Masters Degrees in Criminology still available for January start in 2027

Masters degrees in Criminology study the causes and effects of crime, along with how criminal behaviour might be prevented. Courses typically examine crime from sociological and legal perspectives, combining theoretical and practical approaches. Most Criminology Masters are MAs, but some institutions offer them as an MSc. Closely related postgraduate specialisms include Criminal Justice, Criminological Anthropology and Criminal Law.

Why study a Masters in Criminology?

Criminology tackles some of the biggest problems facing our society, working on ways to prevent or alleviate issues as diverse as extremism, human trafficking, child abuse and social exclusion.

Another important part of many Criminology programmes is the study of victims and the effect that crime has on them (sometimes referred to as Victimology). Rather than focusing on the criminal offender, this approach concentrates on victims and their position in society, offering another dimension to the analysis of crime and its consequences.

There are plenty of employment opportunities for Criminology postgraduates. The two most obvious destinations are probably the prison service and the police, but these aren’t the only possibilities. For example, you could work for a human rights organisation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) or a charity, to give a few examples.