University of Stirling

Investigación Criminológica MSc

Course objectives

The MSc Criminological Research provides expert training to ensure you can:

• collect, analyse and report qualitative and quantitative data, taking account of ethics, reliability and validity;
• critically examine the theoretical foundations that underpin criminological and socio-legal research;
• examine issues concerning comparative criminological and socio-legal research;
• understand the relationship between criminological research and policy, and the meanings of evaluation, its terminology, practice and use.

The course is designed to be suitable for both novice and experienced researchers. No matter what your level of expertise may be, we’ll equip you with the necessary knowledge and abilities to become successfully employed as a researcher or enrolled as a PhD student.

You’ll study in a multi-disciplinary environment where internationally renowned staff introduce you to cutting edge empirical and theoretical research.

Professional accreditation

The course is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as meeting the research training guidelines for undertaking a PhD in the social sciences. As such, prospective students are eligible for the 1+3 studentship, providing you with funding for a one year research training Masters linked to a three year PhD.

The course is supported by staff from the Scottish Centre for Crime and Criminal Justice Research – a multi-university body with international influence and links to academics, policymakers and practitioners around the world.

Flexible learning

Students can study full or part time and all modules feature live classes such as scheduled lecture and seminar sessions. Flexible learning arrangements can usually be supported in most situations, subject to agreement.

If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.

Research

When you study Criminological Research at the University of Stirling, you’ll be introduced to pioneering empirical and theoretical research in a vibrant, multi-disciplinary environment.

Underpinning the expertise of our staff, the University of Stirling scored highly in the most recent Research Excellence Framework 2021 – a UK-wide assessment of universities’ research output. In the Social Work and Social Policy unit of assessment, we ranked 3rd in Scotland and top 25 in the UK – with 100% of our research environment and 88% of our research deemed world leading or internationally excellent.

Our Masters is the perfect foundation for a career in research, research management and commissioning or using research. You’ll graduate with a choice of careers available to you across the criminal justice system. This includes joining the Civil Service, the Crown Prosecution Service, Police Scotland and other services in the UK or overseas. Other graduates have steered their career towards academia, research management or gone on to do further study, such as the Applied Social Research (Doctorate) or PhD.

• Benefit from our links to the criminal justice sector and Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research.
• Boost your employability by studying at Scotland’s top-rated university for criminology.
• Graduate with the skills to pursue a career in the criminal justice system or academia.