Criminal justice system is “badly run and badly led” - says Michael Gove, former Lord Chancellor Find out more

Master of Science

MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice Online

Wanting a fulfilling career that helps others? MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice Online at The University of Law is a great place to start.

This course is designed for all subject backgrounds. Haven’t previously studied a BA Criminology degree? Don’t worry, this Master's programme will quickly bring you up to date. Already studied Criminology at undergraduate level? That’s fine too. This course will continue to challenge and develop your foundational knowledge.

 

You may already have a clear vision for your future, or you may be developing that next step. Either way, our teaching will help you to discover and develop your skills and ambitions. Our course enables you to gain a broad range of skills including research methods and analysis, written and verbal communication skills, problem solving, and the ability to see things differently.

With a professional focus, our cutting-edge course opens career opportunities within the Criminal Justice sector and beyond. Practical application and building experience while you study is a key part of our course.

Woman wearing headphones and looking at data on a computer Fingerprint highlighted by a magnifying glass

Key Facts

Entry requirements

Students should possess a UK bachelor’s degree in any subject at 2:2 or above, or equivalent qualifications.

 

Course requirements ➔

Entry requirements

Duration Options

12 months (full-time)

24 months (part-time, 2 days per week as a guide)

Next start date

September 2025

See all Start Dates

Apply direct

Apply for this course directly with the University of Law.

 

Practice plays a key part in this programme. Alongside hands-on criminology work experience opportunities, we provide tailored careers support for your unique ambitions.

We have an overall 5 Star rating from QS World University Rankings and 5 stars in Teaching, Employability, Online Learning, Academic Development and Inclusiveness.

All our criminology lecturers have varied professional experience and are research active experts in their fields.

Course Details

MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice Online

If you’re looking to enhance your knowledge in criminology or make a change to the discipline, then our Master’s in Criminology and Criminal Justice is the next step to take on your career journey.

Taught by lecturers with significant professional experience, you will gain a systematic understanding and critical awareness of key principles of criminology, developing knowledge of the history of ideas, the cultural context, and the social and political theories that inform and influence the practice of criminology.

Students will graduate with the ability to identify appropriate methodologies for dealing with complex problems and design and successfully complete a substantial empirical criminology research project, systematic review or systematic case study, informed by wide understandings of criminology in the contemporary world.

What makes this course unique is our professional focus, choice of routes and teaching approach. For example, you will be taught to analyse the intersectionality of criminology topics in relation to criminal justice organisations and responses to crime, harm, deviance and victimisation.

You will be taught and engage with a wide range of research methods which will enable you to conduct your own impactful research. Much of this course focuses on topical debate – helping you to look at things critically and from different perspectives. You also have a choice of two routes to take on your course:

  • Desistance and Resettlement Route: You will have the opportunity to engage with key issues related to prisons, probation and rehabilitation and resettlement. You will also be able to work with criminal justice organisations and people with prison experience on a digital co-production project. This route is ideal for those keen to work within the criminal justice system, especially the third sector, prison and probation.
  • Social Justice Route: This route takes a critical approach in investigating the criminal justice system. It examines how the system has been perceived and resisted by those working outside of institutional power structures. It investigates how criminology is a ‘rendezvous discipline’ by engaging with, and pushing at, the margins of the discipline, the relationship between social marginalisation and criminalisation, and how to put the ‘margins’ at the centre. This route is ideal for those who want to work to shape the system from either outside or within the system.

Both routes provide the opportunity for real-world experience, for example through ride alongs with the City of London Police and other employability activities arranged through our team.

Criminology Career Prospects

The combination of theory, practice, and applied research on this MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice course gives you the capacity to look further and to imagine otherwise, preparing you for a rewarding career beyond the disciplinary study of Criminology.

The broader vocational significance of the programme means graduates are sought after across sectors. Jobs in Criminology and Criminal Justice have good job stability and security and there are many job opportunities with a Criminology Master’s degree.

The main careers for Criminology graduates are within the police, prison and probation service, court and security services, civil service, not-for-profit organisations (especially those that work with young offenders, ex-offenders or crime victims), social care, and academia, but also other areas such as education, journalism, intelligence services, business, and the military.

Why study MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice Online with us?

  • Work Experience Opportunities: The embedding of our digital co-production opportunity, utilising our connections with the Prison and Probation Service and charitable organisations is unique to us.
  • Award-winning Employability support: From day one to beyond graduation, you’ll have access to 1:1 support from our dedicated Employability Service to help you stand out in the job market with career planning, work experience and other support tailored to your ambitions.
  • Soft Skill Development: Our practical course assists with the development of soft skills, both important to the profession, and that employers find desirable. Helping you to learn skills like critical thinking, problem solving and how to articulate yourself.
  • Uncompromised quality: Our online programmes will save you time and money on commuting to and from campus and allow you to study anywhere, across devices. However, you can be reassured that the course won’t be compromised on quality or be less demanding than our on campus courses.

The application deadline for our February 2025 intake is Monday 31st January 2025.

Course Structure

Terms 1 and 2 are for taught modules. Terms 2 and 3 are for the research and writing up of the dissertation or project.

Term 1 has 2 taught modules, terms 2, 3, 4 and 5 have 1 taught module. Terms 5 and 6 are for the research and writing up of the dissertation or project.

Year One

Full-time

  • Criminology Harms and Power 30 credits (Compulsory)
  • Crime and Criminal Justice 15 credits (Compulsory)
  • Research Methods 30 credits (Compulsory)
  • Transforming Social Policy 15 credits (Compulsory)
  • Identity, Diversity and Human Rights 15 credits (Optional)
  • Desistance and the Carceral State 15 credits (Optional)
  • Criminology at the Margins 15 credits (Optional)
  • Resistance Activism and the State 15 credits (Optional)
  • Dissertation or Digital Coproduction and Rehabilitation Project 60 credits (Compulsory)

Part-time

  • Criminology Harms and Power 30 credits (Compulsory)
  • Research Methods 30 credits (Compulsory)
  • Transforming Social Policy 15 credits (Compulsory
  • Identity, Diversity and Human Rights 15 credits (Optional)
  • Criminology at the Margins 15 credits (Optional)

Year Two

Part-time

  • Crime and Criminal Justice 15 credits (Compulsory)
  • Desistance and the Carceral State 15 credits (Optional)
  • Resistance Activism and the State 15 credits (Optional)
  • Dissertation or Coproducing in Criminal Justice: Digital Desistance Project 60 credits (Compulsory)

Course Start Dates

  • MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice
    • Full-time: Online
    • Part-time: Online
  • MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice
    • Full-time: Online
    • Part-time: Online
  • MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice
    • Full-time: Online
    • Part-time: Online
  • MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice
    • Full-time: Online
    • Part-time: Online

Make an Enquiry

Course requirements

The course demands show you the requirements, prior knowledge and commitments our course will involve.

Find out more ➔

students in classroom

Study On Campus

You can also study this course at one of our Business School campuses across the UK. If you’re looking for a more traditional university experience, why not consider studying on campus?

Find out more ➔

study on campus

Course Information

 

To get a full picture of how you can fit the online courses around your existing commitments, our course date breakdown will be coming soon.

Calendar

 

Assessments are designed to meet the programme and module learning outcomes and are both formative and summative. The formative assessments include the preparation and feedback from teaching sessions (e.g. lectures, seminars, workshops and presentations). Summative assessment that contributes to the grade, may include written assignment, multi-media assignment, group work/studies, oral assessment/presentations, digital coproduction project and dissertation.

 

Student working from a text book

 

Students study 3 terms (FT) or 6 terms (PT).

Full Time Study

  • Terms 1 and 2 are for taught modules.
  • Terms 2 and 3 are for the research and writing up of the dissertation or project.

Part time Study

  • Term 1 has 2 taught modules, terms 2, 3, 4 and 5 have 1 taught module. Terms 5 and 6 are for the research and writing up of the dissertation or project.
Student taking a written exam

Employability We Set You Up For Success

We care about your career, which is why we offer support with job applications and other work experience opportunities as soon as you accept your place.

Discover more
Woman on the phone smiling

Fees and applying

 

You can apply for the MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice Online directly with the University.

Student reading in library

 

2024/25 Course Fee (for courses starting on or after 1 July 2024)

Online: £10,000

2025/26 Course Fee (for courses starting on or after 1 July 2025)

Online: £10,000

 

By studying a Master's degree you could be eligible for a Postgraduate Loan.

If you’re a ULaw alumnus, you may be eligible to receive our £1000 Academic Master's Alumni Discount.

We also have a range of scholarships and bursaries available to help you invest in your future.

Calculator

 

We have students from over 120 different countries throughout our campuses, with a dedicated team to help international students.

Student looking at smart phone