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Welcome to IMARC

International Master’s in Advanced Research in Criminology

IMARC brings together learning, research and practice through collaboration with partners such as governments, ngo’s, corporate actors and other universities. You are trained in a variety of research approaches and methodologies. You participate in international conferences and intercultural and interdisciplinary exchange. As a graduate you will have a lot of expertise in the field of bordercrossing, security and social justice. “As an IMARC student you develop fresh and critical views on the essential criminological issues.”

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Why study at IMARC

Why would you choose IMARC?

 

Increasing flows of people, goods and information: one of the major challenges of the 21st century. Great migrations often come with problems of crime and injustice, like radicalisation, human trafficking and violations of human rights. For decades Europe has reacted in a defensive way. Nowadays we realize the need for new visions and joint international responses. Understanding crime and crime control, and finding a balance between demands for security and social justice will be the start of possible solutions.

With critical theoretical perspectives on border-crossing, security and social justice you will learn to address these crucial political and humanitarian themes. Challenges such as migration, human rights issues, conflicts and social exclusion, they go beyond organisational and jurisdictional boundaries and raise new questions that require joint international approaches. The current global development show the social relevance of an international oriented research master and issues on how to balance security, social justice and human rights are addressed in the programme

IMARC is a research-oriented programme that is aimed at motivated and talented master students who want to further develop their research skills and learn to address problems with scientific research and to look at data and research objectively. This will help you in deciding whether you want to pursue a career in the academic world or will improve your opportunities on the labour market outside academia.

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Structure

Our 4 semesters

The programme is designed to respond critically, scientifically and in a policy-oriented manner to social questions that have dramatically changed the agendas of crime, harm and control.

First semester Second semester Third semester Fourth semester
Rotterdam, NL
First semester 30 EC

Fundamental theoretical courses in research techniques and criminology.

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University of your track
Second semester 30 EC

Specialisation track at one of the four universities.

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Free to move
Third semester 30 EC

Doing your research: data gathering, fieldwork and optional internship

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University of your track
Fourth semester 30 EC

Analysing findings, writing your thesis and have your defence

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Structure

Our 4 semesters

The programme is designed to respond critically, scientifically and in a policy-oriented manner to social questions that have dramatically changed the agendas of crime, harm and control.

Rotterdam, NL
First semester 30 EC

Fundamental theoretical courses in research techniques and criminology.

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First semester

30 EC

At EUR, the theoretical and methodological foundation will be laid in the first semester. This first semester starts in Rotterdam and provides you with foundational modules in international and global criminology and hands-on advanced research methods courses. You will engage with comparative and global criminology and gain insights into the core themes of the programme. Learning how to develop a ‘situated knowledge’ that takes the social, geopolitical and historical reality of a country as a starting point for criminological analyses and developing the tools to do this is the main aim of IMARC’s first semester.

Fundamental criminological courses - Erasmus University Rotterdam

Global developments have local consequences and vice versa, local developments also have wider consequences in a globalised world. Therefore, solutions can no longer be local but need to take the global dimension into account; in other words, they are ‘glocal’. The aim is to make students think critically and creatively about such processes of ‘glocalisation’ in relation to their research subject. Central themes are transnational migration in relation to super-diverse cities, neighbourhoods and communities, integration and radicalisation, external and internal border control, policing and anti-terrorism policies.

These criminological modules are offered:

  • Globalisation, Digitalisation and Crime: This course focuses on different themes in global criminology and the different positions that are taken in these fields.
  • Corporate & White-Collar Crime: understanding, explaining and governing corporate crime from a multidisciplinary perspective

Research technique courses - Erasmus University Rotterdam

The first semester has a focus at developing a strong research-oriented foundation.

  • Analysing Criminal Policies: this course focuses on critical analysis and to a better understanding of the ways in which research findings can be transferred into policy making. You will learn about the types of policy evaluation and conducting evaluation research.
  • Advanced research methods: you’ll learn various techniques for gathering data and for preparing data in an international setting. It trains you in methods for quantitative and qualitative data gathering, such as designing survey questions, in-depth interviewing, ethnography, and photovoice.

Good to know

The modules in the first semester are based on advanced research skills and we expect you to have prior knowledge of research techniques before the start of the programme, both qualitative and quantitative. You are familiar with SPSS, Atlas ti, you can perform statistical analysis and developing a research design.
University of your track
Second semester 30 EC

Specialisation track at one of the four universities.

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Second semester

30 EC

In the second semester, you choose a specialisation track at one of the universities:

Global flows, local dilemmas and glocal answers - Erasmus University Rotterdam

Global developments have local consequences and vice versa, local developments also have wider consequences in a globalised world. Therefore, solutions can no longer be local but need to take the global dimension into account; in other words, they are ‘glocal’. The aim is to make students think critically and creatively about such processes of ‘glocalisation’ in relation to their research subject. Central themes are transnational migration in relation to super-diverse cities, neighbourhoods and communities, integration and radicalisation, external and internal border control, policing and anti-terrorism policies. These modules are offered:

  • Cross-border Organised Crime
  • Terrorism, Extremism and Control
  • Urban issues, culture and crime
  • Doing Research in IMARC
  • Common study session preparation and presentation

European Union criminal policy and justice in context - Ghent University

This track focuses on the regulation, policy and other measures, with which EU (in addition to other relevant European and international policy levels) responds to the various challenges provided by contemporary criminal activities or deviant behaviour. It offers the core theoretical knowledge in this area as well as the practical application thereof regarding particular crimes or behaviours (specialised knowledge) as well as a critical framework to assess and evaluate the EU criminal policy and justice responses. These modules are offered:

  • Advanced European Criminal Policy
  • Critical Criminology and the Criminal Justice System (includes Common Session)
  • International Migration Law and Policy
  • One elective module from the list below:
    • Sexual Offending, Prostitution and Human
    • Cybercrime, Technology and Surveillance

Border Criminology and Criminal Justice Policy - University of Málaga

This track focuses on criminal justice policy as a transversal perspective and on empirical criminology for an applied-to-reality approach. The aim is to make students learn an empirical approach to current and border issues in the European landscape such as migration, gender and crime issues, cybercrime, and organised crime. Taking into account that we are facing particularly sensitive issues from the point of view of human rights, special attention will be given to this approach. These following courses are offered:

  • International criminal judicial cooperation
  • Fundamental rights and criminal proceedings
  • Economic criminal law
  • Criminal policy on Intellectual and Industrial Property
  • Criminal policy on cultural diversity and immigration
  • Criminal policy models
  • Criminal legislative policy
  • Criminal law and gender
  • Criminal Law and Criminal Policy of Corruption

Conflict, Security and Social Justice - Middlesex University London

This track focuses on themes of conflict, security and social justice through a critical examination of contemporary global issues in the field of criminology. Courses aim to provide students with an in-depth understanding of criminological topics bridging crime and control, justice system responses and interventions, political violence and terrorism, race and social justice, drugs control, youth crime, cybercrime and cybercultures. These following courses are offered:

  • Criminal Justice, Courts and Prisons
  • ‘Terrorism and Violent Extremism’: Transformations and Responses
  • One elective from the list below:
    • Cyber Safety and Practice
    • Climate Justice
    • Drugs & Crime (Distance Learning-3 in person workshops)
    • AI, Ethics and Digital Society

Good to know

The track university is the university that will supervise your  research and thesis. Your final defence will be conducted under the local rules of this university.
Free to move
Third semester 30 EC

Doing your research: data gathering, fieldwork and optional internship

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Third semester

30 EC

In the third semester you will have the choice between a research-based internship or fieldwork for your thesis. This can be anywhere, on site at your internship provider, at another (associate) university or anywhere else for desk-based data collection. Supervision of your research will be continued. In the third semester, a co-supervisor from another university (not being the track university) is connected to you and your research.

Research modules - Distant learning

During your third semester you will work independently on 4 research modules, applying four thematic perspectives to your thesis project. You will write these research papers, approaching your research topic in each paper from a different perspective. By doing so, you develop your thesis in the course of your research and appreciate its role in the broader programme. It is intended that the four papers contribute to your master thesis. Depending on the location of your residence during this research period and according to the rules of the host university, supervision of these modules is offered through distance learning and digital communication; face-to-face attendance at modules thus is not required.

You will take the following four research modules that develop the argument of your thesis from different perspectives:

  • module I: Where the local meets the global
  • module II: EU criminal policy and justice in context
  • module III: Border Criminology and Criminal Justice Policy
  • module IV: Conflict, Security and Social Justice

Fieldwork and data collection - On site

The added value of the IMARC programme is that you are able to do longer and more elaborate research. You may undertake your research abroad or in the country where you are attending the semester and you can choose among IMARC’s network partners or propose other (new) network partners for your research. Data collection for your research can be performed at a partner university, an associate partner or during an internship.

Internship is always connected to your research purposes and in consultation with your supervisor (thus track university).

Good to know

In case you are doing your fieldwork at another location  than one of the universities, you will stay connected to the university that delivers the research modules for 30 ECTS.

Although the modules are offered online, you could opt to stay at the university (and city) that delivers the research modules.

If you follow the EUR track, moving to another university is mandatory under the mobility rules :two universities outside your country of residence during the programme.
University of your track
Fourth semester 30 EC

Analysing findings, writing your thesis and have your defence

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Fourth semester

30 EC

In the fourth semester you will write your master’s thesis.

On site - The university of your track

The fourth semester is completely devoted to writing your master’s thesis and is the final part of the programme. The master’s thesis is a central and required part of the IMARC programme.

Collection of research data, analyse the findings, and write the master’s thesis  under supervision of your supervisor that is connected to your track (in the second semester) and the co supervisor, connected to one of the other universities . When your draft thesis is approved, you will present your work at an oral presentation for the final assessment and graduation.

Good to know

Deadlines for submitting your thesis and your defence can differ per university.

Testimonials

What our students say

Sabrina Nødland (2025 graduate)

"My experience in the IMARC program was truly transformative. The international learning opportunities were a standout feature, allowing me to gain a global perspective and collaborate with peers from diverse backgrounds. The common study sessions provided an excellent platform for networking and sharing knowledge. I especially appreciated the emphasis on independent projects and research, which allowed me to develop a deep understanding of my field while honing my problem-solving skills. The faculty's consistent support and follow-up made all the difference, ensuring I had the resources and guidance I needed to succeed. Overall, this program has equipped me with the tools and confidence to excel in my career. "

Fernando Palazzo (2023 graduate)

"The core of the program is globalization. It is a unique opportunity to learn criminological research techniques within a globalized context. The program offers many opportunities to develop new skills, communicate, and expand your scientific knowledge. Over the course, I could learn a lot from highly skilled professors. The program provides a close experience with them, and it is a unique opportunity to learn closely with professionals with deep research experience. For those who wish to take the journey, be prepared to learn, to study, to communicate, and to leave your comfort zone, but bear in mind one thing: in the end, the view of the mountain is amazing!"

Maddi McGirr (2025 graduate)

"IMARC has been a fantastic opportunity to study with peers from different academic and cultural backgrounds, learning and growing together. Through the programme we had the chance to explore European institutions, network with other students at the common study sessions and engage with critical criminology in a meaningful and interactive way. The opportunity to travel while researching was a real highlight of these two years. A truly invaluable experience!"

News

News from IMARC

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14 March 2025 EMJM scholarships

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14 March 2025 IMARC recognised as Erasmus Mundus Joint Master

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14 March 2025 Application webform

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Career perspectives

What do you want to become?

IMARC isn’t just an academic programme – it’s training for your professional career. Would you like to be a policy maker at the EU? Or do you prefer to do academic research on border security? Maybe become a policy maker at an NGO or an human rights organisation. With a valuable multiple IMARC degree you will have numerous options to build a great career. As an interdisciplinary expert and a skilful researcher, you will contribute to answers to the current social and political challenges of crimes and crime control.