Entry requirements

A minimum of a second class honours degree (2:1 preferred) in a relevant subject or equivalent is required. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with relevant work or life experience are encouraged to apply.

INTO University of Stirling offers a Graduate Diploma if you don’t meet the required criteria for this course. If you successfully complete the Graduate Diploma in Media, Humanities and Social Sciences and meet the required progression grades, you’ll be guaranteed entry onto this Masters degree.

Other routes of entry

If you don’t currently meet the academic requirements for this course, INTO University of Stirling offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need for direct entry.

Explore INTO Stirling programmes to see the pathway and pre-masters routes available for this course and others at the University of Stirling.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Our MSc Criminology course establishes clear connections between conceptual theories of crime and justice, and applied examples of how they affect contemporary societies. The course has an international focus that goes beyond UK or Scottish borders, making it appealing for a diverse student cohort.

The course content encourages the pursuit of innovative and socially just responses to the problem of crime, from crimes in the street or at home, to crimes of the powerful, crimes across borders, the much newer phenomenon of online crime, and the drug problem. Throughout the course, there's an emphasis on the need for a strong critical understanding of how research is framed, used and developed, which is delivered via modules in data analysis and research design, as well as criminological and socio-legal research methods. You’ll have the opportunity to explore concepts of criminal justice, the social contexts of crime, and a variety of criminological theoretical perspectives as well as applied insights.

With elective modules in specialist subjects you can acquire and develop a range of skills which will significantly enhance your confidence in criminology and your employability. Subjects include:

rehabilitation and criminal justice work
drug policy and interventions
criminalisation, social control and human rights

The course is ideal for those who are keen to continue their studies at postgraduate level, as well as for practitioners who wish to consolidate existing experience and training with a Masters qualification.

Information for international students

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

IELTS Indicator 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill
Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 176 overall with a minimum of 169 in each sub-skill
Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 169 in each sub-skill
Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with 60 in each sub-skill
IBT TOEFL 80 overall with 18 in reading, 23 in writing, 19 in listening and 21 in speaking
IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition Test 80 overall with 18 in reading, 23 in writing, 19 in listening and 21 in speaking
Trinity ISE II Pass overall and Merit in all sub-skills, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills
Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills
Duolingo 105 overall with a minimum of 95 in each sub-skill
LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator - Pass with minimum 33 in each sub-skill

If you are from India, Bangladesh, Ghana or Nigeria please also check your country/region specific page for any additional, or changes to, English language requirements.

For more information on ways that you can meet our English language requirements, including options to waive the requirement, please read our information on English language requirements.

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

MSc
full time
12 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
part time
24 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification

Course contact details

Name: University of Stirling
Email: study@stir.ac.uk

Visit website

Apply

Criminology