Program Overview

Studying Criminology at Liverpool means engaging with the most controversial and talked about issues of our times. In the sophisticated research environment of our long-established and influential Department, we will provide you with advanced theoretical and practical training in postgraduate-level research.

This MRes builds upon both the nationally and internationally established research interests and expertise of contributing staff from the Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology. Our research over the past five years has led to changes in criminal justice policy and procedure, changes in how public bodies are audited, and the establishment of best practices in the evaluation of large-scale arts and cultural programmes.

We’ll introduce you to the politics and practice of social research. You’ll explore the following aspects of the research process: the context of the modern university; the role of the social scientist; power, critique and reflexivity in the social sciences; the constraints, benefits and limitations of social science.

This MRes will specifically prepare you to specialise in criminological research to better understand how to conduct advanced research on crime-related topics. Your research project will give you valuable experience, whether you’re preparing for a career or seeking continuous professional development.

This programme is aimed at a wide variety of careers within national and local Government, commercial research, charitable, public or private sectors. Regional Development Agencies have noted the rapid rise in demand for graduates who qualify in the full spectrum of research design and analysis techniques.

Who is this course for?
This MRes is suitable for graduates from the Social Sciences or related areas who want advanced theoretical and practical training in postgraduate-level research.

What you'll learn

• How to plan and conduct a large criminological research project
• A critical understanding of epistemological, methodological and ethical approaches in criminological research
• Training in general research skills
• Skills in scholarly presentation, documentation, critical evaluation and the communication of ideas
• How social, public and civil policy can be influenced by Criminological knowledge
• Project management and problem-solving skills