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Criminology at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

Our MSc Criminology offers you cutting-edge insights into crime, punishment and justice in today’s world through an exploration of criminological theory and current real-world issues. You will also be able to tailor your studies by pursuing a specialist pathway. Why choose this course?

  • This course enables you to engage with the complexity of contemporary criminology and critically assess the political, economic, social and cultural forces that affect crime and its control.
  • It provides you with an opportunity to deepen your knowledge and display expertise to future employers by tailoring your studies to a pathway of your choosing.
  • You will be taught by leading critical criminologists and active researchers at the Institute for Crime and Justice Policy Research, who are at the forefront of generating new knowledge on contemporary criminal justice issues.
What you will learn The MSc Criminology is ideal if you have a keen interest in crime and wish to better understand the key issues facing criminal justice today. To specialise further, you will be able to choose one of the following pathways:
  • Criminology and Criminal Justice
  • Gender, Sexuality and Criminal Justice
  • Race, Crime and Justice
  • Global Criminology
Compulsory modules offer you advanced knowledge of contemporary criminological theory and the chance to learn cutting-edge research methods so you can complete an original research project. Option modules allow you to explore criminological debates on racial, social and gendered (in)justice, global perspectives and policy responses. How you will learn You can choose between full- and part-time study on this course. It has an evening timetable with classes taking place in the evening. These include lectures, seminars and tutorials, alongside your independent work. Our teaching methods are designed to support your learning and give you the opportunity to develop skills relevant to your career. This course is part of our new Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both. Please note, courses starting in January are not part of the Flexible Master's UK and will take place on campus. Highlights
  • Your specialist pathway will reflect your interests and help you develop focused knowledge in a key area. Whichever pathway you decide on, you can look forward to a stimulating evening learning environment, alongside students with diverse backgrounds and professional experiences.
  • You will be taught by staff who are part of a proud tradition of critical scholarship in criminology and criminal justice, who address issues of crime through power and inequality, and are led by principles of social and racial justice.
  • Students can attend specialist research seminars, such as the Criminology Seminar Series and the Race and Justice Seminar Series, which feature national and international scholars speaking on current issues and groundbreaking interdisciplinary research.
Careers and employability On successfully graduating from this MSc, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:
  • the ability to critically understand, appraise and apply key theoretical and methodological issues
  • the ability to undertake independent research and/or advanced scholarship
  • the ability to present persuasive arguments
  • advanced research and analytical skills.
Studying this course will prepare you for roles in:
  • justice, law enforcement or corrections
  • research, including domestic and international research institutions
  • policy analysis and policy-making
  • academia
  • media
  • community safety.
Some of our graduates have gone on to be employed in the following areas:
  • NGOs and think-tanks
  • government departments and ministries
  • criminal justice agencies, such as police, prisons and youth justice services.

Modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.

Assessment method

Coursework including critical reviews, essays, a research proposal and an 8000-10,000-word research project.

How to apply

International applicants

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, the requirement for this course is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Entry requirements

A second-class honours degree (2:2) or above in the humanities, social sciences or law. Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £11070 Year 1
Northern Ireland £11070 Year 1
Scotland £11070 Year 1
Wales £11070 Year 1
International £20340 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

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
Criminology at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS