Criminology

Course Outline

The MA in Criminology examines a broad range of theoretical and applied approaches to understanding crime: social deviance, morality, anti-social behaviour, social regulation, legislation, criminal law, justice, prevention, rehabilitation and punishment as social phenomena and as objects of social policy, and delivers a basic competence to carry out research in the field. It is interdisciplinary in tone and character and organized by the Schools of Sociology & Philosophy, Law and Applied Social Studies.

This MA programme is offered on a full-time basis running over 12 months or on a part-time basis running over 24 months. The 90-credit programme has three compulsory modules plus four additional modules as follows:



Core modules:

CR6012 Key issues in Criminology (10 credits)

CR6010 Research design and methods (10 credits)

CR6006 Dissertation on Criminology (30 credits)



Four modules are chosen from the following options. Students must choose at least one Law (LW) module AND at least one Criminology (CR) module AND at least one Applied Social Studies (SS) module.



CR6000 Governmentality: Disciplines, Institutions and Critiques (10 credits)

CR6001 Terrorism and Organised Crime (10 credits)

LW6544 Criminology (10 credits)

LW6545 Penology (10 credits)

LW6546 Juvenile Justice (10 credits)

LW6560 Law of Cybercrime (10 credits)

SC6627 Social Pathology, Civic Health, New Technology (10 credits)

SC6638 Rethinking Borders: Sovereignty, Rights and Justice (10 credits)

SC6639 Feminist Epistemologies: Feminisms, Sexuality and Society (10 credits)

SC6641 Gender and Catastrophe (10 credits)

SC6642 Social Theory and Climate Justice (10 credits)

SS6315 Mental Health and Disability (10 credits)

SS6316 Children and Young People (10 credits)

SS6320 Conflict Transformation and Peace Building (10 credits)



PART-TIME

Year 1 - Part I

Core modules:

CR6010 Research Design and Methods (10 credits)

CR6012 Key Issues in Criminology (10 credits)



plus modules to the value of 20 credits from the optional* modules listed below:



*Students must, across both years of part-time study, take at least one Law (LW) module AND at least one Criminology (CR) module AND at least one Applied Social Studies (SS) module from the list of optional modules.



CR6000 Governmentality: Disciplines, Institutions, and Critiques (10 credits)

CR6001 Terrorism and Organised Crime (10 credits)

LW6544 Criminology (10 credits)

LW6545 Penology (10 credits)

LW6546 Juvenile Justice (10 credits)

LW6560 Law of Cybercrime (10 credits)

SC6627 Social Pathology, Civic Health, New Technology (10 credits)

SC6638 Rethinking Borders: Sovereignty, Rights and Justice (10 credits)

SC6639 Feminist Epistemologies: Feminisms, Sexuality and Society (10 credits)

SC6641 Gender and Catastrophe (10 credits)

SC6642 Social Theory and Climate Justice (10 credits)

SS6315 Mental Health and Disability (10 credits)

SS6316 Children and Young People (10 credits)

SS6320 Conflict Transformation and Peace Building (10 credits)



Year 2

In Year 2, students select two optional 10-credit modules (not previously taken in Year 1). Students must, across both years of part-time study, take at least one Law (LW) module AND at least one Criminology (CR) module AND at least one Applied Social Studies (SS) module from the list of optional modules.



Part II

CR6006 Dissertation on Criminology (30 credits)

Applicants must normally have obtained a minimum of Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or equivalent degree in sociology, law, politics, psychology, history, applied social studies, or another subject relevant to the study of crime.



Applicants who hold a Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in an unrelated subject, or a Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in a related or unrelated subject, will also be considered under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) subject to a written expression of interest and/or interview. Evidence of written ability on a criminological topic may also be required.



In exceptional circumstances, substantial professional experience in a relevant and related field of criminal justice may be accepted as compensating for the absence of an undergraduate degree to the required standard, subject to an interview and evidence of written ability on a criminological topic.



For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.



International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.



- In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.



- Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.



English Language Requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.

Closing Date: Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.



Non-EU Closing Date

Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.

Students are assessed on 6 taught modules and a dissertation module.


Each module has an assessment method outlined in the book of modules The dissertation is expected to be between 15-20,000 words.

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Start Date: 8th September 2025.

Skills and Careers Information

Criminology graduates from the MA in Criminology at UCC are attractive to employers both inside and outside the criminal justice sector. Our programme encourages the development of key proficiencies such as critical thinking, analytical and communications skills; graduates with these capabilities have the option to work in many sectors associated with their degree and other related areas.



What can I do after I graduate?

Our MA graduates have a diverse range of roles both nationally and internationally. Some students come to UCC with a wealth of experience in the field, for example serving Gardai, eager to further their knowledge in the area. Other students come from an undergraduate programme or related areas such a youth work. To date, our graduate students have found employment in the Gardai, the Prison Services, the community sector, further education, and addiction services.



Jobs directly related to this programme include the following:

Community development officer

Garda

Prison officer

Youth worker

Victim liaison officer

Researcher

Civil servant

Customs and excise officer

Fisheries officer



Other relevant roles include:

Counsellor

Social Worker

Solicitor

Addiction services employee

Adult intervention services

PhD researcher/Academic

Journalism/media

Teaching

UN field office employee

NGO – e.g. Amnesty International, Red Cross etc.