Centre for Criminology

DPhil in Criminology

Course Code | 002255 

The DPhil entails researching and writing a thesis of between 75,000 and 100,000 words over a period of three or at the most four years. The thesis must make a significant and substantial contribution to the field.

Probationer Research students are required to follow courses of instruction in Criminological Research Methods if they have not previously completed these courses to the satisfaction of the Director of Graduate Studies for Research whilst studying for a Master's degree. DPhil students work under the guidance of at least one supervisor who will be an acknowledged authority on their chosen topic.

The areas in which members of the Centre for Criminology are able to offer supervision include:

MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Course Code | 002670 

This one-year full-time programme equips its graduates with an advanced understanding of crime and criminal justice.

The degree comprises core courses in criminological theory, the study of criminal justice, and research design and data collection. Students will also choose from optional courses in a wide range of subject areas, including further research methods, and will then go on to research and write a dissertation on a subject of their own choosing under the guidance of a supervisor.

A stimulating and demanding programme, involving intensive learning in small groups, the MSc is suitable for those with an excellent undergraduate degree in law, sociology or another relevant social science.

• Length of programme: Nine months
• Core and optional courses:
  • Core courses in ‘Explanation and Understanding in Criminology’ and ‘Understanding Criminal Justice’;
  • Core course in 'Research Design and Data Collection';
  • A variety of optional courses covering data analysis, qualitative research methods, statistical research methods, policing, sentencing, prisons, punishment, restorative justice, human rights, victims, risk and security, crime and the family, violence and civilisation, race and gender, and the death penalty
• Programme specification

MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice (Research Methods)

Course Code | 003640 

This variant of the MSc is designed for those who are thinking of going on to doctoral study in criminology or to a career in professional social research. It is a one-year full-time programme that couples grounding in the study of crime and criminal justice with a rigorous training in all aspects of the theory and practice of research methodology.

The degree comprises core courses in criminological theory and criminal justice together with courses in research design, data analysis, statistical methods and qualitative research.

Students also take three options in substantive criminological topics and participate in a research workshop which prepares them for the dissertation, which they research and write over the summer.

This is an ESRC-recognised graduate research training course, for which studentships are available. 

• Length of programme: Twelve months
• Core and optional courses:
  • Core courses in ‘Explanation and Understanding in Criminology’ and ‘Understanding Criminal Justice’; four compulsory methods courses covering research design, data analysis, statistical methods and qualitative research;
  • A choice of three courses from a variety of optional courses covering policing, sentencing, prisons and punishment, restorative justice, human rights, victims, risk and security, crime and the family, race and gender, and the death penalty.
    

MPhil in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Course Code | 003570 

This is a one-year, full-time degree available as an add-on to either taught MSc degrees detailed above. Admission to the MPhil is conditional upon good performance on the MSc and the availability of supervision.

Students take up their MPhil places straight after the MSc. MPhil candidates research and write a thesis of up to 30,000 words on a topic of their choice under the guidance of a supervisor, and take courses in research design and data analysis.

As well as being a degree in its own right, the MPhil offers a bridge between the MSc and doctoral study, and can be used as the first year of a DPhil.

• Length of programme: Nine months following the one-year MSc
• Core and optional courses: These depend on the strand chosen as part of the first (MSc) year of the programme; all candidates for the MPhil are required to have successfully completed the MSc courses ‘Research Design and Data Collection’ and ‘Social Explanation and Data Analysis’, which can be taken either as part of the first or the second year of the course
• Programme specification

The principle libraries for the Criminology programmes are:

• Bodleian Social Science Library
• Bodleian Law Library

Both contain extensive resources, covering the full spectrum of criminological and criminal justice topics at graduate and research level.

Research students can apply to have a designated desk space in the Centre, as well as a computer; space and computer access are subject to availability.

Graduates from the programme have recently gone on into the following areas:

• Professional careers in criminal justice agencies and the law
• University research and teaching in academic criminology and law schools
• Research careers
• Government departments
• Voluntary organisations in the crime and justice field