Global Crime, Justice and Security (MSc)

Programme Description

This programme provides an excellent opportunity to study global developments in the field of crime, criminal law, justice and security. This MSc is ideal for students with a background in criminology, international relations, law, politics, governance studies or sociology.

As a student on this programme, you will have access to the expertise and insight of our active community of researchers, international scholars and local practitioners. The programme is truly interdisciplinary, with teaching provided by academics from both the School of Law and the School of Social & Political Science.

The two compulsory courses on the programme introduce you to different forms and contexts of global crime and how we respond to these, whilst the wide range of courses allows you to tailor the programme to your areas of particular interest.

You will benefit from top-quality training in research methods and skills essential both for doctoral study, or employment in the field of criminal justice and security.

Programme structure

You must complete 180 credits of study – 60 credits are taken in the compulsory dissertation and the remaining 120 credits are taken in taught courses, which may include the options listed below.

You will experience a range of teaching styles on these courses, led by members of the Law School academic community and experienced legal and industry practitioners.

You are expected to prepare in advance by reading the required materials and by reflecting on the issues to be discussed, and your participation in classes will be assessed.

For the dissertation you will have a supervisor from whom you can expect guidance and support, but the purpose of the dissertation is to allow you to independently design and conduct a piece of research and analysis.

Please note that due to unforeseen circumstances or lack of demand for particular courses, we may not be able to run all courses as advertised come the start of the academic year.

• Programme Structure and Courses

Learning outcomes

Students who complete the MSc will acquire an advanced understanding of the major contemporary debates and theoretical perspectives on crime, justice and security in a global context, and will enhance their research and analytic skills.

Career opportunities

Our graduates have found employment in a range of settings including commercial security consultancy and management, banking and anti-money laundering work, cyber security research, and civil service and third sector roles. Some have gone on to further professional or academic study in crime-related fields, and those with existing professional experience have been promoted in their workplace.

Visit the Global Crime, Justice and Security (MSc) page on the University of Edinburgh website for more details!