Lancaster University
Criminal Justice and Social Research Methods MSc
Lancaster University

Course modalities offered

Key Course Facts

Course Description

On this degree you will engage with the ethical issues concerning criminology and criminal justice research and with the policies informing the design of research into crime, deviance and punishment. It can open doors to research careers in both the public and private sectors.

This degree, which is eligible for ESRC 1 3 funding, guides you through the theory of criminological and criminal justice research and helps you to develop your skills in the collection, analysis and reporting of qualitative and quantitative data. The integration of criminal justice and criminological modules gives you a broader overview of current research and allows you to engage in more specialised criminological and socio-legal studies.

Our Law School is home to the Centre for Crime, Law and Justice, the Centre for Law and Society, and the Centre for Child and Family Justice; these centres underpin our postgraduate teaching, which is often research-led and research-informed. Many of our lecturers are nationally and internationally renowned researchers. The Lancaster University Law School is ranked 6th in the UK for research impact in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (2021, published May 2022), with 88% of its impact rated ‘outstanding’.

Your core modules are Qualitative Methods in the Social Sciences, Quantitative Research Methods, Crime and Criminal Justice in the 21st Century, Criminological Research in Practice, and Criminological Theory. You will choose one module from: Criminologies of Violence, International Criminal Law; Feminist Criminology; International Human Rights Law; International Terrorism and the Law; and Transitional Justice, Human Rights and Peace Building. A research-based Criminal Justice dissertation completes your degree.

Your postgraduate degree can prepare you for research jobs in organisations such as the Home Office, Probation Service, Social Services, and other government departments or voluntary organisations. You will have the opportunity to develop the skills to undertake and critically evaluate criminological research, which can be highly prized by employers. Whilst on the degree you will also have the chance to develop your analytical and communication skills which can help to build on your employability.

**Assessment is by coursework and dissertation**

Entry Requirements / Admissions

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 7.0
    • Graduate Degrees
    • 6.5
    • Undergraduate Degrees
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Criminal Justice and Social Research Methods, MSc, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in any discipline. We may also consider non-standard applicants, please contact us for information.

We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously. We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 5.5 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications.

Costs

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

University Rankings

Positions of Lancaster University in top UK and global rankings.

See all 34 university rankings of Lancaster University

About Lancaster University

Lancaster University was established in 1964 and is located in the rural setting of Lancaster. The campus provides a series of amenities, including banks and a post office. Academically, all of this university’s courses and programmes are accredited and approved by MARP, ensuring that the curriculums delivered here are set at a high standard. In terms of facilities, students have access to a variety of study and recreational spaces intended to improve their wellbeing, such as Meditation and Tai Chi classes, and Woodland walks.

List of 452 Bachelor and Master Courses from Lancaster University - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Lancaster University

undergraduates:
12595
postgraduates:
4065
Total:
16660
  • Things to know before you come to Lancaster University
  • Why did you come to Lancaster to study a postgraduate degree?
  • Things I wish I knew before coming to Lancaster University
  • 40 Questions with Lancaster University student Erin
  • My Favourite Spots in Lancaster

Where is this programme taught

Main Site
map marker Show on map

Similar courses

Program University Student satis­faction Unem­ployed Drop­out Tuition (UK) Tuition (Inter­national) UCAS Tariff City
Health in Social Science MA (Hons) The University of Edinburgh - - - £9250 £26500 - Edinburgh On campus Full-time
Government, Policy and Society with Quantitative Methods MA (UG) The University of Edinburgh - - - £9250 £26500 - Edinburgh On campus Full-time
MA Arts & Social Sciences MA (UG) University of Dundee - - - £9250 £20900 - Dundee On campus Full-time
Archaeological Practice (Economic and Social Research) MSc Birkbeck, University of London - - - £5400 £9915 - London On campus Part-time
Social Research in Education MRes The University of Winchester - - - £9550 £17450 - Winchester On campus Full-time
Social Research and Psychosocial Studies MRes Birkbeck, University of London - - - £5400 £9915 - London On campus Part-time
Social Science Research Methods (Management) MSc University of Bristol - - - £9700 £21100 - Bristol On campus Full-time
Social Research and Applied Linguistics MRes Birkbeck, University of London - - - £5400 £9915 - London On campus Part-time
Social Research MA The University of Sheffield - - - £9850 £21400 - Sheffield On campus Part-time
Methods of Social Research MA University of Kent - - - £6500 £14670 - Canterbury On campus Full-time