University College Dublin

MSc Criminology & Criminal Justice

Academic Year 2020/2021

Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)


A unique programme, based in Ireland's only Institute of Criminology and Criminal Justice, for non- lawyers who wish to work in the field of criminology and criminal justice.


To understand and think critically about the intersections between law, politics and social policy that come to the fore in the study of Criminology and Criminal Justice;


To apply knowledge and understanding of Criminology and Criminal Justice to real and hypothetical factual situations;


To conduct independent research and write coherent, well-structured papers.


Who should apply?

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes


Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No


Applications are invited from non-law graduates holding an excellent degree (at least 2.1) in a relevant subject area such as Sociology, Politics, Philosophy, History, Psychology or English (if you are unsure whether your area of study qualifies as 'relevant' please contact us).


In exceptional circumstances, substantial professional experience within the field of criminal justice may be regarded by the selection panel as compensating for a lack of an upper second class honours level 8 qualification.


Such applicants should state clearly in their application why they feel their other qualifications/experience are appropriate for admission onto the programme.


Course Description

The Institute of Criminology offers a wide range of modules for the Masters programmes. Modules of especial interest to those undertaking this programme include:


Advanced Criminological Theory explores key theories of crime both classic and recent, including biological, psychological and sociological explanations of criminal behaviour and their potential application in the Irish context.


Digital Investigations & the Law deals with the legal framework governing the activities of persons involved in Information Technology security and forensics. Topics covered will include:


Legal issues associated with securing networks (including penetration testing, legal obligations to store data / keep data secure);


Legal issues raised in the conduct of investigations (including the legality of network monitoring and employee surveillance, duties to report certain findings to the police, interaction with police investigations); and


The role of digital evidence in litigation (including the use of discovery, Anton Piller orders and other court procedures, reliability and admissibility of digital evidence, implications of illegally and unconstitutionally obtained evidence).


This course will primarily reflect Irish and European law but where relevant comparison will be made with practice in other jurisdictions.


Punishment, Prisons and Public Policy The response to crime since the mid-1990s has been characterised in many developed countries by an emphasis on prison expansion. This module explores some of the dilemmas that confront prison systems everywhere (e.g. violence, drug misuse, effective risk assessment and recidivism). The extent to which these problems have characteristics that reflect peculiarly local conditions is a recurrent theme. What, if anything, is distinctive about the 'society of captives' in Irish prisons?

Please note that the Part Time programme has the same timetable as the full time programme but is held over 2 years rather than 1 year.


There will be dissertation seminars in weeks 1-4 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 11-1pm (Jan-May term).


NEW Double Degree Masters in Law with University Western Australia located in beautiful Perth

This 1+1 Double Degree consists of two separate awards: a UCD SSoL one-year taught Masters Degree followed by a UWA Law School one year taught Masters Degree.


The UCD SSoL degree will be from one of the following programmes

LLM General,

LLM International Commercial Law,

LLM in Criminology & Criminal Justice,

LLM in IP and IT Law,

LLM in International Human Rights,

LLM European Law and Public Affairs,

MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice,

MSc International Law and Business AND


The UWA Law School one year taught Masters Degree can be taken in one of the following fields:


Master of International Commercial Law,

Master of International Law,

Master of Taxation Law,

Master of Law, Policy and Government,

Master of Commercial and Resources Law, and

Master of Mining and Energy Law.


More details on the UWA programmes available


https://www.uwa.edu.au/able/schools/law-school#anchor-Courses-9D61DB9F-1...


The academic calendar at UWA extends from February to June (Semester 1) and July to November (Semester 2). So the first entrants from UCD will take place in February 2020.


Students transferring from UCD will be required to meet normal overseas admission standards before being admitted to the UWA Masters programme i.e. the equivalent of a Weighted Average Mark of 60% overall in the first year of their UCD Masters study


Each student shall pay the full annual fees for the programme to the institution they are studying at for the year of payment.


Each year, UWA may award full or partial tuition fee scholarships to the best qualified UCD candidates who commence the UWA Masters programme. The number of these full or partial scholarships and eligibility for them may be determined by UWA in accordance with the number of students entering the programme and/or their academic performance.


It is expected that these will be as follows:


For Students with a UWA WAM equivalent of 70% (UCD GPA of 3.08) or greater a fee waiver of $A5,000 per annum.


For Students with a UWA WAM equivalent of 75% (UCD GPA of 3.38) or greater a fee waiver of $A8,000 per annum.


For Students with a UWA WAM equivalent of 80% (UCD GPA of 3.68) or greater a fee waiver of $A10,000 per annum.


Programme Outcomes

demonstrate a detailed awareness of current controversies in criminology and criminal justice and knowledge of areas where the discipline is currently enjoying theoretical elaboration.


appreciate the strengths and limitations of key research methodologies.


use knowledge of debates within the discipline and different methodological approaches to interpret empirical research findings and to critique research designs.


integrate source material from a variety of disciplinary areas to reach reasoned decisions about the relative status of competing claims to knowledge.


unpack complex theoretical arguments and to render intelligible to a non-specialist audience, key disciplinary insights.


have the intellectual toolkit required to research and write a major dissertation.


appreciate the strengths and limitations of key research methodologies.


demonstrate a detailed awareness of current controversies in criminology and criminal justice and knowledge of areas where the discipline is currently enjoying theoretical elaboration.


have the intellectual toolkit required to research and write a major dissertation.


integrate source material from a variety of disciplinary areas to reach reasoned decisions about the relative status of competing claims to knowledge.


unpack complex theoretical arguments and to render intelligible to a non-specialist audience, key disciplinary insights.


use knowledge of debates within the discipline and different methodological approaches to interpret empirical research findings and to critique research designs.