How to apply

Overview

The details

Course: Policing

Start date: October 2025

Study mode: Full-time

Duration: 1 year

Location: Colchester Campus

Based in: Sociology and Criminology

Police play a crucial role in society, and policing has a direct impact on the lives, freedoms and security of citizens. This programme examines key challenges in contemporary policing.

You will have the opportunity to gain an advanced understanding of how policing works in and tries to adapt to our contemporary world. You'll explore how policing responds to challenges such as political polarisation, cybercrimes, and the globalisation of crime. Students will address cutting-edge critical, conceptual and theoretical analyses of policing, human rights, privacy and surveillance studies, domestic violence, hate crime, and gender-based violence. You will have the opportunity to hear from police themselves about how they respond to these challenges and be taught by our academic experts who have worked closely with police as well as campaigning for police reform to address brutality, abuse and misconduct. The module equips you with the necessary skills to evaluate the current academic and policy literature on policing and develop a critical understanding of key topics in policing.

Cybercrime, the dark net, policing the cybersphere
Cop culture through history
AI, big tech, and digital policing
Policing contested crimes: hate, crimes of abuse, and political protest.
Globalisation and crime
Vulnerability, harm and protecting the public
Police in the media and popular culture
International policing and borders
Crime in the city
Police ethics
Gender, race, and crime
Human rights

Why we're great.

Your personal wellbeing is our priority. We prioritise students' personal well-being and mental health, offering support through staff like the Study Support Manager and personal tutors to help with challenges such as financial concerns, mental health, and illness, while fostering a friendly, approachable, and dynamic environment.
Be a part of our Study Support Centre - The Sociology and Criminology Study Support Centre provides bespoke student support throughout the academic year. The Centre offers one-to-one and group sessions to boost study skills - ensuring you get the support you need when you need it most.
Our department is recognised as one of the top in the country for both research and teaching, with cutting-edge projects focused on criminology, media, digital culture, feminist theory, border studies, asylum and migration, critical race theory, and global studies which shape the future of sociology and criminology.

Our expert staff

Our Expert Staff include

Dr. Kat Hadjimatheou, chair of the British Society of Criminology Policing Network, Director of the Essex Centre for Criminology and advisor to the National Crime Agency, College of Policing and National Police Chief’s Council. Expert in police ethics, data-driven policing, and gender-based violence.
Dr Sergio Lo Iacono, expert in quantitative analysis, experimental methods, trust and public attitudes towards the police.
Dr Giacomo Vagni, expert in quantitative analysis of police and crime data, gender.
Dr. Samuel Singler, member of the Essex Police Research and Innovation Delivery Board (R&IDB), expert on border policing
Dr. Darren Thiel, consultant for the Police Foundation, expert in crimes of the powerful
Prof. Eamonn Carrabine, Editor-in-Chief of the British Journal of Criminology
Dr. Sobie Kaker, an expert on policing megacities and policing in Pakistan
Dr. Isabel Crowhurst, an expert in the policing, gender, and the human rights of sex workers

Specialist facilities

Essex Sociology and Criminology research has been at the cutting-edge of global sociology and criminology for six decades. In the most recent REF (REF 2021), we ranked 1st in the nation for ‘research environment’ – a testament to the pioneering work of our academic staff, PGT and PhD students.

Our Dept has five major research centres focused on criminology research, economic sociology, migration, and global south studies, drawing international visitors from across the world to Essex.

Our work on criminology, mafia studies, surveillance, and privacy studies has been featured in the world’s top media, including the Guardian, BBC, and Financial Times.

Dedicated postgraduate support facilities through a unique Student Resource Centre where you can get help with your studies, access examples of previous students' work, and attend workshops on research skills.

The Sociology common room is open Monday-Friday, and is stocked with daily newspapers, magazines and journals.

Links with the Institute of Social and Economic Research, which conducts large-scale survey projects and has its own library, and the UK Data Archive, which stores national research data like the British Crime Survey.

Our students' Sociology Society is a forum for the exchange of ideas, arranging talks by visiting speakers, introducing you to various career pathways, and organising debates.

Your future

Essex Sociology and Criminology students have gone on to high-powered, dedicated careers in criminal justice, working for organisations such as these:

Independent Office of Police Complaints
Probation service
Domestic abuse services
Suffolk County Council
Wellcome Trust
ACTAsia
The World Bank
Essex and Metropolitan Police Forces
Office of Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner
Civil Service
United Nations

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

A 2:2 degree or international equivalent in one of the following subjects:

Humanities
Mathematics
Social Science
Statistics

We will also consider applicants with a 2:2 degree in any discipline. Your degree must include at least two Quantitative or Research Method modules.

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at pgquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum score of 6.0 in all components.

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.

Structure

Course structure

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components and modules explained

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

100

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term
SP: Spring term
SU: Summer term
FY: Full year
AP: Autumn and Spring terms
PS: Spring and Summer terms
AS: Autumn and Summer terms

COMPONENT 01: CORE

Postgraduate Taught Project and Academic Skills

(60 CREDITS)

What interests you? Do you want to deepen your knowledge, build invaluable research skills and develop your academic freedom? Your dissertation lets you study a topic of your choosing, in depth, with supervision and guidance from our world-leading academics.

View Postgraduate Taught Project and Academic Skills on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: CORE

Contemporary Policing

(20 CREDITS)

View Contemporary Policing on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: CORE

Current Controversies in Criminology

(20 CREDITS)

How do we understand crime in our increasingly globalised world? And what about forms of control and criminal justice policy? Critically examine criminological thought on globalisation, migration, policy convergence, punishment, and crimes against the state.

View Current Controversies in Criminology on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY

Sociological Research Design

(20 CREDITS)

How do you design social research for projects? Examine the research process, from forming initial research questions through to writing up your findings. Develop your own research ideas via the approaches discussed, building a critical perspective on empirical research that will help you with future research goals.

View Sociological Research Design on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY

Formative Debates in Criminology

(20 CREDITS)

How do we challenge our conventional understanding of crime? And what can we do about this? Examine the history of criminology and learn about the contemporary debates. Study topics like criminalisation, social deviance, and surveillance and punishment. Look ahead with analysis of new work by leading authors in the field.

View Formative Debates in Criminology on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 06: OPTIONAL

(40 CREDITS)

Teaching

Postgraduate students in the Department of Sociology and Criminology typically have 2 hours of contact time for each module per week. This consists of a two-hour seminar, or a one-hour lecture and a one-hour class.
We have a strong research group culture
Graduate students are encouraged to take part in our various Departmental Seminars which regularly feature eminent outside speakers

Assessment

Your modules are assessed by coursework and your dissertation

Dissertation

Your 10,000-word dissertation allows you to focus in-depth on your chosen topic from April onwards
You work with close supervision from academic staff

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

£10,500

International fee

£22,750

Masters fees and funding information

Research (e.g. PhD) fees and funding information

What's next

We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:

tour our campus and accommodation
find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
meet our students and staff

If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing tours@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.

2025 Open Days (Colchester Campus)

Wednesday 19 March 2025 - Postgraduate Open Evening

Saturday 21 June 2025 - June Open Day

Saturday 20 September 2025 - September Open Day

Find out more

You can apply for this postgraduate course online. Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we'll ask you to provide as part of your application.

We aim to respond to applications within two weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.

For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘how to apply' information.

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Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.

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If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360 degree virtual tour allows you to explore the Colchester Campus from the comfort of your home. Check out our accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.

At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.

Find out more

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.