Fees and key information

Course type
Postgraduate
Entry requirements
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Why study this course?

Our Criminology MSc degree will allow you to develop an advanced knowledge of crime and offenders, as well as assess contemporary trends and concepts in criminal justice policy and community safety. You'll explore approaches to crime control within the community and penal institutions to gain the skills required to conduct research within the field of crime and criminal justice. This level of knowledge can prepare you for doctoral study or research posts within the criminal justice arena, but it's also ideal for consolidating your professional experience.

The course looks at criminology from both a theoretical and an applied perspective, covering areas including criminal justice, prisons, crime prevention, and crime and offender patterns.

You’ll apply research methods and techniques such as assessing patterns in specific forms of crimes and offending behaviour, and considering the prevalence, characteristics and typologies of specific types of offence. You’ll also critically assess recent and current policies and practices with crime control and community safety. Option modules will allow you to develop a specialism in a field that interests you, such as intelligence analysis, psychology and crime, sexual violence, terrorism and counter-terrorism, and urban patterns.

London Met invites visiting professors and experts in criminal justice and criminal areas to the University to share their expertise. These guest visits complement the knowledge of our academics who are actively engaged in areas research including street crime, gangs and police body cameras. Their expertise will support you when undertaking your dissertation in criminology and criminal justice.

By the end of the course you’ll be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, making sound judgements in the absence of complete data and communicating your conclusions clearly.

Gain a deeper knowledge of the criminal justice system

This course will allow you to develop an advanced knowledge of crime and offenders, as well as assess contemporary trends and concepts in criminal justice policy and community safety

Learn from industry professionals

London Met invites visiting professors and experts in criminal justice and criminal areas to the University to share their expertise

Develop your transferable skills

By the end of the course you’ll be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, making sound judgements in the absence of complete data and communicating your conclusions clearly

Course details

You will be required to have:

  • at least a lower second class honours degree in a relevant discipline such as criminology, or social and behavioural sciences (applications are also welcome from those who have experience in criminal justice or possess relevant professional qualifications)

Accreditation of Prior Learning

Any university-level qualifications or relevant experience you gain prior to starting university could count towards your course at London Met. Find out more about applying for Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL).

English language requirements

To study a degree at London Met, you must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. If you require a Student visa (previously Tier 4) you may need to provide the results of a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. This course requires you to meet our standard requirements.

If you need (or wish) to improve your English before starting your degree, the University offers a Pre-sessional Academic English course to help you build your confidence and reach the level of English you require.

You'll be assessed through essays, projects, examinations and a dissertation between 12,000 and 15,000 words. The dissertation forms a key element of your master's degree. It allows you to pursue a topic of your choosing in depth and is to be completed over the summer study period.

The aim of the course is to prepare you for employment or further study in the criminal justice sector. The curriculum will equip you for a range of careers in the criminal justice system and related professions, all with excellent recruitment prospects. Key career paths include the Metropolitan Police Service, Probation Service, Foreign Office, Prison Service, youth offending and community safety departments, as well as academic or government research posts.

Past graduates have gone on to work as senior detective constables, researchers, fraud officers, criminal lawyers and probation officers.

If you've already studied your undergraduate degree with us, as a graduate of London Met, you'll be entitled to a 20% discount on any further study with us.
* exclusions apply

Please note, in addition to the tuition fee there may be additional costs for things like equipment, materials, printing, textbooks, trips or professional body fees.

Additionally, there may be other activities that are not formally part of your course and not required to complete your course, but which you may find helpful (for example, optional field trips). The costs of these are additional to your tuition fee and the fees set out above and will be notified when the activity is being arranged.

How to apply

Use the apply button to begin your application.

If you require a Student visa and wish to study a postgraduate course on a part-time basis, please read our how to apply information for international students to ensure you have all the details you need about the application process.

When to apply

You are advised to apply as early as possible as applications will only be considered if there are places available on the course.

To find out when teaching for this degree will begin, as well as welcome week and any induction activities, view our academic term dates.

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