Overview
Our MSc Criminology establishes clear connections between conceptual theories of crime and justice, and applied examples of how they affect contemporary societies. The course has an international focus that goes beyond UK or Scottish borders, making it appealing for a diverse student cohort.
The course content encourages the pursuit of innovative and socially just responses to the problem of crime, from crimes in the street or at home, to crimes of the powerful, crimes across borders, the much newer phenomenon of online crime, and the drug problem. Throughout the course, there's an emphasis on the need for a strong critical understanding of how research is framed, used and developed, which is delivered via modules in data analysis and research design, as well as criminological and socio-legal research methods. You’ll have the opportunity to explore concepts of criminal justice, the social contexts of crime, and a variety of criminological theoretical perspectives as well as applied insights.
With elective modules in specialist subjects you can acquire and develop a range of skills which will significantly enhance your confidence in criminology and your employability. Subjects include:
- rehabilitation and criminal justice work;
- drug policy and interventions;
- criminalisation, social control and human rights.
The course is ideal for those who are keen to continue their studies at postgraduate level, as well as for practitioners who wish to consolidate existing experience and training with a Masters qualification.
Top reasons to study with us
Course objectives
This course offers interdisciplinary insights into pressing current social issues such as terrorism, ethical uses of technology in criminal justice, the issues faced by women in criminal justice, drug policy reform, emergence and regulation of psychoactive substances, or tracing the links between poverty and imprisonment.
You'll gain a critical understanding of how research is framed, used and developed, and by whom, in criminology. Our academics are members of an internationally leading research centre; the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research (SCCJR), as well as being affiliated with the Scottish Institute for Policing Research (SIRP). Our research features in the media and is used by policymakers and practice leaders.
Flexible learning
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.
Research overview
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
Academic 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
English language 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.
Pre-sessional English language courses
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
Course Details
Teaching
We emphasise participation, creativity and reflection in our teaching of this course.
Assessment
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).
Classroom hours
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.
Course director
Key staff
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
Fees and costs
| 2024/25 | 2025/26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Students from the UK and Republic of Ireland | £8,000 | £9,500 |
| International (including EU) students | £18,700 | £20,600 |
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.
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
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.
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
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.
Scholarships and funding
Funding
Eligible international students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
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 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.
Cost of living
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.
Payment options
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
As a Masters graduate in criminology, you’ll have the opportunity to pursue a number of career routes in the public, private and voluntary sectors.
Graduates in criminology can go onto roles including:
- police
- prison service
- probation and community justice
- courts
- human rights advocacy
- youth work
- women’s justice and recovery services
- victim support
- surveillance
- intelligence services
- services for individuals or families affected by drug use
- drug policy and information organisations
- charities and social enterprises
With a combination of specialist theoretical and methodological knowledge, as well as critical-analytical skills, our course is also a great platform for those considering research and policy-related roles.
Boost your employability by studying at Scotland’s top-rated university for criminology (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025).
Benefit from our links to the criminal justice sector and Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research (SCCJR).
Companies we work with
The course is supported by staff from the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research (SCCJR), which is a collaboration of several Scottish universities. It aims to produce excellent research and develop excellent researchers to enhance the development of policy, practice and public debate around crime and justice. The SCCJR carries international influence and works with fellow academics, policymakers, practitioners and others involved with justice all over the world. As well as benefitting from the expert input of the SCCJR, students studying this MSc Criminology course can also attend regular events hosted by the organisation.
You'll also benefit from our strong links to the applied crime and criminal justice sector, including Police Scotland and the Scottish Prison Service.
