International Master’s in Advanced Research in Criminology (IMARC)

IMARC is a learning programme in international criminology with a focus on the critical, cultural and global dimensions of border crossing, security and social justice. IMARC aims to address the need for internationally oriented and interdisciplinary trained researchers that can offer original insights and analyses as well as innovative, effective and ethical solutions to advance both policy and practice, and academic research.

The overall programme provides students with an 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. As 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 three European universities – Erasmus University Rotterdam, Ghent University and the University of Kent– established this two-year, joint master’s programme and brings together learning, research and practice through collaboration with already well-established partners among which governments, NGO’s, corporate actors and other universities. IMARC’s cooperation with both private and public organisations boost the innovation of IMARC and the employability of our students. IMARC provides asset of transversal skills related to lifelong learning and employment.

After successfully finishing IMARC you will have a dual or multiple Master of Science degree. You will be a highly trained professional with an international, intercultural, interdisciplinary and innovative knowledge. The collaborating organisations in the field are also potential employers. Your training will enable you to work not only as a researcher in academic, public, third sector and commercial organisations but also as a consultant, data analyst, compliance officer, policy adviser or policy maker, advocate, or manager.

Why Study IMARC

IMARC is an international, two-year postgraduate educational programme, with a focus on border-crossing, security and social justice and involves three different Universities in Europe.

Increasing flows of people, goods and information raise new questions about how governments and societies respond to perceived and actual treats 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, to external and internal border control, EU criminal justice, policing and crime prevention, to migration policies, human rights, social exclusion and urban safety.

We offer

  • Theoretical and practical perspectives on border-crossing, security and social justice;
  • International mobility;
  • Scientific research of the highest quality: empirical research with quantitative and qualitative methods, dossier studies and discourse analyses.
  • Engagement in research and being open minded to reflect and respond to new developments and current discussions in criminology and the work field of borders, security and social justice.
  • The programme brings together learning, research and practice through collaboration with already well-established partners among which governments, ngo’s, corporate actors and other Universities, which contributes to the employability of our students.
  • Participation in international conferences, twice a year with students form other universities (Common Sessions);
  • Mobility, intercultural and interdisciplinary exchange (Joint Programme): you receive a separate degree certificate from each of the participating institutions attesting the successful completion of the joint study programme.

Specialities of IMARC

Border-crossing, security and social justice

Within this subject, you will have the ability to choose a track that you consider most suitable for your research and training interests in the second semester. In the third semester you will write four research papers in which you approach your research topic from each of the thematical angles of the second semester tracks. In semester 4 you write your Master’s thesis under supervision of the university at which you follow one of these tracks:

  • Global flows of people, local dilemma’s and glocal answers
  • European Union criminal policy and justice in context
  • Border crossing – theory, culture, power, and the global

Interesting collaborations

Tracks can be taken at Erasmus University Rotterdam (the Netherlands), University of Ghent (Belgium) and University of Kent (UK). The international dimension of the programme also takes advantage of the relations with partner countries of targeted regions. Through IMARC, you possibilities provided by our associate can also benefit from partners, namely University Hassan 1er (Morocco), University of Hamburg (Germany), University of Bologna (Italy), Eötvös Loránd University (Hungary) & Koc University (Turkey). The courses are geared towards doing research in an international setting, whether that is undertaking research at one of the Network partners, or doing research in various countries or border areas at different European and international organisations on multiple levels of policy- and law-making.

Joint programme & multiple degree

IMARC programme is a joint programme with a multiple degree. It means that you will have the possibility to attend a joint master programme devoting special attention to mobility and research, and upon successful completion of the Joint Master’s Programme, you will be awarded the national degree of the university you spent at least one semester.

Contact

Programme Coordinator at Erasmus University Rotterdam: Elisabeth Brein (imarc@law.eur.nl)  www.internationalmastercriminology.eu

Part of

Border Criminologies