Why study MSc Crime, Justice & Society?

This innovative course takes a holistic view to understand the complexities and controversies associated with crime and justice in contemporary society. Through a focus on the key theoretical and empirical dimensions that are central to understanding the societal nature of justice and crime, you will consider justice, and injustice, in their varying manifestations (e.g. criminal, social, political, environmental) and the inter-relations between these. You’ll develop and apply your ‘sociological imagination’ to understand these phenomena in terms of historically contingent social structures that implicate social axes such as class, ‘race’, ethnicity, sexuality and gender. Over the course you’ll develop knowledge enabling you to understand how crime exists across a range of dimensions (social, economic, political etc.), implicating different ‘actors’ from individuals and organisations to institutions and states.

Key modules early in the course will build your knowledge of theories and concepts from criminology, sociology, and cognate disciplines so you can systematically apply them to understand contemporary societal controversies and their implications for justice. These will also develop your skills and confidence as a researcher, enabling you to utilise research evidence to understand how social structures shape crime and justice This grounding in research also provides the opportunity to carry out your own small research study for your dissertation if you choose to.

Throughout the course you will learn in small groups, in which discussion and debate are key to your learning. You’ll study alongside students specialising in criminological subjects but will also take modules that enable you to work with students from a range of social science disciplines, exposing you to multidisciplinary thinking and increasing your opportunities for networking.

You will be taught by lecturers from a range of backgrounds who are actively researching and/or have practical experience of contemporary relevant topics. Consequently, you will leave with key graduate skills, new networks, and a wealth of new knowledge and understanding. No matter what ‘sector’ you decide to work in, you can use your MSc to gain a foothold in a professional career pathway.