MA Criminology

Entry year:
2025/26
Start date:
September
Study mode:
Full-time
Course duration:
1 year
Campus:
Mount Pleasant

Why study this course with LJMU?

  • Excellent research-led teaching focused on the interplay of theory, policy and practice
  • Benefit from influential connections - your teaching team has strong local, national and international links with academics, community groups and justice campaigns, offering you invaluable first-hand learning experiences
  • Flexible ‘student-centred’ learning pathway with research or practice-based options (ideal for those already in the workplace) 
  • Learn from experts who bring professional currency and expertise to the fore and help you develop your ability to fulfil a strategic leadership position.
  • Part Time Study Option available

About this course

Take a fresh perspective on the world of criminology. Engaging with cutting-edge debates in criminology, you’ll look at some of the most recent and advanced intellectual developments from around the world in relation to crime, (in)justice, and social harm.

MA Criminology at Liverpool John Moores University offers critical approaches to the study of crime, social harm and criminal justice.

Created by passionate subject specialists, this masters programme will help you develop advanced skills in research and theory, with a specific focus on policy and practice. You will take a fresh perspective on the world of criminology. 

The study of Criminology is not just about the institutions of the criminal justice system. You will be encouraged to take a critical approach that examines issues of power, inequalities and social harm.

This interdisciplinary MA gives you the chance to look at Criminology from the perspective of various other disciplines such as Geography, History, Philosophy, Psychology, Political Science and Sociology.

As well as developing your advanced skills in research and theoretical application, the programme places a strong emphasis on the implications for policy and practice. It includes a strong comparative component, encouraging students to consider some of the international dimensions of crime, social harm and state responses to them.

Surround yourself with people who bring out your best...

“My interest in the field of criminology lies in challenging how we produce and share knowledge, reconsidering who we listen to and how we respond.”

Dr Will Jackson, MA Criminology Programme Leader

Course modules

Discover the building blocks of your programme

Further guidance on modules

Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.

Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.

Core modules

Optional modules

Your Learning Experience

An insight into teaching on your course

Study hours

The 180-credit programme will be taught across three semesters, typically this involves 2 days on campus.

Each pathway will consist of one 60 credit module (either a dissertation or placement module) undertaken across the whole academic year. Accompanying this, full time study students study two core modules in their first semester, and two optional modules in semester two.

Part time study students undertake one core module and two options in their first year, and their dissertation/practice-based research module and final core module in their second year.

Teaching methods

Teaching is delivered via a combination of lectures, workshops, seminars and one-to-one consultations with your tutors. You will also be expected to study independently and conduct your own self-directed research.

The teaching team is committed to ensuring you get the most out of your learning experience. Staff have office hours during which you can visit them to discuss your work and progress. You will also be allocated a personal tutor who will guide and support you throughout your time at LJMU.

Applied learning

The MA takes a student centred approach to learning, offering you the opportunity to individualise and customise your postgraduate degree by taking either a research pathway through it, a work placement route, or even a combination of both. You will be encouraged to take a fresh look at some established criminological theories and ideas, as well as being given a space through which some of the fields most contemporary and cutting-edge debates can be engaged with.

How learning is monitored on your programme

To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.

Staff on this programme place a high value on providing tailored feedback to students and you will normally receive extensive written feedback on assessments and regular feedback. This is designed to help you achieve your full potential.

Depending on the route you select, you will undertake either a 60 credit Masters Dissertation or a 60 credit assessed placement. Other forms of assessment may include: essays, exams, reports and briefing papers, case studies, portfolios, posters, presentations, debates, reviews and group work.

Course tutors

Career paths

Further your career prospects

LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.

The MA Criminology degree would be particularly relevant to people working in, or hoping to work in, a range of fields including:

  • research
  • academia
  • charities and community organisations
  • children, young people's and youth justice fields
  • the investigation of miscarriages of justice
  • social work, prison and probation services
  • policing
  • media research
  • writing and journalism
  • teaching
  • policy and administration
  • government
  • victim support

Tuition fees and funding

Home full-time per year:
£9,545

Fees

The fees quoted at the top of this page cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:

  • library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
  • access to programme-appropriate software
  • library and student IT support
  • free on-campus wifi via eduroam

Additional costs

Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:

  • accommodation and living expenditure
  • books (should you wish to have your own copies)
  • printing, photocopying and stationery
  • PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
  • mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
  • field trips (travel and activity costs)
  • placements (travel expenses and living costs)
  • student visas (international students only)
  • study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
  • academic conferences (travel costs)
  • professional-body membership
  • graduation (gown hire etc)

Funding

There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages.

Please be aware that the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your tuition fees. Learn more about your fee status and which tuition fees are relevant to you.

Entry requirements

You will need:

Qualification requirements

How to apply

Securing your place at LJMU

To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.

Your university life

From accommodation and academic support to clubs and societies. Find out what LJMU has to offer.

Talk to our students

Connect with a current LJMU student for advice and guidance on university life, courses and more.

See what our students are saying

At LJMU we want you to know you’re making the right choice by studying with us. You can see what our students are saying about their experience with us through their reviews on the following websites:

The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.

Further information on the terms and conditions of any offer made, our admissions policy and the complaints and appeals process.