Criminology

MSc

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Year of entry: 2026-27

Start date:

October 2026 | January 2027

Study route:

One year full-time, on campus
One year full-time, online
One year full-time, flexible learning
Two years part-time, on campus
Two years part-time, online
Two years part-time, flexible learning

Status:

Fully approved

Location:

Birkbeck Campus, Central London

Awarding body:

University of London

Study options:

Full-time | Part-time | Flexible learning | On campus | Online

Course overview

Our MSc Criminology offers you cutting-edge insights into crime, punishment and justice in today’s world through an exploration of criminological theory and current real-world issues. You will also be able to tailor your studies to your preferred specialism by pursuing one of five different pathways: Criminal Justice; Gender and Sexuality; Race and Criminal Justice; Global Perspectives; Public Policy.

Why choose this course?
- This course enables you to engage with the complexity of contemporary criminology and critically assess the political, economic, social and cultural forces that affect crime and its control.
- It provides you with an opportunity to deepen your knowledge and display expertise to future employers by tailoring your studies to a pathway of your choosing.
- You will be taught by leading critical criminologists and active researchers at the Institute for Crime and Justice Policy Research, who are at the forefront of generating new knowledge on contemporary criminal justice issues, such as policing and the policed, courts and the judicial process, prisons and the use of imprisonment, fraud and digital technologies.
What will I learn?
The MSc Criminology is ideal if you have a keen interest in crime and wish to better understand the key issues facing criminal justice today. To specialise further, you will be able to choose one of the following pathways:
- Criminal Justice: influential criminological theories and approaches with a focus on criminal behaviour, crime control and criminal justice in the twenty-first century.
- Gender and Sexuality: gendered and sexual violence, the regulation of sex and sexuality, and issues of sexual justice.
- Race and Criminal Justice: the intersection of race and ethnicity with questions of crime and justice, and how social, political and economic processes define, construct and respond to crime and victims in a racialised manner.
- Global Perspectives: debates about the relationship between global, national and local questions of crime and punishment, as well as how they are researched.
- Public Policy: insights and skills in the area of policy analysis and development.
Compulsory modules offer you advanced knowledge of contemporary criminological theory and the chance to learn cutting-edge research methods so you can complete an original research project. Option modules allow you to explore criminological debates on racial, social and gendered (in)justice, global perspectives and policy responses.
How will I learn?

You can choose between full- and part-time study on this course. It has an evening timetable with classes taking place in the evening. These include lectures, seminars and tutorials, alongside your independent work. Our teaching methods are designed to support your learning and give you the opportunity to develop skills relevant to your career.
How often will I attend classes?

Full-time October start: Two to three evenings a week, October to July
Part-time October start: One to two evenings a week, October to July
Full-time January start: Two to three evenings a week, January to December
Part-time January start: One to two evenings a week, January to December
Flexible Master's

This course is part of our Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both.

If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.
Course disclaimer

Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.
Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More highlights

Your specialist pathway will reflect your interests and help you develop focused knowledge in a key area. Whichever pathway you decide on, you can look forward to a stimulating evening learning environment, alongside students with diverse backgrounds and professional experiences.
You will be taught by staff who are part of a proud tradition of critical scholarship in criminology and criminal justice, who address issues of crime through power and inequality, and are led by principles of social and racial justice. 
We are home to the Institute for Crime and Justice Policy Research. Its director, Professor Jessica Jacobson, leads a team of outstanding researchers. Academics and researchers at ICPR bring a wealth of knowledge to this Master's course, leading compulsory and specialist modules and providing research project supervision.
Students can attend specialist research seminars, such as the Criminology Seminar Series and the Race and Justice Seminar Series, which feature national and international scholars speaking on current issues and groundbreaking interdisciplinary research.
We use electronic learning environments to enhance our teaching and learning. Birkbeck Library has an extensive teaching collection of books, journals and electronic resources in law and related disciplines, such as economics, politics and sociology. For example, it provides access to over 17,000 electronic journals, which are available online 24 hours a day. You can also take advantage of the rich research collections nearby, including those of the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Senate House Library, the British Library of Political and Economic Science (LSE Library) and the British Library.

Modules and Teaching

One year full-time or two years part-time, online or flexible learning or on campus, starting in October 2026 or January 2027
Course structure
The MSc Criminology consists of the following five pathways:
- Pathway 1: Criminal Justice
- Pathway 2: Gender and Sexuality
- Pathway 3: Racial Justice
- Pathway 4: Global Perspectives
- Pathway 5: Public Policy
Find out more about which pathway is right for you.
For this course you must complete modules worth a total of 180 credits comprising:
- three compulsory modules (30 credits each)
- two pathway-specific option modules (30 credits each)
- one further option module from any pathway (30 credits).
You can apply to take this Flexible Master’s course either on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both. If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course.

Compulsory modules for all pathways (on campus and online)
Pathway 1: Criminal Justice option modules (on campus and online)
Pathway 2: Gender and Sexuality option modules (on campus and online)
Pathway 3: Racial Justice option modules (on campus and online)
Pathway 4: Global Perspectives option module (on campus only)
Pathway 4: Global Perspectives option modules (on campus and online)
Pathway 5: Public Policy option modules (on campus and online)
Pathway 5: Public Policy option modules (on campus only)
- Environment and Policy
- Power and Politics in the UK
Option modules for all pathways (on campus and online)
Option modules for all pathways (on campus only)
Teaching

We encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching to help ensure you have the best learning experience and provide a range of different modes of learning to help you juggle study with work and other commitments.
Find out more about our teaching and teaching hours.

What are the methods of teaching?
You will attend seminars supplemented with tutorials and supervision meetings to discuss your project throughout the year. You are also invited to attend the Criminology Seminar Series talks and all other law events. Birkbeck's online forum, Moodle, will provide appropriate materials and a space to share details of publications and events.
How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed via coursework including critical reviews, essays, a research proposal and an 8000-word research project.

Please see individual modules for more details.
Find out more about assessment at Birkbeck, including guidance on assessment, feedback and our assessment offences policy.

School of Social Sciences

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Entry requirements

A second-class honours degree (2:2) or above in the humanities, social sciences or law.

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered, and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

International students: Please note, if you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.

What are the English language requirements?

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.
If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.
Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.
What are the visa and funding requirements?
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.
The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:
- Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
- Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa
International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).
As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.
For full information, read our visa information for international students page.
Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

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