Criminology and Criminal Justice – (M.Sc.)

Requirements

Students are selected for admission solely on the individual merits of each candidate and the application of the relevant selection criteria.

To these ends students submit a full CV including academic grades translated into English, a Statement of Purpose indicating why they wish to be accepted for the course, and two samples of their relevant written work. Three academic references are also taken into consideration.

Candidates for admission would normally possess (or be predicted to obtain) a first class or high upper second class (or its equivalent, such as a GPA of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale) degree in law, sociology, politics, economics, social policy, psychology, history, or another subject relevant to criminology. A high upper second class degree is defined as one in which an average mark of 65% or above is attained in courses counting towards the final undergraduate degree classification. Extensive employment experience within the field of criminal justice may be regarded by the selection panel as compensating for a lack of an undergraduate degree to the required standard.

Competence in English Language A good command of written English is essential for success on our programmes and we make it a precondition of admission.

If English is not your native language, you are required to provide evidence of your English proficiency as follows:

* IELTS: an overall score of 7.5, with at least 7.0 in each component
* TOEFL: an overall score of 630 with a Test of Written English score of 5.
* Applicants who have taken the computer-based TOEFL test must achieve an overall score of 267 with an essay-writing score of 5.
* Applicants who have taken the new Internet-based TOEFL test must achieve an overall score of 109.
* Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): Grade B. Our own preference is for IELTS.

You must supply your test result with your application.

Students are not normally interviewed (as this can unfairly discriminate against overseas students who cannot so easily be available for interview). Since the applications received always exceed available places, the Centre for Criminology cannot admit every student who meets the basic entry requirements. In reviewing applications, qualitative admission criteria are employed. These are listed below. Applicants and their referees are encouraged to address these criteria specifically.

Application exceptional academic motivation; capacity for sustained and intense work; developed ability to organise time and set own agenda for study; intrepid attitude towards investigation and learning.

Knowledge applicants will normally have a broad, deep, advanced, and integrated understanding of a subject relevant to criminology such as sociology, economics, politics, psychology, social policy, or history. Preference may be given to those who have studied some criminology, criminal justice, penology, criminal law or the sociology of deviance.

Reasoning ability outstanding analytical abilities, the ability speedily to separate the relevant from the irrelevant, and the ability to develop and sustain complex arguments under pressure; capacities for accurate observation and insightful criticism, including willingness and ability to engage with other social science disciplines; originality and creativity of thought, open-mindedness, and capacity for lateral thinking; excellent powers of synthesis and economy of thought.

Communication willingness and ability to express highly complex ideas clearly and effectively in English, with a particular eye to finesse and economy and an aspiration to professional standards of style and organisation in scholarly writing.