Program Overview

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Criminology

MSc

Overview

Probe public perceptions, unpack theories and prepare to fight injustice with a degree designed to go beyond what you might expect from a criminology course. Challenging current systems and viewing the world through a critical lens are at the heart of this course. You’ll learn from researchers looking at policing, youth justice, radicalisation, and more. This expertise fuels our teaching and means we can offer a diverse range of optional modules.

Why Oxford Brookes University?

• Community of changemakers
• Insights into wider issues
• Much more than a grounding
• Links with top organisations
• Make the degree yours

Course details

Course structure

We kick off the course by looking at theory and the criminal justice system from a global perspective. Decolonisation, environment, gender and sexuality, and online spaces are just a few of the important issues you’ll explore.

Understanding research methods used by criminologists will be key. Different members of the teaching team will talk to you about how they carry out research and develop creative solutions to current challenges. This will help you prepare for your dissertation.

Our optional modules will give you the chance to explore different areas. All of these are designed by our experts to give you the latest insights into their research. Perhaps you’ll look at decolonialism in criminology in more depth. Or you might enjoy exploring different types of online crime with support from the Institute for Ethical AI.

Your dissertation gives you the opportunity to put all your skills into practice. Past students have looked at everything from legislation around factory farming and whether it protects animals from cruelty to public perceptions of homelessness and criminality.

Learning and teaching

You’ll learn directly from leading researchers in criminology, and collaboratively from those studying with you. You’ll be able to nurture your interests and develop your expertise in criminal justice.

You’ll experience high-quality learning through a diversity of methods, including:

• Lectures
• Seminar discussions
• Group work presentations
• Individual presentations
• Individual and small group tutorials
• Workshops and practical skills classes.

Assessment

Assessment is conducted through a variety of assignments linked to the expected learning outcomes. Accessibility and inclusion is fundamental to our MSc Criminology, which means that there are alternative assessments such as presentations and video essays, empowering you to showcase your skills and knowledge beyond traditional essay-writing and exams. You will be assessed with the following methods:

• Presentations
• Video essays
• Projects
• Policy reports
• Essays
• Written dissertation.

You will receive feedback over the course of the year from your lecturers on your work and progress.

Study modules

Taught modules

Compulsory modules

• Advanced Research in Criminology
• Contemporary Criminological Theory
• Criminal Justice Policy and Practice for the 21st Century

Optional modules

• Advanced Independent Study in Criminology
• Crime and Criminology in the Digital Age
• Critical Criminology and Social Justice
• From Colony to Decolony: Decolonial Criminology

Placement

• Work Placement or Work Based Research Project

Dissertation / final project

• Dissertation/Final Project

Research

We have a lively and supportive research culture with a number of specialist research groups led by internationally recognised academics. These are promoted through the Criminology Research Group, which all the teaching staff are members of. Due to their wide-ranging interests and areas of expertise, our Criminology staff are also members of a range of university-wide interdisciplinary research groups, which means there are opportunities for you to form connections across the university.

You can attend the Criminology Research Group seminars and other research events in the School of Law and Social Sciences and beyond. You will have the opportunity to become involved in research through specialist modules in which teaching staff have expertise. For your dissertation, you will be able to focus on a subject area of your choice. You'll be supported and supervised by teaching staff who have expert knowledge in different specialist subjects.

Careers

Studying criminology at postgraduate level will give you a high level of critical thinking skills. Your transferable skills give you control over your career path and will open doors to opportunities across sectors.

Our graduates often gravitate towards roles in law enforcement or the criminal justice system, but those aren’t your only options. Your skills make it possible for you to engage with a wide range of careers including:

• NGOs
• Charities
• Local authorities and government organisations
• Crime consultation
• Community support
• Security firms
• Research.

Helping boost your employability is a priority for us. As well as relating your assignments to jobs you might do in the future, we support students to find placements with organisations such as:

• Hope After Harm
• Citizens Advice Bureau
• Charities such as ‘SAFE’, Support for Young People Affected by Crime and Children Heard and Seen
• Tap Social, a local brewery, who sell beer to support social justice movements

Entry requirements

Specific entry requirements

Students will normally be required to have (or to be expecting) a good honours degree, or an equivalent degree awarded by a university outside the United Kingdom. The degree should be a relevant social sciences or humanities undergraduate, but other degrees will be considered so long as they relate to Criminology in the personal statement. We welcome applications from both non-Criminology graduates and work experience-based candidates.

Students new to the academic study of criminology will be advised to read a number of recommended texts by way of induction before they begin the course. Students are also encouraged to attend the induction sessions provided in the week prior to the beginning of the course.

Applicants with career-based experience in criminal justice or related fields will also be considered, without an undergraduate degree.

English language requirements

An IELTS minimum score of 6.5 (with 6.0 in reading and writing) is required.

Tuition fees

2025/26

• Home (UK) full time: £8,800
• Home (UK) part time: £4,400
• International full time: £16,750

2026/27

• Home (UK) full time: £9,950
• Home (UK) part time: £4,975
• International full time: £17,250

Funding your studies

Financial support and scholarships

Featured funding opportunities available for this course.

• Postgraduate Master's Loan - England

All financial support and scholarships

View all funding opportunities for this course

Additional costs

Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.

• It’s your responsibility to cover print / binding costs where coursework submission is required. Please note that a lot of the coursework is now submitted online. (£30)
• You may choose to purchase books to support your studies. Many books on our reading lists are available via the Library, or can be purchased secondhand. (£20-60 per book)
• Accommodation fees in Brookes Letting (most do not include bills) (£94-265 per week)
• Accommodation fees in university halls (bills included, excluding laundry costs) (£122-180 per week)
• Graduation costs include tickets, gowning and photography. Gowns are not compulsory but typically students do hire robes, starting at £41. (£0-200)
• Students are responsible for their own travel to and from university for classes. For the 2025/26 academic year, the University is introducing an alternative subsidised travel offer for all students with further information on our Travel webpages. (£10)