Birkbeck, University of London, Department of Criminology Masters Degrees

The Department of Criminology at Birkbeck has a proud tradition of critical scholarship. We are committed to social and racial justice, with research based in real-world events and experiences: identities, communities, policy and practice. The department is home to world-leading academics whose research covers contemporary social problems, from prison abolition, migration and deportation and social welfare, to gendered violence, terrorism, organised crime and drugs. We contribute to these debates using different theoretical approaches including political economy, psychosocial approaches, feminist, critical race and queer theory.

We have an enviable reputation as a centre of innovative scholarship, teaching and learning. Our academic staff are recognised as experts in their fields and approach criminology using critical and multi-disciplinary approaches. You can hear from scholars within and beyond Birkbeck at our Criminology Research Seminars. These events showcase prominent academics carrying out path-breaking research on crime, criminal justice and related themes.

The Institute for Crime and Justice Policy Research (ICPR) is affiliated to the Department of Criminology and contributes to our teaching programmes. ICPR is a centre of world-class legal research and scholarship, undertaking academically-grounded, policy-oriented research on criminal justice. Led by principles of justice, fairness and human rights, ICPR is committed to bringing about improvements in criminal justice policy and practice.

Our part-time programmes, flexible timetabling and evening teaching attract people who want to combine higher education with professional and care commitments. This is our strength; students have the opportunity to learn alongside people from diverse professional experiences and backgrounds.