Criminology & Criminal Justice

Applications are invited from non-law graduates holding an excellent degree (at least 2.1) in a relevant subject area such as Sociology, Politics, Philosophy, History, Psychology or English (if you are unsure whether your area of study qualifies as 'relevant' please contact us). In exceptional circumstances, substantial professional experience within the field of criminal justice may be regarded by the selection panel as compensating for a lack of an upper second class honours level 8 qualification. Such applicants should state clearly in their application why they feel their other qualifications/experience are appropriate for admission onto the programme.

These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes

What is the Application Procedure?

Applicants should take careful note of the following:

The School encourages all applicants whose first language is not English to attend the pre-sessional English programme offered by the UCD Applied Language Centre, details of which are available at www.ucd.ie/alc.

• Go to www.ucd.ie/apply to make an application. Remember to keep a note of your login and password as you will need to return to the application.
• Official transcripts must be submitted as proof of examination results by all applicants except graduates of UCD
• Students of UCD applying for the MSc do not need to supply Transcripts, References or give names of Referees
• The personal statement is an important component of the application. It should contain information demonstrating your capability to undertake the course successfully. Thus, you should detail your relevant research and practical experience including any publications and major essays/projects.
• Applicants must nominate two academic referees unless the applicant has been in employment for more than two years, in which case one of the named referees must be an employer. Applicants are required to submit the name, position held, postal address, email address and contact number for the two academic referees.
• Applicants whose first language is not English must submit satisfactory evidence of competence in written and spoken English, i.e. overall IELTS 6.5 (including a minimum of 6.5 in the reading and writing parts and no part below 6.0) or 90 in the TOEFL iBT (with a minimum of 22 (reading) and 24 (writing) and no part below 20.) The test results must be less than 2 years old.
• Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD’s Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/
• Please indicate any other Masters programmes for which you are applying.

Letter of recommendation‌

Part Time Applications

Students wishing to apply for the Part Time option should note that classes are at the same time for those taking the full time option (oftern during working hours) but students will be required to take less credits per semester than in the full time programme as they have a longer period of time (2 years) to complete this programme. Typically, Full Time students study 30 credits of modules (3 modules x 10 credits) in Semester 1 and 30 credits of modules (3 modules x 10 credits) in semester 2. There is a dissertation seminar in semester 2 for 2 - 4 hours per week. The 30 credit dissertation is completed over the summer term (submitted in mid-August). Part Time students would study 30 credits of modules in year 1 (semester 1 and 2), 30 credits of modules in year 2 (semester 1 and 2) and complete the dissertation in the summer term of year 2. Note: Semester 1: September-December, Semester 2: January –May, Summer Term: June-August

Taught Master's: A minimum overall score of 7.0 over all components and a minimum of 6.0 in each band on the Academic Version. The non-academic version is not accepted.

Research Programmes: A minimum overall score of 6.5 over all components and a minimum of 6.0 in each band on the Academic Version. The non-academic version is not accepted.

IELTS Indicator: A minimum overall score of 7.0 over all components and a minimum of 6.0 in each band. This test will be accepted for 2022/23 and 2023/24 intake.

Taught Master's: A minimum score of 100 is required in the Internet based TOEFL (iBT) with a score of at least 20 in each section.

Research Programmes: A minimum score of 90 is required in the Internet based TOEFL (iBT) with a score of at least 20 in each section.

TOEFL iBT Home: A minimum score of 100 is required with a score of at least 20 in each section.

UCD has approved the use of the Duolingo Test of English (DET) for the 2024/25 intake.
An overall score of 130 will be accepted with no section below 110.

Please note that this does not apply to the CEMS MiM / MSc in International Management. In the case of the CEMS MiM the Duolingo English Test will not be accepted.

The MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice provides enhanced knowledge and career opportunities for non-lawyers who wish to start or progress a career within the fields of policing, youth justice, prisons, probation and voluntary organisations.

This Masters degree can also provide a good platform for doctoral studies with the possibility of leading to an academic career in what has become an area of substantial growth in universities around the world.

Masters students in UCD Sutherland School of Law can benefit from engaging both with the UCD Careers Network and the Head of Career Development in the School.  There are careers events hosted through the academic year and a specific Law Fair every October where Domestic and International Employers come on campus to meet with students.