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MA Sociology and Criminology

University of Essex

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University of Essex

Course options

3 options available

  • Qualification

    MA - Master of Arts

  • Location

    Colchester Campus

  • Study mode

    Full time

  • Start date

    01-SEP-25

  • Duration

    1 year

Course summary

There can be no crime without society. Combining the specialist study of criminology with a broad approach to sociological questions, our course emboldens you to study crime, criminals, and criminal justice within wider social contexts. Understanding society is key to understand every other phenomenon within it, including crime.

How do we understand crime? How can it be prevented? Why should crime be punished, and how should we go about it? This course also allows you to apply sociological theories to criminology asking questions like these. Criminologists and sociologists engage with some of the most pressing issues, decisions and dilemmas facing societies today. On our course you explore the nature of crime, criminal justice and punishment within wider social contexts. You will also explore how society deals with the past and the present, with issues such as colonialism and post-colonialism and the future of human rights as the backbone of every analysis.

Guided by our expert staff who specialise in social theory, colonial history, terrorism, organised crime, prisons, drug abuse, and crime in the media, you explore how criminal activity interlinks with age, gender, and social concepts such as power and identity.

You will study areas including:

  • Social divisions, inequality, the nature of work and commercial culture
  • Culture, identity and subjectivity
  • Gender and sexuality
  • Media and criminology
  • The analysis, politics and prevention of crime
  • Globalisation and various forms of crime
  • Security and the state
  • New criminological theory
  • Terrorism, counter-terrorism, surveillance and human rights

You explore some of the most important and significant debates in contemporary social theory, learning to think analytically about theoretical questions. You discover the importance of social theory in developing a politically engaged understanding of concepts such as post-structuralism, feminism and actor-network theory.

Your future

This course provides excellent preparation for further academic study, and many of our postgraduates go on to successful academic careers, both in the UK and overseas.

Others have established careers in non-governmental organisations, local authorities, specialist think tanks, government departments, charities, media production, and research organisations.

Tuition fees

Students living in United States
(International fees)

£ 21,700per year

Tuition fees shown are for indicative purposes and may vary. Please check with the institution for most up to date details.

University information

University of Essex

University of Essex

  • University League Table

    30th

  • Campus address

    University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom

VIEW PROFILE
The careers team offer dedicated international careers advice and support throughout studies and after graduation.
Central London is easily accessible from all of the university's campuses.
Gain access to the curriculum from nine European universities through the YUFE (Young Universities for the Future of Europe) virtual campus.

Subject rankings

  • Subject ranking

    Sociology

    47th out of 101

  • Entry standards

    / Max 206
    123 60%

    47th

  • Graduate prospects

    / Max 100
    58.0 58%

    60th

    23

  • Student satisfaction

    / Max 4
    2.99 75%

    54th

    28

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