MA International Criminology

Note - The program is less than $16,000 for US students and like many UK Grad School Degrees, is 1 year long. US students can apply through FAFSA at Greenwich.

Programme Description

This programme offers students the opportunity to study criminology at an advanced level. It encompasses in-depth investigation of major theoretical and substantive issues in contemporary criminology from a critical perspective and within an international context. Options exist for students to exit the programme at intermediate stages with a postgraduate certificate (PGCert) or postgraduate diploma (PGDip).

The programme will appeal to those wishing to extend their knowledge of criminology in order
to explore alternative approaches and perspectives, and to broaden their understanding within an interdisciplinary, comparative and international context. Students develop advanced skills in critical analysis, research and application in professional practice.

Courses

The number of courses taken determines the award: students are awarded the PGCert after successfully completing 60 credits (two courses); after completing a further 60 credits (a total of four courses and 120 credits), they are awarded the PGDip. The MA is awarded after they successfully complete 180 credits, comprising four courses plus the research dissertation.
MA students take two of the core courses in the first term, a core course and an option in the second term, and then complete the research dissertation.

Contemporary Issues in Criminology (30 credits)
The purpose of this core course is two-fold: to BOTH equip students with the fundamental tools and approaches that are central to criminology and an understanding of criminal justice and to engage with current issues of critical concern. Such approaches and understanding ARE addressed within a broader international and comparative context.

Comparative Criminological Research (30 credits)
The central aim of this core course is to equip students with the criminological understanding, research skills and methodological thinking that are expected of a Master's-level criminology graduate and are necessary for undertaking small scale applied work and critically evaluating research findings. The course addresses all aspects of the research process (design, management and execution) and places both quantitative and qualitative research within a broad comparative perspective – both historical and cross-cultural and through issues of difference and diversity.

Crime Theory (30 credits)
The purpose of this core course is to introduce students to the main currents of thought in criminology and criminal justice studies and to provide them with the opportunity to appraise these ideas through critical study of original writings, research and first-hand testimonies. The course grounds students' understanding within conventional criminological traditions, along with contemporary ideas, applications and critical responses from home and abroad.

Research Dissertation (MA only)
MA students must complete a 60-credit research dissertation. This represents the culmination of the programme and is the opportunity for students to study in-depth a topic of their own choosing. Past dissertations topics have explored rape prosecution decisions in Bangkok, the death penalty in China, and international patterns of migration and criminality.

Option courses (PGDip and MA students only)

One 30-credit option from:
Crime, Terrorism and the State
Policing, Security and Crime Control
International Human Rights Law
International Criminal Law Politics of Globalisation
Theoretical Perspectives in International Politics

For information on fees and details of how to apply, see the online prospectus.

For general enquiries email humanities-pg@gre.ac.uk