Course description
The MRes in Criminology (Social Statistics) course provides you with a thorough grounding in research methods, as well as the tools to collect and analyse advanced quantitative statistical data, with a focus on criminological research, theory, policy and practice.
Combining criminology and social statistics teaching from research-active staff in the School, this course encourages you to critically examine the theoretical foundations that underpin applied criminological and sociological research and give you an advanced understanding of social statistics.
You will develop a critical understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods and their application, as well as specialist knowledge of the issues within contemporary criminological and criminal justice debates.
Aims
- To meet national and regional demands for new research and policy-oriented competencies in criminology or socio-legal studies with a focus on advanced quantitative data analysis.
- Contribute to the national need for skilled social science researchers in criminological, socio-legal and related matters.
- Ensure the necessary grounding both to understand and to contribute to the future development of quantitative methods in these research areas.
- To 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 integrating a grounding in research methodology with 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 formal, comprehensive, 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.
- Train you to appreciate the relationship between research and the application and operation of policy and practice in the implementation of justice.
- Provide you with the tools for further research or study in criminology and/or socio-legal studies.
Special features
Teaching and learning
This course is taught by an interdisciplinary team of experts using a variety of delivery methods, including:
- lectures;
- workshops;
- student-led presentations and debate;
- group work;
- individual research.
Coursework and assessment
Course unit details
To meet the requirements of the taught element of the course, all students must take course units totalling 120 credits. This is normally attained with eight 15-credit course units, as listed below, with 60 credits taken each semester. Students take 6 core units. 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 students in the month of August preceding registration onto the course will clearly state the course units that are available in the academic year ahead.
In addition, students who pass the taught element of the course and who are permitted to progress to the research element of the course must also submit a dissertation of between 12,000 and 15,000 words worth 60 credits.
Dissertation
- Dissertation of 12-15,000 words during summer, supported by two area supervisors.
Exit awards
Students who fail to fulfil the requirements to pass the 180 credits necessary to attain the final degree of MRes can leave the course with the award of Postgraduate Diploma by passing 120 credits at the pass mark of 40% or can qualify for the Postgraduate Certificate by passing 60 credits at the pass mark of 40%. Students who do not fulfil the criteria for passing the taught element of the course at the 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.
15 credit core units:
- Designing Criminological Research LAWS70311
- Qualitative Research Methods LAWS71361
- Statistical Foundations SOST70151
- Introduction to Statistical Modelling SOST70011
- Evaluating Policy and Practice LAWS70542
15 credit optional units:
- Drugs: Markets, Policies and Consumption LAWS70572
- Crime Mapping: Introduction to GIS and Spatial Analysis LAWS60142
- International Security and Law LAWS70022
- Economic and Financial Crime LAWS71052
- Criminology of Mass Violence LAWS61052
- International Criminal Law and Justice LAWS70432
- Advanced Survey Methods SOST70032
- Comparative Studies in Crime and Criminal Justice LAWS 60642
Short course optional units:
- Structural Equation Modelling SOST70042
- Longitudinal Data Analysis SOST70022
- Social Network Analysis SOST71032
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 | CRIM65000 | 60 | Mandatory |
| Evaluating Policy & Practice | CRIM70542 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Qualitative Research Methods | CRIM71361 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Research Design | SOCY60401 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Introduction to Statistical Modelling | SOST70011 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Statistical Foundations | SOST70151 | 15 | Mandatory |
| PG Crime Mapping: an introduction to GIS and Spatial Analysis | CRIM60142 | 15 | Optional |
| White-Collar and Corporate Crime | CRIM61142 | 15 | Optional |
| Necrocriminology: Human Remains and Mass Violence. | CRIM70102 | 15 | Optional |
| Drugs: Markets, Policies and Consumption | CRIM70572 | 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.
What our students say
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 .