MA Criminology and Criminal Justice

Join us to analyse complex issues, investigate change as it happens and use theory to make sense of it. When you join us at Lancaster, you’ll discover our passion for social justice. We’ll help you look at the motivations behind different crimes and society’s response, while enabling you to develop the skills to assess potential solutions to key issues.

Why Lancaster?

• Criminology at Lancaster has a long and distinguished history - it is well-established and extremely well respected
• Learn about our innovative research in policing, cybercrime, violence, drugs and more from a passionate teaching team
• Interrogate society’s biggest problems through the lens of social inclusion, disorder, justice and harm
• Develop your research skills and carry out your own project on a topic that inspires you
• Join a vibrant and supportive academic community of students and staff with a diverse range of interests in criminology and criminal justice

Understanding society

What are the implications of climate change for policing? Is it time to scale back on prisons? What do we need to know about cannabis cultivation? These are just a few examples of questions you might think about as a postgraduate criminology student. We’ll cover the most current challenges and share the research we’re doing right now.

Criminology and Criminal Justice are exciting, ever-evolving fields that encourage you to see crime, harm and social justice in new ways. In this intellectually challenging and exciting course, we take a critical look at the social, cultural, political and economic contexts of crime and criminal justice, as well as viewing challenges through a social justice perspective.

New perspectives and new ideas

We are proud of our long history of teaching criminology, but at the same time our course is grounded in contemporary debates and developments, and the very latest policy and practice transformations.

You’ll be inspired by our internationally renowned team who are enthusiastic about their specialist subject areas and committed to social change. You’ll hear about our research first-hand and untangle the complex relationship between society, crime and the criminal justice system.

You’ll be part of our vibrant academic community where there’s always something going on to inform and inspire you, whether that’s a guest lecture from a professional working in the field or a research group meeting to discuss the latest developments.

At Lancaster we are committed to supporting your development as a criminologist. We will encourage and challenge you in your studies, and we’ll support you to apply what you learn to achieving your future career aspirations.

Flexible study

The course is suitable for people from a wide range of backgrounds. While you may be continuing from studying criminology at undergraduate level, this is not essential, and we welcome students from a wide range of disciplines and careers.

We offer the option to study part-time while working and attract students who currently work within the criminal justice system and voluntary sector. Others join the course later in life, inspired by the opportunity to study such a relevant subject in depth.