MA Criminology

at University College Cork

Course content
 

This MA programme is offered on a full-time basis running over 12 months or on a part-time basis running over 24 months. The 90-credit programme has three compulsory modules plus four additional modules as follows:
 

Core modules:

• CR6012 Key issues in Criminology (10 credits)
• CR6010 Research design and methods (10 credits)
• CR6006 Dissertation on Criminology (30 credits)
   

Four modules are chosen from the following options. Students must choose at least one Law (LW) module AND at least one Criminology (CR) module AND at least one Applied Social Studies (SS) module.
 

• CR6000 Governmentality: Disciplines, Institutions and Critiques (10 credits)
• CR6001 Terrorism and Organised Crime (10 credits)

• LW6544 Criminology (10 credits)
• LW6545 Penology (10 credits)
• LW6546 Juvenile Justice (10 credits)
• LW6560 Law of Cybercrime (10 credits)

• SC6627 Social Pathology, Civic Health, New Technology (10 credits)
• SC6638 Rethinking Borders: Sovereignty, Rights and Justice (10 credits)
• SC6639 Feminist Epistemologies: Feminisms, Sexuality and Society (10 credits)
• SC6641 Gender and Catastrophe (10 credits)
• SC6642 Social Theory and Climate Justice (10 credits)

• SS6315 Mental Health and Disability (10 credits)
• SS6316 Children and Young People (10 credits)
• SS6320 Conflict Transformation and Peace Building (10 credits) 
   

PART-TIME
 

Year 1 - Part I
 

Core modules:

• CR6010 Research Design and Methods (10 credits)
  CR6012 Key Issues in Criminology (10 credits)
   

plus modules to the value of 20 credits from the optional* modules listed below:
 

*Students must, across both years of part-time study, take at least one Law (LW) module AND at least one Criminology (CR) module AND at least one Applied Social Studies (SS) module from the list of optional modules.
 

• CR6000 Governmentality: Disciplines, Institutions, and Critiques (10 credits)
• CR6001 Terrorism and Organised Crime (10 credits)

• LW6544 Criminology (10 credits)
• LW6545 Penology (10 credits)
• LW6546 Juvenile Justice (10 credits)
• LW6560 Law of Cybercrime (10 credits)

• SC6627 Social Pathology, Civic Health, New Technology (10 credits)
• SC6638 Rethinking Borders: Sovereignty, Rights and Justice (10 credits)
• SC6639 Feminist Epistemologies: Feminisms, Sexuality and Society (10 credits)
• SC6641 Gender and Catastrophe (10 credits)
• SC6642 Social Theory and Climate Justice (10 credits)

• SS6315 Mental Health and Disability (10 credits)
• SS6316 Children and Young People (10 credits)
• SS6320 Conflict Transformation and Peace Building (10 credits)
   

Year 2

In Year 2, students select two optional 10-credit modules (not previously taken in Year 1). Students must, across both years of part-time study, take at least one Law (LW) module AND at least one Criminology (CR) module AND at least one Applied Social Studies (SS) module from the list of optional modules.
 

Part II

• CR6006 Dissertation on Criminology (30 credits)

Applicants must normally have obtained a minimum of  Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or equivalent degree in sociology, law, politics, psychology, history, applied social studies, or another subject relevant to the study of crime. Candidates who hold a Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in an unrelated subject, or a Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in a related or unrelated subject, will also be considered under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) subject to a written expression of interest and/or interview. Evidence of written ability on a criminological topic may also be required. 
 

In exceptional circumstances, substantial professional experience in a relevant and related field of criminal justice may be accepted as compensating for the absence of an undergraduate degree to the required standard, subject to an interview and evidence of written ability on a criminological topic.
 

Minimum Requirements and Accepted English Language Tests & Examinations The minimum English language entry requirements for admission onto a postgraduate programme at UCC are outlined below. These requirements are for postgraduate applicants whose first language is not English. If Gaeilge (Irish) is your first language these requirements do not apply to you.There are a small number of programmes with a higher minimum English language entry requirement and we list these below under Programmes with a Higher Minimum English Language Requirement.IELTS*  
 

• 6.5 Overall
• 6.0 Individual Skills (academic version)
   

TOEFL iBT  

• 90 Overall
• Listening 20
• Reading 19
• Speaking 21
• Writing 20

The EU fee for this course is €6,130; €3,130 (Year 1 part-time); €3,130 (Year 2 part-time).
 

The Non-EU fee for this course is €16,400.
 

Deposits

If your course required a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second semester fee payment in January.
 

EU student fee payment

Fees for EU students are payable in two equal instalments. First payment at registration in August and the second in January.
 

International student fee payment

International Students can pay in two equal instalments once they have paid the appropriate deposit. The initial payment is due on registration and the balance usually by the end of January.

Criminology graduates from the MA in Criminology at UCC are attractive to employers both inside and outside the criminal justice sector. Our programme encourages the development of key proficiencies such as critical thinking, analytical and communications skills; graduates with these capabilities have the option to work in many sectors associated with their degree and other related areas.
 

What can I do after I graduate?

Our MA graduates have a diverse range of roles both nationally and internationally. Some students come to UCC with a wealth of experience in the field, for example serving Gardai, eager to further their knowledge in the area. Other students come from an undergraduate programme or related areas such a youth work. To date, our graduate students have found employment in the Gardai, the Prison Services, the community sector, further education, and addiction services.
 

Jobs directly related to this programme include the following: 

• Community development officer
• Garda
• Prison officer
• Youth worker
• Victim liaison officer
• Researcher
• Civil servant
• Customs and excise officer
• Fisheries officer
   

Other relevant roles include:

• Counselor
• Social Worker
• Solicitor
• Addiction services employee
• Adult intervention services
• PhD researcher/Academic
• Journalism/media
• Teaching
• UN field office employee
• NGO – e.g. Amnesty International, Red Cross etc.