MSt in Applied Criminology and Police Management (Senior Leaders’ Master’s Degree Apprenticeship)

The MSt in Applied Criminology and Police Management (Senior Leader' Master Degree Apprenticeship) 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
• Improve on the knowledge, skills and behaviours within the police force improving the opportunities for the individual and the employer

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

Educational aims

The programme is a part-time course that takes place over two years starting in the spring. There are normally three 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.

Apprentices are allocated a personal supervisor with whom they can discuss any aspect of the course (essay choice, thesis 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.

Apprentices 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 thesis topic and in some cases a separate subject-specific thesis advisor may also be allocated to work alongside the supervisor.

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

Find out more

For more information about the course, please visit the Institute of Criminology website.

If you have any questions about the application process, email our Admissions team at mst.admissions@ice.cam.ac.uk or contact us on +44 (0)1223 746262.

For all other course related enquiries, contact the Course Administration team at mst.administration@crim.cam.ac.uk or phone at +44 (0)1223 767277.

Entry Requirements

Standard applicants for this course will normally have achieved a UK 2.1 honours degree or overseas equivalent.

There is provision to accept non-standard applicants who do not satisfy the standard academic criterion but such applicants must produce evidence of relevant and equivalent experience and their suitability for the course. Such non-standard applicants would normally be senior police officers (at least Inspector or above) or senior civilian personnel working with police agencies or in public-sector organisations concerned with crime and police-related operations.

Level 2 Qualifications

Can demonstrate and evidence the completion of a Level 2 (GCSE) Mathematics and English (Grade C (5) or above) or equivalent.

English Language Requirements

For those whose first language is not English:

• IELTS Academic: Overall band score of 7.0 (a minimum of 6.5 in Writing and 7.0 in the other components)
• TOEFL Internet: Overall score of 100 (a minimum of 25 in each individual component)
• CAE: Grade A or B (with at least 193 in each individual element) plus a Language Centre assessment
• CPE: Grade A, B, or C (with at least 200 in each individual element)

The total charge for this course is £24,000 (£12,000 pa) plus the end point assessment (EPA).

Levy paying employers can pay for part of the cost of training and assessment (up to the maximum funding band of £18,000) using the apprenticeship levy. Any additional costs for this programme is met by the employer. Where reassessment or retakes are required, the employer will be liable for these costs. Employers will also be responsible for covering the travel and subsistence expenses.

Breakdown of Apprenticeship Programme Costs:

• University Composition Fee: £15,000 (£7,500 pa)
• Additional course costs: £9,000 (£4,500 pa), which includes the mandatory college residential teaching blocks and other supplementary costs
• End point assessment (EPA) – to be agreed with the provider

The Apprenticeship Levy will cover the cost of the University composition fee and part of the mandatory college residential teaching blocks, as well as the End Point Assessment, up to a total of £18,000.

The employer contribution will be £7,400 (£3,700 per annum).

Supporting Documentation

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 mandatory requirement prior to the start of the course, evidence of professional qualifications will support your application so please upload any documentary evidence if possible. If  this evidence cannot be provided, additional support is available in the assisting of organising this course to be carried out prior to the End Point Assessment being carried out.

(*) Level 2 (GCSE) equivalent at grade C (5) or above in Mathematics and English.

(*) Curriculum Vitae

Writing Sample

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