Course information
UK fee £9,550
International fee £18,950
Taught by School of Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy
Contact
+44 (0)116 252 2458 or 3946
crimandsoc-pgt@le.ac.uk
The Fielding Johnson Building,
University Road,
Leicester LE1 7RH
Course description
Course description
The MSc in Criminology will provide you with an in-depth theoretical and applied understanding of crime, deviance, offenders, and victims and will enable you to focus on your particular area of interest.
You will gain the knowledge and skills sought by the broad spectrum of agencies associated with the criminal justice process. The course will provide you with a thorough insight into the criminal justice system and develop your critical awareness of historical debates, theories and research in criminology and victimology. You will also examine the current political, economic and social context of relevant debates on crime in the UK and abroad.
The course has been prepared by lecturers who are at the forefront of research in this field. Our selection of option modules allows you to specialise in areas of interest that relate to your professional needs.
This degree will develop your capacity for imaginative, rigorous and critical thinking. As well as gaining specific knowledge of the social processes of crime, criminalisation and the criminal justice system, you will strengthen your ability to understand and use different types of evidence. You will develop transferable skills that are highly sought after by employers, including the ability to present and develop a cohesive argument, communicate information to academic and non-academic audiences, conduct research and identify solutions to theoretical and research problems.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Candidates should normally possess a First or Second Class honours degree from a British University or equivalent international academic qualifications. It is expected that this would usually be in Criminology or a cognate discipline. Comparable professional qualifications or experience will be considered. However, where more clarity is required applicants will be asked to undertake a short written assessment.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.
International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.
Countries listFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in September 2025
- £9,550
If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
Did you know you can apply for a Government Postgraduate Loan? Find out if you’re eligible.
International Students
Starting in September 2025
- £18,950
You will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
Our MSc in Criminology will equip you with a whole host of skills that will give you a head-start in today’s competitive job market. We work closely with the University’s Career Development Service to alert you to relevant opportunities.
Our graduates most often seek and secure employment in statutory criminal justice agencies (police, prisons, probation, national criminal justice and security agencies), forensic health settings, third sector agencies, local and central government (nationally and internationally) and social/policy research institutes. Moreover, each year approximately 10% of the cohort either secure or begin to consider opportunities for doctoral studies. Doctoral work often leads to employment in a research-related area or in an academic environment.
A postgraduate qualification from the University of Leicester is career changing. It can be the springboard to promotion with your current employer, the platform from which to launch a new career, or simply an aid to becoming more effective in your current role.
If you are already in employment, enhancing your career by studying at postgraduate level gives a clear signal to employers that you are committed to developing your skills and knowledge and have studied to a higher level. Postgraduate education at Leicester is a rewarding and enriching experience that enhances personal development.
Our Career Development Service is here to support you, with advice on interviews, CVs, work experience, volunteering and more. From Freshers’ Week to Graduation and beyond, they are here to help you reach your professional goals.
Related courses
Course structure
Core modules
Core modules
- Criminological Research Methods (double module)
- Theorising Crime and Deviance (double module)
- Rethinking Punishment and Rehabilitation
- Victimology
Plus your Dissertation
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Option modules
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
- Responding to Terrorism
- Criminal Justice Professions: Policy and Practice
- Forensic and Legal Psychology
- Critical Issues in Policing
- Mental Disorder, Justice and Crime
- Crime Prevention
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Why Leicester?
Leicester is one of very few universities in the country to have its own area exclusively dedicated to researching and teaching criminology.
Our students benefit from learning in an environment exclusively dedicated to researching and teaching criminology, which is home to some of the UK’s leading criminologists.
We are regularly called on by local, national and international private, public and non-governmental organisations to assist with policy development, and by journalists needing information and advice on crime issues.
Your studies will be enhanced by extra-curricular opportunities such as our esteemed Scarman Lecture series which regularly hosts high profile speakers.
Teaching and learning
You will be taught through a combination of lectures and seminars where you will have the opportunity to discuss and clarify ideas with lecturers and fellow students. Some modules will also involve practical skills workshops or online tasks and interaction.
Our assessment strategy is coursework-based and provides you with opportunities to both consolidate and strengthen academic skills through assessments such as short written pieces, annotated bibliographies, essays and research exercises; whilst also completing tasks which develop the skills required in future employment. These more ‘authentic’ modes of assessment may take the form of oral presentations, practitioner briefing papers, reports and letters to government ministers. You will also complete a dissertation of up to 15,000 words in which you will conduct research on a topic of your choice.
Key dates
September 2025 start
- Application deadline: 8 September 2025 (Please note if you require a visa to study you will be required to submit your course application by 25 July 2025)
- Deposit payment deadline: 8 August 2025
- CAS request deadline: 5 September 2025
- 70% tuition payment deadline: 5 September 2025
Apply now
| Course | Qualification | Duration | Start Dates | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Criminology | Qualification MSc | Duration 1 year full-time | Start Dates September each year | Availability Apply Now |
| Course Criminology | Qualification MSc | Duration 2 years part-time | Start Dates September each year | Availability Apply Now |
Learning from some of the best minds in the field of Criminology has opened my eyes to a whole new world.