Criminology and Criminal Justice

The MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Oxford offers an in-depth exploration of the causes, consequences, and responses to crime within contemporary society. Designed for students seeking a comprehensive understanding of criminal behavior, justice systems, and crime prevention strategies, this program combines rigorous academic research with practical insights drawn from multidisciplinary perspectives. Throughout the course, students will examine theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence related to criminal acts, societal reactions, and the effectiveness of justice policies across different cultural and legal contexts. The curriculum covers key topics such as the sociology of crime, criminal law and policy, forensic science, penal systems, and the social and psychological factors influencing criminal conduct. Emphasizing critical thinking and analytical skills, the program encourages students to assess current debates and contribute to innovative solutions for crime reduction and justice administration. Taught by leading experts in criminology, law, and social sciences, the MSc provides a stimulating environment for intellectual growth and professional development. Students will have opportunities to engage in research projects, seminars, and discussions that foster an understanding of complex issues surrounding crime and justice. The program is suitable for individuals aiming to pursue careers in academia, policy-making, law enforcement, or criminal justice services, as well as for those seeking to broaden their knowledge of this dynamic field. Graduates of this program will be equipped with a solid foundation of theoretical knowledge, research expertise, and practical skills necessary to analyze and address criminal justice challenges in diverse societal contexts.

The MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice is offered on both a full-time (one-year) and part-time (two-year) basis. The degree and expectations for both modes of study are equally rigorous. Part-time students take their classes with the full-time students, but spread over two years to accommodate work and personal circumstances. 

The MSc is comprised of three components (the timings refer to the full-time course, please see the Law Faculty website for details of the part-time course):

1. Core course and compulsory research methods course

The compulsory core course runs weekly for the first eight weeks of the first two terms. 

Explanation and understanding in criminology

In the first term, this theme develops understanding of the organising categories and central claims of a range of modern criminological perspectives of crime and social control. It will equip you to recognise the main problems, questions, dichotomies and ideas that have shaped modern criminological thought, and to understand the nature of ‘theory’ and ‘explanation’ within criminology. Part-time students take this course in the first term of their first year of study.

Understanding criminal justice

The second half of the course offers you a thorough grounding in the criminological understanding of criminal justice/penal institutions and processes. The core themes of classic research on these processes are introduced, before you are introduced to contemporary issues and controversies in criminal justice and punishment. The course introduces you to competing theoretical perspectives on the criminal justice process and encourages you to think about the role of the state/criminal law in the regulation of human behaviour and the place and limitations of criminal justice interventions in producing safe societies. Part-time students can choose to take this compulsory course in the second term of either their first or second year of study. 

Research design and data collection

This course is focused on the challenges and the opportunities that different methods of data collection have for validity and reliability of data. Methods include experiments and quasi-experiments; questionnaires and survey research; field research, and the collection of written documents. The scientific method, theory testing and research design will also be discussed. Ethical concerns are given special emphasis. Part-time students take this course in the first term of their first year of study.

2. Optional subjects

Full-time students will take five optional modules over the first and second terms of the year. Part-time student s take a total of five options across the two years of study. Option courses run for eight weeks in each term. Recent option modules have included:

• Race and gender
• Sentencing
• Public and private policing 
• Research Methods
• Prisons
• Comparative, Criminal Justice, Security and Human Rights
• Politics of Crime Control
• Comparative and Transnational Justice
• Criminal Justice, Migration and Citizenship
• Crime and the Family
• Violence and Civilisation
• Criminal Justice in Transitional Settings
• Risk, Security and Criminal Justice
• The Death Penalty
• Youth Justice

As a full-time student, you will be expected to spend at least 50 hours studying each week during term, and to undertake some further study during vacations. During Michaelmas and Hilary term students you will be advised to divide your time between the core course and your other courses as follows:

• At least 18 hours per week preparation for the core course
• At least 10 hours per week preparation for each option/compulsory course
• 4.5 to 6 hours per week in seminars (90 minutes for each course)

Part-time students will be expected to commit to a proportional workload.  

3. Dissertation

In addition to the options you take, you will write a dissertation during Trinity term.  Part-time students will write their dissertations in Trinity Term of their second year, but will be encouraged to start planning their dissertation in Trinity term of year one.  This will be researched and written independently, with only minimum guidance from your dissertation supervisor. This is also supported by a compulsory but non-assessed Academic Skills Workshop for Criminologists, attended by both full-time and part-time students.

Assessment

In addition to the dissertation submitted at the end of Trinity Term there are two unseen examinations of the core course. 

The research methods courses are examined by means of an assessment to be submitted at the end of the term. These courses also have some term-time assignments which are assessed on a pass/fail basis.

Each option is examined by means of an assessed essay, also to be submitted at the end of the term in which the option runs.

Applicants are normally expected to be predicted or have achieved a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualifications), as a minimum, in law, sociology, politics, economics, social policy, psychology, history, or another subject relevant to criminology.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.7 out of 4.0.

If you hold non-UK qualifications and wish to check how your qualifications match these requirements, you can contact the National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC).

Extensive employment experience within the broad field of criminal justice may be regarded by the Board of Admissions as compensating for a lack of an undergraduate degree to the required standard. 

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

• Official transcript(s)
• CV/résumé
• Statement of purpose/personal statement:One to two pages
• Written work:Two essays of 2,000 words each
• References/letters of recommendation: Three overall, all of which must be academic

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Higher level

• Global Education
• Hill Foundation Scholarships
• A number of Research Council awards are available each year from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), and Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Oxford is a comprehensive interdisciplinary program that explores the complex issues surrounding crime, criminal behavior, and the justice system. This program aims to provide students with a rigorous understanding of criminal phenomena through the integration of theories, empirical research, and policy analysis. Students engage with a wide range of topics including the social, psychological, legal, and political aspects of criminal behavior, as well as the functioning and efficacy of different justice mechanisms. The program encourages critical thinking and analytical skills, equipping students to evaluate criminal justice policies and contribute to ongoing debates on crime prevention, law enforcement, and rehabilitation. The curriculum incorporates coursework, seminars, and independent research, allowing students to tailor their studies to particular interests within criminology and criminal justice. Faculty members are leading experts in the field, providing students with the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with top researchers. The program also emphasizes the importance of empirical evidence and encourages students to undertake original research projects that contribute to the academic and practical understanding of crime and justice. Graduates of this program are prepared for careers in criminal justice agencies, policy development, research institutions, and further academic pursuits. The University of Oxford's distinguished reputation, combined with its extensive library and research resources, offers an ideal environment for in-depth study and scholarly development in this critical field. The program typically lasts for one year full-time and may include options for part-time study, depending on the course structure. Students are expected to develop a nuanced understanding of the causes of criminal behavior and the societal responses to crime, fostering a foundation for meaningful engagement with contemporary issues in criminal justice.