Criminal Justice and Criminology MSc

Course overview

The MSc in Criminal Justice and Criminology is an advanced postgraduate course designed to provide a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of criminal justice and criminology at domestic and international levels. The course provides a dynamic platform to not only expand theoretical understanding of key concepts in the field, but also to apply this knowledge in practical scenarios, embedding the skills required to navigate the complexities of these areas.

Delivered by academics from the Centre for Criminal Justice Studies in one of the leading law schools in the UK, the course will develop a critical awareness of social research methods and skills used to undertake real-world research on crime and criminal justice.

You’ll develop an in-depth understanding of the nature, purposes, dynamic processes and outcomes of the criminal justice process. A wide range of optional modules will allow you to tailor your degree to your own particular interests.

Throughout the course, we’ll encourage you to:

• explore the complex and dynamic nature of the criminal justice process

• investigate contemporary policy debates and theoretical perspectives on crime and its control

• develop advanced knowledge of the research process and skills to undertake research on crime and criminal justice.

Research insight

This course is offered within the dynamic Centre for Criminal Justice Studies (CCJS). The internationally recognised research centre provides an active and multi-disciplinary environment, whose members are committed to high-quality teaching in criminal justice, criminology and criminal law.

The CCJS also excels in the production of research that is empirically rich, conceptually sophisticated and policy relevant. Research is interdisciplinary and often international in its reach. The University of Leeds recognises CCJS as one of its key 'peaks of research excellence'.

CCJS academics have conducted research for a range of external funding bodies. These include the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Nuffield Foundation, the Home Office, the Youth Justice Board, the Leverhulme Trust, the European Commission and the National Probation Service.

Since 2001, CCJS members have been awarded research grants totalling over £10 million. These projects sustain the established profile of the CCJS as a pre-eminent research unit and ensure that our teaching is at the cutting edge of contemporary academic and policy debates.

The CCJS has an Advisory Board with more than 20 members who hold senior positions within local criminal justice and partner organisations, including the police, the judiciary, the probation service, prisons and the courts.

Our strong links with the local criminal justice community bring valuable benefits to our students.

Course details

Compulsory modules will enable you to:

• explore the complex and dynamic nature of the criminal justice process and the relationships that can exist between its components

• analyse contemporary theories, concepts and approaches to understanding crime

• explore and examine the intricate and complex relationships and dynamics between theory, research and practice, and the impact of criminal justice processes on individuals and social groups, often in the wider context of social and political change

• explore different approaches to designing and undertaking research on crime and justice and the politics and ethics that impact social research.

You’ll also benefit from our Support in Academic and Personal Development programme. This runs alongside your taught academic course in semester one and is specifically designed to complement the School’s induction activities and ongoing academic skills support for UK and international students.

You’ll also be able to hone your critical and analytical abilities, your writing skills and your knowledge of research methods, which you can demonstrate in your dissertation.

Optional modules give you the opportunity to gain specialist knowledge in topics that interest you. An indicative list of optional modules is provided below.

Our School-based Skills Team will help you to develop the key academic skills necessary to thrive on your course. Through one-to-one appointments, we offer individual skills development advice for your module assessments, dissertation and wider studies. Moreover, our workshop series offers training in key skills areas including critical thinking, researching, planning, time management and editing. These skills will help you both during your studies and in the workplace.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Criminal Justice and Criminology MSc in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

You will also choose 30 credits from the below:

Learning and teaching

At Leeds we use a variety of teaching and learning methods to help you make the most of your studies and develop the specialist skills that will become indispensable in your career. These will include a range of weekly seminars, lectures and online learning.

You’ll need to prepare for your seminars and lectures, undertaking any exercises that might be prescribed in advance. Independent study is integral to this course – not just to prepare for classes but to develop research and other critical skills.

The MSc Degree Director, Kisby Dickinson, will support you throughout the course and you will be allocated a personal tutor.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed using a variety of written and oral methods. You’ll also be expected to write a dissertation in the later stages of your course.

Applying

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in law, criminal justice, criminology or a related subject.

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in all components. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read  Language for Law (6 weeks) and Language for Social Sciences and Arts: Law (10 weeks).

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

International – Friday 27 June 2025

UK – Friday 15 August 2025

If you intend to apply for funding, you should submit an application for a place on your chosen course at least one month before any specific scholarship deadline.

The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Documents and information you will need include:

• original or certified copies of your transcripts in English and the original language
• original or certified copies of your degree certificate in English and the original language
• original or certified copy of your IELTS/TOEFL results (if English is not your first language) or an equivalent English language test.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025

This course is taught by

School of Law

Contact us

School of Law Postgraduate Admissions Office

Email: pglaw@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Fees

UK: £13,000 (Total)

International: £28,250 (Total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

The School of Law offers a number of scholarships for its Masters students. Find out more on the School's scholarships page.

Career opportunities

From day one, we encourage you to think beyond your time at Leeds and reflect on a meaningful career.

This course is particularly suited to those who wish to pursue a career in public service, the private sector, the voluntary sector, or any other arena where success is built upon higher-level skills and advanced knowledge of criminal justice, criminology and criminal law issues.

Recent graduates have gone on to work in a range of sectors and professions, including academia, security and mental health in the UK and overseas.

Alumni hold senior positions in criminal justice organisations, including police and probation services, the prison service, youth justice services, as well as in the private and voluntary sector, both in the UK and abroad. Others have been awarded promotions following successful completion of the course.

Careers support

The School of Law offers career and personal development support through the School’s dedicated Employability Officers. You can book one-to-one appointments with our Employability Officers throughout the year to discuss your career aspirations and get advice on how to make the most of your time at Leeds.

The School also arranges a number of community engagement (pro bono) and work experience opportunities, career development workshops, guest speaker events and careers fairs throughout the year. These opportunities will allow you to develop new skills, enhance your career prospects and network with prospective employers.

Find out more about how we support your career development.

In addition to the School-specific careers support, you’ll also have access to the University’s award-winning Careers Centre. It offers one-to-one appointments, advice on starting your own business, careers events, mentoring schemes and support with your CV, applications and interviews.

Find out more about the Careers Service