Program Overview

International Criminal Justice (Distance Learning) MSc

Overview

Study online and gain expert knowledge on the workings of criminal justice around the world on this MSc International Criminal Justice degree.

Delivered part-time by distance learning, this course enables you to fit your studies around your job and other commitments, and to start applying what you learn in real-time.

You'll explore crime control from global perspectives, weighing up international approaches to judicial structures and punitive measures. You'll take an in-depth look at international criminology, taking into account sociological, political and legal theory to better understand how we respond to transnational crime in different regions of the world.

Alongside your focus on international criminal justice, you'll build essential skills in research, analysis and management. You'll also have the chance to investigate a related area of your choice, such as missing persons investigations.

After the course, you'll have the expertise to begin or further your career in the justice system, ready to bring your skills to roles in international law enforcement, criminal justice policy, human rights advocacy and international organisations such as Interpol, Europol or Frontex.

Eligibility

This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.

Course Highlights

• Get to grips with the complexities of criminal justice work in relation to international norms and standards, including human rights issues, and study the development and challenges of transnational offending from criminological, legal and political perspectives
• Choose to focus on an extra area of study of your choice, such as international offences including trafficking, cybercrime and terrorism, or the issues affecting missing persons within a global context
• Learn from a research-active team of international criminal justice specialists in our School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, and hear from industry expert guest speakers from around the world
• Be part of our community of researchers by getting involved with our criminology research groups, such as the Policing research group, the Centre for Cybercrime and Economic Crime and the Probation, Prison and Penology research group
• Complete a major project based on your chosen area of research, with the support of qualified and enthusiastic experts in the field

Benefits of Distance Learning

• Work from anywhere, at your own pace, in your own time – with interactive online learning materials hosted on our virtual learning environment, Moodle, and available 24/7 on any device
• Access to over 600,000 ebooks, 55,000 online journals, digital newspapers and a postal loan service from our University Library
• Invitations to online forums where you can discuss your studies with other students and your lecturers
• Access to all student support services via email, phone, online chat or video call

Entry Requirements

Eligibility

This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.

September 2025 Start

• A minimum of a second-class honours degree in a relevant subject (Social Science, Humanities, Law, Psychology, or Management subject). Information Technology or science related subjects will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Applicants with equivalent professional experience in a relevant organisation will also be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Non-UK Qualifications

If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.

English Language Requirements

• English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 5.5.

Course Costs and Funding

Tuition Fees (September 2025 Start)

• UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students: £4,700 per year (part-time, distance learning)
• EU students: £4,700 per year (part-time, distance learning)
• International students: £4,700 per year (part-time, distance learning)

Funding Your Studies

Explore how to fund your studies, including available scholarships and bursaries.

Modules

Core Modules

• Criminal Justice in a Global Context - 30 credits
• International Criminology - 30 credits
• Research Methods and Research Ethics - 30 credits
• Dissertation/Major Project - 60 credits

Optional Modules

• International and Transnational Offending - 30 credits
• Missing Persons: Global Perspectives - 30 credits

Facilities and Specialist Equipment

• Collaboration of Forensic Interviewing Group (CoFI)

How You'll Spend Your Time

• 2 years (part-time study by distance learning)
• 6 hours in online sessions (seminars, workshops etc) each week
• 15-18 hours of independent study each week

Career Development

• Careers this Master's prepares you for
• Graduates of this course can go on to roles such as police or law enforcement officer, probation or prison officer, data analyst, intelligence analyst, cybersecurity
• Graduates of this course can go on to work for organisations such as the Civil Service, national and International Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Government agencies and departments internationally, probation and prison service, the Courts, local administration / authorities, private security companies, charities

Supporting You

• Personal tutor
• Learning development tutors
• Academic skills support
• Wellbeing and mental health support
• Disability advice and additional support
• Library support
• Maths and stats support
• Support with English

How to Apply

• Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.
• There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the start date in September, as long as there are places available.
• If you wait until September to apply, you may find that the course is full.

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