Postgraduate MA
Criminology
Explore critical approaches to the criminal justice system, debate key issues in criminology, compare with international perspectives and evaluate how effective we are in responding to crime.
Explore critical approaches to the criminal justice system, debate key issues in criminology, compare with international perspectives and evaluate how effective we are in responding to crime.
If you want to explore crime and answer difficult questions with innovate solutions, our MA in Criminology is how you can get there. Criminology at Kent takes a 360 approach to investigating all aspects of crime, criminal behaviour, policy and justice systems in both UK and International contexts. You'll learn from a team of scholars and researchers internationally renowned for their world-class teaching and publications, but you don't just need to take our word for it. Criminology at Kent was ranked 3rd in the UK Times Higher Education Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021. This means you'll be kept up to date with all the latest developments in the field by the very people making them.
The atmosphere is informal and friendly and there is a lively and diverse postgraduate community. Regular staff/graduate seminars introduce you to the work of academic staff and research students as well as academic visitors, and provide opportunities both for sociability and for intellectual stimulation. The large number of academic staff and our favourable staff/student ratios mean that academic staff are readily accessible so you can get the support you need to do your best work.
A key feature of the MA Criminology is its involvement in a Common Study Programme. The Common Study Programme in Critical Criminology is a biannual student-centred conference at which students are invited to present papers, meet students and staff from other countries and exchange ideas.
A good honours degree in criminology, sociology, social policy, law or other related social science discipline, or substantial experience in social or political research or a relevant profession.
All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications.
Please see our International Student website for entry requirements by country and other relevant information. Due to visa restrictions, students who require a student visa to study cannot study part-time unless undertaking a distance or blended-learning programme with no on-campus provision.
This course requires a Very Good level of English language, equivalent to a high B2 on CEFR.
Details on how to meet this requirement can be found on our English Language requirements webpage.
Examples:
IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component
PTE Academic 67 with a minimum of 59 in each sub-test
A degree from the UK
A degree from a Majority English Speaking Country
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.
We’ve created the most progressive approach to higher education, developing and modernising our curriculum. For 2025 our courses will be designed with you at their heart to deliver a top-class student experience and career outcomes.
The following modules are what students will typically study, but this may change year to year in response to new developments and innovations.
You take all compulsory modules and then choose three from a list of optional modules.
Critical criminology constitutes a broad and multi-disciplinary tradition that studies the complex relationships between crime, control and power. You will explore the richness of writings in this field, the variety of political positions and the development of different traditions in the UK, US and the European continent. Critical criminology has also taken a recent interest in the processes associated with globalisation, thus giving rise to an emerging sub-discipline, global criminology. The module will also examine how this allows new understandings of crime, power and control, which link the global to the local. Various theoretical perspectives will be encountered, including those of new deviancy theory, Marxism, Foucauldian thought, left realism, abolitionism, social harm perspectives and, more recently, cultural criminology.
Asking questions about society is primary to the work of a social scientist. However, how we go about asking those questions is not straightforward. When planning reliable and generalisable research many steps need to be taken to ensure robust results. This course provides students with the tools to do just that.
The course introduces students to the logic and methods of social research, including the central topics in research design, understanding the methodological choices necessary when designing social research, and the realities of ensuring ethical research from the start. Throughout this process, students will be introduced to both the positivist and critical/interpretive debates behind social research. Additionally, both qualitative and quantitative will be covered. This will prepare students to design a research proposal, including selecting appropriate methods, formulating a research plan which covers data collection and analysis, and ultimately allowing them to successfully conduct their own research.
The aims of this module are twofold:
First, to provide students with the opportunity to independently carry out an in-depth inquiry to investigate a research question(s) of their choice, producing a coherent review of the relevant literature, a logical discussion and a clearly communicated set of conclusions in the form of a dissertation.
Second, to prepare students to become ‘research-minded’ practitioners in order that they have the capacity to undertake research in practice settings and/or take a lead role in supervising others in such work.
This is a module that set you aside employability wise, as it equips you with advanced quantitative methods skills that are lacking in the job market. The skills acquired in this module are highly relevant across various disciplines and professions where statistical analysis and causal inference play a crucial role. The skills you learn on this module are particularly sought after in private, third sector and government jobs that requires the analysis of data, from social to political and financial data.
The module provides you with advanced knowledge and skills in statistical analysis, focusing on two key topics: the General Linear Model (GLM) and Causal Analysis. The GLM serves as a fundamental framework for modelling relationships between variables, encompassing techniques such as linear, logistic, nominal, ordinal and various log-transformed regression techniques.
The module also delves into causal analysis, addressing the complex relationship between variables and identifying causal mechanisms. Topics include causal inference methods, counterfactual reasoning, and the potential outcomes framework. You will learn how to design studies, identify causal relationships, and assess causality in observational and experimental settings.
How does identity impact on crime and harm? On this module you’ll undertake an in-depth exploration of the intersections between various social identities (such as race, gender, class, sexuality, and ability) and their influence on crime, harm, victimisation, and criminal justice processes. Drawing on a range of theoretical paradigms (i.e., intersectionality, feminist, critical race, queer, post-colonial) you will critically examine how multiple dimensions of identity interact to shape individuals' experiences within the criminal justice system, as offenders, victims, and practitioners. Through foregrounding a range of perspectives, this module aims to deepen your understanding of the complexities of crime and justice within diverse social contexts across global north and south jurisdictions.
What is social justice? Why does it matter? On this module, you will engage in a critical examination of key debates surrounding social justice in contemporary society. Through an interdisciplinary lens, you will explore theoretical frameworks, historical contexts, and practical implications of social justice movements, policies, and interventions. Taking an international approach, potential topics for debate include economics and welfare; identities and discrimination; rights and equalities; citizenship and governance; ethics and advocacy; and the climate crisis. Emphasising critical analysis and dialogue, the course will invite you to address controversial topics and competing perspectives to foster a deeper understanding of the complexities inherent in pursuing social justice.
What is harm? How does it shape global society? On this module, you’ll examine various forms of harms prevalent in global society, while exploring their underlying causes, manifestations, and impact on individuals, communities, and societies at large. You will adopt a broad approach to examining the origins and impacts of harms, from those perpetrated on an interpersonal or state-sanctioned basis, through to the harms arising through political conflict and social unrest. Drawing from interdisciplinary perspectives including criminology, sociology, psychology, political science, and law, you will critically analyse case studies, empirical research, and theoretical frameworks to develop a nuanced understanding of harm-based phenomena and strategies for prevention and intervention.
Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
The programme involves:
It also offers opportunities for you to develop your career in the areas of criminal justice, policy development and academic research.
We are constantly developing the modules available to you in line with current issues and staff expertise. Each year we announce new choices, for example we have recently developed a module convened by Dr Erin Sanders-McDonagh which looks at the interplay of urban dynamics and criminological research.
For course aims and learning outcomes please see the course specification.
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For more details see our Graduate School page.
Our postgraduate students are given 24-hour access to dedicated office space and are able to take advantage of excellent library and computing facilities.
All Canterbury-based Kent postgraduate students are offered unique opportunity for engaging with international criminology is provided via our participation in this student led session. This student-led event provides the opportunity to exchange ideas and deliver papers on topics relating to critical, cultural and international criminology at a bi-annual conference run in collaboration with Kent’s international criminology partners, which include Erasmus University, Rotterdam; the Universities of Barcelona, Bologna, Ghent, Hamburg, Middlesex, Porto and Utrecht; ELTE, Budapest; the Democritus University of Thrace; the University of the Peloponnese, Corinth; and the CUNY Graduate Center, New York. The Common Study Sessions are hosted in turn by each of the participating institutions.
Staff publish regularly and widely in journals, conference proceedings and books. Among others, they have recently contributed to: The British Journal of Criminology; Urban Studies; Theoretical Criminology; Crime, Media, Culture; Ethnography.
All students registered for a taught Master's programme are eligible to apply for a place on our Global Skills Award Programme. The programme is designed to broaden your understanding of global issues and current affairs as well as to develop personal skills which will enhance your employability.
Building on Kent’s success as the region’s leading institution for student employability we place considerable emphasis on you gaining specialist knowledge in your chosen subject alongside core transferable skills. We ensure that you develop the skills and competences that employers are looking for including: research and analysis; policy development and interpretation; independent thought; writing and presentation as well as time management and leadership skills. You also become fully involved in the professional research culture. A postgraduate degree in the area of Criminology is a particularly valuable qualification that can lead to many exciting opportunities and professions.
Recent graduates have gone on to pursue careers across the criminal justice system, encompassing areas such as counter-terrorism, advocacy, probation, social policy and research. Our graduates have found positions in organisations such as the Civil Service, the Ministry of Justice, various police services and the Probation Service.
The 2025/26 annual tuition fees for this course are:
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
Tuition fees may be increased in the second and subsequent years of your course. Detailed information on possible future increases in tuition fees is contained in the Tuition Fees Increase Policy. If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk.
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
Tuition fees may be increased in the second and subsequent years of your course. Detailed information on possible future increases in tuition fees is contained in the Tuition Fees Increase Policy. If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk.
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Next steps
Learn more about the application process or begin your application by clicking on a link below.
You will be able to choose your preferred year of entry once you have started your application. You can also save and return to your application at any time.
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Kent has risen 11 places in THE’s REF 2021 ranking, confirming us as a leading research university.
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