Criminology and Criminal Justice MA

Postgraduate
Conversion course

A couple of police officers walking down a city street in the night

Enhance your employability by investigating societal responses to crime, deviance and social harm on local, national and global levels.

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

CAST009

Start date

September 2025
November 2025
January 2026
March 2026
May 2026
July 2026

How to apply

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Course overview

Whether you're a keen criminology student or a seasoned professional, our course aims to equip you with an advanced understanding of crime and social harm's impact on individuals, communities and society.

Key course content includes:

criminological theory: gain an advanced understanding of the causes of global crime and social harm.
criminal justice policy: develop the skills to evaluate national and international criminal justice policy.
practical case studies: analyse real-world cases that highlight the underlying connections between academic theory, policy and practice.
research methods: explore the key research approaches that are employed by criminologists and social researchers to study crime, justice and the social world.
professional networking: benefit from our close links with criminal justice professionals and institutions.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Ranked 9th Modern University in UK by the Times

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Ranked 8th for Overall Satisfaction in PTES

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2024

Why you should study this course

Build on the foundational knowledge you have gained from undergraduate studies in criminology, sociology, psychology, law, forensic investigation, policing, politics, and other degree programmes.
Enhance the practice experience you have gained within an existing career by studying for an advanced academic qualification. We value applications from those already embedded in practice roles.
Develop industry-relevant skills, knowledge and attributes directly applicable to a career in criminal justice and allied professions.
You will be taught by subject experts and professionals in the field (staff are subject to change).
Enhance your employability and career destination opportunities with a master’s degree emphasising the real impact of crime and social harm.

Accreditation and professional recognition

Chartered Management Institute

This course is designed¹ to include the criteria set by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) for the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice. It is expected that students who successfully pass the Violence, Victims and Trauma module will be eligible to gain the award as an additional qualification.

Do you need a law degree to start a career in law?

Although there are no mandatory courses prior to sitting the solicitors qualifying examinations or CILEX professional stage, Coventry University can kick start your legal career through the following preparation courses.

What you'll study

Modules

Governance and Criminal Justice - 30 Credits

Real World Research – 30 Credits

This module introduces diverse research methods used to understand contemporary global issues in the social world, including social problems related to inequality, identity, power, crime and deviance. This module offers you the opportunity to engage with contemporary social science research through case studies and guest lectures by leading experts (subject to availability).

Compulsory

Identity, Crime and Justice – 30 Credits

Violence, Victims and Trauma – 30 Credits

This module focuses on serious violence from both offender and victim perspectives. Explore the corrosive impact of trauma on those at the sharp end of the criminal justice system.

This module is designed to include the criteria set out by the CMI for the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice¹.

Compulsory

Transnational Crime and Law Enforcement – 30 Credits

This module looks at how serious crime breaches national boundaries and how law enforcement addresses it. The module goes beyond criminology, encouraging you to use ideas from other fields to explore international borders as places of conflict, unrest, control and crime. This module offers a comprehensive understanding of contemporary global crimes such as human trafficking and organised crime. Analyse international legal frameworks, develop critical thinking skills and evaluate real-world problems.

Compulsory

Drugs, Crime and Harm – 30 Credits

This module explores the fascinating contemporary landscape of drug use and international drug policy. You will hear from experts on a diverse range of current issues including drug trafficking, county lines, drug policy and the risks of atypical drug use within music festivals and the strategies used to reduce this.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

Teaching and learning methods for this course may include:

interactive lectures
seminars
tutorials
workshops.

Teaching contact hours:

As a full-time postgraduate student, you will study modules totalling 180 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching contact hours, and guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average you will have between 8 and 12 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the opportunity to attend optional sessions including time with a Success Coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You will be digging deeper into topics, reviewing what you’ve learnt and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress to the end of your studies, you’ll spend more time on independent learning.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods, including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending on the module. Assessment methods may include:

scenario-based discussion
photo essays
presentations
Crown Court observation.

The Coventry University assessment strategy aims to ensure that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

An honours degree 2:2 or above in any discipline.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications; speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

An honours degree 2:2 or above in any discipline.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall, with at least 5.5 in each component area.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications; speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£9,350 per year	Not available
EU	£9,350 per year with EU Support Bursary £18,600 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	£18,600 per year	Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees³ and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the university's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

Have a look round our mock prison cells on our virtual 360 tour. You'll use them to get a sense of the real-life experiences of inmates and for role play learning.

People walking in front of a building which has a big library sign

Lanchester Library

The library is usually open 24/7, in term-time. It’s where you can access your course’s specialist Academic Liaison Librarian. It’s also home to specialist teams which can support you with your academic writing and maths and statistics questions.

Glass modern building with a spire in the background

The Hub

The Hub is the centre of student life on campus. Facilities include a food court, convenience store, multi-faith centre, medical centre, hairdresser, coffee shops and the Your SU offices. It has fully licensed function spaces and a bar.

Two people working together with a laptop in front of them

Careers and employability

Get one-on-one career and employability guidance lasting up to 36 months from the end of your course. We’ll help you find placements and graduate roles, offer CV and application checks, mentoring, skills workshops, employer events and more.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

Successful graduates may seek the following positions:

Police officer
Detective
Probation officer
Prison officer
Witness care service
Victim support services
Intelligence analyst
Fraud investigation
Academia and research.

On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

demonstrate an in-depth understanding of criminological theories related to global crime, social harm, public and media responses to crime, and the complex interagency interface between criminal justice agencies.
critically evaluate interdisciplinary research related to global crime, social harm, public and media responses to crime, and the workings of the criminal justice system.
critically analyse the efficacy of criminal justice agencies’ responses to crime, social harm, law and order.
critically analyse how identity, intersectionality, power and inequality shape victim–offender experiences of both crime and the criminal justice system.
critically appraise international best practice in criminal justice and inter-related fields such as public protection, risk management, governance, rehabilitation of offenders, victim support and trauma-informed practice.
produce evidence that demonstrates the ability to apply advanced skills, knowledge and attributes to a range of career pathways within criminal justice and allied fields.
recognise the potential value of generative artificial intelligence tools within the criminal justice sector and allied careers, while understanding the limitations of such tools and adhering to their transparent use within ethical boundaries.

Where our graduates work

Successful graduates of criminology and criminal justice courses at Coventry University have gone on to work in a variety of roles and companies, including:

university academic
police officer, West Midlands Police
detective, Metropolitan Police
victim support
domestic violence charity
health and safety executive
police operations analyst
intelligence support officer
CPS caseworker
money laundering intelligence officer
senior crime investigator
youth violence intervention
psychologist.

How to apply

UK students

To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online. Please read the entry criteria page before applying.

Start your application

For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

International students

Full-time international students should apply directly to the university. Please read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degrees view our International hub.

You can also download our international mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

applications.io@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations, partnerships and memberships

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

Where relevant, the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) module content is undergoing assessment by the CMI to confirm that all criteria are met to the required standard. Whilst it is expected that students who successfully pass the module will be eligible to be considered by CMI for the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice as an additional qualification, we cannot confirm this until the accreditation is approved. This is a normal part of the continuous improvement process for our courses to ensure they remain up-to-date and reflect best practice.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2025/2026 contract is available on the website. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

Your next steps

Student life

Accommodation

Fees and funding