Our MA in Criminology examines a broad range of theoretical and applied approaches to understanding crime: social deviance, morality, anti-social behaviour, social regulation, legislation, criminal law, justice, prevention, rehabilitation and punishment as social phenomena and as objects of social policy, and delivers a basic competence to carry out research in the field. This programme is interdisciplinary in tone and character and organized by the Schools of Sociology, Philosophy, Law, and Applied Social Studies.
This MA programme is offered on a full-time basis running over 12 months or on a part-time basis running over 24 months.
Why Choose This Course
This course is aimed at providing students with a multidisciplinary grounding in the study of crime. Students have the option to take modules on law, psychology, sociology, and applied social studies.
Skills and Careers Information
Criminology graduates from the MA in Criminology at UCC are attractive to employers both inside and outside the criminal justice sector. Our programme encourages the development of key proficiencies such as critical thinking, analytical and communications skills; graduates with these capabilities have the option to work in many sectors associated with their degree and other related areas.
What can I do after I graduate?
Our MA graduates have a diverse range of roles both nationally and internationally. Some students come to UCC with a wealth of experience in the field, for example serving Gardai, eager to further their knowledge in the area. Other students come from an undergraduate programme or related areas such a youth work. To date, our graduate students have found employment in the Gardai, the Prison Services, the community sector, further education, and addiction services.
Jobs directly related to this programme include the following:
Community development officer
Garda
Prison officer
Youth worker
Victim liaison officer
Researcher
Civil servant
Customs and excise officer
Fisheries officer
Other relevant roles include:
Counselor
Social Worker
Solicitor
Addiction services employee
Adult intervention services
PhD researcher/Academic
Journalism/media
Teaching
UN field office employee
NGO – e.g. Amnesty International, Red Cross etc.
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution
Expected July 2025
More details
Start date
Expected September 2025
UCC Campus
College Road,
Cork,
Republic of Ireland
Applicants must normally have obtained a minimum of Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or equivalent degree in sociology, law, politics, psychology, history, applied social studies, or another subject relevant to the study of crime.
Applicants who hold a Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in an unrelated subject, or a Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in a related or unrelated subject, will also be considered under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) subject to a written expression of interest and/or interview. Evidence of written ability on a criminological topic may also be required.
In exceptional circumstances, substantial professional experience in a relevant and related field of criminal justice may be accepted as compensating for the absence of an undergraduate degree to the required standard, subject to an interview and evidence of written ability on a criminological topic.
Duolingo English Test: DET 120 (with a minimum score of 110 in each individual section)
IELTS: 6.5 Overall; 6.0 Individual Skills (academic version)
TOEFL iBT: 90 Overall; Listening 20; Reading 19; Speaking 21; Writing 20
Cambridge Examinations:
C2 Proficiency
C1 Advanced
B2 First
176 overall with no less than 169 in each element of the test
Pearson PTE: Minimum score of 63 with no section score below 59
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
UCC is an award-winning, world-class teaching and research university with over 170 years of history.