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 two European universities – Erasmus University Rotterdam and Ghent University – established 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.

The first term at Erasmus University Rotterdam focuses on pivotal themes in international criminology. Students will take four modules: one module introducing them to relevant themes in Global Criminology, which includes its historical and economic dimension, two modules developing methodological skills specifically relevant to undertaking research in international contexts, and one module with a focus on doing research on IMARC themes, which prepares students for the research they want to conduct. 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 choose a thematic track and take taught modules, and they participate in a mandatory Common Session in Critical Criminology, which is a twice-yearly conference for students and staff.

In the third term, students will write four research papers in which they approach their research topic from each of the angles covered in the second-term tracks. Students will continue their supervised research, for example through fieldwork, or a research work placement (at network partner institutions), or desk-based data collection.

In the fourth term, students write their Master’s dissertation at the university where they took one of these tracks:

• Global Flows of People, Local Dilemma’s and Glocal Answers
• European Union Criminal Policy and Justice in Contex

> Master’s Dissertation

Completing the Master's dissertation is a requirement for any student who wants to obtain their Master’s degree. The Master’s dissertation is an original piece of research. Its aim is to develop and strengthen the students’ research skills. Students select a topic and receive guidance from a supervisor. The research should draw on and expand on a topic from the thematic track, build on the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the programme and show that the student is capable of original, independent research.

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.