Course summary
Overview Study online and gain expert knowledge on the workings of criminal justice around the world on this MSc International Criminal Justice degree. Delivered part-time by distance learning, this course enables you to fit your studies around your job and other commitments, and to start applying what you learn in real-time. You'll explore crime control from global perspectives, weighing up international approaches to judicial structures and punitive measures. You'll take an in-depth look at international criminology, taking into account sociological, political and legal theory to better understand how we respond to transnational crime in different regions of the world. Alongside your focus on international criminal justice, you'll build essential skills in research, analysis and management. You'll also have the chance to investigate a related area of your choice, such as missing persons investigations. After the course, you'll have the expertise to begin or further your career in the justice system, ready to bring your skills to roles in international law enforcement, criminal justice policy, human rights advocacy and international organisations such as Interpol, Europol or Frontex.
- Get to grips with the complexities of criminal justice work in relation to international norms and standards, including human rights issues, and study the development and challenges of transnational offending from criminological, legal and political perspectives
- Choose to focus on an extra area of study of your choice, such as international offences including trafficking, cybercrime and terrorism, or the issues affecting missing persons within a global context
- Learn from a research-active team of international criminal justice specialists in our School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, and hear from industry expert guest speakers from around the world
- Be part of our community of researchers by getting involved with our criminology research groups, such as the Policing research group, the Centre for Cybercrime and Economic Crime and the Probation, Prison and Penology research group
- Complete a major project based on your chosen area of research, with the support of qualified and enthusiastic experts in the field
- police or law enforcement officer
- probation or prison officer
- data analyst
- intelligence analyst
- cybersecurity
- the Civil Service
- national and International Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
- Government agencies and departments internationally
- probation and prison service
- the Courts
- local administration / authorities
- private security companies
- charities
Modules
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits. You need to study modules worth a total of 180 credits. For example, 4 modules worth 30 credits and 1 module worth 60 credits. Part-time Year 1 Core modules in this year include:
- Criminal Justice in a Global Context - 30 credits
- International Criminology - 30 credits
- Research Methods and Research Ethics - 30 credits
- Dissertation - 60 credits
- International and Transnational Offending - 30 credits
- Missing Persons: Global Perspectives - 30 credits
Assessment method
You'll be assessed through:
- essays
- reports
- oral presentations
- projects and portfolios
- seminar participation and engagement
- dissertation / major report
Entry requirements
A minimum of a second-class honours degree in a relevant subject (Social Science, Humanities, Law, Psychology, or Management subject). Information Technology or science related subjects will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants with equivalent professional experience in a relevant organisation will also be considered on a case-by-case basis.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 5.5. | |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 91 with a minimum of 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing. | |
| PTE Academic | An overall score of 65 with a minimum of 59 in each skill. | |
| Cambridge English Advanced | Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) (taken after January 2015). An overall score of 176 with no component score less than 162. | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | Cambridge English: Advanced (CPE) (taken after January 2015). An overall score of 176 with no component score less than 162. |
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| EU | £4450 | Year 1 |
| England | £4450 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £4450 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £4450 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £4450 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £4450 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £4450 | Year 1 |
| International | £4450 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Fees are accurate at the time of publishing and are subject to change at any time without notice.
Fees may also go up in later years, in line with inflation.
Provider information
University of Portsmouth
University House
Winston Churchill Avenue
Portsmouth
PO1 2UP