COURSE CURRICULUM

The Criminology MSc at Loughborough University is a research-informed program designed to provide students with advanced knowledge and practical skills in understanding crime, justice, and the ways these concepts are applied in society. In the first semester, students study core modules including Contemporary Issues in Criminology and Criminological Theory, Child First Justice, and Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice, which offer a strong foundation in both theoretical perspectives and current debates within criminology. The second semester deepens this understanding through specialised modules such as Research Design and Practice, Responding to Sexual Violence, Sports Criminology, and Psychology and the Law: Implications for Criminal Justice, allowing students to explore the field in applied and contextual settings. The program places a strong emphasis on independent research, with the Dissertation in Criminology spanning both the second and third semesters, enabling students to undertake a substantial research project that applies their learning to a focused area of study. This combination of theory, applied learning, and independent research equips graduates with the critical, analytical, and practical skills necessary for careers in criminal justice, policy, research, and related sectors. The course prepares students to contribute meaningfully to the understanding, management, and reform of contemporary justice systems, combining academic rigour with real-world relevance.