Criminal Investigation
MSc
Postgraduate
September 2025
Overview
This is a multidisciplinary Master’s degree that will facilitate an informed understanding of crime from different perspectives within social and psychological sciences.
The course strikes a necessary balance between the ‘social’ and ‘psychological’ for an informed understanding of the ‘science of crime’. On the one hand are the predominantly individualistic perspectives of the disciplines of psychology; on the other are the social-contextual perspectives of social scientific disciplines informing criminology (e.g. sociology, political science, anthropology). In both cases, the course is underpinned by an appreciation of the multifaceted nature of the idea of justice in its different manifestations – criminal, social, political, environmental.
It is not only designed to enhance your intellectual understanding of the science of crime but seeks to equip you for professional level career paths in the state, private and ‘third’ sectors thanks to innovative modules and a dissertation that allows you to specialise in a subject of your choice under individual supervision.
Why study MSc in Criminology and Criminal Psychology at CCCU?
The MSc focuses on the key theoretical and empirical dimensions that are central to understanding the individual, group and societal nature of crime. Drawing on a wide variety of social scientific and psychological traditions, this engaging and fascinating degree gets to the heart of the meaning, causes and responses to crime and criminal behaviour.
You will learn to systematically apply theories and concepts from criminology and psychology to understand historical and contemporary debates relating to criminal activity. You will also develop your ability to utilise an empirical evidence-base to understand how crime is researched and theorised. Central to this captivating degree is an explicit grounding of understandings of crime on conceptualisations of justice – criminal, social, political, environmental etc. This concern for fully understanding meanings of justice opens the possibility for explorations of crime to the fullest.
Throughout the course you will learn in small groups, in which discussion and debate are key to your learning. You will study alongside students specialising in criminological and psychological subjects but will also take modules that enable you to work with students from a range of social science disciplines, exposing you to multidisciplinary thinking and increasing your opportunities for networking.
You will be taught by lecturers from a range of backgrounds who are actively researching and/or have practical experience of contemporary relevant topics. Consequently, you will leave with key graduate skills, new networks, and a wealth of new knowledge and understanding. No matter what sector you decide to work in, you can use this MSc to gain a foothold in a professional career pathway.
The MSc in Criminology and Criminal Psychology is an exciting Master’s degree for those seeking to take their understanding of the science of crime to the next level.Dr Matt Ogilvie, Course Director
Entry requirements
Our standard offer for accepting students onto this programme is a good honours degree (2.2 or above). Applicants from a range of undergraduate subjects will be considered.
This is in addition to a brief personal statement outlining interest and areas of specialism being considered, as well as a complete CV. The University has a well-established Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) and Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) structure in operation. Students without previous qualifications may be accepted as part of this process.
If you are unsure whether your qualifications are appropriate you can contact our postgraduate admissions team.
If English is not your first language you require an IELTS overall score of 6.0 with no element below 5.5 for most standard undergraduate and postgraduate courses. There are some exceptions and if the IELTS requirement differs it will be specified on the course page.
Module information
Core/optional modules
*Modules subject to approval
How you’ll learn
The MSc in Criminology and Criminal Psychology is based around six taught modules and one long piece of work – your own personal dissertation. As a full-time student, you will take 3 modules in the first trimester, between September and December: Understanding Criminality and Offending Behaviour; Conceptualising Justice; and Research Methods. In the second trimester, between January and May, you will undertake another three modules: Criminal Justice and the Investigate Process; Contemporary Criminological and Sociological Controversies; and Human Rights. Finally, in trimester three, from May through to August, you can write a dissertation on a course related topic of your choice. This is a fantastic opportunity to shine, and to produce a true calling-card.
For full-time students the average in-class contact time will be between 6-12 hours per week; 2-4 hours for the three modules in each the first two trimesters. Students who are studying part-time can expect roughly half of this contact time, taking two modules in the first trimester of their first year: Understanding Criminality and Offending Behaviour; and Conceptualising Justice; and one module in the second trimester: Contemporary Criminological and Sociological Controversies. In the second year, part-time students will take one module in the first trimester: Research Methods, and two modules in the second trimester: Criminal Justice and the Investigate Process; and Human Rights. The dissertation will take place in the third trimester of the second year for part-time students.
Guided and independent study may include activities such as watching pre-recorded material, guided reading, group work, listening to podcasts, contributing to discussion boards and activities such as quizzes or other online activities. These tasks will be set out in advance, with a rationale for how they assist teaching and learning and full guidance on how to complete them. There will be a focus on developing students’ skills to enable success in assessments, including formative feedback to support your learning. Tutorial support will also be available where students would like additional guidance or support with their independent study.
Modules typically involve one 2 to 4-hour interactive taught session per week. On top of this most modules require around 22-24 hours of guided learning and 140-145 hours of independent study.
The course is taught by a range of specialist academic staff from across the School of Law, Policing and Social Sciences. Guest lecturers and key professional speakers will be included as part of teaching as relevant, giving students current insights into research developments and real world settings and also providing opportunities to network.
How you’ll be assessed
You will be assessed through a range of methods, including essays, book reviews, portfolios, oral presentations, political role play, simulations, as well as a sustained piece of academic work in the form of a dissertation, all of which take account of two key interdependent aspects:
- The acquisition of relevant knowledge and understanding in the areas covered in the degree; and
- The development of academic style and practical skills that form the basis of graduate employability.
Accordingly, assessment procedures are designed to test the acquisition of newly attained knowledge and understanding in your chosen subject area, as well as the various transferrable skills by which that knowledge is acquired and transmitted.
Your future career
The multidisciplinary nature of the MSc in Criminology and Criminal Psychology will facilitate the command of the conceptual, theoretical and empirical dimensions of this fascinating degree, thus providing you with a broad informed knowledge base. The breadth of assessment methods on the course have been specifically selected to maximise your transferable skills. This combination of substantive course specific knowledge and transferable skills will notably enhance your professional level employability prospects and provide the foundation for further, higher level, graduate studies.
Related courses
Fees
Tuition fees for this course
| UK | Overseas | |
| Full-time | £9,545 | £15,500 |
20% Alumni Discount
We offer alumni discounts on CCCU Postgraduate Taught, PGCE Primary and Secondary, and Master's by Research courses for eligible students.
Find out if you're eligible for the discount.
Important Information on Tuition Fees
Tuition fees for all courses which last more than one academic year are payable on an annual basis, except where stated.
There will be an annual inflationary increase in tuition fees for this course where the course lasts more than one academic year. For further information read the Tuition fee statements and continuing fee information.