LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON · UNITED KINGDOM
MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice Policy
Master's · Taught in en · UCAS L4U9
At a glance
12 mo
Duration
—
IELTS
—
Tuition / yr
en
Language
Master's
Level
This Master's program allows you to explore pressing questions in criminology and criminal justice, such as the reasons for declining crime rates, the impact of police spending, and the role of prisons. You will gain an interdisciplinary understanding by drawing on insights from criminology, sociology, law, and psychology to analyze how laws, policies, and practices affect criminal justice outcomes. The program is taught by internationally recognized criminologists and equips you with theoretical, empirical, and analytical skills to engage in current debates, considering historical and international perspectives. You will have opportunities to attend seminars and events at the Mannheim Centre for Criminology to learn about the latest research. Upon graduation, you will be well-prepared for careers in criminal justice institutions, law enforcement, government, NGOs, or research. The Department of Social Policy is highly ranked in the UK for social policy research and teaching.
Curriculum
The MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice Policy is a one-year program. You will take core courses, complete a dissertation, and choose optional courses from the Departments of Social Policy, Law, and Sociology. Note: For the 2026/27 academic year, SP477 has been replaced by SP401, and an expanded range of Social Policy options will be available.
- 1
- Crime, Justice and Social PolicySP477
- Understanding Policy ResearchSP401
- Criminal Justice Policy - Long EssaySP498
- Optional CoursesN/A
Careers
Graduates of this program are well-prepared for a variety of careers in the criminal justice sector and related fields.
- Criminal justice institutions
- Law enforcement
- Government agencies
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- Research positions
Entry requirements
Undergraduate DegreeUpper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in social science or law. A degree in another field with relevant practitioner experience may also be considered.
IELTSHigher
Competition for places is strong. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an offer. Applications are carefully reviewed to identify strong candidates. Specific country-based requirements can be found by selecting your country on the LSE website.
Fees
Tuition (international)Information on tuition fees for international students is available on the LSE website.
Tuition (home)Information on tuition fees for home students is available on the LSE website.
LivingEstimated living costs are available on the LSE website.
Fees are subject to change. Please refer to the official LSE website for the most up-to-date fee information.
How to apply
1. Check Entry RequirementsReview the academic and English language requirements for the MSc program. Select your country on the LSE website to see specific requirements.
2. Prepare Application DocumentsGather necessary documents including transcripts, degree certificates, a statement of academic purpose, and references.
3. Submit Online ApplicationComplete and submit the online application form via the LSE Graduate Admissions portal.
4. Await DecisionApplications are reviewed, and decisions are communicated by the admissions team.
Accreditation
The Department of Social Policy is recognized for its research and teaching excellence.