University of Cambridge: Programme Specifications MASTER OF STUDIES IN APPLIED CRIMINOLOGY AND POLICE MANAGEMENT

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1 University of Cambridge: Programme Specifications Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this programme specification. Programme specifications are produced and then reviewed annually by the relevant faculty or department and revised where necessary. However, we reserve the right to withdraw, update or amend this programme specification at any time without notice. Further information about specifications and an archive of programme specifications for all awards of the University is available online at: MASTER OF STUDIES IN APPLIED CRIMINOLOGY AND POLICE MANAGEMENT 1 Awarding body University of Cambridge 2 Teaching institution University of Cambridge 3 Accreditation details None 4 Name of final award MSt. 5 Programme title Applied Criminology and Police Management 6 JACS code(s) L300, M200 7 Relevant QAA benchmark None statement(s) 8 Qualifications framework level 7 (Masters) 9 Date specification was produced/ May 2010 last revised 10 Date specification was last reviewed April 2011 Aims of the Programme To offer an up-to-date and high-quality course, introducing senior police officers and suitably qualified others to some of the most important theory and research in applied criminology and policing management. To develop the skills necessary to locate, interpret and analyse research and other relevant source materials To develop the conceptual understanding necessary to evaluate research methods and findings To facilitate course members in communicating the results of their ideas, research and its conclusions in a written form, as well as orally. To enhance the capacity of course members to apply current research in applied criminology and police management to aspects of their work. To provide high-quality teaching enabling police managers and others to gain a University of Cambridge Master s degree in Applied Criminology and Police Management Teaching and Learning Methods Teaching blocks The residential teaching blocks at the Institute incorporate four key modules: Criminological Theory; Evidence Based Policing; Leadership and Management; and Research Methods. The modules cover a range of topics and use a range of delivery styles including seminars, lectures, symposia, practical exercises and project work. Reading lists are provided for each session, giving required and suggested further reading. Supervisions Page 1 of 6

2 Students are allocated a Personal Supervisor with whom they can discuss any aspect of the course (essay choice, thesis topic, time management, sources of information, academic development and support) on a one-to-one basis. Independent Study Study time is incorporated into the teaching blocks. Students have access to college library facilities as well as the Radzinowicz (Institute of Criminology), Squire (Faculty of Law), the Judge Institute of Management Studies and University Libraries. Learning support All students are members of either Wolfson or Fitzwilliam Colleges and have access to learning support provided by the University and the college. As indicated, the allocated supervisor within the Institute is available to give advice on subject choices, dissertation topic, time management, sources of information, academic development and support. The supervisor is responsible for clarifying feedback provided by Examiners in marked pieces of work (consulting with Examiners where necessary). In the second year, supervision may pass to another member of staff who is better suited to supervise the thesis topic. In some cases a separate subject specific thesis advisor may also be allocated to work alongside the supervisor. Individual course leaders and subject specialists may also assist with preparation for essays and theses, although they are allowed to read only one draft of the thesis, (not the essays). The Director of the Institute, the Director of the programme and the MSt Administrator can all offer general advice to students. A book of guidance notes is distributed to all students. Student support materials are also available via a distance-learning website. Students are encouraged to make full use of learning resources in the Institute and beyond, particularly in the Faculty of Law and the Judge Institute of Management Studies. The Institute s learning resources include the Radzinowicz Library, one of the world s leading collections on crime-related topics, and computing facilities. Assessment Methods Four essays of not more than 3,000 words chosen by the candidate from lists of topics relating to the key modules and approved by the External Examiner. Three of these constitute the units of assessment for Year One : students who progress to the second year submit a fourth essay before the first study block of the second year A methods assignment, approved by the External Examiner, of not more than 3,000 words. From 2012 an assessed oral presentation on the thesis in progress A thesis of not more than 18,000 words (including footnotes or endnotes but excluding bibliographical references) on a criminological topic chosen by the student under guidance from supervisors and approved by the Degree Committee of the Faculty of Law Programme Structure The programme is a part-time course which takes place over two years. Admission to the programme is by application to the Programme Administrator at the Institute of Criminology. After an internal selection process, which may include an interview with the Programme Page 2 of 6

3 Director, successful applications are forwarded to the Institute of Continuing Education and the Board of Graduate Studies for ratification. There are normally three two week residential teaching blocks in the first year: Block A (March/April), Block B (July) and Block C (September). During each block the students are given a list of topics relating to that block, and from which they may choose an essay title. Three essays fall due during the first year. The Board of Examiners meets in early December to validate the provisional marks for the three essays, determine the suitability of participants to progress to the Master s course, and forward their recommendations to the Awards and Qualifications Committee of the Institute of Continuing Education. Option 1 Option 2 for overseas only All candidates should be senior police officers (normally Inspector or above); or senior civilian personnel working within police forces or in public sector organisations concerned with crime and police-related operations; or, exceptionally, may be selected by application on their academic and professional merits as being an appropriate course member.. YEAR 1 YEAR 1 Spring Spring First residential block (two First residential block (three May Submission of Essay 1 July Second residential block (two August Submission of Essay 2 September Third residential block (two October Submission of Essay 3 December Meeting of Board of Examiners May Submission of Essay 1 August Submission of Essay 2 September Second residential block (three October Submission of Essay 3 December Meeting of Board of Examiners YEAR 2 YEAR 2 All candidates must have met the requirements for completion of the Year 1 (average of 50+ on each of three essays), and be recommended for progression to Masters Year by the Board of Examiners. All candidates must have met the requirements for completion of the Year 1 (average of 50+ on each of three essays), and be recommended for progression to Masters Year by the Board of Page 3 of 6

4 Spring May July September January Submission of Essay 4 First residential block (2 Submission of Methods Exercise Second residential block (2 Third residential block (2 Submission of MSt thesis Meeting of Board of Examiners Examiners. Submission of Essay 4 Spring First residential block (3 May September January Submission of Methods Exercise Second residential block (3 Submission of MSt thesis Meeting of Board of Examiners Requirements for the Award of the Degree 1. Year 1: 3 x 3,000 word essays. Each essay is taken from a separate module of the teaching programme All candidates should pass all three essays with a mark of at least 45 (from 2012, this will be raised to 60 as per the new marking scheme). 2. Year 2: an additional 3,000 word essay; a 3,000 word methods assignment; From 2012, an assessed oral presentation an 18,000 word thesis. Progression Requirements All candidates progress is reviewed at the end of year 1 at the meeting of the Board of Examiners. Following the review, decisions are made whether or not to recommend students for continuation to year 2. In order to be considered for the Master s degree, students should have a pass mark of at least (from 2012, this will be raised to 60 in accordance with the new marking scheme) in each essay. The three units of assessment for the Master s degree are: the four essays, which constitute one unit; the methods exercise and the thesis. (From 2012, there will be an added oral presentation assessment).failure in any one of these units risks failure in the degree as a whole. A marginal failure may be compensated by a strong performance elsewhere, at the discretion of the Board of Examiners, who make recommendations to the Degree Committee of the Faculty of Law and to the Board of Graduate Studies. Any student who completes year 1 successfully but who does not proceed to or complete year 2, will be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Criminology and Police Management. Page 4 of 6

5 The marking scale: Year 1 Clear pass 50 or higher Borderline pass Borderline fail Clear fail 39 or lower Year 2 (a) High Pass (60 and over) Excellent 70+ Very good Good (b) Pass (50-60) Acceptable Borderline pass Borderline fail Fail Less than 48 The marking scale from 2012: tbc Year 1 Clear pass 60 or higher Marginal Fail Fail 56 & below Year 2 (b) High Pass (76 and over) Excellent 70+ (b) Pass (60+) Marginal Fail Fail Less than 56 Quality Assurance The Institute participates in the University s quality assurance and enhancement system, and is required to obtain the approval of the Board of Graduate Studies before any significant changes are made to courses. All essays, methods assignments and theses are anonymously and independently marked by two internal examiners. The Institute appoints an External Examiner according to the University guidelines. The External Examiner acts as a moderator by reviewing a proportion of essays including: any which have received a borderline mark (49 or below for year 1, 52 or below for year 2); any essays for which internal examiners have been unable to agree a mark; and any essays for which the internal examiners have agreed an exceptionally high or low mark. Candidates who fail any essay are required to attend a viva voce examination at which the external examiner is present. The External Examiner also considers essays, assignments and theses where specific requests have been made by internal examiners, for example, where plagiarism or other irregularities are suspected. The External Examiner attends the meetings of the Board of Examiners of both Master s years, and provides written reports which are considered by the Learning and Teaching Committee of the Institute of Criminology and where appropriate, changes to the programme and its delivery are introduced. The reports, and information on any action taken as a result, are forwarded to the Degree Committee of the Faculty of Law. At the end of each residential block, course members complete an evaluation relating Page 5 of 6

6 to each seminar, considering questions on course aims, provision of pre-course reading material, and the relevance and usefulness of course seminars, lectures and learning/administrative support. Course members are also given the opportunity to comment on the syllabus in general, and on any guest speakers they may particularly wish to contribute to the evening seminar programme. The evaluations are then considered at a syllabus review meeting and in some cases, the Learning and Teaching Committee. Where appropriate, changes are introduced for the benefit of subsequent cohorts Page 6 of 6