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Criminology

MSc

Application options include:

Full-time Part-time
On campus Flexible learning Online

Course Overview

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 to your preferred specialism by pursuing one of four pathways: Criminology and Criminal Justice; Gender, Sexuality and Criminal Justice; Race, Crime and Justice; Global Criminology.

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, such as policing and the policed, courts and the judicial process, prisons and the use of imprisonment, fraud and digital technologies.

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: influential criminological theories and approaches with a focus on criminal behaviour, crime control and criminal justice in the twenty-first century.
  • Gender, Sexuality and Criminal Justice: gendered and sexual violence, the regulation of sex and sexuality, and issues of sexual justice.
  • Race, Crime and Justice: the intersection of race and ethnicity with questions of crime and justice, and how social, political and economic processes define, construct and respond to crime and victims in a racialised manner.
  • Global Criminology: debates about the relationship between global, national and local questions of crime and punishment, as well as how they are researched.

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.

Discover the career opportunities available by taking Criminology (MSc).

Key information and modules

Find another course:

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.  
  • We are home to the Institute for Crime and Justice Policy Research. Its director, Professor Jessica Jacobson, leads a team of outstanding researchers. Academics and researchers at ICPR bring a wealth of knowledge to this Master's course, leading compulsory and specialist modules and providing research project supervision. 
  • 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. 
  • We use electronic learning environments to enhance our teaching and learning. Birkbeck Library has an extensive teaching collection of books, journals and electronic resources in law and related disciplines, such as economics, politics and sociology. For example, it provides access to over 17,000 electronic journals, which are available online 24 hours a day. You can also take advantage of the rich research collections nearby, including those of the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Senate House Library, the British Library of Political and Economic Science (LSE Library) and the British Library. 
Come and meet us Request a prospectus Contact us

Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the Key Information section under Attendance.

  • Entry Requirements Entry Requirements

    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.

    On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

    Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

    International students: if you need a Student visa to study in the UK, you must meet certain minimum in-person attendance requirements. You will be required to primarily study on campus and so will only be able to apply for the on-campus study mode.

    English language requirements

    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.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

    Visa and funding requirements

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol as a student on Birkbeck's part-time courses (with the exception of some modules).

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

    Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university, you may have accumulated credits through the modules you studied. It may be possible to transfer these credits from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

  • Fees Fees

    Fees

    Criminology: January start MSc: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2024-25 or 2025-26

    Academic year 2024–25, starting January 2025

    Part-time home students: £7,080 per year
    Full-time home students: £14,160 per year
    Part-time international students: £10,935 per year
    Full-time international students: £21,870 per year

    Academic year 2025–26, starting January 2026

    Part-time home students: £5,535 per year
    Full-time home students: £11,070 per year
    Part-time international students: £10,170 per year
    Full-time international students: £20,340 per year

    Criminology MSc: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2025-26

    Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025

    Part-time home students: £5,535 per year
    Full-time home students: £11,070 per year
    Part-time international students: £10,170 per year
    Full-time international students: £20,340 per year

    Criminology MSc: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, online, starting in academic year 2025-26

    Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025

    Part-time home students: £5,535 per year
    Full-time home students: £11,070 per year
    Part-time international students: £10,170 per year
    Full-time international students: £20,340 per year

    Criminology MSc: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, flexible learning, starting in academic year 2025-26

    Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025

    Part-time home students: £5,535 per year
    Full-time home students: £11,070 per year
    Part-time international students: £10,170 per year
    Full-time international students: £20,340 per year

    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. For more information, please see the College Fees Policy.

    If you’ve studied at Birkbeck before and successfully completed an award with us, take advantage of our Lifelong Learning Guarantee to gain a discount on the tuition fee of this course.

    Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

    International scholarships

    We provide a range of scholarships for eligible international students, including our Global Future Scholarship. Discover if you are eligible for a scholarship.

  • Teaching and Assessment Teaching and Assessment

    Teaching

    At Birkbeck, most of our courses are taught in the evening and all of our teaching is designed to support students who are juggling evening study with work and other commitments. We actively encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching, to ensure our students have the best learning experience.

    Teaching may include formal lectures, seminars, and practical classes and tutorials. Formal lectures are used in most degree programmes to give an overview of a particular field of study. They aim to provide the stimulus and the starting point for deeper exploration of the subject during your own personal reading. Seminars give you the chance to explore a specific aspect of your subject in depth and to discuss and exchange ideas with fellow students. They typically require preparatory study.

    In addition, you will have access to pastoral support via a named Personal Tutor.

    Methods of teaching on this course

    You will attend seminars supplemented with tutorials and supervision meetings to discuss your project throughout the year. You are also invited to attend the Criminology Seminar Series talks and all other law events. Birkbeck's online forum, Moodle, will provide appropriate materials and a space to share details of publications and events.

    Teaching hours

    Our evening hours are normally between 6pm and 9pm (6-7.30pm and 7.30-9pm). Some programmes also offer teaching during the day and this will be clearly signposted to you where it is available.

    On our taught courses, you will have scheduled teaching and study sessions each year. Scheduled teaching sessions may include lectures, seminars, workshops or laboratory work. Depending on the modules you take, you may also have additional scheduled academic activities, such as tutorials, dissertation supervision, practical classes, visits and field trips. On our taught courses, the actual amount of time you spend in the classroom and in contact with your lecturers will depend on your course, the option modules you select and when you undertake your final-year project (if applicable).

    Alongside your contact hours, you will also undertake assessment activities and independent learning outside of class. The amount of time you need to allocate to study both for taught sessions (this might include online sessions and/or in-person sessions) and personal study will depend on how much you are studying during the year and whether you are studying full time or part time.

    Birkbeck’s courses are made up of modules and allocated ‘credit’. One credit is equivalent to ten hours of learning time. Modules are usually in 15, 30 or 60 credit units. A 15-credit module will mean around 150 hours of learning, including taught sessions and independent study or group work. This is spread out over the whole period of that module and includes the time you spend on any assessments, including in examinations, preparing and writing assessments or engaged in practical work as well as any study support sessions to help you in your learning.

    On our distance-learning and blended-learning courses, discussion, collaboration and interaction with your lecturers and fellow students is encouraged and enabled through various learning technologies.

    Timetables

    Timetables are usually available from September onwards and you can access your personalised timetable via your My Birkbeck Profile online (if you have been invited to enrol).

    Indicative class size

    Class sizes vary, depending on your course, the module you are undertaking, and the method of teaching. For example, lectures are presented to larger groups, whereas seminars usually consist of small, interactive groups led by a tutor.

    Independent learning

    On our taught courses, much of your time outside of class will be spent on self-directed, independent learning, including preparing for classes and following up afterwards. This will usually include, but is not limited to, reading books and journal articles, undertaking research, working on coursework and assignments, and preparing for presentations and assessments.

    Independent learning is absolutely vital to your success as a student. Everyone is different, and the study time required varies topic by topic, but, as a guide, expect to schedule up to five hours of self-study for each hour of teaching.

    Study skills and additional support

    Birkbeck offers study and learning support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed. Our Learning Development Service can help you in the following areas:

    • academic skills (including planning your workload, research, writing, exam preparation and writing a dissertation)
    • written English (including structure, punctuation and grammar)
    • numerical skills (basic mathematics and statistics).

    Our Disability and Dyslexia Service can support you if you have additional learning needs resulting from a disability or from dyslexia.

    Our Counselling Service can support you if you are struggling with emotional or psychological difficulties during your studies.

    Our Mental Health Advisory Service can support you if you are experiencing short- or long-term mental health difficulties during your studies.

    Assessment

    Assessment is an integral part of your university studies and usually consists of a combination of coursework and examinations, although this will vary from course to course - on some of our courses, assessment is entirely by coursework. The methods of assessment on this course are specified below under 'Methods of assessment on this course'. You will need to allow time to complete coursework and prepare for exams.

    Where a course has unseen written examinations, these may be held termly, but, on the majority of our courses, exams are usually taken in the Summer term, during May to June. Exams may be held at other times of the year as well. In most cases, exams are held during the day on a weekday - if you have daytime commitments, you will need to make arrangements for daytime attendance - but some exams are held in the evening. Exam timetables are published online.

    Find out more about assessment at Birkbeck, including guidance on assessment, feedback and our assessment offences policy.

    Methods of assessment on this course

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

  • Careers and employability Careers and employability

    Careers and employability

    Studying criminology can help you advance in an existing career, transition into a new career, or give you the chance to pursue a specialist area of knowledge.

    On successfully graduating from this MSc Criminology, 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 a range of fields, such as:

    • 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 from this course 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.

    We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

  • How to apply How to apply

    How to apply

    You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.

    You will need to prove your identity when you apply - read more about suitable forms of identification.

    When to apply

    You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places on your chosen course and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.

    You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.

    You will also receive information about subject-specific induction sessions over the summer.

    Help and advice with your application

    Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at Birkbeck.

    Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.

    Apply for your course

    Apply for your course using the apply now button in the key information section.

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Related courses

Course structure

Course structure listing

Course structure and modules for Criminology: January start MSc: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, on campus, starting January 2025

The MSc Criminology consists of the following four pathways:

  • Pathway 1: Criminology and Criminal Justice
  • Pathway 2: Gender, Sexuality and Criminal Justice
  • Pathway 3: Race, Crime and Justice
  • Pathway 4: Global Criminology

Find out more about which pathway is right for you.

You must complete modules worth a total of 180 credits comprising:

  • three compulsory modules, including a theoretical module that is specific to your pathway, a research methods module and research project (30 credits each)
  • three option modules, including one from your chosen pathway (30 credits each).

Please note: this course starting in January is only available on campus but the research project is offered online.

Compulsory modules for all pathways
Compulsory modules (choose one relating to your pathway)
Pathway 1: Criminology and Criminal Justice option modules
Pathway 2: Gender, Sexuality and Criminal Justice option modules
Pathway 3: Race, Crime and Justice option modules
Pathway 4: Global Criminology options
Option modules for all pathways

Please note that the modules listed here are indicative; not all modules will be available every year.

Course structure and modules for Criminology MSc: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, on campus, starting October 2025

The MSc Criminology consists of the following four pathways:

  • Pathway 1: Criminology and Criminal Justice
  • Pathway 2: Gender, Sexuality and Criminal Justice
  • Pathway 3: Race, Crime and Justice
  • Pathway 4: Global Criminology

Find out more about which pathway is right for you.

For this on-campus route you must complete modules worth a total of 180 credits comprising:

  • three compulsory modules, including a theoretical module that is specific to your pathway, a research methods module and research project
  • three option modules, including one from your chosen pathway.

Please note: the research project is offered online only.

Compulsory modules for all pathways
Pathway 1: Criminology and Criminal Justice compulsory module
Pathway 1: Criminology and Criminal Justice option modules
Pathway 2: Gender, Sexuality and Criminal Justice compulsory module
Pathway 2: Gender, Sexuality and Criminal Justice option modules
Pathway 3: Race, Crime and Justice compulsory module
Pathway 3: Race, Crime and Justice option modules
Pathway 4: Global criminology compulsory module
Pathway 4: Global criminology option modules
Option modules for all pathways

Course structure and modules for Criminology: January start MSc: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, on campus, starting January 2026

The MSc Criminology consists of the following four pathways:

  • Pathway 1: Criminology and Criminal Justice
  • Pathway 2: Gender, Sexuality and Criminal Justice
  • Pathway 3: Race, Crime and Justice
  • Pathway 4: Global Criminology

Find out more about which pathway is right for you.

You must complete modules worth a total of 180 credits comprising:

  • three compulsory modules, including a theoretical module that is specific to your pathway, a research methods module and research project (30 credits each)
  • three option modules, including one from your chosen pathway (30 credits each).

Please note: this course starting in January is only available on campus but the research project is offered online.

Compulsory modules for all pathways
Compulsory modules (choose one relating to your pathway)
Pathway 1: Criminology and Criminal Justice option modules
Pathway 2: Gender, Sexuality and Criminal Justice option modules
Pathway 3: Race, Crime and Justice option modules
Pathway 4: Global Criminology options
Option modules for all pathways

Please note that the modules listed here are indicative; not all modules will be available every year.

Course structure and modules for Criminology MSc: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, online, starting October 2025

The MSc Criminology consists of the following four pathways:

  • Pathway 1: Criminology and Criminal Justice
  • Pathway 2: Gender, Sexuality and Criminal Justice
  • Pathway 3: Race, Crime and Justice
  • Pathway 4: Global Criminology

Find out more about which pathway is right for you.

For this online route you must complete modules worth a total of 180 credits comprising:

  • three compulsory modules, including a theoretical module that is specific to your pathway, a research methods module and research project
  • three option modules, including one from your chosen pathway.
Compulsory modules for all pathways
Pathway 1: Criminology and Criminal Justice compulsory module
Pathway 1: Criminology and Criminal Justice option modules
Pathway 2: Gender, Sexuality and Criminal Justice compulsory module
Pathway 2: Gender, Sexuality and Criminal Justice option modules
Pathway 3: Race, Crime and Justice compulsory module
Pathway 3: Race, Crime and Justice option modules
Pathway 4: Global criminology compulsory module
Pathway 4: Global Criminology option modules
Option modules for all pathways

Course structure and modules for Criminology MSc: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, flexible learning, starting October 2025

The MSc Criminology consists of the following four pathways:

  • Pathway 1: Criminology and Criminal Justice
  • Pathway 2: Gender, Sexuality and Criminal Justice
  • Pathway 3: Race, Crime and Justice
  • Pathway 4: Global Criminology

Find out more about which pathway is right for you.

For this flexible route, you can choose to take modules online or you can choose to take them on campus. You must complete modules worth a total of 180 credits comprising:

  • three compulsory modules, including a theoretical module that is specific to your pathway, a research methods module and research project
  • three option modules, including one from your chosen pathway.

Please note: the research project is online only.

Compulsory modules for all pathways - online or on campus
Pathway 1: Criminology and Criminal Justice compulsory module - online or on campus
Pathway 1: Criminology and Criminal Justice options - on campus
Pathway 1: Criminology and Criminal Justice options - online
Pathway 2: Gender, Sexuality and Criminal Justice compulsory module - online or on campus
Pathway 2: Gender, Sexuality and Criminal Justice option - on campus
Pathway 2: Gender, Sexuality and Criminal Justice option - online
Pathway 2: Gender, Sexuality and Criminal Justice option - online or on campus
Pathway 3: Race, Crime and Justice compulsory module - online or on campus
Pathway 3: Race, Crime and Justice options - on campus
Pathway 3: Race, Crime and Justice option - online
Pathway 4: Global criminology compulsory module - online or on campus
Pathway 4: Global criminology options - online
Pathway 4: Global criminology options - online or on campus
Option modules for all pathways - online or on campus
Option modules for all pathways - on campus
Option modules for all pathways - online