29Oct
BusinessCourse summary
Criminology: Research Methods and Applications (MSc) Discover and critique various approaches to criminology in our MSc Criminology: Research Methods and Applications. Explore how you can make a positive impact on society by understanding criminal behaviour and the responses to it. Studying at the Department of Law and Criminology, you’ll benefit from a range of expertise and research methods. You’ll cover topics related to crime, deviance, and punishment. You’ll also consider the implications of crime in cyberspace, not just the physical world. Organised crime poses one of the most complex threats to security nationally and globally. Join Royal Holloway to study a course delivered by changemakers keen to address the challenge. Tackle real challenges Build your data literacy skills to help you analyse statistical and qualitative data Benefit from insights from other subjects such as social psychology, sociology, and other social sciences Gain the specialist skills to pursue a career in the criminal justice system or the academic world Build a strong foundation You could follow various career paths: law enforcement, security companies, the public sector, or further postgraduate study. You could use your knowledge of criminological research in policymaking. And your skills of critical thinking, problem-solving and attention to detail will equip you well in business. We sometimes make changes to our courses to improve your experience. If this happens, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.
Modules
Core Modules Crime and Society: Theoretical Foundations Perspectives on Justice and Punishment Research Methods and Qualitative Data Analysis Advanced Data Analysis Skills Organised Crime, Power, and Politics Academic Integrity Critical Perspectives on Organised Crime and Cyber Security Dissertation All modules are core
Assessment method
Teaching and learning is mostly by means of lectures; seminars, study groups, essay consultations, oral presentations and guided independent study. Assessment of knowledge and understanding is typically by formal examinations, coursework, examined essays, translation exercises, online tests and exercises, oral presentations and the dissertation or long essay. In addition, students may be involved in workshops and may produce various forms of creative or editorial work.
How to apply
International applicants
English language requirements IELTS: 6.5 overall. No subscore lower than 6.0. Pearson Test of English: 67 overall. No other subscore lower than 64. Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III. Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C. TOEFL iBT: 88 overall with Reading 22 Listening 20 Speaking 22 Writing 24. Duolingo: 120 overall and no sub-score below 115.
Entry requirements
UK Bachelor honours degree at 2:2 in Sociology, business, criminology, law, psychology, or in a human or political science. Alternatively other subjects will be considered but may be subject to an interview and a academic essay supporting the application. The academic department may wish to request a higher degree classification of a 2:1 or equivalent grade in these cases. Prior knowledge of research methods and basic statistics at undergraduate level, typically taught in Criminology courses, will be useful but not mandatory to pursue the course.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Republic of Ireland | £12000 | Year 1 |
| EU | £23100 | Year 1 |
| England | £12000 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £12000 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £12000 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £12000 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £12000 | Year 1 |
| International | £23100 | 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
These tuition fees apply to students enrolled on a full-time basis in the academic year 2026/27. Students studying on the standard part-time course structure over two years are charged 50% of the full-time applicable fee for each study year.
Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase all postgraduate tuition fees annually, based on the UK’s Retail Price Index (RPI). Please therefore be aware that tuition fees can rise during your degree (if longer than one year’s duration), and that this also means that the overall cost of studying the course part-time will be slightly higher than studying it full-time in one year.
This figure is the fee for EU and international students starting a degree in the academic year 2026/27. For further information, please visit: https://royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/fees-and-funding/postgraduate/tuition-fees/
These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2026/27 academic year, and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.
Provider information
Royal Holloway, University of London
Egham
TW20 0EX