(MSc) Master of Science
Organised Crime, Terrorism and Security
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Sociology and Criminology
Colchester Campus
Masters
Full-time or part-time
None
MSC MF9024
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
A degree with aa overall 2:2, or international equivalent, in a Social Science, Humanities, Statistics or Maths. Your degree must also include at least two quantitative or research methods modules (this can also include the research project/dissertation).
Applications from students with a degree below a 2:2 or equivalent, or a non-social sciences degree will be considered dependent on any relevant professional or voluntary experience, previous modules studied and/or personal statement.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 6.0
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
Please refer to the full time version of this course for information on Core and Compulsory modules.
External examiners
Prof Benjamin Bradford
Professor
University College London
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
- To provide students with a systematic understanding of the diverse range of current debates around organised crime, terrorism and security.
- To provide students with advanced knowledge of key theoretical approaches to organised crime, terrorism and security.
- To provide students with a critical awareness of the problems of, and responses to, organised crime and terrorism within cultural, economic, social and political contexts.
- To provide students with an advanced understanding of the distinctive character of the criminological and sociological research process in relation to organised crime, terrorism and security.
- To train students in the design and conduct of original research based on critical thinking.
- To provide students with the knowledge and skills to enable them to proceed to further independent, self-directed learning.
- To enable students to enhance their intellectual, sociological and generic skills in preparation for further academic and/or professional work.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Advances knowledge of current debates and issues in relation to organised, crime, terrorism and security
A2: A systematic awareness of the latest theoretical developments in the areas of organised crime, terrorism and security.
A3: An ability to critically evaluate current research and advanced scholarship in the fields of organised crime, terrorism and security
A4: An advanced comprehension of the principles of research design and strategy, such as the formulation of research problems and appreciation of alternative approaches to research
A5: A critical understanding of the relationships between theory and empirical research in the areas of of organised crime, terrorism and security.
A6: An appreciation of the centrality of research questions to criminological enquiry as it applies to of organised crime, terrorism and security.
A7: Locating issues of organised crime and terrorism within broader criminological debates
A8: A practical understanding of how to address the ethical and political dimensions of research.
A9: A critical understanding of the significance of competing epistemological and ontological positions within criminological research.
Learning methods
The course provides two core 20-credit modules (SC556 - Organised Crime: Global and Local, and SC557 - Critical Perspectives on Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism), two compulsory 20-credit modules (SC555 - Formative Debates in Criminology, and SC905 - Sociological Research Design), and a core dissertation.
In addition, students choose from a range of options in Sociology and other departments to pursue their own specific interests in the field.
The Department uses lectures to present material, ideas, data and arguments, in a clear and structured manner using examples, mapping the field and the contours of debates.
Lectures are also used to stimulate students interest in learning the methods for criminological analysis as they apply to the specific contexts of of organised crime, terrorism and security.
In each module the issues, arguments and methods are covered in lectures are explored further through classes, seminars and workshops for which students have to prepare through either hands on practice or assignments.
The programme also places strong emphasis on developing students' theoretical understanding of broader criminological areas (which inform much academic work in the areas of organised crime, terrorism and security) through the structuring of the material in SC555, which provides an advanced understanding of the intellectual foundations of the wider discipline with a systematic awareness of the latest thinking in criminology.
Classes and seminars provide the opportunity for students to develop their knowledge and understanding of the content of the modules.
In addition student learning takes place through the work they do preparing essays and assignments.
Assessment methods
Outcomes A1 to A8 are assessed through coursework, which includes oral presentations and practical skills based assignments (SC905), as well as essays.
In addition, the assessed work for all MA and MSc students includes a dissertation, which specifically assesses A9.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: An advanced ability to search, summarise and critically review literature in the areas of organised crime, terrorism and security and the wider criminological context.
B2: A critical ability to comparatively review competing theories and explanations.
B3: An ability to construct an original criminological argument in relation to organised crime, terrorism and security themes.
B4: An advanced ability to formulate researchable questions and develop a viable research design.
B5: An ability to creatively evaluate, analyse and interpret empirical evidence
Learning methods
Students enhance the above intellectual skills primarily through the work they do for their modules, although lectures and classes provide a means of teachers demonstrating these skills through example.
Preparation for classes involves the reading, interpretation and evaluation of sociological texts and the collection and analysis of empirical data to hone methodological skills.
Class tutors provide feedback on all student work through comment and discussion.
In addition, tutors also engage students outside the classroom during office hours, appointments, and by email.
Similarly the preparation of essays and other assignments also develops the listed intellectual skills.
Students are provided with feedback on all assessed work and this is crucial to their intellectual development.
Their dissertations are used to demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving research problems, whilst also acting to advance their capacity for self-directed knowledge and understanding.
Additionally, MSc/MA students, along with PhD students and staff, are encouraged to attend the two-day annual residential Graduate Conference, which is held in February off-campus.
Addressing a different topical theme each year, it provides a stimulating forum for intellectual debate and discussion.
Assessment methods
Outcomes B1, B2 and B3 are judged and evaluated by essays in SC556- Organised Crime: Global and Local, and SC557 - Critical Perspectives on Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism.
B1 and B4 are assessed through both practical skills based assignments (in SC905) and essays.
All five outcomes will be assessed once more in the dissertation.
Demonstration of advanced intellectual skills is a key criterion in awarding distinctions for essays and dissertations.
C: Practical skills
C1: An advanced ability to retrieve relevant organised crime, terrorism and security-related literature using library and online searches.
C2: A practical ability to summarise, evaluate and review criminological arguments, texts and findings in relation to organised crime
C3: A practical ability to summarise, evaluate and review criminological arguments, texts and findings in relation to terrorism and security issues.
C4: A comprehensive understanding of the principles of research design, and an understanding of the merits of different methods.
C5: An ability to choose and apply an appropriate method of research
C6: A capacity for self-direction in the planning and execution of a piece of research.
C7: An ability to make judgements about the best use of time and data in meeting their research objectives.
C8: An ability to plan, conduct and present a medium scale piece of research
Learning methods
In SC905 students learn to conduct literature searches and reviews and to work on various aspects of the sociological process, typically found in a research proposal.
Throughout the degree practical skills are developed through preparation for classes, preparing essays and other assessed assignments, and giving presentations.
Students receive detailed feedback on all their coursework and presentations.
In addition the dissertation is particularly valuable in developing students practical research skills.
Assessment methods
Skill C1 and C3 are specifically assessed in assignments for SC905, but also forms part of the assessment of almost every piece of assessed module essays.
C2 is specifically addressed in assignments for SC556 - Organised Crime: Global and Local and C3 is specifically addressed in SC557 - Critical Perspectives on Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism.
While all the modules assess an understanding of C4 through C7, the full range of these skills is assessed in the marking of the dissertation.
D: Key skills
D1: An advanced ability in presenting ideas and evidence to others orally, in a clear and concise manner and an advanced ability to present ideas and evidence to others clearly and concisely in writing.
D2: An ability to collect and present materials using information technology
D3: A good self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems
D4: An essential understanding of how to plan, set appropriate time scale and assess feasibility of projects; a keen awareness of the need to reflect on their own work and respond constructively to the comments of others
Learning methods
Key skills are taught and learned throughout the course through a range of strategies, such as requiring students to give oral presentations, through giving them specific assignments such as carrying bibliographic and web searches, through specific writing assignments and essays, and through class discussion and class and essay preparation.
Issues of dissemination are discussed in SC905.
Students learn to manage their own research projects through the support and advice of supervisors.
They are given feedback on all their coursework and on their dissertation research and are encouraged to reflect on their own work and improve on it.
Students also have the opportunity to develop skills in working in groups through their participation in the classes for every module.
Assessment methods
Key skills are assessed throughout the degree through continuous assessed coursework.
Oral communication skills (D1) and IT skills (D3) are specifically assessed on SC905, and written skills (D2) and constructive response (D6) by most by coursework and the dissertation.
The dissertation is an overall assessment of communication, research management, and problem solving skills.