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Criminology MSc

2 years part-time, starting in September 2025

Enhance your criminal justice knowledge and develop your criminological imagination. You’ll focus on global contemporary crime and justice-related challenges.

This is a master’s degree with a strong global focus. You’ll critically analyse some of the biggest crime, deviance and criminal justice issues affecting society right now. By doing this, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by policymakers and law enforcement organisations, and the mechanisms that prevent and manage these.

Throughout the course, you’ll learn to enhance your research skills. This will allow you to assess topical issues and develop convincing arguments for change.

Upon successful completion of the degree, you’ll be equipped with the skills to progress or begin your career in the criminal justice sector in the UK or further afield.

You will study topics such as:

  • international criminal justice and law
  • contemporary criminological theory
  • criminological ethnography
  • technological developments in criminal justice
  • state crime, human rights, and transitional justice
  • violent crime

This course is suited to both recent graduates of undergraduate criminology degrees and people with social science or humanities undergraduate degrees.

Watch our webinar about this course

Consultancy projects

The consultancy project is a practical alternative to a dissertation. It’s your chance to work on a project with an external organisation, using the skills and knowledge you’ll gain during your studies.

As part of a group, you’ll conduct appropriate research, analyse data (if necessary) and share your solution as a written report and presentation.

You will benefit from our well-established business connections in the UK and overseas.

Consultancy project numbers are limited each year. You’ll apply for a suitable project with one of our external partners and will receive support from us during this process. If a suitable project can’t be secured, you will complete a dissertation instead.

Industry insight to enhance your learning

Through a mixture of field trips and guest speakers, you’ll gain important first-hand insights into how criminal justice agencies function, how criminal justice policy is created, and how modern challenges are being addressed.

Bath’s Criminology expertise

This new master’s course builds on our proven record in this subject to further utilise the expertise and knowledge of our teaching staff.

Dr Jack Spicer (Director of Studies), Prof Sarah Moore, Dr Pete Manning, and Dr Tina Skinner talk about how their careers and expertise influence this course

Gain key skills

You will leave the course with:

  • a critical understanding of some of the most pressing, urgent criminological issues and challenges in the 21st century
  • practical skills in research, analysis and communication, and an understanding of how these can be applied within the fields of criminal justice and practice
  • rich experience gained from working with people from a wide range of disciplinary, professional and national backgrounds

Graduate prospects

This course will prepare you for a variety of roles with organisations in the following areas:

  • prison and probation services
  • victim support
  • offender management
  • rehabilitation
  • drug taking and drug policy reform
  • young offenders and youth justice reform

2025/26 Academic Year


Before you apply for a course, please check the website for the most recently published course detail. If you apply to the University of Bath, you will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

We understand that you will want to know more about the shape of the academic year. We work hard and plan for different scenarios, to be able to welcome you to the University of Bath at the start of each semester.

Course structure

This course lasts 2 years. It starts in September 2025 and ends in 2027. Welcome week starts on 22 September 2025.


Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

Year 1

Semester 1

Compulsory units

  • Contemporary criminological theory

    10 credits

Semester 2

You'll choose one optional unit

Compulsory units

  • Core Issues in crime and criminal justice

    10 credits

Optional units

  • Homicide and the human condition

    10 credits

  • Independent research essay

    10 credits

  • The architecture of criminal justice

    10 credits

Year 2

Semester 1

You'll choose one optional unit

Compulsory units

  • Doing criminological research

    10 credits

Optional units

  • Independent research essay

    10 credits

  • Introduction to criminal law

    10 credits

  • State crime, rights and global justice

    10 credits

Semester 2

Compulsory units

  • Criminological ethnography

    10 credits

Summer

You’ll complete a dissertation or consultancy project.

Optional units

  • Consultancy project

    30 credits

  • Criminology dissertation

    30 credits

Learning and assessment

You’ll be taught and assessed by a variety of methods and it will vary between units. These methods are designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding of the subject.


Learning

  • Lectures
  • Online resources
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops

Assessment

  • Dissertation
  • Essay
  • Examinations
  • Reflective assessment
  • Set exercises

These lists are to give you an idea of some, but not all, of the learning and assessment methods used on this course. They are not exhaustive lists and methods are subject to change.

Learning and teaching

You are expected to spend approximately 35-40 hours per week studying, with around 6-8 hours of this being structured classes.

Part-time students typically study for approximately 50% of the full-time equivalent. Structured classes will take place in-person on our Bath campus.

This will be made up of a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, and workshops, as well as online resources. You will work as an individual and as part of small groups.

Assessment breakdown

You will experience a balance of different forms of assessment designed to support your professional development. This will include, essays, examinations, reflective assessments, set exercises, and a dissertation.

We can make reasonable adjustments to assessment procedures for students with disabilities. Read our Disability Service’s pages for information.

Recognition of professional qualifications


As well as being recognised as a higher academic qualification, a number of our degrees are also accredited by professional bodies in the United Kingdom. An accredited degree may entitle you to work in a specific profession within the UK, and abroad (where there are reciprocating arrangements with professional bodies in other countries).

The requirements to practise a profession vary from country to country. If you wish to practise your profession outside the United Kingdom, you are advised to confirm that the UK professional qualification you seek is valid in the country in which you are intending to work.

‘This course can take you out of your comfort zone, but I think that's a really good thing because it makes you expand your mind and questions your assumptions’
Becky Anderson MSc Criminology (Graduating year, 2025)

Entry requirements


Origin of qualifications

British qualifications

You should have a bachelor's honours degree or international equivalent, typically a 2:1 or above.

To apply for this course, you should have an undergraduate degree in a social science, humanities or arts discipline.

We may make an offer based on a lower grade if you can provide evidence of your suitability for the degree.

If your first language is not English but within the last 2 years you completed your degree in the UK you may be exempt form our English language requirements.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in all components
  • The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 62 with no less than 59 in any element
  • TOEFL IBT: 90 overall with a minimum 21 in all 4 components

You will need to get your English language qualification within 24 months prior to starting your course.

If you need to improve your English language skills before starting your studies, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course to reach the required level.

Fees and funding

Fees and funding information for Criminology MSc part-time


Fees

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home or Overseas student.

Learn how we decide fee status

Extra costs

If you receive an offer, you will need to pay a non-refundable deposit of £1,000 when you accept to secure your place. This will be deducted from your tuition fee when you register.

If you choose the consultancy project option, you may need to budget for travel expenses and accommodation.

The course also offers field trips. You may be required to contribute towards these.

How to pay

Tuition fee loans

If you are studying a postgraduate course, you may be able to take out a loan for your tuition fees and living costs.

Read more about tuition fee loans

Scholarships and bursaries

You could be considered for a bursary or scholarship to help you study at Bath. You do not have to pay it back.

Read more about bursaries and scholarships

Other payment options

You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card or bank transfer. You may also be eligible for a student loan to help you pay your fees.

Read more about your payment options

Budgeting

You will need to budget at least £100 for the cost of photocopying, printing and binding. You will also need to budget for the cost of textbooks.

Some courses involve visits away from campus and you may be required to pay some or all of the costs of travel, accommodation and food and drink.

If you’re on a placement, you’re responsible for your own travel, accommodation and living costs. You should also consider the financial implications if you go on an unpaid or overseas placement.

Application information


  • Course title
    Criminology
  • Final award
    MSc
  • Mode of study
    Part-time
  • Course code
    TDUSP-CR02
  • Department
  • Location
    University of Bath
    Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY
  • Home application deadline
    31 August 2025

    We recommend you apply early as we may close applications before the deadline if a course is full.

  • Overseas application deadline
    30 May 2025

    We recommend you apply early as we may close applications before the deadline if a course is full. We may consider late applications but if you need a Student Visa to study in the UK, you will need time to apply for and receive your visa to be in the UK by the start of the course.

  • Application eligibility
    Home and Overseas students are eligible to apply
  • Regulator

Course enquiries