Program Overview

What are the key ethical considerations concerning criminological research? How does criminological research differ from other social science research? And how does it inform policy formation? The MSc Criminology and Social Research Methods aims to tackles these key issues in the field of criminology whilst offering exceptional postgraduate training.

This degree, which is eligible for ESRC 1+3 funding, guides you through the theory of criminological research and allows you to advance your skills in the collection, analysis and reporting of qualitative and quantitative data. This degree integrates criminal justice and criminology modules, which allows you to have a much broader overview of current research in criminology and criminal justice, and of more specialised socio-legal research and debates.

The Lancaster University Law School is ranked 6th in the UK for research impact in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (2021, published May 2022), with 88% of its impact rated ‘outstanding’. Many of our lecturers are internationally recognised researchers. Our Law School is home to the Centre for Crime, Law and Justice, the Centre for Law and Society, and the Centre for Child and Family Justice; these centres underpin our postgraduate teaching, which is often research-led and research-informed.

Your core modules are: Qualitative Methods in the Social Sciences; Quantitative Research Methods; Crime and Criminal Justice in the 21st Century; Criminological Theory; and Criminological Research in Practice. A research-based Criminology dissertation completes your degree.

Your postgraduate degree can prepare you for research jobs in organisations such as the Home Office, Probation Service, Social Services, and other government departments or voluntary organisations. You will have the opportunity to develop the skills to undertake and critically evaluate criminological research, which can be highly prized by employers in the public and private sectors. Whilst on the degree you will also have the chance to develop your analytical and communication skills which can help to build on your employability.