MA Serious and Violent Crime
This online MA focuses on the causes, investigation and response to serious and violent crime. It brings together criminal justice, psychology, intelligence, terrorism and cybercrime. It may suit graduates and sector professionals who want to develop specialist knowledge of serious offending, investigations and related professional practice. Full-time study takes one year; part-time study is available over one year or more.
About this course
This online MA examines serious and violent crime through criminal justice, investigative, psychological and international perspectives. It considers how serious offending is understood and responded to, including the role of intelligence, investigations and the criminal justice system in a global context.
You will explore terrorism, extremism, hate crime, cybercrime and offending on the dark web, alongside the psychology of serious offending and sexual offences. The course also addresses leadership and reflective practice for professionals working with complex, high-risk or traumatic material.
A focus on professional resilience considers burnout, stress and the recognition and prevention of PTSD in relevant professional contexts. The course concludes with an independent research project, allowing you to investigate a serious and violent crime topic in depth.
What you will study
Core areas of study include:
• Reflective Practice and Leadership • The Criminal Justice System and Globalisation • The Psychology of Serious Offending • Managing Intelligence and Investigations • Terrorism, Extremism and Hate • Cybercrime and the Dark Web • Independent Research Project
The course also considers sexual offences, traumatic material, and professional resilience in contexts where practitioners may encounter stress, burnout or PTSD.
Modules
- Reflective Practice and Leadership
- The Criminal Justice System and Globalisation
- The Psychology of Serious Offending
- Managing Intelligence and Investigations
- Terrorism, Extremism and Hate
- Cybercrime and the Dark Web
- Independent Research Project
Assessment
Assessment includes reports, business pitches, senior-level strategic briefing documents and a dissertation.
Entry requirements
Applicants normally need a UK honours degree at 2:2 or equivalent.
If you do not hold this qualification, you need three years of work experience within the sector. Applications without the degree or the required sector experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no element below 6.0; or TOEFL iBT 90.
Evidence of previous study in English may also be accepted, such as a letter confirming that English was the medium of instruction.
Careers
This course may support progression into roles in policing, security and intelligence services, prisons, probation, victim advocacy, offender management, non-governmental organisations, academia and the Civil Service. Relevant settings may include the NCA, GCHQ, MI5, Border Force and Interpol.
Your next step starts with a conversation
Tell us where you are now. We will tell you honestly what your options are — in English or Persian, at no cost to you.