Course specification and structure
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PMORCRGS - MA Organised Crime and Global Security

Course Specification


Validation status Validated
Highest award Master of Arts Level Masters
Possible interim awards Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate
Total credits for course 180
Awarding institution London Metropolitan University
Teaching institutions London Metropolitan University
School School of Social Sciences
Subject Area Criminology and Sociology
Attendance options
Option Minimum duration Maximum duration
Full-time 1 YEARS 6 YEARS
Part-time Day and Evening 2 YEARS 6 YEARS
Course leader  

About the course and its strategy towards teaching and learning and towards blended learning/e-learning

This is a taught Masters programme which has face to face seminars and lectures on each of its modules. These are supported by our e-learning web facility Weblearn where PowerPoint presentations, additional reading materials and online tutorials can be provided. All students also are offered personal one to one tutorials to plan work or receive feedback.

Course aims

Students will strengthen their knowledge of methodological approaches in criminology and international relations, develop their understanding of international crime datasets and the necessary critical analysis skills needed to review information contained in them. The resultant findings skills will prepare learners for their dissertation research. Analytic skills will be honed through various forms of study and assessment; overall the knowledge and skills acquired on the course can prepare students for doctoral study or research posts, and / or can consolidate their professional experience.

Course learning outcomes

The following learning outcomes incorporate and depend on a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of the academic discipline, field of study or area of professional practice.

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. Apply methods and techniques appropriate to their own research or advanced scholarship in Organised Crime and Global Security

2. Apply knowledge with originality, based on a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in Organised Crime and Global Security

3. Evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in Organised Crime and Global Security

4. Evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses

5. Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences

6. Exercise self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level

7. Advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level

8. Exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations

9. Learn independently for the purposes of continuing professional development.

Course learning outcomes / Module cross reference

SS7143
GI7073
SS7173
SS7PA6
SS7079
GI7069
GI7064
CC7177

Learning Outcomes cover LO1-9

Principle QAA benchmark statements

Criminology
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/SBS-criminology-14.pdf

Assessment strategy

On the course, there is an especial emphasis on a sound grasp of the relevant academic literature, including substantial use of key scholarly journals in the field of criminology and international relations. This is assessed through a variety of summative assessments including essays, examinations (seen), practical research methodology assignments, an extended thesis, and various formative presentations to class peers.

Organised work experience, work based learning, sandwich year or year abroad

Students can also be assisted to gain work in the voluntary sector as well as placements in hostels, and other public sector services for example the probation service when such placements are available.

Modules required for interim awards

PG Certificate in Organised Crime and Global Security – , SS7079, Transnational Organised Crime and GI7073 or SS7143
PG Diploma Organised Crime and Global Security – 4 taught core modules and 2 options
MA Organised Crime and Global Security – 5 core modules and 2 options

Career, employability and opportunities for continuing professional development

Graduates from our masters programmes have found employment with the police, probation, prisons, the Border Agency, National Crime Agency, Europol and the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime, as well as academic or government research posts.

It is the intention that students already engaged in a related occupation will benefit markedly from the course, in that the latter will provide the academic contextualisation with which to understand and evaluate the complexity of, and reciprocity between, varied agencies, departments and policies related to crime, criminology and criminal justice.

Criminology itself is an increasingly strong and prevalent academic discipline. The analytic and research skills acquired on the MA are, of course, transferable to other jobs and areas of expertise.

Previous students from the department’s other graduate course have joined the Police service either as Police officers or civil investigation officers, some have embarked upon training to equip them to join the probation service or become social workers working with young offenders. Other students have joined the voluntary sector working in residential or drugs/alcohol units. Still others have entered research jobs within the public or private sector and finally a number have progressed to PhD level studies.

Career opportunities

Graduates from our masters programmes have found employment with the police, probation, prisons, the Border Agency, National Crime Agency, Europol and the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime, as well as academic or government research posts.

Entry requirements

You will be required to have:

  • at least a lower second class honours degree in a relevant discipline such as criminology, or social and behavioural sciences (applications are also welcome from those who have experience in criminal justice or possess relevant professional qualifications)

To study a degree at London Met, you must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. If you require a Tier 4 student visa you may need to provide the results of a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

If you need (or wish) to improve your English before starting your degree, the University offers a Pre-sessional Academic English course to help you build your confidence and reach the level of English you require.

Official use and codes

Approved to run from 2018/19 Specification version 1 Specification status Validated
Original validation date 09 Jul 2018 Last validation date 09 Jul 2018  
Sources of funding FUNDED ENTIRELY BY STUDENT TUITION FEES
JACS codes
Route code ORCRGS

Course Structure

Stage 1 Level 07 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
GI7069 Security Studies Core 20 NORTH AUT MON AM
SS7079 Criminological Research Methods Core 20 NORTH SPR WED AM
SS7143 Terrorism and Counter Terrorism Core 20        
SS7173 Transnational Organised Crime Core 20 NORTH AUT TUE PM
SS7PA6 Organised Crime and Global Security Dissertation Core 60 NORTH AUT+SPR FRI AM
          NORTH SUM FRI AM
CC7177 Cybercrime and Cyber Security Option 20 NORTH AUT TUE PM
GI7010 Human Rights and the International Order Option 20 NORTH SPR MON EV
GI7012 International Law and International Order Option 20 NORTH SPR WED EV
GI7064 International Conflict Resolution Option 20 NORTH AUT MON PM
GI7073 Human Security Option 20 NORTH SPR WED PM
GI7076 Religion and International Relations Option 20 NORTH AUT TUE PM
SS7058 Radicalisation and counter-radicalisation strat... Option 20 NORTH SPR WK AM&PM
SS7059 Political Violence in a Contemporary Context Option 20        
SS7060 Policies, Regulatory framework for Safeguarding Option 20 NORTH SPR WK AM&PM
SS7061 Social Responsibility and Interventions Option 20 NORTH AUT WK AM&PM
SS7062 Vulnerabilities and Risks Option 20 NORTH AUT WK AM&PM
SS7085 Psychology and Crime Option 20 NORTH SPR TUE PM
SS7169 Contemporary Issues in Criminology Option 20        

Stage 1 Level 07 January start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
GI7069 Security Studies Core 20        
SS7079 Criminological Research Methods Core 20 NORTH SPR WED AM
SS7143 Terrorism and Counter Terrorism Core 20        
SS7173 Transnational Organised Crime Core 20        
SS7PA6 Organised Crime and Global Security Dissertation Core 60 NORTH SUM FRI AM
CC7177 Cybercrime and Cyber Security Option 20        
GI7010 Human Rights and the International Order Option 20 NORTH SPR MON EV
GI7012 International Law and International Order Option 20 NORTH SPR WED EV
GI7064 International Conflict Resolution Option 20        
GI7073 Human Security Option 20 NORTH SPR WED PM
GI7076 Religion and International Relations Option 20        
SS7058 Radicalisation and counter-radicalisation strat... Option 20 NORTH SPR WK AM&PM
SS7059 Political Violence in a Contemporary Context Option 20        
SS7060 Policies, Regulatory framework for Safeguarding Option 20 NORTH SPR WK AM&PM
SS7061 Social Responsibility and Interventions Option 20        
SS7062 Vulnerabilities and Risks Option 20        
SS7085 Psychology and Crime Option 20 NORTH SPR TUE PM
SS7169 Contemporary Issues in Criminology Option 20