Criminology and Social Justice

Birmingham Newman University
Postgraduate MA Full-time 1 Year Sociology

About this course

The Criminology subject area is situated within the Department of Law, Criminology and policing and builds on the successful Criminology undergraduate provision. The Department is small, friendly, and focused on providing students with a personalised, transformative student experience.

This course is uniquely designed to offer students a foundation of critical criminological knowledge through which concerns relating to matters of social justice, equality and diversity are examined, promote access to social justice for all within the criminal justice system and wider society.

This will equip students to be prepared for the ethical challenges in applying their knowledge to this challenging area of practice and enquiry in their future careers.

You will be taught by an experienced team of academics, some of whom draw on their experience within the Criminal Justice System, and all of whom are actively engaged in innovative research, which informs their teaching. This provides our students with a contemporary knowledge of criminological and social justice issues to support the Newman mission to empower our students to transform society.

The Department has links with overseas institutions, with the teaching team being invited to present and share their research and knowledge, developing this extended academic network for the benefit of our students.

UK Home students Students should have a minimum 2:2 undergraduate degree in either criminology, or in a relevant associated subject including but not limited to criminology, psychology, sociology, policing, law, social work.

Equivalent professional experience, reflected through relevant work experience in a criminal justice agency or third sector related role, will be considered. Consideration will also be given to mature applicants with considerable ‘life experience’ for whom study at postgraduate rather than undergraduate level, is appropriate.

Students from other HEIs requesting a transfer into the programme will be considered in line with the University transfer and Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) procedures.

International Applicants An equivalent graduate level qualification from an overseas University of Equivalent institution (minimum 2.2) in either criminology, or in a relevant associated subject including but not limited to criminology, psychology, sociology, policing, law, social work. Secure English Language Test (SELT) equivalent to IELTS 6.5 with no component below 6.0.

Students can study full-time (1 year) or part-time (over 2 years) electing to progress at their own pace. The programme is timetabled to enable participation by working and to promote a work / life balance.

Students will be taught through a blended approach to learning that balances traditional teaching methods, such as tutorials, lectures and seminars, with other delivery methods such as field observations, opportunities for work-place observation and learning, the use of virtual learning environments, external expert speakers, interactive learning workshops, and external visits. The programme views your learning within the ‘classroom’ as one part of a rich learning environment, which includes your own lived experiences.

Study Options

This course is available in 2 study options:

Full-time Shown above

Duration: 1 Year

Qualification: MA

Location: Birmingham

Part-time

Duration: 2 Years

Qualification: MA

Location: Birmingham

Career Prospects

Graduates from this course typically go into the following occupations:

1162 Senior police officers
3314 Prison service officers (below principal officer)
2435 Professional/Chartered company secretaries
3319 Protective service associate professionals
2462 Probation officers
4113 Officers of non-governmental organisations

Course Details

Qualification
MA
Study Mode
Full-time
Duration
1 Year
Start Date
2025
Academic Year
2025
Campus / Location
Birmingham
Scheme
Postgraduate
Subjects
Sociology