1.
PROGRAMME INFORMATION
Programme Title
Department and Faculty
MSc Applied Criminology
Department of Applied Social Studies
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Date of most recent (re)validation
2nd February 2015
Date(s) when Programme Specification
revised
July 2015
Revalidation due date
Academic Year 2020 - 2021
Awarding Institution
University of Winchester
Teaching Institution (if different)
N/A
Programme also accredited by (if relevant)
N/A
Title of Final Award
Masters of Science Applied Criminology
Title(s) of Exit Award(s)
Postgraduate Diploma Applied Criminology
Postgraduate Certificate Applied Criminology
Language of Study
English
Mode(s) of Attendance
Full time / Part time / Continuing Education Student
Mode(s) of Delivery
Taught and Blended
Intake start date(s) and number of intakes
per year
September 2015 / one intake per year
Normal Period of Study
One year full time / two years part time
UCAS Code
N/A
QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
N/A
2. ADMISSIONS AND ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Prospective students should consult the latest prospectus and/or course pages online for programme
entry requirements.
Prospective students for Taught programmes should consult the Admissions Policy for Taught
Programmes. Prospective students for Professional Doctorate programmes should consult the
Postgraduate Research Programmes Admissions Policy. Both are available on the University’s public
webpage.
3. EDUCATIONAL AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
3.1
The aims of the Programme are:
a) To develop a systematic understanding and critical awareness of the application of criminology to a
variety of professional settings.
b) To develop independence and initiative, decision making in complex and unpredictable situations
and independent learning abilities required specifically for continuing professional development in a
variety of criminological professional contexts.
c) To develop both the critical / contextual and professional / technical criminological knowledge of
students and to explore the relationships and tensions between them.
d) To equip students with the abilities to undertake applied research of a professional standard
attuned to the needs of their professional settings.
e) To provide a foundation from which students may go on to pursue higher research degrees,
particularly those relevant to applied criminological settings.
3.2
The Learning Outcomes of the Programme are:
a) To provide an advanced, systematic understanding of criminology and its application to a variety of
professional settings. (K&U)
b) To develop an advanced understanding of criminology through the combination of critical /
contextual and technical / professional knowledge relevant to a range of professional settings. (K&U)
c) To critically engage with salient professional settings through taught modules, direct experience and
research on and with relevant organisations. (K&U; S&OA)
d) To provide students with the opportunity to develop specialisms within designated professional
areas relevant to those with criminological knowledge and skills. (K&U; S&OA)
e) To provide students with the opportunity and skills to design and execute original, applied research
of a professional standard tailored specifically to the demands of a salient professional setting. (S&OA)
See Appendix 1: grid mapping the Modules to the Learning Outcomes.
The course is designed directly to enhance both graduate employability per se and the career
development capacities of those students already employed in relevant professional settings. The
course is designed to primarily address two student constituencies. First are graduates of
undergraduate degree programmes in criminology, and other cognate disciplines such as Forensic
Studies, Psychology and Sociology who want to pursue careers with criminology specialisms. Second
are those students already in a number of policing, security or other criminological careers who want
to enhance their career development capacities through continuing professional development. The
course is also relevant to those, both graduates and practitioners, from non-criminology backgrounds
who want to pursue criminological careers.
The programme emphasises the application of criminological knowledge and skills above their
generation and practice. This involves four elements: i) exposing students directly to professional
criminological contexts through work-based learning opportunities; ii) providing students with an
overview of a range of settings within which criminological knowledge is applied and in-depth
knowledge of certain settings including policing and security; iii) critical scrutiny of professional
settings within which criminological knowledge and skills are applied and practiced and iv) simulation
of tasks and exercises from these settings through interactive learning, teaching and assessment
exercises.
The Applied Criminology programme is based in the Department of Applied Social Studies. The
Department also houses the Crime and Justice Research Centre (CJRC). The CJRC is a cross-faculty
centre which brings together academics from across the University with interests in many aspects of
crime and justice. The CJRC hosts regular internal and public events including lectures, conferences,
seminars, book launches and workshops. These have included public lectures by legal academic
Professor Michael Zander (October 2013) and by Guardian prisons correspondent, author and former
long-term prisoner Erwin James (October 2014). The intention is that the CJRC acts as a meeting point
for the academic study of crime and justice, the practices of criminal justice, punishment and
rehabilitation and public interest and understanding of these issues. The Applied Criminology
programme is integrated into this administrative framework and will take advantage of the its copresence with the CJRC. Students on the Applied Criminology programme will be invited to take
advantage of events organised by the CJRC either as attendees or participants. Further, the CJRC, now
that it is established, will develop an advisory board of criminal justice practitioners from the region
and beyond. Part of the remit of the advisory board will be to offer advice on the running and
development of the Applied Criminology programme.
The Applied Criminology programme aims to develop students that are ready to enter professional
settings but who are not 'finished'. This reflects dialogues with employers who articulate their desires
for graduate entrants who are competent and confident in their knowledge, skills and experience and
in their relevance to the settings they are entering but who are open to further development by their
employers through their progressive professional experiences and through continuing professional
development. The programme aims to place the inherent contingencies of the knowledges and skills it
develops at the heart of its ethos.
The course explores the application of criminology knowledge, understanding and skills to professional
settings through taught modules, work-based learning and direct experience of professional settings
and applied research tailored to the needs of specific criminological organisations and institutions. The
demands of the course, particularly as experienced through assessment, mirror those of the
professional settings they address. Assessments are designed to either foster knowledge which is
directly applicable to relevant professional settings or which mirror tasks demanded by these
professional settings. For example, presentations (various modules), a work based portfolio (CR7951),
professional report including recommendations for practice in a policing context (CR7953), a briefing
paper and a knowledge exchange (professionally oriented) research project report (CR7960). The
course also fosters dialogues with, and direct experience of, these professional settings through workbased learning, visiting speakers from external organisations, external visits and applied research.
All students taking the final award will be required to undertake a work-based learning module which
will either explore their existing criminologically relevant careers setting, or will be based around an
internship or voluntary experience with an appropriate external organisation or agency. Further, all
students taking the full award will be required to design, execute and present an applied research
project which addresses the needs of a specific professional setting or organisation / agency. The
project will be expected to be of a professional standard and may be designed in dialogue with a
specific external organisation or agency.
The course aims to produce rounded and employable graduates by developing both contextual /
critical and professional / technical criminological knowledge and understanding and exploring the
relationships and tensions between them.
4. PROGRAMME STRUCTURE, LEVELS, MODULES, CREDIT AND AWARDS
This section outlines the levels of study, modules and credits required for each programme (where
there is more than one) and for the final and exit awards.
Module Code and Title
CR7950: Applied Criminology
PS7950: Foundations of Forensic Psychology Practice
CR7953: Investigative Leadership and Management in
Policing
CR7955: Movement and Security in a Global World
CR7951: Work Based Learning in Applied Criminology
CR7952: Applied Criminological Research
PS7955: The Criminal Justice System and the Legal
Framework
CR7954: Comparative Perspectives on Contemporary
Policing
CR7956: Cybercrime and Cybersecurity
CR7960: Applied Criminology Knowledge Exchange
Project
Indicative Programme of Study
CORE
CR7950: Applied Criminology
CR7951: Work Based Learning in Applied Criminology
CR7952: Applied Criminological Research
CR7960: Applied Criminology Knowledge Exchange Project
OPTIONS:
2 x optional modules
Credits
40
20
20
Status
Mandatory
Option
Option
Semester
Sem 1
Sem 1
Sem 1
20
20
20
20
Option
Mandatory
Mandatory
Option
Sem 1
Sem 2
Sem 2
Sem 2
20
Option
Sem 2
20
60
Option
Mandatory
Sem 2
Sem 2 /
Summer
40 credits
20 credits
20 credits
60 credits
40 credits
-----------180 credits
Full time to be taken over one year, part time over a minimum of two years.
CR7960: Applied Criminology Knowledge Exchange Project (60 credits) is an equivalent to a
dissertation module but one more focused towards specific professional contexts. The project would
be run over the summer period with a hand in deadline of the last working day in September.
There are six option modules incorporated within the programme. These are themed, two modules
each, around three areas: Forensic Psychology, Policing and Security. There are no co- or prerequisites attached to these modules. Students select two option modules from those available (not all
option modules will necessarily run every academic year). Students, therefore, are free if they wish to
select two option modules from two different themes or two from the same theme. This allows
students to either engage with two different professional themes through these option modules or to
specialise in one theme. These themes have no formal status within the programme, i.e. the titles of
exit awards are not affected by the students' choices of option modules.
The PG Cert is awarded for the completion of 60 credits at level 7. It will be awarded for the
completion of CR7950: Applied Criminology (40 credits) and CR7951: Work Based Learning in Applied
Criminology or one option module (20 credits). The PG Diploma is awarded for the completion of 120
credits at level 7. It will be awarded for the completion of the following modules CR7950: Applied
Criminology (40 credits), CR7951: Work Based Learning in Applied Criminology (20 credits), and either
CR7952: Applied Criminological Research (20 credits) and two option modules (2 x 20 credits each) or
three option modules (3 x 20 credits each). These modules can be studied concurrently.
Glossary
Core = modules must be taken and passed
Mandatory = modules must be taken but may be eligible for compensation
Optional = modules may be selected by students, subject to availability
5. LEARNING, TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT
5.1
Means of delivery:
These are defined and include the Key Information Set (KIS) Activity Type.
Additional information, which complements this, is available via the Unistats ‘widget’ on the
University’s individual course pages (applicable only for undergraduate programmes).

Lectures: These are designed to provide fundamental knowledge in an efficient and accessible
form. Lectures are not designed as the primary means of delivery on the programme but
rather as a means of providing knowledge that can be explored in a more interactive and indepth way through other means of delivery. (KIS Activity Type - Lecture)

Seminars: Seminars cover a wide range of practices based around interactive group discussion.
Where modules are delivered by a combination of lecture and seminar, seminars are used to
open out concepts introduced by lectures and deepen learning often by textual inquiry.
Seminar work covers a wide variety of learning strategies including group discussions and
student-led sessions. Seminars provide a vital opportunity for students to participate in group
discussion, give presentations and jointly explore themes and arguments. Seminars therefore
train students in the communication skills required for constructive participation in team work
and generating ideas by interaction. They are important in allowing students to engage with
the process of learning as well as the given subject matter of the class. (KIS Activity Type Seminar)

Workshops: These classes involve student-led but staff supervised sessions. Typically they
involve students working on or towards specified assignments / projects. (KIS Activity Type –
Supervised time in studio / workshop)

External visits: The programme provides opportunities for students to engage with external
organisations, institutions and groups through short external visits. These include tours of
facilities, offices and workplaces, centres, or field sites as appropriate. They allow students the
opportunity to experience a range of sites and organisational settings within which
criminological knowledge is generated, applied and contested and to meet specialists
associated with these sites and facilities who are engaged in these processes. (KIS Activity
Type – External visits)

Block delivery: this will consist of lecture and seminar content delivered intensively in one-day
blocks. This is to facilitate access to those part-time students with employment commitments
and for whom regular attendance is problematic. This is combined with distance delivery to
facilitate modes of learning accessible to this constituency. For full-time students this extends
their experience of teaching and learning modes and opens up spaces within the semester
that allows enhanced flexibility with regard to their study options. (KIS Activity Type – Lecture,
Seminar, Supervised time in studio / workshop, depending on nature of block)

Distance delivery: this consists of delivery through a virtual learning environment and includes
the delivery of textual and / or video contents, online group discussions and debates, peer-topeer discussions and individual online interactions with module staff. This is combined with
block delivery to provide an accessible blended learning experience. (KIS Activity Type - NA)

Work-based learning: “learning that is integral to a higher education programmes and is
usually achieved and demonstrated through engagement with a workplace environment, the
assessment of reflective practice and the designation of appropriate learning outcomes”
(Approved Procedures for Work Based Learning and Placements, 2013-2014). (KIS Activity
Type – Placement including work based learning)

Research project supervision: These are sessions, typically one to one or small group, where
students discuss and receive feedback specific to their own project work. The project
supervision typically takes place at a number of points within the evolution of the knowledge
exchange project. The project supervision allows for the discussion of theoretical / conceptual
issues, issues relating to research methods, the collection of data the presentation of project
outcomes as well as related issues such as practical, ethical and health and safety issues. (KIS
Activity Type – Project supervision)

Block delivery: this will consist of lecture and seminar content delivered intensively in one-day
blocks. This is to facilitate access to those part-time students with employment commitments
and for whom regular attendance is problematic. This is combined with distance delivery to
facilitate modes of learning accessible to this constituency. For full-time students this extends
their experience of teaching and learning modes and opens up spaces within the semester
that allows enhanced flexibility with regard to their study options. (KIS Activity Type – Lecture,
Seminar, Supervised time in studio / workshop, depending on nature of block)

Distance delivery: this consists of delivery through a virtual learning environment and includes
the delivery of textual and / or video contents, online group discussions and debates, peer-topeer discussions and individual online interactions with module staff. This is combined with
block delivery to provide an accessible blended learning experience. (KIS Activity Type – N/A)
5.2
Types of assessment employed:

Critical Reflection: Students are asked to reflect on their own practice. A critical reflection
should include an assessment of personal effectiveness within the tasks undertaken and
discussion of any issues or limitations to this effectiveness. A critical reflection should also be
forward looking and discuss lessons learning from the experience being reflected upon. (KIS
Activity Type – Written assignment, including essay)

Essay: Students are required to respond to, typically, one of a number of specified essay
questions. Essays will vary in length according to maximum word count requirements of
individual modules and in accordance with the Academic Regulations for Postgraduate
Programmes. (KIS Activity Type – Written assignment, including essay)

Exam: Students are required to undertake unseen examinations. Students are required to
answer a number of questions as specified in the rubrics of individual examinations. The
length of examinations will vary in accordance with the requirements of individual modules
and in accordance with the Academic Regulations for Taught Programmes. (KIS Activity Type –
Written exam)

Literature Review: Students are required to undertake a comprehensive review of literatures
salient to various topics. The output should reflect a deep critical understanding of these,
often multidisciplinary, literatures and the ability to produce organised, reasoned and critical
discussions of them, the approaches employed within them, their theoretical or professional
underpinnings and their findings. Students should be comfortable with discussing any
limitations of the literatures they review. (KIS Activity Type– Written assignment, including
essay)

Portfolio: Students will be required to develop a portfolio made up of a series of tasks related
to specific modules and areas of study. Portfolios may reflect a period of professional
development (for example on the module Work Based Learning in Applied Criminology). (KIS
Activity Type– Portfolio)

Presentation (Group and individual): Students will undertake individual and / or group
presentations. The time for these presentations will vary according to the level of study or
whether individual or group presentation. Students will be encouraged to utilise various
electronic technologies in preparing and delivering presentations. (KIS Activity Type – Oral
assessment and presentation)

Project: Projects are generally assessments that are based, in part at least, on the collection,
analysis, presentation and interpretation of original data. The project brings this together with
requirements that might include reviewing literatures and addressing specific professional
contexts. The project is typically the outcome of a lengthy engagement, planning and
execution process. Projects should be presented in a professional way that is both appropriate
to any potential or actual audience and which reveals and reflects the planning and execution
process. (KIS Activity Type– Project output (other than dissertation))

Report: Students will be required to produce professional reports of various kinds as specified
in the guidance for individual modules. The word length of the report will be in accordance
with the aforementioned regulations. (KIS Activity Type – Report)
See Appendix 2: Grid detailing assessments by module.
The interests of students with protected characteristics will be taken into consideration and
reasonable adjustments to assessments will be made provided that these do not compromise
academic standards as expressed through the learning outcomes.
6. QUALITY ASSURANCE AND ENHANCEMENT
6.1
Mechanisms for review and evaluation:
Quality assurance and enhancement at Module Level
Students provide feedback to module tutors through Module Evaluation Forms, reviews and other
responses. The tutor collates the evaluation forms and produces a response for discussion at
Programme Committee. The response identifies good practice and proposes remedies for any points of
concern. The response is made available to students at the next running of the module.
Quality assurance and enhancement at Programme Level
The Programme Committee evaluates the success of the programme, paying particular attention to
student feedback and student representatives. Minutes from the Programme Committee and the
External Examiners report will inform the Annual Programme Evaluation which is submitted for
approval to the Faculty Academic Development Committee. Issues for attention are identified and
included in the action plan for the following year.
Quality assurance and enhancement at Department Level
The Annual Programme Evaluation is submitted to the Department for discussion and to draw out
department objectives.
Quality assurance and enhancement at Faculty Level
The Annual Programme Evaluation is submitted to the Faculty Academic Development Committee
which has oversight of learning development in the Faculty, including via Peer Observation of Teaching.
Quality assurance and enhancement at University Level
The quality of the programme is monitored by an External Examiner appointed by the University’s
Senate Academic Development Committee. The External Examiner’s Report is distributed to the ViceChancellor, First Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Director of Academic Quality and Development, the Faculty
Dean and Faculty Head of Quality. A summary of all external examiner reports is received at Senate
Academic Development Committee. An annual audit of Faculties is conducted by Senate Academic
Development Committee.
Quality assurance and enhancement for Staff
The quality of learning and teaching is supported by the Peer Observation of Teaching and Staff
Development, by Staff Development and Review, by attendance at conferences and curriculum-focused
staff development, by external involvement such as external examining and by involvement in research
and knowledge exchange activities.
6.2
Indicators of Quality and Standards
External Examiner Report(s)
Annual Monitoring process
Student feedback including the National Student Survey or Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey
Student representation at Faculty level and University level committees
Programme Revalidation
Higher Education Review
7. THE REGULATORY & POLICY FRAMEWORK
7.1
The programme conforms fully with the University’s:
Academic Regulations for Taught Programmes
7.2
No exemptions from the Academic Regulations are required.
7.3
External Professional Statutory Regulatory Body Accreditation
None.
7.4
Engagement with UK Quality Code and Subject Benchmarks
Validation and Revalidation assure the University of the Programme’s continued engagement with
FHEQ and appropriate consideration of subject benchmarks. Between validations external examiners
assure the University that this engagement remains active and evident.
7.5
Engagement with Work Based Learning and Placements Approved Procedures
The module tutor for CR7951: Work Based Learning in Applied Criminology will satisfy themselves that
each placement provider, whether sourced through a programme contact or arranged independently
by the student, is suitable. This judgement will be made with reference to the ability of the placement
provider to allow the student to successfully meet the learning outcomes of the placement; health and
safety issues; student support on placements and reasonable and anticipatory adjustments for
students with a disability or learning difficulty. The module tutor will make placement providers aware
of their responsibilities in relation to the provision of learning opportunities; the mentoring of
students; the health and safety of students; the need for providers to comply with relevant
employment legislation; insurance cover in the event of an accident; making reasonable adjustments
for students with a disability; any obligations to attend meetings concerning the placement and any
changes in the students’ circumstances either before commencement of or during the placement. The
module tutor will also ensure that students are aware of the support available to them and their
responsibilities. Students will be provided with timely information, tutoring, support and guidance
prior to, throughout and following their placement. The module tutor will collect feedback from
students both during the placement and on its completion and will monitor the placement process as
part of the annual monitoring process and will also ensure that feedback is received from placement
providers, utilising, where appropriate the CJRC / programme advisory board.
Appendix 1
Grid mapping Modules to Learning Outcomes
a) To provide an advanced, systematic understanding of criminology and its application to a variety
of professional settings. (K&U)
b) To develop an advanced understanding of criminology through the combination of critical /
contextual and technical / professional knowledge relevant to a range of professional settings. (K&U)
c) To critically engage with salient professional settings through taught modules, direct experience
and research on and with relevant organisations. (K&U; S&OA)
d) To provide students with the opportunity to develop specialisms within designated professional
areas relevant to those with criminological knowledge and skills. (K&U; S&OA)
e) To provide students with the opportunity and skills to design and execute original, applied
research of a professional standard tailored specifically to the demands of a salient professional
setting. (S&OA)
LO a)
CR7950: Applied Criminology
x
CR7951: Work Based Learning in Applied Criminology
x
CR7952: Applied Criminological Research
x
CR7953: Investigative Leadership and Management in
Policing
x
CR7954: Comparative Perspectives on Contemporary
Policing
LO b)
LO c)
LO d)
LO e)
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
CR7955: Movement and Security in a Global World
x
x
x
x
CR7956: Cybercrime and Cybersecurity
x
x
x
x
CR7960: Applied Criminology Knowledge Exchange
Project
x
x
x
x
PS7950: Foundations of Forensic Psychology Practice
x
x
x
x
PS7955: The Criminal Justice System and the Legal
Framework
x
x
x
x
x
Appendix 2
Grid mapping Assessments to Modules
CR7950: Applied
Criminology
Exam
Essay
x
x
Presentation
Portfolio
Critical
Reflection
Report
Briefing
Paper
Project
x
CR7951: Work Based
Learning in Applied
Criminology
x
CR7952: Applied
Criminological
Research
x
xx
CR7953:
Investigative
Leadership and
Management in
Policing
x
x
CR7954:
Comparative
Perspectives on
Contemporary
Policing
x
x
CR7955: Movement
and Security in a
Global World
x
x
CR7956: Cybercrime
and Cybersecurity
x
CR7960: Applied
Criminology
Knowledge Exchange
Project
x
x
x
PS7950: Foundations
of Forensic
Psychology Practice
PS7955: The Criminal
Justice System and
the Legal Framework
Literature
Review
x
x