COURSE CURRICULUM

The Criminology MSc at Brunel University provides a comprehensive and critical exploration of crime, harm, deviance, and justice, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to understand contemporary issues in criminal justice. Core modules include Criminal Justice, Risk and Harm, which examines the work of criminal justice institutions, exploring issues of rehabilitation, risk management, and the intersectional impacts of gender, race, class, and other social factors. Deconstructing Criminological Imaginations engages students with key theoretical trends and critical approaches in criminology, including intersectional and decolonial perspectives, enabling them to apply theory to issues of crime, deviance, social harm, and victimisation. Critical Research Methods provides practical and conceptual understanding of both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, emphasizing ethical and decolonial approaches and preparing students for empirical research. The dissertation allows students to undertake an independent, substantial research project, demonstrating critical reflection on theoretical, methodological, and ethical issues. Optional modules enhance the program with a global and applied focus, including Global Harms and Crimes, which examines international and transnational crimes; Relational and Restorative Practices, exploring restorative justice and relational approaches; and Managing Investigations, which focuses on serious and complex investigations, leadership, strategic planning, and real-world investigative practices. This MSc blends academic rigor with practical insights to prepare students for research, policy, and professional roles in criminology and criminal justice.