The course focuses upon crime and justice with a specialism in cyber crime, considering the impact of this environment from a criminological and socio-legal perspective in a national and international context. The course provides an insight into current cyber debates focusing on emerging research and professional practice.

The course aims to offer a critical and inter-disciplinary approach to the study of crime, cybercrime and criminal justice practice, exploring key concepts and theoretical perspectives that relate to the study of crime and deviance and of the criminal justice system. You will learn about the impact of the cyber environment from a criminological and socio-legal perspective in a national and international context. The course aims to provide an insight into current criminological and cyber debates focusing on emerging research and professional practice.

The programme is taught by active researchers in the field of criminology and cybercrime who have published extensively around this subject area, providing students with high-quality teaching that is research-informed.

You will be provided with a stimulating, challenging and supportive learning experience through lectures, seminars, workshops and small group work and individual supervision. Direct class contact is supplemented by on-line interactive programme materials, teaching, individual reading and preparation for assignments. Learning resources include IT and access to electronic databases and specialist library facilities.

Thinking skills will be developed through: hypothetical problem solving surrounding crime and deviance including cybercrime; practical exercises including group presentations; essay and exam writing; reading journal articles, books and other relevant materials.

Practical skills are developed through: exercises in electronic and paper searches; exercises designed to develop research strategies.

You will be assigned a dedicated Personal Advisor to provide guidance and support throughout your studies.

When you complete the programme you could consider a career in specialised cybercrime units in police or private organisations. You could work in areas such as: crime prevention (charities or NGOs); cyber or criminological research or policy (both the UK Home Office and National Crime Agency have Cybercrime Units for example); intelligence analysis and security consultancy. You could also work in the prison system or do postgraduate study in cybercrime or criminology.