PhD Research in Crime Science

Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science

The Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science offers a limited number of places for students who wish to study for PhDs. Due to the popularity of the field, competition is likely to be fierce, so students are advised to think carefully before completing their applications.

The Jill Dando Institute can not offer funding for either student fees or maintenance grants. Applicants can self-fund their studies on either a full or a part time basis. Other options are to apply for a UCL scholarship, or an ESRC studentship.

Web: www.ucl.ac.uk

Community Safety, Crime Prevention and Social Control
START DATE: Nov 2005 - Apr 2006

The Open University

This course introduces you to the new thinking and practice on prevention, safety and risk management. First, you will study the perceived failures and limitations of traditional approaches to crime prevention. Then you will look at contemporary contexts of crime reduction and safety, exploring the rise of the ‘what works’ approach both in the UK and in other countries.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS - You must hold a first degree at honours level, ideally, though not necessarily, in the subject that you wish to pursue.
This course is compulsory if you want to complete the MA in Social Policy and Criminology.

Web: www3.open.ac.uk/courses

* Postgraduate Certificate in Community Safety and Crime Prevention
(18 months distance learning)

* Postgraduate Diploma in Community Safety and Crime Prevention
(36 months distance learning)

* MA Community Safety and Crime Prevention
(48 months distance learning)

University of the West of England , Bristol

3 courses developed with support from the British Department of the Environment, the Home Office, Crime Concern and the European Commission.

The University of the West of England and the Safe Neighbourhoods Unit, (a not-for-profit organisation in the UK), have joined forces to develop an integrated training and education programme aimed at giving people from a range of occupational backgrounds the skills to reverse the decline of troubled urban environments.

This education and training programme is offered through a series of open/distance learning units. This is a cost-effective way for you to learn at your own pace and in your own style, and to follow a route which is relevant to you. You will also be able to study anywhere in Britain, Continental Europe or worldwide.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS - you will need to be over 21 years of age in the year of entry, and must also meet the requirements of one of the following categories: 

• Hold a degree awarded by a UK university or the CNAA (or a degree awarded by an overseas institution), or

• Hold other appropriate academic or professional qualifications, or be a mature applicant without the educational backgrounds described above, but have the experience and potential ability to cope with the requirements of the course

Applicants who do not have the relevant experience may instead be asked to provide a satisfactory essay of at least one thousand words on a topic selected by a tutor, or alternatively must satisfy an admissions tutor of their potential ability to benefit from the programme of study.

Web: info.uwe.ac.uk/courses

MSc/PgD in Community Safety by Distance Learning

University of Leicester

The aim of this course is to provide professional people with detailed knowledge and understanding of the key social theories and debates surrounding issues in community safety. Topics such as racism, violence and victimisation are analysed and assessed, while the application of social, political and criminological theories are examined in depth. The degree also introduces research skills to evaluate the effectiveness of community safety initiatives.

Web: www.le.ac.uk/criminology

Community & Criminal Justice MA/PGDip/PGCert
(25 months part-time distance learning)

De Montfort University, Leicester City Campus

The course will be of interest to professionals within the community justice sector, including Probation Officers, Youth Justice Workers, Workers in Drug and Alcohol Agencies, Crime Prevention Officers, Victims of Crime Support Workers, members of police and prison services and other related fields. The programme will enhance the opportunity for practitioners to develop and research specialist areas and to equip themselves for management or strategic management roles.

 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS - Applicants should have:

• Applicants will normally be expected to have significant current experience of either paid or voluntary work in a people-centred organisation from a relevant profession.

• While applicants should normally hold an appropriate Honours degree, applications will be welcomed from non-graduates who have relevant experience and qualifications and can demonstrate, through a portfolio of evidence, that they are able to study at advanced level.

• Students are required to have access to the Internet and to a computer capable of handling Windows 98 with a CD-Rom drive.

Web: www.dmu.ac.uk

MSc/PgD in Criminology (distance learning)

University of Leicester

Taking a multi and inter-disciplinary approach, this course places particular emphasis on the development of knowledge and skills sought by the broad spectrum of agencies associated with the criminal justice process. Students gain a thorough understanding of all aspects of crime, criminology and criminal justice through an in-depth examination of the historical, theoretical and applied knowledge in these areas. The programme also examines the current political, economic and social context of relevant debates in the UK and abroad.

Web: www.le.ac.uk/criminology

MSc/PgD in Criminology (Applied)

University of Leicester

The aim of the course is to provide students with a critical, yet practical knowledge of the problems of understanding and managing crime in society. The course is designed to familiarise students with the realities of contemporary criminal justice in theory and practice, including the use of appropriate research methods. You will also have the opportunity to undertake a valuable placement to gain hands-on experience in the application of theoretical knowledge in a criminal justice setting like prison, court, the police force, probation or voluntary sector.

Web: www.le.ac.uk/criminology

About the MSc/PgD in Criminology (Clinical)

University of Leicester

This course provides students with an in-depth understanding of offending behaviour, particularly the key role played in lawbreaking by mental illness, personality disorder, and cognitive impairment. Special attention is paid to sexual offending and personality disorders like psychopathy. Key legal issues are also explored, including fitness to stand trial and criminal responsibility. And students examine correctional interventions in the assessment, treatment and management of `problematic' categories of offenders and ex-offenders.

Web: www.le.ac.uk/criminology