(Full time) 2023 start
Criminal Justice and Criminology MSc
Overview
Delivered by academics from the Centre for Criminal Justice Studies in one of the leading law schools in the UK, the Criminal Justice and Criminology MSc offers you the opportunity to develop advanced knowledge in relation to the study of criminal justice processes and criminological theory as well as develop a critical awareness of social research methods and skills used to undertake real-world research on crime and criminal justice.
You will develop an in-depth understanding of the nature, purposes, dynamic processes and outcomes of the criminal justice process. A wide range of optional modules allows 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 programme is offered within the dynamic Centre for Criminal Justice Studies (CCJS), an internationally recognised research centre that 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 including the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Nuffield Foundation, the Home Office, the Youth Justice Board, the Leverhulme Trust, the European Commission, the National Probation Service and others. Since 2001, CCJS members have been awarded research grants totalling over £10 million. Such 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 twenty 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.
Try our free short course
If you’re thinking of studying MSc Criminal Justice and Criminology you may be interested in our short course, ‘Incarceration: Are prisons a suitable punishment?’. This is a free two-week course delivered online, allowing you to explore the ethics of imprisonment and identify prison alternatives.
Studying MSc Criminal Justice and Criminology: Lydia’s story
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Course content
Compulsory modules studied throughout the year 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, crime control and the criminal justice system;
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 programme in semester one and is specifically designed to complement the School’s induction activities and ongoing academic skills support for students, both UK and international.
The optional modules will give you the opportunity to gain specialist knowledge in topics that interest you. An indicative list of optional modules is provided below. 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.
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.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Researching Crime, Security and Justice 30 credits
- Dissertation Criminal Law/Criminal Justice 60 credits
- Contemporary Theories of Crime and Justice 30 credits
- Criminal Justice Processes 30 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
You will also choose 30 credits from the below:
- Research with Children and Young People 30 credits
- New Frontiers of Security, Conflict and Justice 15 credits
- Central Issues in Criminal Law 15 credits
- Rethinking Policing 1 15 credits
- International Criminal Law 15 credits
- Intercultural Business and Organisational Communication 15 credits
- Security, Conflict and Justice 30 credits
- Comparative Human Rights Law 15 credits
- Globalisation and Crime 15 credits
- Inequalities, Law and Justice 30 credits
- Theories of Social Justice 15 credits
- International Human Rights 30 credits
- Human Rights and Disabled People 1 15 credits
- Human Rights and Disabled People 2 15 credits
- Quantitative Research Methods 15 credits
- Qualitative Research Methods 15 credits
- Sociology of Media and Culture 30 credits
- Inequalities: Exploring causes, Consequences and Interventions 30 credits
- Research Strategy and Design 30 credits
Learning and teaching
We use a variety of teaching and learning methods to help you make the most of your studies. 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 programme – not just to prepare for classes but to develop research and other critical skills.
A personal academic supervisor will support you throughout the programme.
The MSc Degree Director, Dr Sean Butcher, will support you throughout the programme 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.
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 programme.
Applying, fees and funding
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in law, criminal justice, criminology or a related discipline.
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. You could study a part-time online course starting in January, or a full-time course in summer. Find out more about online pre-sessionals.
You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.
How to apply
Application deadlines
International – Thursday 29 June 2023
UK – Friday 18 August 2023
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.
This link 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
Original or certified copies of your degree certificate
Original or certified copy of your IELTS/TOEFL results (if English is not your first language).
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 Taught Admissions Policy 2023
Fees
- UK: £11,500 (total)
- International: £24,000 (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 about additional costs.
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
This programme is well-suited to you if you’re wishing to pursue a career in public service, the private sector, the voluntary sector or any other area where success is built upon the ability to understand, analyse and respond to developments in criminal justice.
Recent graduates have gone on to work in a range of sectors and professions from academia, to 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, and 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 programme.
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 with us.
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 will also have access to the University’s award-winning Careers Centre. The Careers Centre offers one-to-one appointments, advice on starting your own business, careers events, mentoring schemes and support with your CV, applications and interviews.