Course specification and structure
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PMCRVIPR - MSc Crime, Violence and Prevention

Course Specification


Validation status Validated
Highest award Master of Science 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 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

The MSc Crime, Violence and Prevention aims to provide students with a critical understanding of criminological theories and effective practice in relation to the origins of offending and the management of offenders/ vulnerable adults within the community.
The students by the end of this course will have:
1. An advanced understanding of the principles and developments of crime control and community safety
2. The methodological and analytic skills required to conduct research within the generic fields of criminology and criminal justice.
3. An advanced understanding of specific academic fields that form part of, or are allied to, criminology and criminal justice and /or related caring agencies.
4. A knowledge of theories of crime, effective practice with offenders, and the management of offenders in the community from a sociological and risk management perspective.
5. An awareness of the key issues and debates in relation to crime, offender behaviour and the management of offenders in the community
6. A clear idea of the current issues and debates in relation to Crime, Violence and Prevention, privatisation and the specialist needs of the vulnerable within the community.

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 Crime, Violence and Prevention

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 Crime, Violence and Prevention

3. Evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in Crime, Violence and Prevention

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

SS7171
SS7170
SS7078
SS7P81
SS7085
SS7079
SS7146
SS7143

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 criminal justice. There is also a concentrate on how theory relates to and enhances good practice. 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

Opportunities are available for students to work as Special Constables within the London Metropolitan Police. 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.
It is envisaged that many of those undertaking this course will already be employed within Criminal Justice institutions or related agencies.

Modules required for interim awards

PG Certificate in Crime, Violence and Prevention – SS7170, SS7078 and either SS7079 or SS7171
PG Diploma in Crime, Violence and Prevention – 4 taught core modules SS7170, SS7078, SS7079 and SS7171 and 2 options
MSc in Crime, Violence and Prevention - 5 core modules and 2 options

Arrangements for promoting reflective learning and personal development

Through the course students are encouraged to keep a reflective journal to note their learning and to develop their skills in reflection. This is promoted during induction and students are aware that this reflective journal can be used for application for professional work, placements and further studies after the course is completed. Students are encouraged to discuss their journals collectively and in one to one tutorials.

Career, employability and opportunities for continuing professional development

The course will help prepare students for employment in the criminal justice sector (including the police, probation, prison, youth offending and community safety departments), as well as academic or government research posts. It is hoped that some students will progress to doctoral studies after successful completion of the MSc.

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 MSc are, of course, transferable to other jobs and areas of expertise.

Previous students from this 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

Criminology itself is an increasingly strong and prevalent academic discipline. The analytical and research skills acquired on the MSc are transferable to other jobs and areas of expertise. The course will help prepare you for employment in the criminal justice sector including the police, probation, prison, youth offending and community safety departments, and academic or government research posts.

Previous students have joined the police service either as police officers or civil investigation officers, embarked upon training to equip them to join the probation service or have become social workers working with young offenders.

Other students have joined the voluntary sector working in residential or drugs and alcohol units. Many have also entered research jobs within the public or private sector or have progressed on to PhD studies.

Entry requirements

You will be required to have:

  • a relevant first degree (eg criminology, social or behavioural sciences), specific experience related to crime and the Criminal Justice System (such as police or probation work) or relevant professional qualifications

If you do not have traditional qualifications or cannot meet the entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, you may still be able to gain entry by completing the Criminology, Policing and Law Extended degree.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

Official use and codes

Approved to run from 2014/15 Specification version 1 Specification status Validated
Original validation date 07 May 2014 Last validation date 07 May 2014  
Sources of funding HE FUNDING COUNCIL FOR ENGLAND
JACS codes
Route code CRVIPR

Course Structure

Stage 1 Level 07 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
SS7078 Crime Control and Community Safety Core 20        
SS7079 Criminological Research Methods Core 20 NORTH SPR WED AM
SS7170 Explaining Violence Core 20 NORTH AUT WED PM
SS7171 Crime, Risk and Early Intervention Core 20        
SS7P81 Criminology Dissertation Core 60 NORTH SUM FRI AM
          NORTH AUT+SPR FRI AM
SS7085 Psychology and Crime Option 20 NORTH SPR TUE AM
SS7143 Terrorism and Counter Terrorism Option 20        
SS7169 Contemporary Issues in Criminology Option 20        
SS7173 Transnational Organised Crime Option 20 NORTH AUT TUE PM

Stage 1 Level 07 January start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
SS7078 Crime Control and Community Safety Core 20        
SS7079 Criminological Research Methods Core 20 NORTH SPR WED AM
SS7170 Explaining Violence Core 20        
SS7171 Crime, Risk and Early Intervention Core 20        
SS7P81 Criminology Dissertation Core 60 NORTH SUM FRI AM
SS7085 Psychology and Crime Option 20 NORTH SPR TUE AM
SS7143 Terrorism and Counter Terrorism Option 20        
SS7169 Contemporary Issues in Criminology Option 20        
SS7173 Transnational Organised Crime Option 20