Criminology/Criminal Justice (MSc by Research)

Start date

1 October 2024

6 January 2025

21 April 2025

Duration

The maximum duration for an MSc by Research is 1 year (12 months) full-time or 2 years (24 months) part-time with an optional submission pending (writing-up) period of 4 months.

Sometimes it may be possible to mix periods of both full-time and part-time study.

If studying on a part-time basis, you must establish close links with the University and spend normally not less than an average of 10 working days per year in the university, excluding participation in activities associated with enrolment, re-registration and progression monitoring. You are also expected to dedicate 17.5 hours per week to the research.

Application deadlines

For September 2024

07 June 2024 for International and Scholarship Students

28 June 2024 for Home Students

For October 2024

07 June 2024 for International and Scholarship Students

28 June 2024 for Home Students

For January 2025

18 October 2024 for International and Scholarship Students

15 November 2024 for Home Students

For April 2025

24 January 2025 for International and Scholarship Students

21 February 2025 for Home Students

About the research degree

A Master of Science (MSc) by Research allows you to undertake a one-year (full-time) research degree. It contains little or no formal taught component. This type of study gives you the chance to explore a research topic over a shorter time than a more in-depth doctoral programme.

Our research degrees are available as full-time, part-time and some are offered distance learning.

Research Master's students choose a specific project to work on and have a greater degree of independence in their work than is the case with a taught Master’s course.

You’ll be expected to work to an approved programme which you will develop in conjunction with your supervisor within the first few months of starting your studies. Whilst undertaking the research project you will also develop your research skills by taking part in training courses and events.

You will be appointed a main supervisor who will normally be part of a supervisory team, comprising up to three members. The research supervisor will advise and support you on your project. At the end of the project, you write up your findings in the form of a short thesis of around 25,000 words, which will then be examined.

On successful completion, you will be awarded your degree and if you have enjoyed this taste of research, you may then decide to apply for the full research doctoral degree (PhD).

Entry requirements

The normal entry requirements for enrolment on a MSc by Research is an upper second honours degree (2.1) from a UK university or a qualification of an equivalent standard, in a discipline appropriate to that of the proposed programme to be followed.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.5 overall with no element lower than 6.0, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our Where are you from information pages.

Why choose Huddersfield?

There are many reasons to choose the University of Huddersfield and here are just five of them:

We were named University of the Year by Times Higher Education in 2013.
Huddersfield is the only University where 100% of permanent teaching staff are Fellows of the Higher Education Authority.
Our courses have been accredited by 41 professional bodies.
94.6% of our postgraduate students go on to work and/or further study within six months of graduating.
We have world-leading applied research groups in Biomedical Sciences, Engineering and Physical Sciences, Social Sciences and Arts and Humanities.

What can I research?

There are several research topics available for this degree. See below examples of research areas including an outline of the topics, the supervisor, funding information and eligibility criteria:

Children, sexuality and sexual abuse

Outline

Recent years have seen a concern over the perceived sexualisation of childhood together with an explosion of interest in and concern about the sexual abuse and exploitation of children and young people (CSA/CSE). Whilst sexual abuse is most likely to be committed in the home and by someone known to the victim, much of this concern has focussed on organised sexual abuse and in particular the sexual exploitation of young girls outside the home. This has led to the construction of an ‘ideal’ or ‘deserving’ victim whereby some victims are blamed for the abuse perpetrated against them together with the identification of particular groups of (Asian/Muslim) men as particularly dangerous that risks failing to recognise other perpetrators of CSA/CSE. This is at a time when professionals working with children and young people are increasingly encouraged to be vigilante and identify/report cases of suspected CSA/CSE. This research could explore any aspect of childhood sexual abuse including: how professionals respond to CSA/CSE; how professionals understand and perceive victims of CSA/CSE; why some (groups) are more likely to be seen to be responsible for their abuse; how the media might influence understandings of CSA/CSE; how victims might experience CSA/CSE; how might we (social workers, teachers, youth workers, police etc) best support victims of CSA/CSE. A narrative approach to this research would also be welcome.

Funding

Please see our Scholarships page to find out about funding or studentship options available.

Deadline

Supervisors

Professor Jeff Hearn

How to apply

Designing future cities to resist terrorist threat

Outline

The current approach to designing out terrorist threat has very much focused upon using situational target hardening measures to block terrorist threat, be that bollards in front of major national infrastructure sites, or defensive architecture that reduces the aesthetic appeal of places and can enhance perceptions of threat. Working closely with Police Counter Terrorist Security Advisors (CTSAs), Urban Designers, Planners and Architects this PhD will explore the existing methods of designing cities to reduce terrorist threat, but will focus upon ways in which positive psychology (the work of Prof. Roach) can be used to design in the pro-social as opposed to simply designing out the ‘outsider’ threat.

Funding

Please see our Scholarships page to find out about funding or studentship options available.

Deadline

Supervisors

How to apply

Designing out anti-social behaviour: What impact can designing out crime have on anti-social behaviour?

Outline

Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) is an approach to crime reduction that aims to reduce crime by influencing the design, build and management of the built, and sometimes natural, environment. Research has shown that this approach can be effective in reducing acquisitive crimes such as burglary and vehicle crime. However, there is little evidence to explore its impact upon anti-social behaviour.

Funding

Please see our scholarships page at https://www.hud.ac.uk/research/howtoapply/scholarships to find out about funding or studentship options available

Deadline

Please see details via the following web page https://www.hud.ac.uk/research/howtoapply/

Supervisors

Professor Rachel Armitage

How to apply

Exploring the lived experience of punitiveness.

Outline

Applicants are invited to submit proposals which explore the lived experience of punitive systems. This may take the form of exploring lived experiences of the criminal justice system as well as other systems, which may enact punitive sanctions.

Punitiveness has an established place in criminological research and is primarily focussed on experiences of punishment within the criminal justice system. However, those in the criminal justice system often have experiences of punitiveness prior to, and alongside, involvement in the criminal justice system, which can be extensive and pervasive. Applicants are encouraged to take a broader perspective to explore the multi-faceted ways in which punitiveness can be experienced and how this may impact on the lives of those subjected to such sanctions. Proposals are welcomed using innovative ways to explore the lived experience of punitiveness.

Funding

Please see our Scholarships page to find out about funding or studentship options available.

Deadline

Supervisors

Dr Vickie Barrett

How to apply

Historic childhood sexual abuse

Outline

Following allegations made against Jimmy Savile and other cases of historic abuse we have seen a rise in the number of victims coming forward and identifying themselves as victims of historic child sexual abuse. This research could explore this issue from a number of perspectives – including adult victims, those who are accused; those who respond to allegations (e.g the police); and media coverage of historic abuse. It could focus on particular groups (of victims, perpetrators) or explore differences and it could focus on particular areas such as sexual abuse in the home or in sports settings. A narrative approach to this research would also be welcome.

Funding

Please see our Scholarships page to find out about funding or studentship options available.

Deadline

Supervisors

Professor Jeff Hearn

How to apply

Immigration and crime

Outline

Crimes committed by, against and within immigrant communities; immigrant concentration and its impact on crime; relationships between immigrant communities and native populations.

Funding

Please see our scholarships page at https://www.hud.ac.uk/research/howtoapply/scholarships to find out about funding or studentship options available

Deadline

Please see details via the following web page https://www.hud.ac.uk/research/howtoapply/

Supervisors

How to apply

Investigative decision making and the historic case

Outline

Although investigative guidance is available for UK police conducting ‘live’ investigations, it is not currently for those deemed cold or historic cases. It is assumed therefore that investigative decision making is generic and that the same cognitive bias exists. Ongoing research suggests that this is not the case and research is required to explore this further.

Funding

Please see our scholarships page at https://www.hud.ac.uk/research/howtoapply/scholarships to find out about funding or studentship options available

Deadline

Please see details via the following web page https://www.hud.ac.uk/research/howtoapply/

Supervisors

How to apply

Nudge psychology and evidence-based policing

Outline

Nudge psychology is becoming an increasingly popular approach to reducing various different crime related problems. Further research is needed to examine how it might be applied to other areas of crime reduction.

Funding

Please see our scholarships page at https://www.hud.ac.uk/research/howtoapply/scholarships to find out about funding or studentship options available

Deadline

Please see details via the following web page https://www.hud.ac.uk/research/howtoapply/

Supervisors

Professor Jason Roach

How to apply

The ‘Crime Drop’

Outline

Crime has been falling since the 1990s, yet none of the causes suggested so far explain a significant proportion of the drop. Students looking to further expand the research on the topic in quantitative manner are welcome.

Funding

Please see our scholarships page at https://www.hud.ac.uk/research/howtoapply/scholarships to find out about funding or studentship options available

Deadline

Please see details via the following web page https://www.hud.ac.uk/research/howtoapply/

Supervisors

How to apply

Applications are welcome for a diverse range of specialist topics and areas of expertise. We would especially welcome applications for topics in which the proposed research is in line with the research priorities of the School of Human and Health Sciences.

To find out more about the research we conduct, take a look at our Research, Innovation and Skills webpages, where you will find information on each research area. To find out about our staff visit ‘Our experts’ which features profiles of all our academic staff.

You should enter the project title and supervisor in the online application form.

No research proposal is necessary in your application.

Facilities

Researching Criminology

Sharing Ideas

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.

Researcher Environment

The University of Huddersfield has a thriving research community made up of over 1,350 postgraduate research students. We have students studying on a part-time and full-time basis from all over the world with around 43% from overseas and 57% from the UK.

Research plays an important role in informing all our teaching and learning activities. Through undertaking research our staff remain up-to-date with the latest developments in their field, which means you develop knowledge and skills which are current and relevant to your specialist area.

[Find out more about our research staff and centres|http://www.hud.ac.uk/research/]

In 2024/25 the full-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate researchers will be £4,900.

Tuition fees for UK researchers will cover the cost of your study at the University. For more information about funding, fees and finance for UK students, including what your tuition fee covers, please see our Fees and Finance. Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years of study may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X).

If you are interested in studying with us on a part-time basis, please visit our Fees and Finance pages for part-time fee information.

If you are an EU or international student coming to study at the University of Huddersfield, please visit the International Fees and Finance pages for full details of tuition fees and support available.

Please email the Student Finance Office or call 01484 472210 for more information about fees and finance.

In 2024/25 the part-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate researchers will be £2,450.

Please email the Student Finance Office or call 01484 472210 for more information about fees and finance.

Fees and Finance

Tuition fees - full-time

In 2024/25 the full-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate researchers will be £4,900.

If you are interested in studying with us on a part-time basis, please visit our Fees and Finance pages for part-time fee information.

Please email the Student Finance Office or call 01484 472210 for more information about fees and finance.

Tuition fees - part-time

In 2024/25 the part-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate researchers will be £2,450.

Please email the Student Finance Office or call 01484 472210 for more information about fees and finance.

Important information

We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

When you are offered a place on a research degree, your offer will include confirmation of your supervisory team, and the topic you will be researching and will be governed by our terms & Conditions, student handbook and relevant policies. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan.

Whilst the University will use reasonable efforts to ensure your supervisory team remains the same, sometimes it may be necessary to make changes to your team for reasons outside the University’s control, for example if your supervisor leaves the University, or suffers from long term illness. Where this is the case, we will discuss these difficulties with you and seek to either put in place a new supervisory team, or help you to transfer to another research facility, in accordance with our Student Protection Plan.

Changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, for example the University being unable to access it’s buildings due to fire, flood or pandemic, or the University no longer being able to provide specialist equipment. Where this is the case, we will discuss these issues with you and agree any necessary changes.

Your research project is likely to evolve as you work on it and these minor changes are a natural and expected part of your study. However, we may need to make more significant changes to your topic of research during the course of your studies, either because your area of interest has changed, or because we can no longer support your research for reasons outside the University’s control. If this is the case, we will discuss any changes in topic with you and agree these in writing. If you are an international student, changing topics may affect your visa or ATAS clearance and if this is the case we will discuss this with you before any changes are made.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.