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Criminology MSc

UK

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What will I learn?

Course description

The MSc in Criminology will provide you with an in-depth theoretical and applied understanding of crime, deviance, offenders, and victims and will enable you to focus on your particular area of interest.

You will gain the knowledge and skills sought by the broad spectrum of agencies associated with the criminal justice process. The course will provide you with a thorough insight into the criminal justice system and develop your critical awareness of historical debates, theories and research in criminology and victimology. You will also examine the current political, economic and social context of relevant debates on crime in the UK and abroad.

This degree will develop your capacity for imaginative, rigorous and critical thinking. As well as gaining specific knowledge of the social processes of crime, criminalisation and the criminal justice system, you will strengthen your ability to understand and use different types of evidence. You will develop transferable skills that are highly sought after by employers, including the ability to present and develop a cohesive argument, communicate information to academic and non-academic audiences, conduct research and identify solutions to theoretical and research problems.

Teaching and learning

You will be taught through a combination of lectures and seminars where you will have the opportunity to discuss and clarify ideas with lecturers and fellow students. Some modules will also involve practical skills workshops or online tasks and interaction.

Our assessment strategy is coursework-based and provides you with opportunities to both consolidate and strengthen academic skills through assessments such as short written pieces, annotated bibliographies, essays and research exercises; whilst also completing tasks which develop the skills required in future employment.

Careers and employability

Our MSc in Criminology will equip you with a whole host of skills that will give you a head-start in today’s competitive job market. We work closely with the University’s Career Development Service to alert you to relevant opportunities.

Our graduates most often seek and secure employment in statutory criminal justice agencies (police, prisons, probation, national criminal justice and security agencies), forensic health settings, third sector agencies, local and central government (nationally and internationally) and social/policy research institutes. Moreover, each year approximately 10% of the cohort either secure or begin to consider opportunities for doctoral studies. Doctoral work often leads to employment in a research-related area or in an academic environment.

A postgraduate qualification from the University of Leicester is career changing. It can be the springboard to promotion with your current employer, the platform from which to launch a new career, or simply an aid to becoming more effective in your current role.

If you are already in employment, enhancing your career by studying at postgraduate level gives a clear signal to employers that you are committed to developing your skills and knowledge and have studied to a higher level. Postgraduate education at Leicester is a rewarding and enriching experience that enhances personal development.

Which department am I in?

School of Criminology

Study options

Full Time (1 year)

Tuition fees
£18,950.00 (20,64,720) per year
This is a fixed fee

*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please

Application deadline

Expected July 2025

Start date

September 2025

Venue

University of Leicester

University Road,

Leicester,

Leicestershire,

LE1 7RH, CENTRAL ENGLAND, England

Entry requirements

For international students

Candidates should normally possess a First or Second Class honours degree from a British University or equivalent international academic qualifications. It is expected that this would usually be in Criminology or a cognate discipline. Comparable professional qualifications or experience will be considered. However, where more clarity is required applicants will be asked to undertake a short written assessment. Students need to have: IELTS 6.5 or equivalent; TOEFL iBT - 90.

*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.

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About University of Leicester

The University of Leicester is currently home to over 4,000 international students, making it a wonderfully multicultural place to study.

  • A leading UK research university
  • 37th in UK & 170th globally, THE World University Rankings
  • A progressive, thoughtful and research-driven institution
  • Over 300 degree programmes and courses on offer