World-Class Research
Study with academics whose research appears in international criminology journals, bringing expert knowledge and contemporary debates directly into your learning experience.
Entry year
2026/27
Criminology and Criminal Justice MA
- Typical Annual Fee Scholarship & Discount eligibility may apply
- Modules
- Entry Requirements
-
Mode of Study
2 years Part Time1 other option available
Criminology and Criminal Justice at Northumbria
Criminology and Criminal Justice MA at Northumbria gives you the critical thinking and research skills necessary for analysing crime, criminal justice policy, and social inequalities in global contexts.
You'll delve into contemporary criminological debates through modules spanning mass incarceration to transnational crime, where you'll be encouraged to challenge assumptions and propose evidence-based solutions.
Taught by research-active academics who blend theoretical insight with real-world application, you'll gain skills employers value in policy work and social justice. Your dissertation gives you the freedom to investigate an area that fascinates you, building specialist knowledge ideal for careers in institutions such as criminal justice agencies, local authorities, or voluntary organisations.
Learning & Assessment
Learn through collaborative sessions combining expert input with practical exercises and critical discussions. Assessment includes essays, debate logs, reviews, portfolios, research proposals, and an independent dissertation supported by your supervisor.
During your time at Northumbria, there are lots of opportunities to apply your knowledge in real-world settings. We call this experiential learning. Our Real-World Learning hub provides more information about how at Northumbria, learning goes beyond lectures.
During your time at Northumbria, there are lots of opportunities to apply your knowledge in real-world settings. We call this experiential learning. Our Real-World Learning hub provides more information about how at Northumbria, learning goes beyond lectures.
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences
- City Campus, Northumbria University, Newcastle
Module Information
Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.
Year One Core Modules
On this module you will gain a detailed and contemporary understanding of criminal justice debates relating to custody and community based punishments. You will analyse penal policy and its relationship to wider issues associated with economic, social, cultural and political developments in an international context. Through engaging with historical and contemporary literature and research you will develop your knowledge of penal policy, as well as the underlying philosophies of punishment. Additionally you will develop an understanding as to why some western societies have adopted a more 'managerial' approach towards criminal justice, including the development of 'risk-based' and ‘deficits’ models of interventions, versus ‘strengths based’ approaches favoured in other jurisdictions. The module will also consider the ethics and role of the private sector in criminal justice systems, both prison and also community based sanctions.
You will understand contemporary perspectives on crime, harm, policing, and security in their global context and how these are related to wider process of globalisation and economic, social, cultural, and political developments that operate at transnational levels. You will develop foundational knowledge of governance, risk and security and how criminology operates beyond the nation state. Critical debates about the architecture of international policing, global crime investigation and the pluralisation of international policing and security are explored. These are related to challenges including transnational organised crime, cybercrime, state crime and strategies to countering these threats. You will learn how cases of global crime and harm provide an alternative perspective on the globalisation thesis and underline the links between local, regional, national, and global dimensions of policing and security.
Year Two Core Modules
This module is designed to ensure that you are equipped to undertake social science research at postgraduate level, regardless of the extent to which you have previously studied research methods. After some consideration of the contribution of research to understanding issues in the social sciences, you will be taken through the different stages of a research project, using a range of exercises to show the practical questions that can affect each stage. You will consider also some of the challenges that arise in seeking to undertake research into Criminological issues in an international / comparative context.
On this module you will explore the issues of social exclusion and victimisation in the UK and internationally. You will discover and challenge the theoretical underpinnings of these concepts and their manifestations in contemporary society. The module will therefore begin by exploring the two concepts, their links to each other, as well as their relationship to related concepts (such as harm and vulnerability, inequality and injustice, poverty and austerity). The module will then move on to examine case studies in depth, such as the experiences of foreign nationals in the UK, violence against women, and sex work. Throughout the module, you will consider the ways in the concepts of social exclusion and victimisation have been framed within the policy process and public debate in the UK and beyond, and how such framings have influenced the nature of public policy.
In this module you will demonstrate advanced and independent critical thinking skills about the research process and a specific, substantial topic of your choice. In doing so you will develop robust, coherent and substantiated, advanced academic arguments in an identifiable area of enquiry. There are a number of options for the dissertation: literature-based, empirical, or placement-based dissertations. In formulating, research, and writing your dissertation you will be guided by your dissertation supervisor. The dissertation is the culmination of your taught experience and will enable you to deploy the skills develop during the taught programme.
Entry Requirements 2026/27
Applicants should normally have:
A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree in a relevant social science subject. Applicants with appropriate work experience and/or a relevant professional qualification will be considered.
International qualifications:
If you have studied a non UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry
English language requirements:
International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications
Fees and Funding 2026/27 Entry
Tuition fees in the academic year 2027/28* will be £10,050. Fees are set in line with the UK Government's tuition fee cap. The University may increase fees in subsequent years in line with any changes to the tuition fee cap. Increases will be linked to inflation. For example, increases may be linked to RPIX (Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments) Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect. Student fee loans rise in line with the tuition fees cap.
*if your course is longer than one year
This is the tuition fee for your first year of study. You should expect to pay tuition fees for every year of study. The University may increase fees in the second and subsequent years of your course at our discretion in line with any inflationary or other uplift. Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect.
There are no Additional Costs
Scholarships and Discounts
Apply Now
Start your application
To start your application, simply select the month you would like to start your course.
WHY NORTHUMBRIA
Research Excellence
Build advanced research skills through a dedicated methods module and independent dissertation, preparing you for further study or careers requiring sophisticated analytical capabilities.
Global Perspectives
Engage with international perspectives on crime and justice, examining comparative penal systems, policing approaches, and social exclusion across diverse cultural, political, and economic contexts.
Industry Connections
Benefit from links with criminal justice agencies, voluntary organisations, and practitioners who contribute to teaching, providing valuable insights into professional practice, policy work, and current sector challenges.
Supportive Community
Join a welcoming postgraduate community with dedicated supervisors, guidance tutors, and careers support throughout your journey, helping you transition successfully and achieve your academic and professional ambitions.
This carousel contains 5 slides. Use the Previous and Next buttons to navigate.
-
World-Class Research
Study with academics whose research appears in international criminology journals, bringing expert knowledge and contemporary debates directly into your learning experience.
-
Research Excellence
Build advanced research skills through a dedicated methods module and independent dissertation, preparing you for further study or careers requiring sophisticated analytical capabilities.
-
Global Perspectives
Engage with international perspectives on crime and justice, examining comparative penal systems, policing approaches, and social exclusion across diverse cultural, political, and economic contexts.
-
Industry Connections
Benefit from links with criminal justice agencies, voluntary organisations, and practitioners who contribute to teaching, providing valuable insights into professional practice, policy work, and current sector challenges.
-
Supportive Community
Join a welcoming postgraduate community with dedicated supervisors, guidance tutors, and careers support throughout your journey, helping you transition successfully and achieve your academic and professional ambitions.
1
5
slides
Accreditations & Partnerships
The programme works in partnership with criminal justice agencies, voluntary sector organisations, and international academic networks to inform teaching and provide opportunities for students to engage with practitioners and current debates in the field.
Career Prospects
You'll be encouraged to build research skills valued across professions, demonstrating your ability to apply independent critical thinking and sound judgement to complex social problems.
The transferable skills you can gain - such as critical analysis, evidence-based argumentation, and professional communication - prepare you for positions in policy work and social research.
Graduates from this course may aspire to advance onto careers in criminal justice and community justice sectors, for example, in roles with drug action teams, law enforcement agencies, voluntary, and charitable organisations, crime analysis, research consultancy, local government, community safety, and youth justice.
The transferable skills you can gain - such as critical analysis, evidence-based argumentation, and professional communication - prepare you for positions in policy work and social research.
Graduates from this course may aspire to advance onto careers in criminal justice and community justice sectors, for example, in roles with drug action teams, law enforcement agencies, voluntary, and charitable organisations, crime analysis, research consultancy, local government, community safety, and youth justice.
Student Projects
Your independent research dissertation is the culmination of your Masters journey, giving you the freedom to investigate a criminological issue that genuinely interests you.
Working independently with expert supervision, you'll design your research approach, gather evidence from literature or empirical investigation, and present original insights. This project is designed to demonstrate your mastery of research methods and your ability to contribute new knowledge to the field.
Potential projects could explore topics such as penal reform and youth justice interventions, cybercrime, policing practices, victimisation experiences, and comparative criminal justice systems.
Working independently with expert supervision, you'll design your research approach, gather evidence from literature or empirical investigation, and present original insights. This project is designed to demonstrate your mastery of research methods and your ability to contribute new knowledge to the field.
Potential projects could explore topics such as penal reform and youth justice interventions, cybercrime, policing practices, victimisation experiences, and comparative criminal justice systems.
Facilities
Across campus, you can use dedicated study spaces and seminar rooms designed for collaborative learning.
In our University Library, access specialist collections with extensive criminology resources, including academic journals, databases, and policy documents. Benefit from the University Library's digital platforms, which provide 24/7 access to electronic journals, e-books, and research tools.
Technology-enhanced learning environments also support your studies through the Blackboard Ultra platform, interactive reading lists, and submission systems. Technical support is available throughout your studies to help you access the resources you need for success.
Experience Northumbria University from the comfort of your own home. Our immersive virtual tours and interactive 360 images allow you to explore our vibrant campus and dynamic learning spaces, all from anywhere in the world.
In our University Library, access specialist collections with extensive criminology resources, including academic journals, databases, and policy documents. Benefit from the University Library's digital platforms, which provide 24/7 access to electronic journals, e-books, and research tools.
Technology-enhanced learning environments also support your studies through the Blackboard Ultra platform, interactive reading lists, and submission systems. Technical support is available throughout your studies to help you access the resources you need for success.
Experience Northumbria University from the comfort of your own home. Our immersive virtual tours and interactive 360 images allow you to explore our vibrant campus and dynamic learning spaces, all from anywhere in the world.
Teaching Staff
Learn from a team of criminology academics who publish research in international journals and receive funding from major research organisations.
Staff members hold leadership roles in professional associations, serve on editorial boards, and work in partnership with criminal justice agencies and voluntary organisations.
Staff members hold leadership roles in professional associations, serve on editorial boards, and work in partnership with criminal justice agencies and voluntary organisations.
Any Questions?
Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help. They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901.
Register your interest
If you'd like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.
* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University's Privacy Notice please click here
