Criminology and Criminal Justice

Entry requirements

Applicants must have a second class honours degree or better in Social Sciences, Humanities, Law or a cognate discipline from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard.

Where an applicant has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Addressing the roots of crime at all levels of society to meaningfully achieve justice and support those harmed by crime are significant policy and practice challenges. These challenges increasingly take place in a globalised offending landscape which demands transnational thinking.

The MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice will immerse you in cutting-edge knowledge, techniques and approaches. It is designed to generate critical thinkers and skilled practitioners who are equipped to improve criminal justice outcomes, effectively challenge harmful crime trends at a regional, national and international level and tackle complex social issues like marginalisation, inequality, and impunity.

If you want to open-up new career horizons, the MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice is your professional gateway.

The MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice provides you with industry leading knowledge and essential skills, through an advanced programme of criminological study grounded in active learning and critical thinking methodologies. The MSc offers a rich range of opportunities to advance your research and professional profile. Modules immerse learners in cutting edge ideas and methods used to tackle crime, harm, injustice and disadvantage, locally, nationally and internationally.

Ranked 12th in the UK’s Research Excellence Framework for outstanding impact on policy and practice, criminology at Ulster has a strong reputation for quality student experience, consistently achieving over 90% satisfaction in the National Student Survey. We have strong research and industry links in Northern Ireland, other parts of the UK, Europe, North America, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, spanning all aspects of practice including policing, forensics, restorative justice, victims, drugs, the courts, prisons, desistence, human rights, corporate compliance, anti-fraud, anti-money laundering, counterterrorism, and anti-corruption. This expertise informs the content of teaching, ensuring it is grounded in real-life problems and scenarios, where criminological theory, skills and methods are used to examine and challenge injustice.

As a dedicated and enthusiastic team of internationally recognised scholars, we are committed to critical criminology, evidence-based policy and practice, and investing in students personal, academic and professional development. The degree responds to growing industry demand for applied knowledge and practical understandings in areas such as crime prevention, designing out crime, restorative justice, cybercrime, white-collar crime, digital forensics, victim support and evidence-based policy and practice. By responding to these demands through innovative curriculum, the MSc enhances graduate prospects within the applied field of criminology and criminal justice across the academic, private, public and voluntary sectors.

Information for international students

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.