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Teaching
The MPhil is structured around two teaching terms, during which students attend two core courses and three optional courses, and one research term devoted to preparing a thesis.
The primary aims of the MPhil programme are as follows:
- To offer up-to-date and high-quality degree courses, introducing students to some of the most important theory, methods and research in criminology.
- To offer a sound academic foundation to those who aspire to undertake a PhD or career in teaching and research in criminology or related fields.
- To provide a sound foundation of knowledge and methodological skills to those who wish to work in a wide range of criminal justice agencies, the legal profession, or other professional or voluntary organisations.
| One to one supervision | Each student will be assigned a supervisor at the beginning of the first teaching term. The supervisor's main role is to provide general academic advice to students, as well as subject-specific advice relating to their thesis. Students should expect to receive an average of three hours of supervision per term. Supervisors will normally have specialist knowledge of each student's thesis topic. However, given the range of topics students pursue, this is not always possible. Where necessary and appropriate, the supervisor will arrange for a separate 'thesis advisor', another staff member with expertise on the thesis topic. The °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï publishes an annual which sets out the University's expectations regarding supervision. |
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| Seminars & classes | MPhil students are required to take two core seminar courses (Criminological Theories and Criminological Research Methods) and two optional seminar courses. Students are also required to complete two methods training modules (either in-house or with the °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï Research Methods programme). Students must bear in mind that:
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| Practicals | In addition to the main Criminological Theories seminars, MPhil students attend a series of workshops which provide an opportunity to develop skills relating to theory evaluation, application, and testing. In addition to the main Research Methods seminars, MPhil students attend a series of workshops that provide an opportunity to put each key research method into practice. The aim is to familiarise students with some of the practical considerations related to each method and provide hands-on experience conducting each method. Students may be asked to complete a short assignment following each workshop. |
| Taught/Research Balance | Equal Taught/Research |
Feedback
Supervisors submit termly reports on students' progress to the Student Registry; once these reports are submitted, they will be available to students via the Postgraduate Feedback and Reporting System.
Assessment
Thesis / Dissertation
MPhil students complete one thesis of not more than 18,000 words (including endnotes/footnotes and any references they contain, but excluding the separate reference list and appendices) on a criminological topic chosen by the student and approved by the Faculty of Law Degree Committee.
Students are expected to demonstrate, via the thesis, a critical understanding of research principles.
The thesis accounts for 35% of the assessed coursework.
Essays
MPhil students must submit three essays, each of no more than 3,000 words, on topics the student will choose from lists announced by the examiners. These include:
- one Criminological Theories essay, based on a topic selected from a list relating to the core Criminological Theories course
- two Optional Course essays, each relating to a different optional course the student has attended and based on a topic chosen from the list of essay questions relating to that course
Each essay will account for 15% of the assessed coursework.
MPhil students must also submit one Criminological Research Methods portfolio relating to the core course in Criminological Research Methods. This may include a written paper, one or more pieces of coursework, other exercises, or a combination of these. Examiners shall announce the form of examination and specify the limit to be placed on the length of any essay or other exercise at the start of the Michaelmas Term of the academic year of the examination.
This portfolio accounts for 20% of the assessed coursework.
Other
Any candidate who fails a unit of assessment, who has one or more units assessed as borderline, or whose work for any other reason, in the opinion of the Senior Examiner, requires additional assessment will normally be called for an oral examination.
Examiners for an oral examination are usually the examiners or assessors of the assignment(s) causing concern and an external examiner. The oral examination may cover any aspect of the programme. The Board of Examiners will consider the candidate’s overall performance (in the written units of assessment and in the oral examination) in deciding whether or not to recommend that the candidate be awarded the MPhil degree.
