MSc Leadership in Criminal Justice and Policing Full-time

Equip yourself with skills to be an effective leader in any criminal justice setting. Gain a critical understanding of the criminal justice system. Enhance your learning with real-life assessments and study a course that's flexible around your work.

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Start date/study mode:

Course codeCID1421

Duration1 year

Fee(s)View fees

LocationOn campus

Course summary

This course focuses on leadership and management across the criminal justice system. This includes policing, probation, prisons, youth justice, and security. You'll explore key issues and challenges in crime and justice. You'll develop the insight needed for leadership roles in policy or practice.

Whether you're already working in the public or third sector, or looking to move into a leadership role, this master’s degree equips you with the skills to advance your career. We don't require any prior study in criminology or social sciences – just your genuine interest in the field.

You'll learn from research-active staff and choose from a range of modules to tailor your learning around domestic or international issues, and either policing or wider criminal justice settings, or a mix of both. The course combines theory with real-world application and you'll explore current trends, threats, and innovations in the field.

We have strong links with organisations such as the HM Prison Service, Youth Justice Service, and local police, offering valuable experience and boosting your employability. You can also volunteer as part of our Local Appropriate Adult Scheme. You'll earn a professional qualification while supporting people in police custody.

Our social science approach sets this course apart. Graduates often use the degree to progress towards higher-level roles in the police, public sector, private companies, or charities.

Why Sunderland for Policing and Investigation

I knew postgraduate study was right for me as I wanted to focus on a more specialist area relevant to my career. Since graduating, I've moved into a new role, been accepted into a Detective Sergeant programme, and I’m working towards my next promotion.
Kyle Brewis
Read Kyle Brewis's story

What you'll study

Many of our courses include a range of modules you can choose from. Some options may only be available if you’ve already studied specific modules. If you’re not sure what you need before picking a module, your course leader can help.

Postgraduate module credits should total 180. If optional modules are available alongside core modules on your course, you should choose an amount that totals 180 credits.

How you'll learn

We design classes to be interactive and inclusive, as everyone has different levels of knowledge and experience. You'll have one-to-one support from an allocated Personal Academic Tutor who'll meet with you on a regular basis.

Full-time route

You'll study the full-time route over one year from October to September. Modules take place on one evening per week, in two-hour blocks to accommodate those who work. There're also ten mandatory dissertation classes on alternate Wednesday evenings during term time.

We'll provide you with additional online tasks and materials to complete in your independent study time. We expect you to reader wider to supplement the taught material and to help you get the most out of your studies.

The course will be taught as following (some details may be subject to change):

Semester one (two core modules)

Classes are in the evening between 5-7pm for the first core module and 7-9pm for the second core module, with a short break between.

Semester two (two optional modules)

Classes are in the evening between 5-7pm and 7-9pm. Optional modules may be subject to change. In the event of low numbers of students, some options may not be available.

Semester three (core dissertation module over the year)

The dissertation module is an independent research project undertaken over the year. You'll match with a supervisor who has expertise in your chosen area of research. They'll guide you through completing your dissertation. You'll meet on a regular basis with your supervisor, either in person or on Microsoft Teams.

There are also ten mandatory taught sessions on the dissertation module. These take place on alternate Wednesday evenings during term time. There are five in the first semester and five in the second semester. We'll provide you with an academic calendar with the exact dates when you enrol.

Other commitments

We encourage you to attend voluntary training courses and opportunities where possible. You'll receive these opportunities by email throughout the course.

Enrichment weeks

Teaching doesn't take place during local half-term holidays. Instead, you'll have ‘enrichment weeks’ with optional activities. These may include guest lectures, training sessions, theatre trips, visits to museums, and more. We encourage everyone to come along to enrichment weeks in both semesters.

Course assessment

Assessment methods include essays, reports, case studies, and presentations. We design your assessments to offer experience of real-life tasks you may be expected to undertake within a criminal justice workplace. Academic staff will use constructive and detailed feedback to support your learning.

Entry requirements

We usually require at least a second class honours degree (usually a 2:1 or above) or equivalent.

Experience may count towards your application. We welcome degrees in areas such as:

Social sciences
Psychology
Business
Law
Education
Humanities
Health
Arts
Technology
Sciences.

If English isn't your first language, please see our English language requirements.

Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)

If you feel you already know some of the topics covered in this course, either due to previous learning or from work experience, you may not need to study all the course. Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) is the name given to the process of gaining credit towards a qualification because of something you've learned in the past. If you're eligible for APL, you won't have to learn the same topic again, so you can be exempt from a module, set of modules, or year of a course. If you think you may be eligible for APL, please contact the course leader.

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