Criminology

Course Outline
The MA in Criminology examines a broad range of theoretical and applied approaches to understanding crime: social deviance, morality, anti-social behaviour, social regulation, legislation, criminal law, justice, prevention, rehabilitation and punishment as social phenomena and as objects of social policy, and delivers a basic competence to carry out research in the field. It is interdisciplinary in tone and character and organized by the Schools of Sociology & Philosophy, Law and Applied Social Studies.

Course Practicalities
Further details on the programme and our department can be found on our Department of Criminology & Sociology page.
Students are assessed on six taught modules and a dissertation module. Students usually take three modules (30 credits) in Semester 1 and three modules (30 credits) in Semester 2. Classes are two hours long, often later in the day to accommodate practitioners, and usually take a lecture-seminar format. Learning is primarily student-centred and we expect students to make time to read and digest the literature for at least four hours a day. The degree is full-time, with no part-time provision.

Each module has an assessment method outlined in the book of modules. The dissertation is expected to be between 15-20,000 words. For learning outcomes see the University Calendar (MA Criminology).

Connected Curriculum

Our learning approach reflects our commitment to the Connected Curriculum where we emphasise the connection between students, learning, research and leadership through our vision for a Connected University. Our staff are at the forefront of this integrative approach to learning and will support you in making meaningful connections within and between disciplines such as sociology, philosophy, law and applied social studies.

Why Choose This Course
This course is aimed at providing students with a multidisciplinary grounding in the study of crime. Students have the option to take modules on law, psychology, sociology, and applied social studies.

This MA programme is offered on a full-time basis running over 12 months or on a part-time basis running over 24 months. The 90-credit programme has three compulsory modules plus four additional modules as follows:

Core modules:

CR6012 Key issues in Criminology (10 credits)
CR6010 Research design and methods (10 credits)
CR6006 Dissertation on Criminology (30 credits)

Four modules are chosen from the following options. Students must choose at least one Law (LW) module AND at least one Criminology (CR) module AND at least one Applied Social Studies (SS) module.

CR6000 Governmentality: Disciplines, Institutions and Critiques (10 credits)
CR6001 Terrorism and Organised Crime (10 credits)
LW6544 Criminology (10 credits)
LW6545 Penology (10 credits)
LW6546 Juvenile Justice (10 credits)
LW6560 Law of Cybercrime (10 credits)
SC6627 Social Pathology, Civic Health, New Technology (10 credits)
SC6638 Rethinking Borders: Sovereignty, Rights and Justice (10 credits)
SC6639 Feminist Epistemologies: Feminisms, Sexuality and Society (10 credits)
SC6641 Gender and Catastrophe (10 credits)
SC6642 Social Theory and Climate Justice (10 credits)
SS6315 Mental Health and Disability (10 credits)
SS6316 Children and Young People (10 credits)
SS6320 Conflict Transformation and Peace Building (10 credits)

PART-TIME

Year 1 - Part I

Core modules:

CR6010 Research Design and Methods (10 credits)
CR6012 Key Issues in Criminology (10 credits)
plus modules to the value of 20 credits from the optional* modules listed below:

*Students must, across both years of part-time study, take at least one Law (LW) module AND at least one Criminology (CR) module AND at least one Applied Social Studies (SS) module from the list of optional modules.

CR6000 Governmentality: Disciplines, Institutions, and Critiques (10 credits)
CR6001 Terrorism and Organised Crime (10 credits)
LW6544 Criminology (10 credits)
LW6545 Penology (10 credits)
LW6546 Juvenile Justice (10 credits)
LW6560 Law of Cybercrime (10 credits)
SC6627 Social Pathology, Civic Health, New Technology (10 credits)
SC6638 Rethinking Borders: Sovereignty, Rights and Justice (10 credits)
SC6639 Feminist Epistemologies: Feminisms, Sexuality and Society (10 credits)
SC6641 Gender and Catastrophe (10 credits)
SC6642 Social Theory and Climate Justice (10 credits)
SS6315 Mental Health and Disability (10 credits)
SS6316 Children and Young People (10 credits)
SS6320 Conflict Transformation and Peace Building (10 credits)

Year 2

In Year 2, students select two optional 10-credit modules (not previously taken in Year 1). Students must, across both years of part-time study, take at least one Law (LW) module AND at least one Criminology (CR) module AND at least one Applied Social Studies (SS) module from the list of optional modules.

Part II

CR6006 Dissertation on Criminology (30 credits)
See the University Calendar (MA Criminology) for the part-time programme module options.

Modules

Further details on the modules listed above can be found in our Book of Modules. Any modules listed above are indicative of the current set of modules for this course but are subject to change from year to year.

University Calendar

You can find the full academic content for the current year of any given course in our University Calendar.

Applicants must normally have obtained a minimum of Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or equivalent degree in sociology, law, politics, psychology, history, applied social studies, or another subject relevant to the study of crime. Candidates who hold a Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in an unrelated subject, or a Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in a related or unrelated subject, will also be considered under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) subject to a written expression of interest and/or interview. Evidence of written ability on a criminological topic may also be required.

In exceptional circumstances, substantial professional experience in a relevant and related field of criminal justice may be accepted as compensating for the absence of an undergraduate degree to the required standard, subject to an interview and evidence of written ability on a criminological topic.

International Master's Pathway – Higher Diploma in Academic Discourse and Skills

There is an alternative entry route for international applicants via the International Master's Pathway (IMP) – Higher Diploma in Academic Discourse and Skills (NFQ, Level 8). See the IMP page for more information.

English Language Requirements
Applicants that are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Please visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.

For applicants with qualifications completed outside of Ireland
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.

International/Non-EU Applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.

The closing date for non-EU applications is 30 June 2023

How Do I Apply
1. Check Dates: Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the fact file boxes at the top of the page.

For Irish and EU applicants we operate a rounds system and you can check the rounds closing dates here.
Note that not all our programmes are subject to the rounds system so check the opening and closing dates for your specific programme in the fact file boxes above.

2. Gather Documents: Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:

Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
Any supplementary items requested for your course if required.

3. Apply Online: Apply online via the UCC online application portal. Note the majority of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.

Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.

Additional Requirements (All Applicants)
Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.

Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.

Please enter the names and email addresses of two referees.

Students are assessed on 6 taught modules and a dissertation module.

Each module has an assessment method outlined in the book of modules The dissertation is expected to be between 15-20,000 words.

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Start Date: 7 September 2020

Skills and Careers Information
Criminology graduates from the MA in Criminology at UCC are attractive to employers both inside and outside the criminal justice sector. Our programme encourages the development of key proficiencies such as critical thinking, analytical and communications skills; graduates with these capabilities have the option to work in many sectors associated with their degree and other related areas.

What can I do after I graduate?

Our MA graduates have a diverse range of roles both nationally and internationally. Some students come to UCC with a wealth of experience in the field, for example serving Gardai, eager to further their knowledge in the area. Other students come from an undergraduate programme or related areas such a youth work. To date, our graduate students have found employment in the Gardai, the Prison Services, the community sector, further education, and addiction services.

Jobs directly related to this programme include the following:

Community development officer
Garda
Prison officer
Youth worker
Victim liaison officer
Researcher
Civil servant
Customs and excise officer
Fisheries officer

Other relevant roles include:

Counselor
Social Worker
Solicitor
Addiction services employee
Adult intervention services
PhD researcher/Academic
Journalism/media
Teaching
UN field office employee
NGO – e.g. Amnesty International, Red Cross etc.