Criminology & Criminal Justice

Overview

Addressing the roots of crime at all levels of society to meaningfully achieve justice and support those harmed by crime are significant policy and practice challenges. These challenges increasingly take place in a globalised offending landscape which demands transnational thinking. The MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice will immerse you in cutting-edge knowledge, techniques and approaches. It is designed to generate critical thinkers and skilled practitioners who are equipped to improve criminal justice outcomes, effectively challenge harmful crime trends at a regional, national and international level and tackle complex social issues like marginalisation, inequality, and impunity. If you want to open-up new career horizons, the MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice is your professional gateway



Work placement / study abroad

The Criminology and Criminal Justice team have strong research and industry links with a range of public, private, voluntary and community organisations and can help to facilitate internships opportunities for students who wish to gain practical work experience during or after the course.

F/T Programme

Year one

Global Landscapes of Crime and Justice

Victims and Restorative Justice

Contemporary Perspectives on Risk and Security

MSc Criminology Dissertation

Foundations of Social Science Research



Optional:

Social Action for Peace and Justice: A Community Development Approach

Critical Perspectives on Punishment

Survey and Quantitative Methods

Qualitative Research Methods



P/T Programme

Year one

Victims and Restorative Justice

Contemporary Perspectives on Risk and Security

Foundations of Social Science Research



Optional:

Survey and Quantitative Methods



Year two

Global Landscapes of Crime and Justice

MSc Criminology Dissertation



Optional:

Social Action for Peace and Justice: A Community Development Approach

Critical Perspectives on Punishment

Qualitative Research Methods

Applicants must have a second class honours degree or better in Social Sciences, Humanities, Law or a cognate discipline from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard.



Where an applicant has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route.



English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.



Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.



• For English language requirements go to: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/english-language-requirements



• For Your country go to: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/country

Your Application

You can apply directly to Ulster at any time of year. We advise that you submit your application no later than two weeks prior to your course start date. This is to ensure there is sufficient time for your application to be reviewed and, should you be made an offer, time for you to complete all the necessary pre-enrolment tasks.



Some programmes will have specific deadlines as additional selection (e.g. interview, portfolio submission etc) is required, so please check the course page to ensure you have sufficient time to complete your application.

1 year full/time, 2 - 3 years part-time.

Start Date: September 2026.

Careers and Opportunities

Completing the MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice opens up a range of unique career opportunities. There is increasing demand across the public, private and voluntary sectors for graduates and professionals with an applied knowledge and practical understanding of crime, its drivers, societal impacts, and the strengths and limitations of evidence-based methods used to address crime. Graduates go on to careers in areas such as law enforcement and regulation, victim support, offender rehabilitation, restorative practice, community development, corporate compliance, forensic auditing, criminal justice research, crime prevention (including designing-out crime), cybercrime, advocacy, and policy making. The knowledge, skills and techniques developed by MSc students are transferable across sectors and regions placing them in a strong position within a globalised job market.



Employability is also enhanced through the provision of advanced research methods training, practice, training and opportunities to apply criminological theory to real life policy and practice scenarios. These skills equip students to pursue careers across all sectors in a wide range of areas, including human rights, criminal justice, social justice, compliance, law, education, conflict resolution and psychosocial interventions among others.