MSt in Applied Criminology and Police Management

The Master of Studies (MSt) in Applied Criminology and Police Management has the following aims:

• offer an up-to-date and high-quality course, introducing senior police officers and suitably qualified others to some of the most important theory and research in applied criminology and policing management
• develop the skills necessary to locate, interpret and analyse research and other relevant source materials
• develop the conceptual understanding necessary to evaluate research methods and findings
• facilitate course members in communicating the results of their ideas, research and its conclusions in written form, as well as orally
• enhance the capacity of course members to apply current research in applied criminology and police management to aspects of their work

Learning resources include the Radzinowicz Library, one of the world’s leading collections on crime-related topics.

Teaching

The programme is a part-time course that takes place over two years starting in the spring. There are normally three residential teaching blocks in the first year: Block A (March/April), Block B (July) and Block C (September). The residential teaching blocks incorporate four key modules: Criminological Theory, Evidence-Based Policing, Leadership and Management, and Research Methods.

The modules cover a range of topics and use a range of delivery styles including seminars, lectures, symposia, practical exercises and project work. Reading lists are provided for each session, giving required and suggested further reading.

Students are allocated a personal supervisor with whom they can discuss any aspect of the course (essay choice, dissertation topic, time management, sources of information, academic development and support) on a one-to-one basis. Independent study time is incorporated into the teaching blocks.

Students have access to college library facilities as well as the Radzinowicz (Institute of Criminology), Squire (Faculty of Law), the Cambridge Judge Business School and University libraries. In the second year, supervision may pass to another member of staff who is better suited to supervise the dissertation topic and in some cases a separate subject-specific dissertation advisor may also be allocated to work alongside the supervisor.

Student support materials are also available via a virtual learning environment (VLE).

• One to one supervision: One or two hours per week (during the residential blocks in both years), others as required via telephone, Skype or other
• Seminars and classes: First year: 47 hours per term
• Lectures: As above
• Small group teaching: Two hours per term
• Practical sessions: As required – optional research methods surgeries and workshops for attendance depending on research methods being used
• Literature reviews: The dissertation requires a literature review
• Posters: Students may make one oral presentation in term five and a compulsory assessed oral presentation in term six

Placements

All students are serving police officers or equivalent so will have suitable employment.

Feedback

Detailed written feedback is given following all six written assignments. This is followed by discussion with supervisors. Verbal feedback is given following a discussion on thesis topic in terms four and five and on on oral presentation in term six.

Assessment

Thesis

Dissertation: 18,000 words maximum (including footnotes or endnotes, but excluding appendices and bibliographical references).

Essays

Four essays: 3,000 words maximum each. A research proposal: 4,000 words maximum.

Other

An assessed oral presentation on the dissertation in progress.

An all-in-one fee of £12,000 per annum, which includes accommodation and meals, is charged. Students will be expected to cover the application fee (£65 online) and any costs for travel and other meals.

Funding Opportunities

Students are responsible for securing their own funding through their agencies. Some joint funding is available with UK forces and the College of Policing. Details are made available through the Institute of Criminology Police Executive Programme. Sources of UK government funding and financial support, including professional and career development loans, can be found on the Student Finance pages of the UK government website.

Apply using the Applicant Portal

The Apply Now button on the right will take you to the Applicant Portal, where you can create and submit your application and supporting documents, and request references.

An application is only complete when:

1. you have submitted your application and supporting documents via the Applicant Portal
2. you have paid the £65 application fee
3. your referees have provided their references.

If you miss the deadlines specified in this section, you will not be able to submit your application.

Applications open on 1 September and close on 9 February each year.

Selection Process

We try to confirm admissions on a rolling basis.

Read the MSt Application Guide to find out more about the application process and what you need to do and consider as a potential applicant. See below for details of the supporting documents you will need to provide when applying for this course.

Supporting documents

Below are details of the Course Specific Questions and other supporting information you will be asked to provide before you can submit your application. These are marked with an asterisk (*). References and transcripts can be provided either at the time of submitting your application or shortly after.

If you have any questions, please contact ICE Admissions: mst.admissions@ice.cam.ac.uk and we will be happy to help.

References

You will need to provide the details of two referees who can provide academic or professional references. You will be asked to provide email addresses for your referees so that they can submit their reference via the online referencing system, so it is important for you to ensure that your referee is able to provide a reference for you before you submit your application form.

Your referees should be senior people acquainted with your work and able to comment on your professional experience and suitability to undertake the course. One of the referees should be a line manager or someone in a senior position in your agency.

The referee should describe how long they have known you and in what capacity as well as commenting on your suitability and commitment to the course.

If your referees are unable to use the online referencing system, or do not have email addresses, please contact the ICE Admissions office for further assistance.

Transcripts

A transcript is a list of all the courses you have taken during a programme of study, with the result you obtained, and with the credit value if applicable.

If you are currently studying, please provide a transcript listing the courses taken during your programme of study, with the results or grades obtained for each. Current Cambridge students should upload a copy of their unofficial transcript from their Student Self-Service.

If you have previously completed degree-level study, please provide a transcript or degree certificate for each degree-level programme you have studied, showing the date the degree was awarded and the final class or grade obtained.

The transcript should be uploaded via your Self-Service, using the ‘Academic - pre-decision’ category. Please note that we may also ask you to send the originals via post if we make you an offer of admission and supplying these may be a condition of your offer.

If your documents are not in English, you must also upload a full translation of each document, prepared by a registered translator.

Professional qualifications

Although these are not a requirement for the course, evidence of professional qualifications will support your application so please upload any documentary evidence if possible.

Letter of support from your employer

This is not a requirement for this course but if your employer has written a letter of support, please upload it.

Writing sample

If a writing sample is required to support your application, this will be requested by the course administrator.