International Master of Science in Advanced Research in Criminology: Border Crossing, Security and Social Justice

The International Master of Science in Advanced Research in Criminology (IMARC) aims to address the need for internationally oriented and interdisciplinary trained researchers who can offer original insights and analyses as well as innovative, effective and ethical solutions to advance policy, practice and academic research.

Increasing flows of people, goods and information raise new questions about how governments and societies respond to perceived and actual threats of crime. Current developments in Europe and beyond challenge not only our understanding of crime and crime control, but also the balance between demands for security and social justice. IMARC trains students to develop fresh and critical views on terrorism, human trafficking, cybercrime, corporate and organized crime, external and internal border control, EU criminal justice, policing and crime prevention, migration policies, human rights, social exclusion and urban safety. The programme gives students the opportunity to study a broad range of substantive criminological issues, whilst simultaneously providing a robust theoretical foundation within which students can develop deeper analytical and critical thinking. Being a research-intensive Master’s programme there is also a strong emphasis on providing students with training in a variety of research approaches and methodologies and an extended dissertation.

A consortium of four European universities – Erasmus University Rotterdam (The Netherlands - EUR), Ghent University (Belgium - UGent), University of Málaga (Spain - UMA) and Middlesex University (United Kingdom - MDX) – offers this two-year joint Master’s programme and brings together learning, research and practice through collaboration with already well-established partners such as governments, NGO’s, corporate actors and other universities. IMARC’s co-operation with both private and public organisations boosts the programme's innovation and our student's employability. IMARC provides an asset of transversal skills related to lifelong learning and employment opportunities.

The IMARC joint programme is staggered across two full-time academic years, and is divided into four balanced terms, totalling 120 ECTS. Each term comprises thirty ECTS.

All students will be initially located at Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR), where they will take their first taught semester. The first term focuses on central themes in international criminology and is aimed at developing a strong methodological foundation for student research projects by completing a suite of methods modules.

Students will take four modules: two modules introducing relevant themes in international criminology (Globalisation, Digitalisation & Crime; Corporate and White-collar Crime & Governance), and two modules developing methodological skills specifically relevant to undertaking research in international contexts (Advanced Research Methods; Analysing Criminal Policies).

From a theoretical as well as from a practical perspective, IMARC covers a wide range of themes, including theory and methodology, geopolitics, cities and urban transformations, inclusion and exclusion, migration, human smuggling and trafficking, culture and hybrid identities, radicalisation and extremism, European Union law and policy on justice and Home Affairs, and regulation and control.

In the second term, students will follow one of the thematic tracks available at EUR, UGent, UMA or MDX.

In the third term, students will participate in a mandatory Common Session in Critical Criminology, which is a twice-yearly conference for students and staff. Students will continue their supervised research, for example through fieldwork, or a research work placement (at network partner institutions), or desk-based data collection. And they will continue to strenthen their knowledge and research skills at the university of their choice.

In the fourth term, students write their Master’s dissertation at their track university.

The programme will enable students to find employment not only as a researcher in the academic, public, or third sectors or commercial organisations, but also as a consultant, data analyst, compliance officer, policy adviser or policy maker, advocate or manager.