhD in Criminology programme, which qualifies towards ESRC and NWSSDTP funding.
Aims
- To meet national and regional demands for new research and policy-oriented competencies in criminology or socio-legal studies.
- Provide advanced, systematic and critical knowledge of research methods and theoretical arguments in criminology or socio-legal studies which are at the forefront of the subject area in a vibrant research context.
- Offer a course that integrates a grounding in research methodology and that provides an understanding of the implications for policy.
- Offer you the opportunity to develop your understanding of the key theoretical and epistemological debates within the subject area and to assist you to engage in theoretical debates at an advanced postgraduate level.
- Provide a formal, comprehensive, and multi-disciplinary training for you in research methodology and transferable employment-related skills.
- Prepare you for PhD-level research careers in academic life or as professionals in government and voluntary agencies.
- Contribute to the national need for skilled social science researchers in criminological, socio-legal and related matters.
- Train you to appreciate the relationship between research and the implementation and operation of policy and practice in the implementation of justice.
- Provide you with the tools for further research or study in criminology or socio-legal studies.
Special features
This acclaimed course has ESRC recognition as a Foundation Course for Research Training and is an essential step if you wish to progress onto doctoral studies or pursue a career in research in the public or voluntary sectors.
Teaching and learning
This course is taught by an interdisciplinary team of experts using a variety of delivery methods: lectures, workshops, student-led presentations and debate, group work and individual research.
Coursework and assessment
Course unit details
The availability of individual optional course units is subject to change (due, among other factors, to staff availability to deliver the course units in any given year). Information that is sent to you in August about registration onto the course, will clearly state the course units that are available in the academic year ahead.
In addition, if you pass the taught element of the course and are permitted to progress to the research element of the course, you must also submit a dissertation between 12,000-15,000 words, worth 60 credits.
Part-time students take four out of the five compulsory course units in the first year, and then take the other one in year two. The remaining 60 credits of optional course units are selected and taken accordingly over the two years.
For the Dissertation:
- Supervised summer dissertation of 12,000-15,000 words.
For exit awards:
- If you fail to pass the 180 credits necessary to attain the final degree of MRes, you can leave the course with the award of Postgraduate Diploma by passing 120 credits at a pass mark of 40%. You can also qualify for the Postgraduate Certificate by passing 60 credits at the pass mark of 40%.
- If you do not fulfil the criteria for passing the taught element of the course at masters' level of 50%, will not be permitted to progress to the dissertation element of the course, and will leave the course with the highest award that the credits that have been passed will allow.
Course unit list
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation (MRes Criminology) | CRIM64000 | 60 | Mandatory |
| Advanced Theoretical Criminology | CRIM70501 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Evaluating Policy & Practice | CRIM70542 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Data Analysis with R & RStudio | CRIM70821 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Qualitative Research Methods | CRIM71361 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Criminological Research Methods | CRIM72221 | 15 | Mandatory |
| PG Crime Mapping: an introduction to GIS and Spatial Analysis | CRIM60142 | 15 | Optional |
| Comparative Criminology | CRIM60642 | 15 | Optional |
| White-Collar and Corporate Crime | CRIM61142 | 15 | Optional |
| Understanding Violence | CRIM70552 | 15 | Optional |
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Scholarships and bursaries
The School offers a number of awards for students applying for master's study.
To find our more, please visit our master's funding opportunity search page.
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Facilities
In addition to the networked study areas, you have access to one of the best-resourced academic libraries in the country, The University of Manchester Library .