Course details
- Full-time: 12 months
- Part-time: 24 months
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Studying Criminology at Liverpool means engaging with the most controversial and talked about issues of our times. In the sophisticated research environment of our long-established and influential Department, we will provide you with advanced theoretical and practical training in postgraduate-level research.
This MRes builds upon both the nationally and internationally established research interests and expertise of contributing staff from the Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology. Our research over the past five years has led to changes in criminal justice policy and procedure, changes in how public bodies are audited, and the establishment of best practices in the evaluation of large-scale arts and cultural programmes.
We’ll introduce you to the politics and practice of social research. You’ll explore the following aspects of the research process: the context of the modern university; the role of the social scientist; power, critique and reflexivity in the social sciences; the constraints, benefits and limitations of social science.
This MRes will specifically prepare you to specialise in criminological research to better understand how to conduct advanced research on crime-related topics. Your research project will give you valuable experience, whether you’re preparing for a career or seeking continuous professional development.
This programme is aimed at a wide variety of careers within national and local Government, commercial research, charitable, public or private sectors. Regional Development Agencies have noted the rapid rise in demand for graduates who qualify in the full spectrum of research design and analysis techniques.
This MRes is suitable for graduates from the Social Sciences or related areas who want advanced theoretical and practical training in postgraduate-level research.
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
This programme consists of 60 credits of taught modules and a 30,000 word dissertation worth 120 credits.
The process of preparing the dissertation, including developing a research question and proposal, will take place throughout semester 1 and 2. Your dissertation will be submitted in semester 3.
This module provides students with an introduction to the politics and practice of social research. It does so by exploring the following aspects of the research process: the context of the modern university; the role of the social scientist; power, critique and reflexivity in the social sciences; the constraints, benefits and limitations of social science. Those are explored in relation to practical dilemmas and cases studies in social science research. During the course of examining these issues research methods such as interviewing, focus groups, observation, and key issues such as ethical research and researching sensitive subjects are covered.
SOCI504 is a module that introduces students to academic debates about knowledge production and method within sociology and the social sciences. The module is structured to provide an insight into the historical debates about the relationship between method and knowledge and how they inform the development and transformation of the social sciences.
In this module students formulate a research question and develop a research proposal, including a clear research strategy. Students will work independently to conduct library based or original empirical, social–scientific research aimed at answering a research question, applying methodological principles and research techniques. The dissertation requires students to creatively use theoretical insights and concepts relevant to the research question at hand, to generate new knowledge about the issue addressed in the thesis and report about the research and the results in a clear and systematic way
In addition to the compulsory modules in semester 1, you should choose 20 credits of social research methods training modules in semester 2.
The process of preparing the dissertation, including developing a research question and proposal, will take place throughout semester 1 and 2. Your dissertation will be submitted in semester 3.
In this module students formulate a research question and develop a research proposal, including a clear research strategy. Students will work independently to conduct library based or original empirical, social–scientific research aimed at answering a research question, applying methodological principles and research techniques. The dissertation requires students to creatively use theoretical insights and concepts relevant to the research question at hand, to generate new knowledge about the issue addressed in the thesis and report about the research and the results in a clear and systematic way
This module will consider how data can be visualized to reveal, or conceal, patterns in the social world. Students will be introduced to principles which are deemed to characterise successful visualization, and will learn how to implement such principles using the programming language R.
This module gives you the opportunity to plan a Participatory Action Research (PAR) project in preparation for your dissertation. Students will be given the opportunity to do this through Interchange, a charity that links students to 3rd sector organisations working in social welfare, social policy or criminal justice contexts. Students will not be encouraged to undertake a PAR dissertation unless they have completed this module.
This 5 credit module is designed to introduce students to the theory and practice of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). Students are introduced to a critical understanding of discourse, which in turn encourages the analysis of language use in relation to questions of power in society. The module seeks to enable students’ engagement in such analyses, introducing them to appropriate methods and techniques, and providing them the opportunity to put these into practice.
Ethnomethodology and conversation analysis are radical approaches to social inquiry. While distinct, ethnomethodology – the study of practical methods of action and reasoning, i.e. ‘ethno-methods’ – and conversation analysis – the study of ‘talk-in-interaction’ – are grounded in detailed investigations of how people in all manner of ordinary and specialised sites and settings organise their activities from within. Although this module will chart the development of ethnomethodology and conversation analysis and situate them intellectually in wider fields of inquiry, its purpose is to provide an advanced, hands-on introduction to the unique way both approach the study of social practices via ‘tutorial problems’ centred on the analysis of interactional data collected as part of small-scale fieldwork exercises. Among others things, the module will look at how ethnographic research, observation and interviewing can be ‘repurposed’, that is, put to work in alternate ways when pursued ethnomethodologically.
Your dissertaion will be submitted in semester 3 and carries 120 of the total 180 credits.
In this module students formulate a research question and develop a research proposal, including a clear research strategy. Students will work independently to conduct library based or original empirical, social–scientific research aimed at answering a research question, applying methodological principles and research techniques. The dissertation requires students to creatively use theoretical insights and concepts relevant to the research question at hand, to generate new knowledge about the issue addressed in the thesis and report about the research and the results in a clear and systematic way
Teaching is delivered in an interactive, participatory and inclusive way, with extensive support of small group teaching and online learning platforms. You’ll have a mix of lectures, large group seminars/tutorials, small group workshops; one to one tutorials and research supervision meetings.
You will study 60 credits of taught modules and complete a dissertation worth 120 credits.
Each of the taught modules are formally assessed by coursework on a semester basis. Depending on the learning objective of the module, this may include project work, fieldwork analysis, research strategy document, report of research observation, book review or the completion and analysis of interviews.
Your advanced criminological research project will be assessed coursework through a 30,000 word dissertation.
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology is one of the longest-established social science departments in the world.
Students have access to the state-of-the-art facilities of the School of Law and Social Justice Building, as well as excellent library and IT facilities just one minute’s walk away.
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
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You will develop a range of social scientific, analytic and communication skills and a variety of transferable skills valued by many employers in a range of industries (e.g. media organisations, charitable organisations, and commercial and financial service sectors).
A MRes in Criminological Research offers a broad spectrum of career opportunities and will provide a solid basis for pursuing a researcher-related career in a range of criminal justice-related fields and sectors, including policy development and research in the public and third sectors.
Our graduates have gone onto successful careers in both the public and private sectors:
This MRes will also prepare you well if you wish to pursue an academic career or a university research career in the Social Sciences (Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology) or in a related discipline.
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland) | |
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Full-time place, per year | £4,786 |
Part-time place, per year | £2,393 |
International fees | |
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Full-time place, per year | £23,400 |
Part-time place, per year | £11,700 |
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan worth up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs. Learn more about fees and funding.
Please note, this programme may have additional costs associated with it depending on your choice of a lab or computational/fieldwork-based project.
Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.
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The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
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Your qualification | Requirements |
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Postgraduate entry requirements |
For entry to our MRes we require a minimum of a 2:1 class honours degree in a social science, or in a field relevant to the programme, from a UK university All applicants are required to supply: a completed application form, proof of qualifications and two references (one of which, as a minimum, must be academic). Applicants are considered on the basis of academic ability and potential and other relevant considerations are also taken into account. Applicants who have marginally missed the benchmark indicated above, are considered on a discretionary basis. Those with a 2:2 honours degree will be considered on an individual basis. |
International qualifications |
If you hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet our entry requirements, a Pre-Master’s can help you gain a place. This specialist preparation course for postgraduate study is offered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College, in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. Although there’s no direct Pre-Master’s route to this MRes, completing a Pre-Master’s pathway can guarantee you a place on many other postgraduate courses at The University of Liverpool. |
You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.
We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
English language qualification | Requirements |
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IELTS | 6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0 |
INDIA Standard XII | National Curriculum (CBSE/ISC) - 75% and above in English. Accepted State Boards - 80% and above in English. |
WAEC | C6 or above |
Do you need to complete a Pre-Sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-Sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
Find out the length of Pre-Sessional English course you may require for this degree.
Discover more about the city and University.
Liverpool bursts with diversity and creativity which makes it ideal for you to undertake your postgraduate studies and access various opportunities for you and your family.
To fully immerse yourself in the university experience living in halls will keep you close to campus where you can always meet new people. Find your home away from home.
Discover what expenses are covered by the cost of your tuition fees and other finance-related information you may need regarding your studies at Liverpool.
Do you have a question about this course? Call or email the student experience team.
To discuss your research proposal, please get in touch with the programme director.
Last updated 11 October 2024 / / Programme terms and conditions