Program Overview

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Master Program in Criminology

The Master Program in Criminology at the University of Gothenburg leads to a Master's degree in Criminology. The program comprises 120 higher education credits, equivalent to four semesters of full-time study.

Program Description

The Master Program in Criminology is designed for those who want to gain in-depth knowledge of why people commit and are victims of crime, understand what measures are suitable to prevent crime and its harmful effects, and be able to apply criminological knowledge in practical work. The program is particularly suitable for those who want to work with crime prevention, security, and planning, investigation, and evaluation work from a scientific perspective.

Program Structure and Content

Year 1

• Autumn Semester
  • KR2103 Mapping of Crime and Insecurity - scope, structure, and change (15 credits)
  • KR2201 Current Criminological Theory (15 credits)
• Spring Semester
  • KR2202 Measures against Crime - theoretical and practical perspectives (15 credits)
  • KR2104 Cooperation and Organization in the Legal Field (15 credits)

Year 2

• Autumn Semester
  • Research Methodology and Qualitative Methods in Social Science (15 credits)
  • Applied Statistical and Digital Methods (15 credits)
• Spring Semester
  • KR2500 Master's Thesis in Criminology (30 credits)

Eligibility and Selection

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Master Program in Criminology, applicants must have completed a Bachelor's degree and have passed courses of at least 60 credits in a social science or behavioral science subject, including a passed course in social science methodology of at least 15 credits. Applicants who have completed a degree in social work, teaching, or law, and have a passed course in social science methodology of at least 15 credits, are also eligible.

In addition to previous university studies, applicants must have Swedish B/Swedish 3/Swedish level 3 and English B/English 6/English level 2, or equivalent.

Selection

Selection is based on higher education credits, up to a maximum of 165 credits.

After Graduation

The Master Program in Criminology is a general education that provides social science competence to work with investigations, evaluations, analyses, security work, and planning in authorities and public administration. The program also prepares students for further studies at the doctoral level in criminology or sociology.

Study Environment

The program is taught at the Department of Sociology and Work Science at the Faculty of Social Sciences. The teaching takes place in the department's premises in the Haga district of Gothenburg. The program includes both qualitative research methods and statistical analysis, providing students with broad, in-depth, and practically oriented knowledge in methodology. This is considered essential for students to function well in the labor market and to be able to conduct and receive results from qualified investigation, analysis, and development work of various kinds.