Criminology MA

Year of entry: 2026

Course length: 12 months Full-Time

About the course

Tackling today’s complex problems of crime, including its causation and control, requires a tailored skill set and a deep understanding of how topics such as politics, criminology and criminal justice intersect.

Our MA Criminology equips you with the intellectual, critical and analytical skills required to apply criminological theories to real-world contexts.

You'll receive research-led teaching delivered by our expert staff from sociological, legal and psychological backgrounds to gain specialist knowledge of cutting-edge topics. You will also delve into topics typically ignored in the field, such as genocide.

From day one, you’ll put theory into practice, preparing you for an impactful and successful career following your MA, enhanced by strong links to wider criminal justice professions and industry.

Seamlessly transition from master's to PhD study through a fully-funded 1+3 pathway with our prestigious ESRC North West Social Sciences Doctoral Training Partnership (NWSSDTP).

See the full course profile on our website >

Explore the latest research on emerging criminological frontiers such as cybercrime, food crime, modern slavery, predictive pricing and genocide

Develop the intellectual, critical and analytical skills required to apply criminological theory to real world situations

Graduate from one of the UK’s most targeted universities by top employers

(High Fliers, The Graduate Market Report 2025)

Join a department whose research is making a tangible difference, from combating NHS fraud to shaping domestic abuse interventions, ensuring your studies are rooted in reality

Compulsory Units

Criminal Justice Research and Policy;
Evaluating Policy and Practice;
Advanced Theoretical Criminology;
Research Design;
MA Dissertation.

Optional Units

PG Crime Mapping: An Introduction to GIS and Spatial Analysis;
Comparative Criminology;
White-Collar and Corporate Crime;
Necrocriminology: Human Remains and Mass Violence;
Drugs: Markets, Policies and Consumption.

These are examples of units offered in 2024/25 and are subject to change.

See the full list of units and find out more on the full course profile >

Where will your course take you?

Now more than ever, employers are seeking individuals able to think critically, communicate effectively and navigate complex social issues with ease.

Our courses allow you to develop a variety of both subject-specific and transferable skills, attractive to employers across sectors, strengthened through live programmes such as Criminology and Criminal Justice in Action; featuring 'Criminology Question Time', with panellists from the police, probation, prison, youth justice and the third sector.

Our graduates go on to successful careers in local or central government and criminal justice agencies in roles such as social worker, community development worker or detective. Many work with NGO’s, pressure groups and think tanks as well as the wider sectors of research, policy, advocacy and criminal justice.

Others choose to specialise for a career in research and academia through a PhD in Criminology or a similar subject, at Manchester or other leading universities, where they expand the boundaries of our knowledge.

Prerna Meshram

Criminology MA Graduate

"I was lucky to find every module I wanted at Manchester, such as Understanding Violence, Crime Mapping and Data Analysis, that I could not find anywhere else.

The professor’s expertise is something that motivated me to apply.

I loved every aspect of being a student because when I was struggling academically or mentally, there was always support available, which makes you feel safe and assured.”