A Guide to Postgraduate Taught Courses

Considering a postgraduate taught course? We’ll take you through the whole process, from the benefits of postgraduate study to being a student at Edge Hill. And if you want to know more about any aspect of the postgraduate journey, you’ll find links to information and resources.

If you’re an Edge Hill undergraduate student thinking about postgraduate study you can read our dedicated guide: Thinking about progressing to postgraduate study?

Why postgraduate study?

Postgraduate study gives you the opportunity to develop your skills and knowledge in a subject area you love. Or, if you’ve decided on a career change, you could study a ’conversion’ course where you can study a completely new subject. A Masters degree can help you stand out in the jobs market and with a postgraduate qualification you may be able to move into more senior or specialist roles. You’re likely to be developing practical skills on your postgraduate course too. Where you will work with industry experts and apply the theory to real-world scenarios. And having a Masters degree is likely to increase your earning potential with graduates making more money and experiencing less unemployment than those with an undergraduate degree (Graduate labour market statistics, GOV.UK)

Choosing the right postgraduate course for you

The first step to finding the best postgraduate study option for you is to think about what you’re looking to achieve. Do you need a specific qualification for a new or more advanced job? Do you want to change career? Are you looking to gain more skills and experience to be a stronger competitor in the jobs market?

The next step is to explore our postgraduate subject page. Here you can choose subjects of interest and discover the course options for each of those subjects. On course pages you’ll find all the course details from what you’ll study to entry requirements and future career choices. It’s a good idea to explore all your options, so you could consider postgraduate teacher training and research too. If you’re not sure which postgraduate route is the best for you, you can explore all your options by watching our ‘Exploring your postgraduate options’ video.

And if you have questions?

You can talk to current postgraduate students who will be happy to answer any questions you have about studying at Edge Hill. You also have the option to attend one of our postgraduate events. Our postgraduate events page will give you information about upcoming open evenings and other activities both online and in-person at the Edge Hill campus.

Funding your postgraduate studies

The financial support you can get for your postgraduate studies depends on the course you’re doing and whether you’re studying full-time or part-time. We’ve put together resources to help you understand how you can fund your postgraduate course, manage your money and information about finding a part time job, so you can work alongside your studies.

You can also find detailed information in our postgraduate students fees and funding guide.

Balancing your postgraduate studies

Think you can’t do postgraduate study because of work or family commitments? There are ways to make it happen. We don’t want you to miss out on the opportunity to enhance your employability, take your current career to the next level or start something new. That’s why we offer part-time study options. As you choose your course, you should also consider how studying will fit in with the rest of your life. Look for the study option that fits best with your personal circumstances. Some of our postgraduate courses offer an evening timetable, so you can work full-time alongside the course. Part-time study options are available for the majority of our taught Masters courses. And if you’ve already started your career you could consider a shorter, less intensive course like a PGCert.

“Edge Hill are very understanding and supportive of students working alongside their degree, and I was given two possible timetable options. This allowed me to tailor the degree to suit my own personal work circumstances. I have found working alongside studying a degree to be extremely rewarding. I have learned a lot of valuable time-management and self-discipline skills through balancing my work and study commitments.”

Lauren Taylor, MA Marketing Communications & Branding

How to apply for a postgraduate taught course

For most postgraduate taught courses, you’ll apply directly to Edge Hill using our online application form with a supporting statement. You can apply for more than one course at the same time and if you’re currently studying an undergraduate degree you don’t need to wait until you’ve completed your course to apply for postgraduate study. Some courses, including PGCEs and research degrees use a different application process and we recommend you check how you need to apply before submitting an application.

Postgraduate accommodation options and commuting

Postgraduate students usually live off-campus in Ormskirk or nearby and we’ve put together some helpful information about finding suitable private accommodation. Many of our postgraduate students commute to Edge Hill, you can find information about getting here, making connections at our commuter breakfasts and applying for your car share scheme on our dedicated commuter page.

Getting involved in postgraduate student life

You’ll have the chance to get involved in student life right from the start. Before you begin your postgraduate course you’ll receive an induction timetable which will include activities for you to get to know your course mates. We’ll also send you information about our Student Life Portal, where you can explore events and find ways to connect with other students and find new friends. And you can find out more about Edge Hill and meet other students at our free events and postgraduate specific activities.

Support for postgraduate students

We pride ourselves on our student support and have a range of services and specialist teams available to all students. From careers and money advice to wellbeing, we’ll make sure you have the best possible postgraduate university experience. Here a few of the teams you may have contact with during your time with us.

• Once you’re a student at Edge Hill, you’ll be allocated a Personal Tutor, who will provide you with support and advice throughout your course. They’ll be your ‘go to’ person for academic and personal support.
• From our UniSkills Team you can access resources on developing academic skills and managing your time to help you make the most of your studies, as you balance them with the rest of your life.
• If you’re looking for advice on topics such as banking, budgeting and student finance our Money Advice Team can offer tips, provide financial health checks and help if you’ve got money worries.
• And our Careers Team are available to support you with CVs, job applications and interviews. You’ll still have access to our Careers Portal as a graduate, so you can receive help and advice up to three years after your graduation.

What’s next?

The post A Guide to Postgraduate Taught Courses appeared first on Edge Hill University.

Nurse associates work alongside nurses and step in to care for patients with less complicated conditions across all four fields of nursing – adult, child, learning disabilities and mental health.

Dr Jane Rooney, apprenticeship lead for the Faculty of Health, Social Care and Medicine, said: “As a civic university with a historic commitment to widening participation, we are supporting students from non-traditional backgrounds to pursue the careers they’ve dreamed of.

“They are earning while studying so there isn’t the same financial burden and they know they have a job lined up when they graduate.

“We are also supporting the NHS 10-year plan which highlights the importance of apprenticeships in upskilling the workforce by providing alternative routes into health professions.”

Edge Hill also provides apprenticeships in operating department practice (ODP), advanced clinical practice and nursing.

Holly Cottom, an ODP apprentice, said: “The apprenticeship has been a challenging but incredibly rewarding experience.

“I have developed resilience, clinical competence and a strong professional identity while balancing the demands of work and university life.

“The support from mentors, lecturers and colleagues has been highly beneficial, and overcoming challenges along the way has made the achievement even more meaningful.

“This experience has shaped my future career by providing clear professional direction and a strong foundation in perioperative practice, reinforcing my commitment to healthcare and preparing me to transition confidently into a qualified operating department practitioner role and beyond.”

Edge Hill’s apprenticeships are rigorously assessed and scrutinised by the government, NHS and Ofsted ensuring the highest levels of teaching and learning. Collaboration with NHS partners including Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust and Wigan, Wrightington and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust confirm clinical excellence.

Dr Rooney has created a new ‘Edge Together’ forum to bring partners across all apprenticeships together with University representatives, to support each other and the students.

“We want to support our professional partners and our students and this new forum will enable us all to share good practice and discuss challenges and how to overcome them in a safe, informal space.

“I’m really passionate about apprenticeships. They provide practical, skills-based opportunities for those who might not otherwise have had the chance, and that’s what we’re really good at here at Edge Hill.”

Find out more about higher and degree apprenticeships at Edge Hill University.

The post Edge Hill University celebrates students, staff and partners this National Apprenticeship Week appeared first on Edge Hill University.

Fighting Talk Edge Hill University enters the slam poetry arena

If you’ve never been to a poetry slam, you should try it. If you’ve never entered a poetry slam, you should try it. Admittedly, I say this as someone whose never done either…until I was invited to one by Jade Ball and Ciaran Moss, Masters students and graduates of our BA (Hons) Creative Writing degree.

I wasn’t sure what to expect exactly. My hopes weren’t high, I must confess, largely due to my own ignorance. I didn’t even know what slam poetry even was.

“Slam poetry is competitive spoken word,” explains Jade, “It’s about taking a poem off the page and putting a new element to it by performing it. There is a competition element to it, but what we were really trying to focus on with this is that the competition isn’t important at all.”

Poetry needs to be performed, argues Jade. That’s when it comes alive, that’s when it takes on the dynamism and radicalism of other performance artforms like hip hop, rap, or pop music. Eye- and ear-opening stuff.

But what I really didn’t expect was how brilliant the performers would be – mostly creative writing students, mostly aged between 17 and 25, all tongue-twistingly articulate, all nerveless.  And if they weren’t, they sure hid it well.

Most were performing their poetry to an audience for the first time – and willing to be judged by a panel consisting of performers and teachers.

Ciaran also found performing difficult. Initially, anyway. What’s his advice to any wannabe poets?

“The only way to get good at it is to do it. You can’t get good at it thinking about doing it. You have to just rock up and give it a go. If you’re bad at it, you’re bad at it. You will get better. But to get better at it, you have to do it.”

“Fear isn’t a good enough reason not to do something. Just take a deep breath,” adds Jade.

They had to take their own advice when it came to organising the event. They had no experience, had taken no classes in event management, and, perhaps most challengingly, had no budget. For someone who entertained ideas of joining the army at 14, that would be no problem, surely…

“We had quite a hard time because we were relying so heavily on funding and that was probably the wrong move. So it was a big learning curve for us in terms of still getting stuff done,” says Jade.

Fortunately what they did have was energy, determination, vision, contacts, and Edge Hill’s creative writing department to fall back on. Time to use their way with words, time for a charm offensive. They persuaded “amazing” facilitators to provide their services free of charge – and local businesses, such as air con company CareQuick, donated prizes.

They were also able to draw on the extensive experience of their tutors, like published poet and veteran event organiser Dr Zayneb Allak:

“The biggest challenges when organising an event like this are: competing with all the other events that are going on and getting people to come to yours. Also, scheduling and time frames – everyone is so busy all the time, so you have to really think ahead and make sure that you give everyone enough time to make their contribution without being stressed. But for Jade and Ciaran, I’d say one of the biggest challenges was putting it together with ZERO POUNDS. They had to draw on a network of people that they’d met and worked with and who, very generously, offered their time and expertise.”

Zayneb, though, saw the value in what they were trying to achieve.

“For me, the best thing about it was the platform they offered to all the participants. I saw students’ confidence in themselves and their writing grow before my eyes and I was delighted by the buzz around the event and afterwards.”

And was Zayneb tempted to join in? Not this time.

“But not because I don’t want to perform – it’s because it was a day for students to discover what they could do. As a tutor, you hope that by the end of the module or year or degree, your students don’t need you anymore. You want them to strike out on their own. That’s what I saw that day. I was delighted to be completely superfluous to requirements.”

Jade and Ciaran were also keen simply to provide a platform for new performers, although they were very willing to give the poets-in-waiting – a mixture of local sixth formers, coursemates, and students from other universities – the benefit of their own experiences.

“The whole point of this is to put people on a stage who wouldn’t normally have the opportunity. People who maybe have never heard of slam poetry before, or schools that might not follow the mainstream,” explains Jade.

Once upon a time, that person was Jade. Without her own introduction to the world of poetry her life could have been very, very different:

“I was a very angry kid, a very violent kid. And ultimately, writing probably saved me from that life that I was heading towards. I was writing poetry privately. I was about 14, I was going to join the army, get a real job. Somebody I knew saw an advert for a writers’ retreat for young people in my area in the summer holidays. I just applied on a whim, got a spot. It was a week of intense workshops with four professional poets. I joined a poetry collective, did my first performance a week after that and then through that event I was asked to go and compete at Uni Slam in the youth showcase. I did that for two years and then picked it up again when I came [to Edge Hill] and competed in the proper slam. I completely changed my whole career plan.”

And rather than a strictly literary event, Jade sees her poetry slam as more of an opportunity for young people to develop confidence, spread their creative wings…and hopefully fly.  Where to, nobody knows, least of all Jade:

“Even if you don’t want to be a performance poet, even if you don’t want to be a performer, if you’re a writer, even if you write fiction or scripts or anything really, if you publish your work, somebody is going to ask you to read that out. It’s a really important skill, presentations in offices. Being able to embody confidence and speak out loud in front of people is super important. And I think slam poetry is a really extreme way of teaching people that skill.”

Jade and Ciaran became friends as undergraduates, before Jade drawing Ciaran into her secret world of slam, eventually competing together at UniSlam. They didn’t place, but as we’ve identified, beyond the razzmatazz of competition, it’s really about confidence, creativity, stretching yourself, maybe even finding yourself a little bit.

“As a poet, I have power. That’s how I perform, with power. I’m also what’s called a sound poet, so I’m focusing on rhythm and beat. That’s where I excel, really. I do comedic poetry, I do political poetry. I really like personal poetry without it being in-your-face about life. I really like the way that rhythm works in poetry. Even if you put it into music or into rap, it wouldn’t have the same effect as using rhythm effectively in a slam poem. So that’s sort of my niche.”

Perhaps drawing on instincts that initially drew Jade to a life in the army, she workshopped the team to within an inch of their lives. Jade does a lot of workshops, it’s something she herself benefited from. She sees it as a kind of duty to pass on the slam torch, handing out tips and observations, just to help debutant performers tiptoe out of their comfort zones:

“When I started performing, I was really bad. I would go bright red, and my voice would shake, and my hands would shake, and I’d move around a lot, and it was really distracting. I managed to get a one-on-one masterclass with [slam scene legend] Kat Francois, and I’ve had masterclasses with other poets and people. I’ve managed to develop those into my own practice of teaching, so I can now go through my little toolbox of exercises and figure out what people need.

“We had a student last year who couldn’t slow down no matter what we tried, just couldn’t consciously slow down. So I made her do a three-second pause between every word, which she hated me for, but it worked. It’s a way of tricking your brain into being more aware of what your voice is doing.”

Ciaran started to find his own poetic identity in pre-comp workshops:

“We started off trying to make me be serious, and I’m not generally a very serious person in life. So we just went, ‘why don’t we try just talking and you talk?’ And we found a niche that worked for me, and the voice that I write with more naturally. [At UniSlam] I got asked to be the person who warms up the audience before the final. You haven’t been recognised by the competition, but you’ve been recognised by the judges and by the facilitators for your skill and for your performance. I did a poem called An Ode to Northern Women, which was a funny poem about all the women in my family who’ve been with me through my life. So I’m a funny poet. I write funny poems.”

Back at Jade and Ciaran’s event, writing and performance masterclass duties fall to slam champion Dave Viney and actor Eithne Browne. They put participants through their paces, encouraging and provoking, guiding and challenging, in order to help them find their own voices, and overcome those pesky nerves. And they come in all shapes and sizes. There’s the funny ones, the political ones, the romantic ones, the observational ones, the outrageous ones. There’s even the funny, political, romantic, observational, and outrageous ones. All voices are welcome. And, as mentioned at the top of the article, when the spotlight falls on the competitors, all are hugely impressive.

“It was a really fun day, and so positive and affirming for everyone who joined in,” says Zayneb Allak. “Jade and Ciaran pulled it off brilliantly. The whole thing went very smoothly in terms of organisation. I didn’t doubt them for a minute. They’re so hardworking, committed and capable that I knew that it would be a success. They’re just great people that I’m proud to know.”

Forget your concerns about Generation Z, AI, the death of creativity, and wasted lives perpetually doom-scrolling. These fresh, unique, brave, articulate voices – inspired and encouraged by young people like Jade and Ciaran – are tomorrow’s thought leaders, generational spokespeople and creative souls. Sounds like a slam-dunk.

Want to find out more about ?

“I don’t really enjoy poetry on a page,” admits Jade. “I think that poetry should be spoken. I really like American-influenced spoken word poetry. The climate for spoken word in America is very different to here. It’s just brilliant. They take it so seriously, it’s a real artform. I love Blythe Baird as well, a similar American poet. She wrote a poem called Pocket Sized Feminism. That’s the one that really got me hooked on poetry. And my favourite ever is Olivia Gatwood. She wrote a poem called Ode to My Bitch Face, and that’s where I took some of my style from. That idea that I own the stage, and you’re going to listen to me because I own it.”

“Sylvia Plath is my favourite poet,” says Ciaran. “It was my first exposure to reading poetry off my own back, I think. I got to A level and had to pick a poet to write about. And when all the other poets I knew were people that we’d already studied, or were going to be in my exams, so I can’t write about them again. So I went, I’ll find someone a bit newer than that and then found Sylvia Plath through that research and just really loved language in the way that she uses it. I think she’s got such a beautiful knowledge of words. In terms of performance, we went to watch Harry Baker, who headlined UniSlam, and was brilliant, does funny poetry, does serious poetry tinted with funny. Just a really lovely performer and great stage presence.”

The post Fighting Talk: Edge Hill Uni enters the slam poetry arena appeared first on Edge Hill University.

Related courses

If you’re interested in developing your nursing and paramedic skills, we offer a range of healthcare courses that may be of interest.

You can explore related programmes such as:

Contact us

If you’d like advice on your options or support finding a course that aligns with your career goals, our team is here to help. Please email study@edgehill.ac.uk.

The post Nurse Paramedic (Adult) MSci (Hons) appeared first on Edge Hill University.

Inside Edge Hill’s Electrical Engineering facilities

Want to work on the tech that powers electric vehicles, wind turbines, smart homes and more? Our Electrical Engineering lab gives you the chance to get real, hands-on experience with motor control, power conversion, and renewable energy systems. And what’s more, our Engineering Centre is brand new, so you’ll be confident in the knowledge that you’re learning with the most up to date equipment on the market in line with industry trends.

You won’t just learn the theory. You’ll get stuck into the kind of practical projects that employers love to see.

What you’ll do here

• Run, control and test motors just like those used in modern vehicles and machinery
• Design and simulate inverters to manage energy efficiently
• Monitor and control renewable energy systems in real-time

If you’re into clean energy, automation or electrical engineering, this is your space to experiment, innovate and build a career-ready skillset.

All our equipment is supported by Lucas-Nuelle’s SCADA Power Lab software. This means you’ll be able to engage in real-time monitoring, remote control, data logging, and virtual instrumentation. You’ll gain direct experience in controlling industrial systems, interpreting electrical parameters, and validating simulations with physical experiments.

There are two forms of electricity – DC and AC. DC is Direct Current, which is produced from batteries. AC is an Alternating Current, which is available from wall sockets. We use power converters to convert from AC to DC or vice-versa. Our electrical engineering lab lets you explore this further.

What does this mean in everyday life?

Shaping your future career

So how would you use this equipment in your future career? Our facilities prepare you for numerous career options.

You’ll perform real-time experiments using DC and AC drive systems, offering insights into industrial motor control using electrical machines and drives. These are used by Ship or Marine Engineers.

Analyse power electronics principles as you mirror the work of Power Plant Engineers, Sub-station Engineers or Motor Drive Engineers.

Investigate energy flow management across distributed generation sources using Hybrid PV, Battery or Wind Renewable Energy Systems simulating real-life microgrid scenarios. Renewable Energy Engineers would use similar equipment to this.

You’ll experiment on interactive UniTrain Electronic Training Kits across multiple topics in analogue and digital electronics, preparing you for a career as an Electronics Engineer.

The post Inside Edge Hill’s Electrical Engineering facilities appeared first on Edge Hill University.

This year’s NSS highlights the University’s unwavering commitment to student achievement, The School of Law and Criminal Justice achieved first place in the North West for five core areas and stands proudly among the UK’s top ten in six categories – most notably in student voice and learning opportunities.

The Business School’s recognition is equally as impressive as Edge Hill is ranked first in the region for four core areas, including academic support and learning resources.

These accolades reflect the tailored, hands-on curriculum and care that Edge Hill staff bring to every student’s journey, reinforcing the University’s dedication to creating an outstanding student experience.

Jay Cullen, Director of the Business School and Head of Law, said: “The results of the National Student Survey 2025, in which the Law and Business Schools were ranked first in the North West for student experience, demonstrate the exceptional teaching and support students receive at Edge Hill University.

“These results affirm our commitment to a high-quality student experience built on first-rate teaching, extraordinary staff support, unparalleled opportunities for employability, and a cutting-edge curriculum aligned with industry needs.

“From the moment you join us, we shape your future with C.A.R.E, helping you to develop Curiosity, Adaptability, Resilience and Empathy.

“We offer a host of stimulating practice-focused subjects for you to study, as well as a host of extra-curricular activities to give you the edge in preparing you for your future careers.

“We have dedicated facilities for you to use to develop the skills you will need to thrive in the workplace.

“There are no better places than the School of Law and Criminal Justice and Business School at Edge Hill University to realise your potential.”

Edge Hill is committed not only to academic excellence but also to providing a supportive environment where students’ ambitions are championed.

The Law School and Business School both offer innovative, practice-led curricula, meaning students connect theory directly to real-world scenarios – whether using simulated courtrooms, industry-standard business suites, or exclusive placements with leading firms.

Access to mentoring, tailored career advice, and close connections with top employers ensure graduates from Edge Hill stand out, equipped for the evolving demands of today’s professions.

Personal learning experiences are further enriched by small class sizes and an inclusive community – every student receives the mentorship and opportunities needed to thrive personally and professionally.

The university’s flexible admissions approach also recognises the hard work and commitment of its offer holders, assuring incoming students that Edge Hill’s support will continue throughout their studies.

For anyone looking to unlock their potential and pursue a successful future in law, criminal justice, business, accounting or marketing, these exceptional NSS results reinforce that Edge Hill University is the best choice in the North West.

This is a community where students are empowered, supported, and given every opportunity to shine from day one. If you are ready to take the next step towards an inspiring career, Edge Hill University is ready to welcome you.

Find out more about studying at Edge Hill University here and sign up to an Open Day, the next one is on 16 August.

The post Business and Law Schools earn top marks for student experience in National Student Survey appeared first on Edge Hill University.

Criminology or Criminal Justice?

At Edge Hill University, we offer degrees in both criminology and criminal justice. Which degree is right for you? We spoke to Associate Head of the School of Law and Criminal Justice Dr Jennifer Giblin and subject leads in Criminology Dr Helen Baker and Julie T Davies. They laid out the key differences, and what you can expect to study on each programme.  

What is the difference between criminal justice and criminology?

Put simply, criminal justice is more practical in nature, exploring why crime occurs, how the criminal justice system and society responds to crime, what it means to manage or rehabilitate offenders and how justice is administered within our institutions.  

Criminology rethinks crime, asks what makes a criminal, and who decides? Exploring the roots of crime and harm, criminology investigates how society responds, and critiques the very systems meant to deliver justice. This is more than just studying crime – it’s learning to ask the right questions.

What will you study? 

Criminal Justice 

The focus of our criminal justice degree is on offenders and offending, how they are managed, punished and rehabilitated, and the vast array of work that can be done to prevent crime from occurring. You’ll explore the various causes of offending – from the societal to the psychological – and how offenders can be treated and rehabilitated. You will learn about the various agencies who deal with offenders and offending, including the police, the court system, the prison system, alternatives to custody, the youth justice system, and probation services. You will also spend time studying new areas such as cyber criminality, digital policing and online harms, examining the biggest threats facing society at present – cyber-crime and terrorism. With this, you’ll look at how societal phenomena, including gender expectations, impact on offenders, offending, and victims.  

You’ll be embarking on an immersive learning experience with opportunities to put your learning into practice in our on-campus Moot Court Room and our Police Training and Simulation Facility (‘Crime House’). You’ll be taught by leading experts and will have access to practice-focused modules (including cybercrime), work placements, employability workshops, and opportunities to network with key organisations in the criminal justice field. From critical thinking and leadership to resilience, empathy and digital/AI literacy, you’ll build the skills employers want and the confidence to thrive in the modern world.

Dr Jennifer Giblin

Programme Leader, Dr Abubakar Bello is engaged in research and teaching on cyber security and the role criminal justice experts play in investigating crime.

“Criminal justice experts play a key role in investigating crimes and ensuring that victims get justice and criminals are punished. These experts are also engaged in the design and development of proactive measures to prevent crime. Criminal justice does not only support our knowledge and understanding of cyber crime, but also aids in identifying and addressing cyber security gaps and needs to respond to this growing challenge in our society.”

Dr Abubakar Bello

Criminology 

The core ethos of our degree is critical criminology that encourages you to ‘think outside the box’, challenge domain assumptions produced and promulgated by the powerful, and ultimately ‘speak truth to power’. We teach you how to understand crime, power, and social injustice. This course offers critical insight into the complex ways that states, governments, corporations, and wider society operate in relation to crime, power, and social change. Together, we will examine the full spectrum of harmful actions—from interpersonal violence to corporate wrongdoing and genocide—while interrogating the systems and structures that enable such acts.

You’ll explore how the media can (mis)represent crime and collaborate with powerful agents to shape public perceptions, define who is labelled a criminal, and determine how justice is administered. By taking an international perspective, we will expose the deep-rooted inequalities in both social and criminal justice systems and consider how discrimination manifests within these frameworks. 

Julie T Davies

Our focus spans a broad range of crimes, from antisocial behaviour and domestic abuse to state-sanctioned violence and corporate offences. Central to our approach is amplifying the voices of victims, particularly those from marginalised communities whose stories are too often overlooked. You will get the opportunity to elect our new and innovative module that links music and crime.

Through case studies we will highlight serious miscarriages of justice. We will also scrutinise institutional failures such as the Grenfell Tower fire, and the Post Office scandal.  

These examples illuminate a disturbing truth: crimes committed by the powerful frequently escape the reach of justice. By critically engaging with such issues, you’ll be empowered to challenge dominant narratives and advocate for meaningful change. 

Dr Helen Baker

Criminology student, Mollie Myers wasn’t sure what to expect when she embarked on the degree at Edge Hill, but enjoyed all the different themes and topics it touches on.

“The thing that has shocked me most about studying Criminology is that it’s not just about crime – it’s about everything.  It’s made me think about issues that affect me and people around me, like feminism, austerity and the media.”

Mollie Myers
BA (Hons) Criminology

What are the career pathways for criminology and criminal justice graduates? 

Ultimately both these degrees can lead to careers within law and the criminal justice sector. Either degree could lead to roles such as working with offenders, working with victims, in law enforcement, youth work, and probation. However, the specific role you do may differ depending on your specialism and experience. There are also some different career pathways that each degree can lead to. 

By the time you graduate from either of these degrees, you’ll have a wide range of transferable skills that will equip you for a graduate role or further postgraduate study. Dr Giblin, Dr Baker and Ms Davies have shared some of the most common career pathways that our previous graduates from each degree have gone into.

So, which degree is right for you? 

To find the right degree for you, consider your interests, career goals, and the course content. At Edge Hill, we’re committed to providing you with the resources you need to succeed. Each course goes beyond traditional learning, fostering an inspiring and diverse environment that empowers you to achieve your goals. 

Come and visit us at one of our Open Days, speak to our academics, check out our facilities and get to know us. Get the answers to your questions. And discover why our students love Edge Hill. 

The post Criminology or Criminal Justice – What’s the difference?  appeared first on Edge Hill University.

The pioneering BSc (Hons) Global Infectious Disease is designed to equip the next generation of scientists with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.

Anne Oxbrough, Head of Biology at Edge Hill University, said: “Disease-carrying vectors like mosquitoes are expanding beyond their traditional ranges due to global climate change, and increased international travel and trade.

“Infectious diseases are a serious health problem across many parts of the globe and are now becoming a threat to human health in regions where they previously would never have been found.

“This degree will create a pathway for students to learn about these diseases, how they spread and impact the human body, and how they can be better managed and treated.”

This innovative degree combines Edge Hill’s outstanding student experience with the world-renowned expertise of LSTM in infectious disease research, offering students a truly unique and immersive learning experience.

From day one, students will benefit from the resources, cutting-edge facilities and academic talent of both institutions – experiencing the best each has to offer.

The curriculum dives deep into the biology of disease-causing pathogens through modules including immunology and infectious diseases and students will have the chance to contribute to real-world research alongside LSTM’s expert teams, equipping them for meaningful careers in global health. 

Pro Vice-Chancellor Liam Owens added: “We are very proud to be partnering with LSTM – the oldest institution of its kind in the world and a global leader in disease and infection research – on this landmark and transformative collaboration.

“This is a significant milestone for our university, UK higher education and global health research, and we are excited for our future students who will benefit from LSTM’s specialist facilities, academic expertise and international outlook which will open doors for them and attract interest in Edge Hill from the international research community.”

The new partnership strengthens Edge Hill’s growing reputation in biosciences, complementing a recent investment in a new £17.4m Life Sciences building and academic expertise.

Several Edge Hill experts are already leading in this field including Clare Strode, reader in medical entomology, whose research focuses on mosquito-borne diseases, and biochemist Dr Rachel Clare, whose current research focuses on the development of therapeutics to neutralise snake venom.

Professor Isabel Lucas, Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Education at LSTM, added: “We are delighted to join forces with Edge Hill University on this pioneering initiative.

“By combining LSTM’s world-class expertise in infectious disease research with Edge Hill’s commitment to academic excellence, we will provide our students with unparalleled opportunities to develop the skills and experiences they need to tackle global health challenges.

“This partnership not only enriches our curriculum but also strengthens our collective impact on communities worldwide.”

Find out more about the global infectious disease degree and how to apply, as well as many other life-changing opportunities at Edge Hill University and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

The post Fighting disease together: Edge Hill University embarks on unique new partnership with world-leading Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine appeared first on Edge Hill University.

More than PE: shape young minds in two subjects with one degree 

Do you want to teach PE and stand out in the job market? Develop your skills and boost your employability by studying our PGCE Secondary Physical Education with an EBacc pathway in either computing, English, geography, history or mathematics. 

The PE with EBacc programme at Edge Hill offers an exciting and innovative route into teaching, combining physical education with a second subject from the EBacc suite of computing, English, geography, history or mathematics. This unique dual-subject approach broadens your teaching expertise and increases your versatility in schools. Training with Edge Hill University will fully prepare you for the demands of teaching both subjects, helping you build strong subject knowledge and understand the distinct pedagogical approaches required for each.  

The EBacc advantage

Modern schools increasingly seek adaptable teachers who can contribute across multiple areas of the curriculum. This dual-subject qualification addresses those needs by producing teachers who are not only specialists in physical education, a key subject for student wellbeing and development but also capable of teaching a core academic subject at Key Stage 3. For employers, this combination is highly attractive: it offers flexibility in staffing, helps with timetabling, and supports a broad and balanced curriculum. It reflects a wider workforce trend that values versatility, collaboration, and cross-disciplinary thinking. 

Graduates of the PE with EBacc programme stand out by offering a rare and highly valuable skill set. Being qualified to teach both PE and an EBacc subject makes you more employable, particularly in competitive job markets where schools are seeking maximum impact from each new hire.  

What to Expect from the Course 

The PE with EBacc programme at Edge Hill University offers a rich blend of academic study and hands-on teaching experience. Over the year, trainees will engage in: 

• Two school placements, providing contrasting settings and experiences. 

• Lectures, seminars, and practical workshops led by experienced subject specialists. 

• Ongoing guidance from school-based mentors and a dedicated university link tutor, ensuring consistent support. 

• A gradually increasing teaching timetable, allowing you to build confidence and competence at a manageable pace. 

Throughout the programme, the focus remains on physical education, but your second EBacc subject plays an important complementary role. The approximate split is 80% PE and 20% EBacc subject.

During your placements, you will: 

• Begin with focused observation of your EBacc subject, at Key Stage 3 level. 

• Gradually take on teaching responsibilities, gaining insight into pedagogy, assessment, and subject delivery. 

• Benefit from university sessions tailored to both subjects, helping you develop subject-specific knowledge and teaching strategies. 

Career Opportunities and Employability 

Graduates of the PE with EBacc programme are fully prepared for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), enabling them to begin their careers as Secondary School Teachers. Most will enter roles as PE teachers, but with the added qualification in a second EBacc subject, graduates are also equipped to: 

• Teach a second subject (e.g. computing, English, geography, history or mathematics) at Key Stage 3. 

• Contribute to cross-curricular initiatives and enrichment activities. 

• Take on roles involving pastoral care, form tutoring, or extra-curricular sports leadership. 

• Progress quickly into curriculum leadership, dual-subject coordination, or whole-school roles due to their broader expertise. 

“The PE with EBacc programme at Edge Hill University is a strong choice if you’re passionate about teaching PE and interested in developing skills in a second subject such as computing, English, geography, history or mathematics. The course is intensive but rewarding, with a balance of academic study, practical school placements, and excellent support from both university staff and school mentors.  

You’ll gain valuable experience in teaching both subjects, building confidence and adaptability. With a focus on real classroom demands and employability, this programme prepares you to graduate as a versatile, well-equipped teacher ready to make a lasting impact.” 

Simon Dougherty 
Senior Lecturer in Physical Education (Secondary Education) 

The post More than PE: shape young minds in two subjects with one degree  appeared first on Edge Hill University.

Gearing up for BSc (Hons) Games Development

Combining both the programming and core design principles of games development, BSc (Hons) Games Development lets you turn your passion into your work. Games Programmer, AI Engineer or Engine Developer are just some of the potential career routes. Alternatively, you can work for yourself as an indie developer.  

We caught up with two of our experienced academics, Saad Saihi and Kyle Worall, about their passion for sharing their knowledge of gaming. With combined specialisms of graphics and audio, their love of the gaming industry, as well as their industry connections, their expertise provides a solid foundation for your career in games development.

What are your gaming interests?

My lifelong passion for gaming has been the driving force behind my career. I’ve been addicted to games since my childhood. With a foundational degree in web development, I began my professional journey as an IT Tutor and later as an IT and Database Manager for the National Democratic Institute. This experience paved the way for my transition into the games industry, where I’ve now dedicated six years. I joined subcontractor studio of Ubisoft, initially as a game developer, then progressed into game design. My career trajectory led me to a leadership role as a Technical Art Director, where I headed a team in developing visual assets for AAA games .

Some of the games I have worked on are:

• Maze of Babylon 1 & 3: Deployed on both the App Store and Play Store. These are puzzle adventure games with unique mechanics that engage players in challenging environments.
• EO4: A strategy game deployed on Steam, featuring tactical gameplay and deep strategic elements.
• BigTime: An online multiplayer RPG where players can explore, collaborate, and engage in real-time combat.
• Relics Hunter: A mobile game with an accompanying Steam desktop version, offering players immersive dungeon-crawling experiences.
• Build Up Project: A collaborative project between Metrocalk and UWE Bristol. This is a research initiative in collaboration with Dr. Marianthi Leon and Dr. Vanda Papafilippou.

I became interested in academia whilst studying for my masters degree. I’ve now worked with several universities and I am in the process of completing my PhD, which is about the analysis of game design. My research focuses on exploring and developing innovative applications of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Procedural Content Generation (PCG) in games and it’s application to transform educational experiences and architectural design processes, while also advancing game mechanics, narrative generation, and player engagement.

Saad Saihi

I completed a creative music production degree, followed by a masters degree in sound and music interactive games. This was looking at how we put sound and music into a video game. And then I did some freelance composing, before eventually transitioning into computer science. I completed an internship as an Audio Programmer for a startup named Nemisindo. During this I assisted in developing procedural sound effect plugins (software that generates sound effects using synthesis) for Wwise (an audio middleware made by Audiokinetic, who is owned by Sony).

My PhD explores how repetition affects the way people perceive music and then how we can use generative or artificially intelligent solutions to try and fix that. How do you make 8 hours of music last 2000 hours? I am currently the CEO and Founder of a small-scale startup that has spun out from my PhD research at the University of York, namely Cocreative Technology, which focuses on creating tools to enhance non-creative aspects of composer’s workflow. Our technology can emulate the way that musicians play instruments (without generating the notes) and allows composers to make demos and music faster

Kyle Worrall

Kyle discusses his research about AI generative music in further detail.

How will your experience be brought into your teaching?

As part of my PhD I did an internship in industry. I can use my industry connections to help students if there’s a particular area of gaming that they’re interested in, whether it be MedTech or startups. As the Department Employability Lead I try to push students towards internship opportunities and help them to shape their final projects into something that aligns with their career aspirations.

Students can learn about Unreal Engine, which is one of the two main game engines in the world, used not only to make games but also across a variety of other media. An example is Karate Combat (a professional Karate championship), where the backgrounds of the matches are made in Unreal. On the Games Programming module, I take students from no experience in Unreal Engine, all the way to making their first project, including topics such as AI, audio implementation, player controllers, and programming in C++. 

Kyle Worrall

As a Game Designer, AI Researcher, and Project Manager who has led AAA game development and innovative tech projects, I provide students with practical, real-world applications of theoretical concepts. For example, my role as an Authorised Unreal Engine Instructor, combined with my C++ programming expertise, enables me to teach industry-standard tools and practices. My ongoing research into AI in Games ensures the curriculum remains current and relevant.

Ultimately, I focus on gamification in pedagogy, creating a dynamic and engaging classroom environment. I also prioritise student employability by incorporating live industry projects and portfolio development opportunities, leveraging my professional network and drawing on my experience in leading student placements and career development initiatives.

Saad Saihi

Why would someone benefit from studying games development at Edge Hill University?

We want to provide you with all the tools you need to succeed in a range of careers. You could graduate ready to explore and specialise in areas like games programming, game AI, animation, sound design and much more. We know that it’s not just about academic work. When you graduate, you’ll be entering a competitive industry, which is why we want to make sure you stand out from the crowd. At Edge Hill you can experience:

• Games-related activities and workshops
• Peer mentoring
• Social events
• Entrepreneurial support
• Industry connections
• Games challenges and showcases

We also have additional extra-curricular activities, such as game jams where you can work with other students over a few days to create a game, which can then be added onto their portfolio. 

The post Gearing up for BSc (Hons) Games Development appeared first on Edge Hill University.