Identify, respond to, and address domestic abuse, stalking, and sexual violence with our domestic abuse MA.
Build trauma-informed understanding of domestic abuse, stalking, and sexual violence support with our domestic abuse MA.
You will focus on victims, survivors, and the staff that work with them, addressing a gap within frontline service education. Therefore, you’ll ensure better results and a sustainable sector.
You will cover topics like:
- stalking
- coercive control
- so-called ‘honour’ based abuse (HBA)
- sexual violence
- technology-enabled abuse and modern slavery
- relevant legislation
- skills from frontline services such as risk assessments, writing safety plans, and working within multi-agency settings.
You will learn from experts working in frontline services and the Bakhita Centre for Research on Slavery, Exploitation and Abuse.
This domestic abuse degree also draws expertise from three leading charities and support services in the domestic abuse and stalking sector:
Protect your wellbeing
At St Mary’s, we prioritise your wellbeing. Our course is the first of its kind to provide trauma-informed tools that support you through vicarious trauma and burnout.
Stay up to date with global developments
Our domestic abuse master’s reflects important changes in our cultural landscape and criminal justice system. This includes:
- a focus on Victim Policy
- matters arising from Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and Online Harms.
Extra training and qualifications: stand out from the crowd
This degree is one of the few worldwide to include a stalking advocacy course, Recognising Stalking; Relationship Abuse and Coercive Control. This course is CPD certified and allows you to take the Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworkers (ISAC) training once you complete your master’s.
We also uniquely offer professional training for those working with victims and survivors of modern slavery, aligned with Tier 3 of the National Training Standards.
Please note: this course is subject to validation.
Dr Maria Mellins
Professor in Criminology and Community Safety
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Course content
Modules
These modules are the modules that were available to students in the 2023/24 academic year and are illustrative of what may be offered for 2024/25.
Please note: it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our course information disclaimer.
Entry requirements
2:2
Previous degree
A minimum 2:2 honours degree (or equivalent) in social sciences, law, or humanities. Undergraduate degrees in other disciplines may be considered. We will consider applicants with two years of relevant non-certified learning and professional experience in a relevant field of work, such as:
- victim services
- health
- social services
- police
- third sector organisations.
International Requirements
International students should check our country-specific pages for equivalents. If English is not your first language you will need to achieve an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any section.
We now accept IELTS Indicator test results as proof of your English language level.
International students should check our country-specific pages for equivalents.
Further Information
For more information about entry requirements please email apply@stmarys.ac.uk.
Fees & funding
September 2025
Home
£10,800
International
£18,450
Additional costs
Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your programme. Additional costs could be incurred depending on optional modules chosen and other projects undertaken.
For further information about additional costs please see our additional costs webpage.
Alumni discount
A 20% tuition fee discount is available for our alumni (undergraduate and PGCE) planning to study this Master's degree. Those studying for a PGDip of PGCert are not eligible for the discount.
Funding
You can check on the UK government website to see if you may be eligible for a loan of up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate programme.
Home and international students may also be eligible for external sources of funding. International students should check their eligibility for our International Scholarship.
For more information, please look at our postgraduate funding page.
How the degree is taught
Assessment methods
Assessment includes a variety of methods such as:
- written coursework
- policy and literature reviews
- case studies
- presentations.
Career opportunities
With our domestic abuse MA, you will develop essential transferrable skills like communication, resilience, and critical thinking.
Contact our Career Services at careers@stmarys.ac.uk for further information on jobs and postgraduate opportunities.
Some examples of job roles and areas of work for graduates of Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Sexual Violence: Trauma Informed Practice MA, PGCert, PGDip include:
Apply now
September
Make sure to check our step-by-step guide to application process.
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