Teaching
The programme is a part-time course that takes place over two years starting in the spring. There are normally three residential teaching blocks in each year, concentrated in March/April, July, and September.
The 2026 residential teaching block dates are as follows:
Block A:
6 April 2026 – 10 April 2026
13 April 2026 – 17 April 2026
Block B:
13 July 2026 – 17 July 2026
20 July 2026 – 24 July 2026
Block C:
7 Sept 2026 – 11 Sept 2026
14 Sept 2026 – 18 Sept 2026
Most of the teaching is concentrated in the first year of the course, when 24 days of lectures are spread over three residential blocks, for approximately 150 lecture hours and six hours of tutorial supervisions per student. The second year is devoted to the design and completion of an 18,000-word thesis contributing original research to the existing knowledge about policing. In the second year some teaching blocks are hybrid.
In the first year lectures, teaching covers four key modules: Evidence-Based Policing, Leadership and Management, Applied Criminological Theory, 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.
The evidence-based policing component integrates the other three modules within a framework of evidence-based targeting of priorities, testing of cost-effectiveness, and tracking of implementation of policy guidance to operating police officers. The course is closely aligned with the global intellectual movement of policing towards the growth of a complex body of knowledge for use in supporting equal protection under rule of law by improving public safety and reducing injustice (see www.sebp.police.uk ).
Students have access to college library facilities as well as the Radzinowicz (Institute of Criminology), Squire (Faculty of Law), the Cambridge Judge Business School and University libraries. Student support materials are also available via a virtual learning environment (VLE).
Students are allocated a personal supervisor with whom they discuss all aspects of the course (essay choice, dissertation topic, time management, sources of information, academic development and support) on a one-to-one basis. Independent study time is incorporated into the teaching blocks in Cambridge and their statutory time off the job in their workplace routine. In the second year, supervision usually passes to another member of staff who offers specialist research experience for the thesis topic selected. In some cases a separate subject-specific thesis advisor may also be allocated to work alongside the supervisor.
| One to one supervision |
Each student meets face-to-face, and usually one-on-one, with their academic supervisor at least once a week during residential periods. In between those periods, they are in periodic contact with their supervisors by email and/or video calls. |
|---|---|
| Seminars & classes |
Approximately 32 hours per each teaching block. There are 3 teaching blocks per year. |
| Practicals |
As required, including group project simulations in applying research to policing on real life issues. There are also optional research methods surgeries and workshops for attendance depending on research methods being used. |
| Small group teaching |
Two hours per term |
| Literature Reviews |
The dissertation requires a literature review of about 3,000 words out of the 18,000. |
| Posters and Presentations |
Students may make one oral presentation in a Thesis Advisory Committee. |
| Taught/Research Balance |
Equal Taught/Research
|
Placements
All students on the course will be serving law enforcement officers, analysts or policy officials working in a related field or equivalent. They will have suitable employment experience for research purposes.
We may consider applications from those from relevant backgrounds or with strong, evidenced interest in the field.
Feedback
Detailed written feedback is given following all six written assignments. This feedback is followed by a discussion of its details with supervisors. Verbal feedback is given following a discussion on a dissertation topic between Terms four (Block D) and five (Block E), and on oral presentation after Term six (Block F).
Assessment
Thesis / Dissertation
Thesis: 18,000 words maximum (including footnotes or endnotes, but excluding appendices and bibliographical references).
The final assignment, the 18,000 word thesis, is assessed as follows:
- Appropriate set-up and coverage of relevant literature; research questions clearly stated
- Analytic skills: appropriate description of data and methodology; clear execution of research design and display of results
- Critical thinking skills: discussion reflects synthesis, analysis and critical thinking at Masters level; connection back to research questions, literature review and introduction; good understanding of implications of results for policy and practice
- Adequate exploration of limitations and future avenues of study
- Overall style, format, articulation, clarity
- General comments
Essays
- Four essays: 3,000 words maximum each.
- A research proposal: 4,000 words maximum.