Overview
Study crime, justice and rehabilitation with our highly-rated Criminology Masters.
With increasing awareness of crime prevention and criminal justice reform, there is a growing demand for criminologists who can analyse crime, develop effective intervention strategies, and contribute to the development of the criminal justice system (Research.com).
This course will help you to understand the causes and impacts of crime for both individuals and societies. You'll be equipped to find solutions that make a positive difference to people's lives.
Your studies will cover:
- the factors that lead to criminal behaviour;
- ways to reduce re-offending;
- social control and human rights;
- digital and other technologies in criminal justice.
Criminology jobs
Our MSc Criminology explores social issues to help prepare you for your future career. Elective modules allow you to focus on the topics that interest you most. Explore the connections between poverty and imprisonment or learn more about drug policy and interventions. The topics you choose will help you get ready for the growing job market for Criminology graduates.
Join our network of experts
The University of Stirling ranks among the best universities in the UK for Criminology. Research by our experts features in the media and shapes criminal justice policy. You’ll benefit from our links to organisations such as Police Scotland and the Scottish Prison Service. The University is also part of the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research. These connections give you opportunities to attend events and network throughout your studies.
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
When you study MSc Criminology at the University of Stirling, you’ll be introduced to pioneering empirical and theoretical research in a vibrant, multi-disciplinary environment.
Underpinning the expertise of our staff, the University of Stirling scored highly in the most recent Research Excellence Framework 2021 – a UK-wide assessment of universities’ research output. In the Social Work and Social Policy unit of assessment, we ranked 3rd in Scotland and top 25 in the UK – with 100% of our research environment and 88% of our research deemed world leading or internationally excellent.
Entry requirements
A minimum of a second class honours degree (2:1 preferred) in a relevant subject or equivalent is required. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with relevant work or life experience are encouraged to apply.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, INTO University of Stirling offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore INTO University of Stirling to see the pathway and pre-masters routes available.
International entry requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with 60 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 80 overall with 18 in reading, 23 in writing, 19 in listening and 21 in speaking.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the academic year that starts in September 2024. Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course Details
We emphasise participation, creativity and reflection in our teaching of this course.
Our course involves a wide range of assessment choices, providing stimulus and variety, but also stretching students with assessments that test a wide breadth of skills and competencies. In addition to conventional essays and critical report writing, you'll also be assessed through presentations, the production of poster presentations, blogs, observation-based reflective reports, drafting briefing papers, and a professional writing exercise.
Also, you'll typically undertake a research dissertation that may involve a range of fieldwork activities depending on the student project (e.g. interviews, focus groups, visual research methods, survey design and administration, and secondary data analysis).
Teaching on this course generally takes place all day on a Friday, and on half a day on a Thursday, but certain modules may be taught on other days.
Dr Niall Hamilton-Smith: course lead for Socio-legal Research Methods
Prior to Stirling, Niall worked as a criminologist in the Home Office's research directorate, working both on crime reduction programme evaluations and on the organised crime research programme. Additional research interests include community policing, policing disorder and sectarianism, and pursuing environmental justice for marginalised communities.
Dr Hannah Graham: course lead for Rehabilitation and Criminal Justice Work
Hannah’s research, writing and teaching centre on a few areas of recognised expertise:
- Criminal justice and the sociology of punishment
- Rehabilitation, desistance and re/integration
- Innovation and justice
Hannah’s research, writing and teaching centre on a few areas of recognised expertise, including: criminal justice and the sociology of punishment; rehabilitation, desistance and re/integration; and, innovation and justice.
Dr Maria Fotopoulou: course lead for Drug Use, Policy and Interventions
Prior to joining the University of Stirling Maria worked in the field of policy and service evaluation of the health and social care of problem drug users and more broadly marginalised and minority groups in the UK and Greece.
Dr Bill Munro: course lead for Criminological Perspectives; and, Criminalisation, Social Control and Human Rights
Bill’s research interests lie in critical theory; deviancy, social control and risk; justice in transition and alternatives to custody.
Professor Margaret Malloch: dissertation coordinator
Margaret’s research interests include: transformative justice and abolitionism; mutual aid and community engagement; gender and the criminal legal system; confronting criminalising processes and practices; and exploitation and responses to 'human trafficking'.
Fees and funding
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Funding
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI.
International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers.
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
Graduates with a Criminology Masters can pursue a wide variety of job opportunities.
Salaries for criminologists in the UK range from around £21,000 to £55,000 per year (payscale.com). There are opportunities for growth, with experience and seniority.
You'll find career opportunities in areas including:
- police
- prison service
- probation and community justice
- courts
- human rights advocacy
- youth work
- women’s justice and recovery services
- victim support
- surveillance and intelligence services
- services for individuals or families affected by drug use
- drug policy and information organisations
- charities and social enterprises
Our graduates can be found in organisations including:
- Police Scotland
- Victim Support Scotland
- UK Civil Service
- The Scottish Prison Service
