International Criminal Justice and Intelligence MSc at University of Portsmouth

About

Get the expertise you need in criminal justice and intelligence from an international perspective on this MSc International Criminal Justice and Intelligence degree. Study your way, with full-time or part-time options.

You'll view crime control from a global stance, assessing models of justice and philosophies of punishment from around the world. With a focus on the development of international criminal law and human rights, you'll evaluate the workings of international courts and tribunals, the operation of the UN, and regional and national structures of international justice.

You’ll also apply your research, analysis and management skills to the growing field of criminal intelligence. Explore security and intelligence in the public and private sectors, broaden your understanding of open and closed sources, and evaluate existing models and principles, such as the intelligence cycle. You’ll probe the limitations of analytical services available to intelligence professionals, and study the research seeking to overcome these limitations.

Alongside international criminal justice and intelligence, you'll have the chance to unpack topics such as missing persons investigations, economic crime, wildlife crime investigation, offender behaviour and rehabilitation.

When you graduate, you'll be ready to bring in-depth international criminal justice and intelligence expertise to your career in the justice system. You’ll be equipped to pursue roles in the UK Civil Service or police force, the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Centres, private sector intelligence services, or international organisations such as Interpol, Europol or Frontex.

Prefer to study online?

You can also study a Master's in International Criminal Justice by distance learning.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements

Eligibility

This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.

January 2026 start

Qualifications or experience

A minimum of a second-class honours degree in a relevant subject (Social Science, Humanities, Law, Psychology, or Management subject). Information Technology or science related subjects will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants with equivalent professional experience in a relevant organisation will also be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.

Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.

To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.

English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 5.5.

You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:

you have a UK degree
you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
you are a national of a majority English speaking country

Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.

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

September 2026 / January 2027 start

Qualifications or experience

A minimum of a second-class honours degree in a relevant subject (Social Science, Humanities, Law, Psychology, or Management subject). Information Technology or science related subjects will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants with equivalent professional experience in a relevant organisation will also be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.

Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.

To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.

English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 5.5.

You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:

you have a UK degree
you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
you are a national of a majority English speaking country

Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.

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

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

GBP 17,200

Application Fee

GBP

International Criminal Justice and Intelligence MSc

University of Portsmouth

University of Portsmouth

Key Facts

Start & Deadlines