Applied Social Sciences: Globalisation and Crime MSc

Course code L3GC

What is special about this course?

Are you interested in exploring and understanding the world around you, particularly in relation to globalisation and crime, via the theory and application of the social sciences?

The MSc Applied Social Sciences: Globalisation and Crime is a unique, multi-disciplinary programme that allows you to explore these critical issues using the disciplines of psychology, sociology, criminology, and politics, to gain in-depth understanding of these complex situations and employ your knowledge in the real world.

You will apply theory from the social sciences in order to reflect upon and comprehend these phenomena, ultimately using your understanding to enhance society, particularly in relation to globalisation and crime. You will undertake seven modules, including: forensic and criminal psychology; globalisation, work and society; world of terror; transnational crime; research methods and techniques; applied research project; and a dissertation. You will have the opportunity to complete a project based on a work placement or relevant site/organisation relating to these topics, and complete a substantial piece of individual research.

Special features

  • The course is delivered full-time or part-time and is fully online, so you can fit your study around your personal and professional commitments from anywhere in the world.
  • Unique multi-disciplinary programme allows you to explore topics at master’s level using different academic disciplines and gain a wider perspective to take forward in the research modules.
  • Opportunity to complete your own research in the applied research project and dissertation modules; this may include a work placement or contact with relevant organisations, and the chance to apply theory in the real world.
  • Experienced and research-active team of lecturers with varied interests and contacts.
  • A small, supportive campus, providing access to a variety of resources and support.
  • Further your interests in the social sciences and gain advanced knowledge and valuable research experience to pave the way to a rewarding career.

Entry requirements

  • 2:2 honours degree or above, preferably in a social sciences or humanities subject
  • Non-native English speakers require IELTS score 6.5 (with no element below 6.0) or equivalent.
  • You must have regular and reliable access to the internet and a computer for any online degree at UHI in order to take advantage of our full range of online learning services, which include support from your tutors and fellow UHI students as well as access to UHI’s Virtual Learning Environment and vast online learning library. Click here for more information on the minimum requirements. 
  • Applicants with other qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis.
  • This is a Category 2 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required for specific optional modules/unit(s), where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in optional module/unit(s), but an alternative pathway exists to achieve target qualification. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage 

PgCert

You will study the following modules:

  • Research methods and techniques
  • Globalisation, work and society
  • Transnational crime

PgDip

You will study the following modules:

  • Applied research project*
  • Forensic and criminal psychology
  • Politics of the developing world

*You may be required to obtain PVG membership before commencing a work placement for this module, depending on your choice of placement, site or organisation

MSc

To achieve the award of MSc Applied Social Sciences: Globalisation and Crime, you must complete a dissertation.

How will I study my course?

  • Full-time
  • Part-time (structured)
  • Part-time (unstructured)
  • You will learn through a combination of online video conference lectures and tutorials, and self-study via the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors. 
  • All online lectures and tutorials can be accessed in real-time or recordings.

How long will my course last?

  • Full-time: 1.5 years @ 25 hours per week
  • Part-time (structured): 3 years @ 12 hours per week
  • Part-time (unstructured): up to 6 years

Number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent in lectures and your own time spent on individual study and research.

Where can I study my course?

  • Perth - this fully online course can be studied from anywhere in the world. You will be enrolled and supported by staff at UHI Perth.

Start date

  • September
  • January

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

  • EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
  2023-24 2024-25
Per module (20 credits) £584 £584
Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) £1,752 £1,752
Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits) £3,504 £3,504
Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation) £5,256 £5,256

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland) or assessed as rest of the UK for fee status, the following fees apply:

  2023-24 2024-25
Per module (20 credits) £720 £780
Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) £2,160 £2,340
Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits) £4,320 £4,680
Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) £6,480 £7,020

EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. These students will get an automatic fee scholarship.

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

  2023-24 With scholarship 2024-25 With scholarship
Per module (20 credits) £1,080 £810 £1,110 £833
Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) £3,240 £2,430 £3,330 £2,499
Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits, 180 credits) £6,480 £4,860 £6,660 £4,998
Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) £9,720 £7,290 £9,990 £7,497

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union, studying online from their home country, or assessed as international for fee status, the following fees apply:

  2023-24 2024-25
Per module (20 credits) £1,080 £1,110
Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) £3,240 £3,330
Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits, 180 credits) £6,480 £6,660
Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) £9,720 £9,990

This course is not available to international students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international postgraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.

Funding

Eligible Scotland-domiciled students studying full-time can access loans up to £11,500 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). This comprises a tuition fee loan up to £7,000 and a non-income assessed living cost loan of £4,500. 

Eligible Scotland-domiciled students studying part-time can apply for a tuition fee loan from SAAS.  You must be intending to complete the course in no longer than twice the length of time it would take for a full-time student. For example, if your course is available to full-time students as a one-year programme, you will be funded for a maximum of two years' part-time study. If your course does not have a full-time option, you must complete within three years. You can apply for a tuition fee loan up to £7,000, which will be paid pro-rata for each academic year of study. 

Full details can be found on the SAAS website. Applications for loans open in April.

Students from the rest of the UK who meet the eligibility requirements may be able to apply for a loan from the Student Loan Company.

Additional costs

If you choose to study the Applied research project module, you may need to apply and pay for PVG membership, depending on your choice of placement, site and organisation.

What can I do on completion of my course?

Once you have successfully completed this course, you might like to consider careers in:

  • Adult guidance/community worker
  • Border force officer
  • Charity officer
  • Criminal justice agencies
  • Cybercrime
  • Housing manager/officer
  • Local government officer
  • Police
  • Political risk analyst
  • Prison service
  • Probation officer
  • Social research
  • Social work
  • Teaching
  • Youth support work/young offenders

Can I progress into further study?

You may wish to progress from this MSc Applied Social Sciences: Globalisation and Crime to PhD study.

Is there more information available online?

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Apply for Applied Social Sciences: Globalisation and Crime MSc

I want to start in Aug/Sep 2024 or Jan/Feb 2025

We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.