Durham University
Criminology and Criminal Justice MSc
Durham University

Course modalities offered

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 15 graduates of Criminology and Criminal Justice MSc at Durham University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Anthropology.

Overall student satisfaction
79 /100
15 total respondents
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Anthropology

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Anthropology at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £26500 £27000 £33000
25-75 percentile range £22000 - £32500 £21000 - £32000 £23000 - £45500


Salary of all UK Graduates of Anthropology

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £25000 £22450 £26876
25-75 percentile range £21000 - £28000 £16925 - £28392 £20314 - £34845

Course Description

Criminology and criminal justice engages with a vast range of historical and contemporary issues. In a field that is constantly evolving, experts have become adept at changing their approach to keep pace with new and emerging forms of crime.

The MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice critically addresses key issues and debates relating to crime and the criminal justice system. Exploring issues such as terrorism, sex work, legal and illegal drugs, forced migration, law enforcement, cybercrime and the use of new technologies you will develop an in-depth understanding of crime, deviance and criminal justice from critical, theoretical, policy, legal, political and practical perspectives.

You will study issues of theoretical and social importance, learning from practitioners, lecturers and researchers who are international experts in their fields. The module ’Criminology: Theory and Critical Issues' links directly with the research activities of the criminology staff while ‘Gender Violence and Abuse’ links with the current activities of the Department’s research group of the same name.

You will also benefit from our strong links with the sector. ‘Prisons, Crime and Criminal Justice’ is an innovative module taught within a prison using the Inside-Out learning model that emphasises transformative education. You need security clearance and mandatory prison training before being allowed to enter the prison and eligibility to register on this module is dependent on these being successfully undertaken.

The course will suit those from a wide range of disciplines, who are interested in pursuing a career in the field and those with a professional background in criminal justice who are keen to take their skills to the next level.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Criminology and Criminal Justice MSc at Durham University

35% Sales occupations
15% Teaching Professionals
10% Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation
10% Business and public service associate professionals
10% Elementary occupations
10% Artistic, literary and media occupations
10% Administrative occupations
10% Welfare and housing associate professionals

Grading & Study Time

The MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice involves a combination of lectures, seminar discussion, workshops and presentations, and some optional research methods modules involve computer-based practicals. To gain the most from your study, significant time is needed for reading, discussing and preparing for classes, assignments and project work. The optional 'Prisons, Crime and Criminal Justice' module takes place in a local prison, and includes group work and projects alongside prisoners. There is also the opportunity for a work placement. The MSc culminates in independent research for the dissertation on a topic of your choice, with supervision by staff actively engaged in relevant research. You will also participate in two workshops, usually alongside others researching in similar areas. The majority of the MSc is assessed through coursework, and this takes a variety of forms depending on the modules studied. Assessment methods include written assignments, reports, group and individual presentations, reflective journals, research proposals and in some optional research methods modules there are computer-based practicals. If you complete the optional placement module, you will be assessed through a placement portfolio. The MSc dissertation, carried out under the guidance of a supervisor, makes up one-third of your credits.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 6.5
    • All other courses
    • 4.5
    • Foundation
    • 6.5
    • Graduate Degrees
    • 6.5
    • Undergraduate Degrees

If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take a pre-Masters pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

For further information see the course listing.
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Criminology and Criminal Justice, MSc, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Normally an upper second class honours degree (2:1) or equivalent.

An undergraduate degree in social sciences is desirable but not compulsory and we welcome students with degrees in arts, humanities and science subjects. You should demonstrate clearly why you are interested in the MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice degree in your personal statement. We are ALSO keen to consider applications with a professional background in criminal justice.

Additional requirements:

When submitting your online application, you will also need to provide:

Academic Transcript and Certificate (if possible)

Two academic references (it is the applicant's responsibility to obtain their references from their referees).

Costs

Tuition Fees Criminology and Criminal Justice MSc

England UK £6200 year 1
Northern Ireland £6200 year 1
Scotland £6200 year 1
Wales £6200 year 1
Channel Islands £6200 year 1
EU £14800 year 1
International £14800 year 1
Ireland £14800 year 1

Additional fee information

The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

University Rankings

Positions of Durham University in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of Durham University in related subject specific rankings.

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #12 
    • #91 
    Social Sciences
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 26 October, 2022]
    • #23 
    • #166 
    Social Sciences
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #7 
    • #8 
    Sociology
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]
    • #13 
    • #76 
    Sociology
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 19 July, 2022]
    • #16 
    • #81 
    Sociology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #15 
    • #101 
    Sociology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]

See all 37 university rankings of Durham University

About Durham University

Founded in 1832, Durham University (DU) is located in the cathedral city of Durham, North East England. DU takes pride in having numerous subject fields ranked among the best in the world according to QS, as well as having an exceptionally large course catalogue without compromising the quality that students can expect. Apart from the impressive academic opportunities on offer, students can also participate in numerous sports, music, and art-based extracurricular activities on-site.

List of 211 Bachelor and Master Courses from Durham University - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Durham University

undergraduates:
17140
postgraduates:
4365
Total:
21505
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Where is this programme taught

Durham University
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