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Criminal Justice and Policing (Part-time) (MA)

Swansea
3 Years Part-time

Our MA in Criminal Justice and Policing offers a detailed look into the world of criminal justice and the forces that shape it. This course is ideal if you are interested in exploring how our justice system operates, what drives policing, and how to address the social impact of crime. By understanding the theoretical foundations of policing and diving deep into criminological theories of crime, you’ll develop a well-rounded view of how different approaches to crime control and investigation have evolved over time.

Led by a team with a wealth of experience, the programme brings together knowledge and practice. You will gain insights into real-world law enforcement practices and develop the analytical skills needed to assess crime and justice issues critically. The expertise of your instructors will support you as you explore the impact of social, political, and economic factors on crime policy and criminal justice policy, giving you the tools to understand how broader trends shape the challenges that modern policing faces today.

Throughout the course, you’ll cover a wide range of topics, including cybercrime, terrorism, and response policing. You will be encouraged to develop your knowledge of international developments in criminology and criminal justice, which will give you a global perspective on pressing issues and different policing models. This will allow you to gain skills relevant for roles in law enforcement, policy development, research, and beyond.

This part-time option for our MA in Criminal Justice and Policing, allows you to balance studies alongside other commitments, making it possible to apply your learning directly to any current role or experience in the sector.

Course details

Start date:
ÃÜÌÒ´«Ã½ modes:
  • Part-time
  • On-campus
Language:
  • English
Course length:
3 Years Part-time

Why choose this course?

01
The students will be able to further develop their knowledge in Criminal Justice and Policing.
02
The team work closely with many organisations with the field to provide research opportunities for the students to research in their chosen area.
03
The team work closely with organisations to enable the students to gain placements and volunteering opportunities.

What you will learn

Our approach to teaching the MA in Criminal Justice and Policing centres on engaging, research-informed learning. We blend theoretical knowledge with practical insights, enabling students to critically evaluate current and evolving challenges in criminal justice. With experienced instructors and interactive sessions, our goal is to equip students for impactful careers within criminal justice and policing.

Throughout the course, you will explore the essential elements of the criminal justice system, including the functions of youth justice and prison systems, while engaging with contemporary challenges in the field. You will analyse the relationship between policing and society and consider the various factors that shape effective responses to crime. In the second year, you will focus on pressing issues such as emerging threats to public safety and the complexities of modern crime. Additionally, you will undertake an in-depth research project, allowing you to specialise in a specific area of interest. This extensive investigation will help you develop critical skills in analysis and contribute to your understanding of the field.

Compulsory

Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice

(30 credits)

The Criminal Justice System, Youth Justice and Prison Systems in England and Wales

(30 credits)

Policing Models, Powers and Society

(30 credits)

Terrorism and Cybercrime

(30 credits)

Dissertation in Policing

(60 credits)

Disclaimer

  • The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.

    You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.

Staff

Our People

You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses. 

Ratings and Rankings

Further information

  • Applications from individuals of all disciplines are encouraged as long as they hold a degree and/or professional qualifications. We also encourage applications from individuals with professional, leadership and policing experience who may be admitted onto a master’s programme at the discretion of the programme director.

    Applicants must be over 21 years old and possess one or more of the following:

    1. Recognised honours degree (minimum of a 2:2) or equivalent.
    2. Professional qualification.
    3. Applicants who are over 25 years old and do not meet the above criteria may be admitted to the course provided their professional experience is deemed appropriate.

    Certain exemptions from taught modules may be considered and will be decided on an individual basis in accordance with UWTSD’s Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning process.

    2:2 honours degree  

    • or UWTSD recognised equivalent. 

    Alternative entry routes  

    • Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCert). This is the first part of the full Master’s degree. 

    Once you have successfully completed your PGCert studies, you will be eligible to progress for the remainder of the Master’s degree. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    These are ideal routes if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied this subject, or if you did not achieve the grades you need for a place on this degree. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    Admissions Advice and Support  

    For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    English language requirements  

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses. 

    Visa and funding requirements  

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

  • The modules and the assessments have been designed by the programme team collectively, to ensure they form a cohesive whole. 

    The key purpose of the assessment scheme is to enable students to demonstrate individually that they have met the aims of the programmes and achieved the learning outcomes at the standard required for the level of study.  Assessment will also be used to provide feedback to students to assist in subsequent learning.

  • There will be no mandatory additional costs to study beyond the payment of tuition. Students should be prepared to incur the basic costs associated with study such as transport and may wish to purchase coffees, snacks or other sundry items on campus.

    Many students also choose to invest in study support tools such as laptops over the course of their study, though this is not a programme requirement. Any activities related to study or student life which bear a cost beyond tuition will be optional, and the expense shall be clearly communicated to students at the time of registration.

  • Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.  

    If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies. 

    We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed.  

    Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities 

    There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

    Opportunities to Learn Welsh 

    We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;

  • You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.

  • The programme team have extensive links with organisations working in the field and many students have gone on to work in the industry through links facilitated through the team.

    The content of the programme is vocationally focused, using real case studies of current organisations. Students are encouraged to share their own work experience and apply their knowledge and skills in creative and innovative ways.