Course overview

All applicants should apply as soon as possible to reserve a place and ensure adequate preparations are made for the start of your studies. The latest we can receive an 'on time' application (with all associated documentation)is: 6 September 2013 (16 August 2013 for non-EU students). Applications received after this date may be processed, but your course induction and start to studies may well be disrupted.

This programme of studies is designed to develop students’ understanding of criminological theories of offending and the extent of crime, whilst providing opportunities for students to develop an understanding of the application of criminological principles to criminal justice agencies. Specifically, the programme develops students' understanding of contemporary community safety strategies and provides opportunities for students to develop an understanding of the application of community safety strategies to crime reduction and fear of victimisation. Further, the programme provides opportunities for students to study a range of community safety and crime prevention subjects and other criminological subjects. Students will design, research and write a substantial piece of academic written work. The course will be delivered by distance learning materials and online and will link directly to current challenges arising among crime reduction partnerships. The course benefits from staff currently involved in action research with Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRP). There are also strong links with both the Local Government Association's Community Safety Advisers Board, and a number of police forces in England and Wales.  This has been supplemented during the course of 2011 by the appointment of 2 Senior Research Fellows to the Institute who will work primarily within the area of Community Safety. Both Research Fellows held senior positions within their respective local authority Community Safety departments and will help deliver teaching at both post-graduate and under-graduate level. They will also be engaged in helping to establish internships with local CSPs in the area along with other work experience opportunities.

This award is aimed at both current practitioners in community safety and also those who would like to take up a career in this field. Among the former this would include those currently employed as community-safety officers with local authorities who would like to gain an academic qualification in this field, police officers, particularly those who are or will be involved with the future delivery of neighbourhood policing strategy and members of voluntary bodies and associations who also work in this area.

 

Course content

The specific programme aims are

• To develop students' understanding of criminological theories of offending and the extent of crime.
• To provide an opportunity for students to develop an understanding of the application of criminological principles to law enforcement and criminal justice agencies.
• To provide opportunities for students to study a range of criminological subjects and to write a substantial piece of academic written work.
• To develop students understanding of contemporary community safety strategies.
• To provide an opportunity for students to develop an understanding of the application of community safety strategies to crime reduction and fear of victimisation.
• To provide opportunities for students to study a range of community safety and crime prevention subjects and to write a substantial piece of academic work.

The available modes of study are

• Full-time by attendance at the University of Portsmouth (1 year full time)
• Part-time by distance learning from any location world-wide (two or three year study schedule)

Units of Study

Core Units

• Study Skills (non-assessed)
• Criminology (30 credits)
• Community Safety, Partnerships and Crime Reduction (30 credits)
• Research Methods and Research Management (30 credits)
• 15,000 word Dissertation (60 credits)

30 credits of Optional Units

• Managing Justice and Security Organisations (30 credits)
• Cyber Crime, Security and Risk Management (30 credits)
• Investigation and Psychology (30 credits)  

Please note that all options are subject to minimum student numbers and may not all be available.

Please note that the course structure may vary from year to year; course content and learning opportunities will not be diminished by this.

Teaching and assessment

Assessment is based upon a range of written assignments including essays, case study, a literature review and research proposal focussed on your chosen project, and finally a 15,000 word dissertation. For each assignment full academic support is provided by an academic subject expert and you will be provided with academic supervisor once you have identified the subject area of your dissertation.

Student support

All ICJS distance learning students are supported in the initial stages by the extended Induction Programme (online and face-to-face). Immediately following Induction, an ‘engagement officer’ proactively ensures any issues are resolved rapidly, and thereafter personal support is provided by their Course Leader for the duration of their studies.

All ICJS campus-based students will be assigned a personal tutor, responsible for pastoral support and guidance, and have access to wider University support services including careers, financial advice, housing, counselling etc. via a dedicated Student Services Centre.

Academic support will be delivered by the relevant academic Unit Coordinators and the Course Leader. This will take the form of online, telephone and email. All students have access to the formal and informal support areas of the course discussions areas (Graduate Common Room, etc) and student peer support and Library support services in specific discussion rooms.

Career prospects

Given the broad range of issues considered and the skills acquired throughout the degree programme, our students graduate with a portfolio of knowledge and abilities that supports a diverse range of career development opportunities in this field.  This is being augmented by the introduction of a limited number of internships with either local Community Safety Partnerships or where it is deemed appropriate with agencies working within the Voluntary Sector.

Facilities and features

Academic Skills Development

Relevant Unit Coordinators will act proactively, for example in contacting those students whose performance appears to indicate that they would benefit from study support. A marker referral system is also in place to identify specific academic skills gaps and their resolution via additional skills support.

The library

The library is renowned for its high quality, responsive and customised support to students studying at a distance, or seeking to research criminal justice projects at a distance. A range of library services for distance learning students are provided to supplement the broad range of online academic resources (e-journals and e-books, etc.) available to all.

• Library Information Literacy
• Library services for distance learning students
• Criminology subject resources

Further support

Other key support services include:

• Academic Skills Unit
• Additional Support and Disability Advice Centre

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for MSc Criminology and Community Safety are shown above, for more detailed information please contact:

Department: Institute of Criminal Justice Studies
Tel: +44 (023) 9284 3458
Email: barry.loveday@port.ac.uk