Overview
Examine real-life case studies to piece together the inner workings of serious crime, and the methods used to police it. You’ll gain the skills and knowledge needed for many careers in criminal justice, such as the Police, youth justice, the Home Office or border agencies.
Careers
This course will prepare you for many criminal justice-related careers, such as the immigration and border agencies, the Police, the Prison Service, the National Probation Service, youth justice, the Home Office, the court system, violence prevention or social policy and research.
Modules & assessment
Core modules
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Organised Illicit Trade
On this module, you will explore the structure and nature of organised illicit trade and discuss the concept of criminal networks, including criminal opportunity and routine activities, to analyse different case studies. These case studies will include financial crime, drug trafficking, human trafficking, child abuse, toxic waste and smuggling. You will measure and evaluate the scale of illicit trade in order to analyse the regulatory issues involved and potential preventative mechanisms. You will need to contribute significantly to the weekly seminars by researching and discussing different cases. You will be required to critically analyse the research in a specific area of organised crime and present your ideas. You will also produce a written portfolio including a variety of assessment methods. -
Major Project
This module will support you in the preparation and submission of a Masters dissertation, allowing you to explore in-depth a particular topic that reflects your academic interest.
Optional modules
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Terror as Crime
Words such as terror, terrorism, terrorist and the 'war on terror' are now a part of our everyday language, but what do these terms really mean? In this module, you will identify and critically examine terror-related issues through criminological and criminal justice perspectives. You will evaluate the effect of changing crime level and the contribution towards moral panics in contrast to the impact of more serious crime waves in societies. You will also evaluate the notion of mobilising a nation through terror-information in relation to the recent adoption of regular risk assessment and analysis measures, as well as propaganda. In addition, you will investigate the shift from 'old' terrorism to 'new' terrorism, as well as the role of domestic criminal justice systems in preventing, investigating and responding to acts of terror. The theme of peacemaking and peacekeeping will run throughout the module - you will explore and critically evaluate successful initiatives throughout the world. You will be assessed through a presentation, summary case study and an essay. -
Violence in Context
This module will present you with theoretical frameworks through which you can analyse why and how violence, as a construct, proliferates globally and locally. You will apply broad theoretical explanations to particular 'violence scenarios', and test more focused, recent research in broader settings. Owing to the multi-faceted nature of violence, literature has often sought to address specific forms of violence discretely, and its study in the Social Sciences has become somewhat fragmented. You will test a range of different theoretical models and apply them to a particular case study of violence. You will also critically evaluate policies and practitioner-based programmes that seek to address violent behaviour, and examine specific scenarios of violence from a range of academic and practitioner-based perspectives. Your assessment will comprise a presentation, four weekly literature reviews and a case study analysis of a violence 'problem'. -
International Institutions and Policy
On this module, you will critically analyse the origins, evolution and role of international institutions in the global order over the course of the 20th and 21st century, in order to understand why these institutions have developed, and why states choose, or do not choose, to use these institutions as a means to achieve their objectives. You will examine the still-evolving structures of global governance, and the role of these organisations and institutions in contemporary politics and diplomacy, looking at the work of specific organisations including the UN, the EU, the IMF and World Bank etc. You will pay particular attention to the challenges inherent in attempting to foster international co-operation and consensus between sovereign nation states, including the limitations of international law, as well as examining possible future developments. Your assessment will comprise an initial report of 1,000 words, a 10-minute presentation, a brief data analysis and a longer essay of 3,500 words. -
Policing Transnational Crime
The globalisation of contemporary societies means that criminal activity that was once a primarily national concern is increasingly becoming transnational in nature. As a result, policing bodies now have to manage risk and security on a much wider and larger scale. On this module, you will critically examine the nature of risk and security in contemporary society, beginning with an exploration of the concept of the risk society. You will evaluate contemporary forms of policing and security in societies that are built on the notion of risk, its avoidance and quantification. You will also consider risk from the perspective of corruption within organisations tasked with managing cross border crime. In the second part of the module, you will focus on responses to transnational crime, exploring the nature of intelligence-led policing and the role of police as data patrollers and information gatherers. You will examine specific examples of cross border agency responses, such as INTERPOL and EUROPOL, as well as charting the growth of the power of transnational policing through mutual assistance and multinational agreements such as Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties and Memoranda of Understanding. You will be assessed through a portfolio, a presentation and a reflective commentary.
Assessment
You’ll show your progress through a combination of essays, presentations, case studies and portfolio work.
Where you'll study
Your department and faculty
At the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, we believe in thinking critically about the past, present and future to challenge perceptions and better understand communities and people.
With expertise from gender issues to literary analysis to exploring how the past has shaped our modern world, all our staff members are active researchers. This is reflected in our teaching, allowing us to support our students with the latest theories and practices, as well as essential employability advice.
Where can I study?
Cambridge
Our campus is close to the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.
Fees & funding
Course fees
UK & EU students, 2019/20 (per year)
£7,500
UK & EU students, 2019/20 (part-time, per year)
£3,750
UK & EU students starting 2020/21 (per year)
£7,900
UK & EU students starting 2020/21 (part-time, per year)
£3,950
International students starting 2019/20 (per year)
£13,100
International students starting 2019/20 (part-time, per year)*
£6,550
International students starting 2020/21 (per year)
£13,500
International students starting 2020/21 (part-time, per year)
£6,750
Important fee notes
The part-time course fee assumes that you're studying at half the rate of a full-time student (50% intensity). Course fees will be different if you study over a longer period. All fees are for guidance purposes only.
How do I pay my fees?
Paying upfront
You won't need to pay fees until you've accepted an offer to attend, but you must pay your fees up-front, in full or in instalments.
How to pay your fees directlyInternational students
You must pay your fees up-front, in full or in instalments. You will also be asked for a deposit or sponsorship letter/financial guarantee. Details will be in your offer letter.
Paying your feesFunding for UK & EU students
It’s important to decide how to fund your course before applying. Use our finance guide for postgraduate students to learn more about postgraduate loans and other funding options.
We offer a fantastic range of ARU scholarships, which provide extra financial support while you're at university. Find out more about eligibility and how to apply.
Funding for international students
We offer a number of scholarships, as well as an early payment discount. Explore your options:
Entry requirements
Important additional notes
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements. Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course, please email answers@anglia.ac.uk for further information.
International students
We welcome applications from international and EU students, and accept a range of international qualifications.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you'll need to make sure you meet our English language requirements for postgraduate courses.
Improving your English language skills
If you don't meet our English language requirements, we offer a range of courses which could help you achieve the level required for entry.
We also provide our own English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) in the UK and overseas. To find out if we are planning to hold an ELPT in your country, contact our country managers.
