Criminology MRes

Year of entry: 2025

Course length: 12 months Full-Time | 24 Months Part-time

About the course

The MRes in Criminology course provides you with the advanced theoretical, conceptual and methodological expertise and skills necessary to undertake and critically evaluate criminological, socio-legal and criminal justice research.

Combining core research skills with specialist criminology and criminal justice teaching from research-active staff, this course encourages you to critically examine the theoretical foundations that underpin applied criminological research.

See the full course profile on our website >

The MRes is an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and North West Social Science Doctoral Training Centre (NWSSDTP) recognised foundation course for research training

Learn the intellectual, critical and analytical skills needed to apply criminological concepts in practice

Our graduates are among the most targeted by top UK employers

(High Fliers 2024)

Compulsory Units

Data Analysis with R & RStudio
Evaluating Policy & Practice
Advanced Theoretical Criminology
Research Design
MRes Dissertation
Qualitative Research Methods

Optional Units

Crime and Networks
PG Crime Mapping: an introduction to GIS and Spatial Analysis
White-Collar and Corporate Crime
Necrocriminology: Human Remains and Mass Violence
Drugs: Markets, Policies and Consumption

These are examples of units offered in 2023/24 and are subject to change.

See the full list of units and find out more on the full course profile >

Where will your degree take you?

A Master's in Research Criminology equips you with vital skills in analytical thinking, research methodologies, and data analysis, paving the way for diverse career opportunities. Graduates can pursue roles as criminal intelligence analysts in police forces, work in probation services, or join NGOs focused on social change.

Additionally, think-tanks like The Howard League for Penal Reform offer chances to contribute to research and policy development. The private sector also seeks criminological expertise for roles in corporate security and risk management, ensuring your degree leads to meaningful work in addressing crime-related issues.

Hannah Watts

MRes Criminology

"After three years studying BA Criminology I chose to stay at The University of Manchester for my MRes because the modules offered matched areas that I was interested in and I had enjoyed my undergraduate degree so much, I was not ready to leave! The Manchester Q-step centre offers work placement opportunities to students across the School of Social Sciences and I was fortunate enough to complete an internship working for the Civil Service in London. I had an eight-week paid placement where I worked on current projects including cyber bullying. This really opened my eyes to the importance of social research and the influence this can have on policy."