Criminology and Criminal Psychology, MSc, University of Essex Online

the United Kingdom

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Study options for this course

The award	How you will study	Study duration	Course start	Domestic course fees	International course fees
MSc	Part-time, Distance, Online	24 months	January, April, July	GBP 12858 total	GBP 13427 total

About Criminology and Criminal Psychology, MSc - at University of Essex Online

Develop your skills in leading complex criminal investigations, improve your skills in making reasoned arguments and rational decisions, and deepen your understanding of a range of key criminological theories, practices and perspectives in order to improve your potential impact within a policing, prison, probation or other criminal justice setting.

Our criminology Masters helps you take advantage of the new opportunities available within psychology, as well as making you aware of how new and growing challenges can be addressed. You'll delve into a range of specialist topics such as:

the sociological approach to crime, criminology and criminological theory
the role of forensic psychology in managing mentally disordered offenders
the status of the victim throughout the criminal process
the historic relationship between psychology and policing, and what this means for modern policing
critical assessment of complex criminal investigations in accordance with national standards.

Towards the end of your degree, you will produce an original piece of research on the topic of your choice within criminology and criminal psychology, conducting research retrieval and thorough analysis of the issue and presenting it effectively. Throughout the course you will debate course content with fellow professionals, improving your skills in critical reasoning, communication and leadership, all of which will enhance your potential in future roles related to criminology.

We're proud to be rated Gold in the Times Higher Education (THE) Online Rankings 2024. Our achievement, which is based on four pillars - resources, engagement, outcomes and environment - recognises our commitment to excellent online education.

Learn more about Criminology and Criminal Psychology, MSc - at University of Essex Online

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Notes about fees for this course

Our fees are the same for all students, and anyone will receive a 5% discount if they pay the full course fee payment up-front.

International students residing in specific regions outside of the UK may be eligible for a partial scholarship for our undergraduate and postgraduate online courses.

Students residing in Africa can also enjoy a 20% scholarship for the October 2025 intake of all eligible undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

You don’t need to complete a separate application form for a scholarship; it’ll be applied once you’ve received your official offer letter. Please note, scholarships can’t be combined but can be used alongside our full payment discount.

Entry requirements

We know that many people from non-traditional backgrounds would succeed on our courses! That's why we offer two different entry routes, taking into account your prior work experience and relevant qualifications. You will also need to meet our English Language Requirements.

Additionally, you will need to pass your first assignment set within your two-week induction period of the course in order to continue with your studies.

Academic entry route

In order to satisfy the academic entry route requirements for our MSc Criminology and Criminal Psychology, you must have the following qualifications as a minimum:

an undergraduate degree from an approved institution, equivalent to a UK Honours degree, or a relevant professional qualification

Work experience entry route

In order to satisfy the work experience entry route requirements for our MSc Criminology and Criminal Psychology, you must meet the following criteria:

Have at least three years’ relevant work experience.

English language requirements

As our courses are delivered in English, a high proficiency with English is required. If English is not your first language, your English ability should be equivalent to an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0. Don't worry if you don't hold an IELTS or equivalent qualification - we offer a free online English test to assess your proficiency.

You don't need to prove your English ability if you are a national of, or have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in, any of these countries.

Fees, Funding and Scholarships at University of Essex Online

A university education is one of the biggest investments in yourself and career. Our tuition fees include all teaching materials and required reading – there aren't any hidden charges for assessments or resits.

We also offer students a range of tuition fee discounts, scholarships and payment options for our online courses*.

Full payment discount: Pay the full tuition fee upfront and you will get a 5% discount.
Alumni discount: Graduates from the University of Essex or University of Essex Online are eligible for a 10% discount.
Regional scholarship: If you're living outside the UK you might be eligible for a scholarship.
Student loan: Students based in England might be eligible for a loan from Student Finance England for our Bachelors and Masters degrees.
Monthly payment plan: Available for those who are self-funding.

* Please note that a maximum of two discounts or scholarships can be applied. For more information on our discounts and scholarships and to discuss your eligibility please contact our Admissions team.

Student reviews of University of Essex Online

Find out what students say about University of Essex Online

Nathan Jarvis - BSc (Hons) Computer Science

"The university’s excellent reputation heavily influenced my decision to enrol, as I wanted to ensure my degree would be highly respected. The University of Essex Online also offered the exact course I wanted in a shorter timeframe than many other part-time options, making it a practical choice as well."