PG Cert / MA in Transnational Organised Crime

View modules

The MA in Transnational Organised Crime programme draws on the disciplines of policing and criminology.  There is no doubt that the increasing development and level of sophistication of Transnational Organised Crime and the policy challenges it poses to all states will be right at the centre of top-level careers in strategic security policy in the coming years.  A student who graduates will do so with a broad knowledge and perspective of Organised Crime, its operations and the methods and tactics used to counteract it and therefore will add considerable value within the sector they choose to enter. The programme aims to explain the key drivers and activities of organised crime in the context of globalization and the many parallels between the structures and operations of OCGs and big businesses.

Why Buckingham?

The programme is offered by Buckingham’s Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies (BUCSIS), which has built an international reputation over the last decade as one of the premier university centres in which to study this subject-area and build a solid career in the field.

The University of Buckingham prides itself on its teaching quality, scoring gold in the first Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) assessment in 2017; and consistently scoring first nationally in the National Student Satisfaction survey.

Who is it for?
The PG Cert / MA in Transnational Organised Crime is aimed at the next generation of police and law enforcement leaders, including officers, detectives and analysts; as well as independent researchers looking for accreditation, retired professionals looking for stimulation, and those looking to gain a qualification that would enable them to build long-term careers in law enforcement, security and intelligence.

What does it deliver?
This programme provides students with an internationally-recognizable professional qualification in the field, while becoming a nexus for innovative and practically useful thinking. The unique blended-delivery approach, in which intensive contact teaching is supplemented by online learning, will encourage applicants from the professional market who wish to professionalise themselves while continuing with their careers.
For those wishing to proceed on from the initial PG Cert (2 terms of blended learning) to the full MA (4 terms in total including the addition of a supervised long dissertation project), the programme offers students the opportunity to delve deeper into a topic that has professional relevance to them, or equally into an area in which they have a personal interest.

The minimum entry level required for this course is as follows:

• a first or second-class honours degree from a recognised university or,
• a recognised professional qualification with relevant work experience

Mature students

Age is no barrier to learning and we welcome all applications from suitably qualified students.

International students

We are happy to consider all international applications and if you are an international student, you may find it useful to visit our international pages for details of entry requirements from your home country.

The University is a UKVI Student Sponsor.

English levels

If English is not your first language, please check our undergraduate English language requirements. If your English levels don’t meet our minimum requirements, you may be interested in applying for our Pre-sessional English Language Foundation Programmes.

Selection process

Wherever possible, you will be invited to the University to meet the Admissions Tutor for an informal interview and to have a tour of our campus. If you are an international applicant, it may not be possible for you to visit in person, so if the Admissions Tutor has any queries about your application you may be contacted by Microsoft Teams, email or phone.

Our Admissions Team will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Call us on +44 (0)1280 820227 or get in touch via our online form.

Student Contract for prospective students

When you are offered a place at the University you will be notified of the student contract between the University and students on our courses of study. When you accept an offer of a place on the course at the University a legal contract is formed between you and the University on the basis of the student contract in your offer letter. Your offer letter and the student contract contain important information which you should read carefully before accepting an offer. Read the Student Contract

What does it deliver?

The Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) programme comprises two modules of ten weeks each, covering: Transnational Organised Crime Threats; and Policing Organised Crime. These run respectively from September – December, and January – March.

The programme is delivered using a blended learning mechanism, which combines materials accessed via an online Virtual Learning Environment, with periods of intensive face-to-face teaching and discussion. Assessment is constituted by a number of written assignments, including essays on big-picture issues; and short policy-paper exercises.

Tutor support is provided throughout, and there are opportunities to attend extra workshops and symposia at the university for those who are able to do so.

For those wishing to proceed on from the PG Cert to a full MA qualification, the two initial modules are followed by a third module on Research Methods and Design; followed by the planning and execution of a supervised research paper project of 12,000 words.

This is submitted in September, following one full year of study overall, and achieves the qualification of an MA (Res.).

Module A: Transnational Organised Crime Threats

Includes:

• The nature and structure of Organised Crime Groups (OCGs)
• Narcotics trafficking
• Money laundering
• How OCGs operate as a business
• Case studies in major Transnational OCGs

Module B: Policing Organised Crime

Includes:

• Using Business Analysis towards targeted law enforcement
• Going undercover: Covert Policing tactics and strategies
• Organised Crime Intelligence analysis techniques
• Case studies in policing Transnational OCGs

Graduate employment

Our graduates have gone on to further study at most of the world’s leading universities, including Harvard, London, Oxford and Cambridge and secured jobs in senior positions around the world. Among our alumni we have a graduate who became the head of his country’s civil service and one who became a leading Formula One motor-racing driver. Another secured a position as the Minister of Sabah and one female law graduate became the first British lawyer to become a French Advocate.

Obtain a second degree in Germany

If you arrange to transfer to our partner university in Germany, you will receive a second Master’s degree after a further year of study. See here for details

Postgraduate loan scheme

A new system of postgraduate loans for Masters degrees in the UK was introduced in August 2016 with support from the UK Government. The loan will provide up to £10,609 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas. The loans can be used for tuition fees, living expenses or both.  Find out more >>

Scholarships

Details of scholarships can be found on our main Bursaries and Scholarships page. You should make an application to study at the University and receive an offer letter confirming our acceptance of your application before applying for a scholarship.

You may also find it useful to visit our External Funding page.

Due to the mode of study on this course you will not normally need a room in University accommodation during your degree.

However, if you require short-term accommodation in Buckingham we would be happy to provide a list of local bed and breakfast or hotel accommodation.
Alternatively, please contact our Accommodation Office for advice.

Apply directly

You can apply directly using our online application form – all you need to do is click the ‘apply’ button at the bottom of this page.

Help and support

If you need any help making your application or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch using the form below, or by phone on +44 (0)1280 820227. We are available between 09:00 and 17:00, Monday to Friday.

If you would like to make any changes to your current application, please contact Admissions using the form below.