This programme, formerly MSc Criminology, is based in the Department of Sociology| and is taught by leading researchers from the Departments of Sociology, Social Policy and Law. This inter-disciplinary course gives students the opportunity to study crucial issues in theoretical and applied criminology at master's level, and offers the following benefits:

Training at an advanced level in the core theoretical, empirical and methodological issues in the investigation of crime, deviance and crime control policy.
Teaching by some of Britain's most distinguished criminologists in one of Europe's strongest centres of criminology.
The opportunity to study a diverse range of options including human rights, policing, criminal justice policy, law and social theory as well as addressing the key theoretical developments in criminology and their relevance for contemporary criminological issues.
The chance to develop or enhance existing research skills through methods training (both quantitative and qualitative).
The opportunity to study with a diverse range of students from all over the world and to work with criminal justice practitioners and researchers who study the MSc to develop their appreciation of core criminological issues which might help inform their professional practice.
The opportunity to become part of a vibrant intellectual community in the only specialist institution for the social sciences in the UK. You can attend the highly successful seminar programmes run by the Mannheim Centre for the Study of Criminology and Criminal Justice addressed by eminent criminologists, as well as public lectures by internationally renowned speakers in other social science disciplines.
This programme features a unique opportunity to take up an internship in criminal justice agencies, non-governmental organisations and other bodies to gain practical experience and, where appropriate, possibly to prepare materials for the 10,000 word dissertation.

A number of leading academic and research staff at LSE have an interest in the sociology of crime control and globalisation, including Professor Stan Cohen (Emeritus Professor of Sociology), Dr Janet Foster (Sociology), Professor Dick Hobbs (Sociology), Professor Nikolas Rose (Sociology), Professor Tim Newburn (Social Policy), Dr Coretta Phillips (Social Policy), Dr Paddy Rawlinson (Sociology), Professor Robert Reiner and Dr Judith Rumgay (Social Policy). Visiting professors currently include Frances Heidensohn and Maurice Punch.

These and other LSE staff are working actively on research and policy projects in sociology, criminology, policing and closely related areas such as: biometrics and surveillance, human rights, refugee and asylum studies, hate speech and freedom of expression, ethnicity, urban sociology, globalisation and global government. Teaching on the programme is closely linked to this current research, and provides a highly stimulating opportunity to study in a context informed by that research.

About the MSc programme

This programme is ideal for students with an upper second or first class honours degree (or equivalent) in the social sciences. We will consider applicants with a good first degree in any discipline who have (and can demonstrate) a special interest and/or practical experience in this area.

This programme aims to:

Develop a sophisticated understanding of crime and criminal activity, from youth crime, sub-cultures and gangs, to organised criminality, corporate and state crime.
Investigate both traditional and contemporary methods of crime control in a comparative and transnational context.
Examine the relations between theory, policy and practice.
Train students to produce, and evaluate, rigorous sociological and criminological research.

The programme is composed of three compulsory courses and one optional course.

Compulsory courses

Crime and Society: Concepts and Method
Criminological Research Methods
10,000 word dissertation assessed as the equivalent of a whole course. You may choose any subject that interests you under the broad sociology of crime, control and globalisation rubric – using original research or secondary sources. After consultation with the appropriate supervisor, your topic is approved at the end of the second term.

Options

One optional course from those offered for the LLM|, MSc Sociology| and MSc programmes in Social Policy (see MSc Criminal Justice Policy|, MSc European Social Policy|, MSc Social Policy and Planning| and MSc Social Policy and Development|. These include subjects like Policing, Juvenile Justice, Rehabilitation and Crime Control Policy, and Human Rights. Your choice must be approved by your supervisor and the department concerned and there may be timetabling restrictions.