Master of Security and Crime Science

Want to make a real difference to society? With the Master of Security and Crime Science, you will develop the skills required to become a leader in the security, intelligence and crime-prevention areas in the public and private sectors.

You will combine skills from different disciplines such as Statistics, Computer Science, Geographic Information Systems, Population Studies, Psychology and Management. You'll develop analytical and creative methods to tackle real-world crime, and improve security in an ever-changing society.

This degree will provide a pathway to a career in policy development, crime or accident detection and analysis in both the public and private sectors. The skills you gain from the degree will enable you to promote and enhance security and community safety.

Learn from the experts

The Master of Security and Crime Science is the first of its kind in New Zealand and the Asia Pacific region, led by the New Zealand Institute for Security and Crime Science (NZISCS). The Institute is the primary research partner for the New Zealand Police, and a partner at the Evidence Based Policing Centre in Wellington. Papers and research topics will be delivered by world-leading researchers in psychology, statistics, artificial intelligence including machine learning, cyber security, political science, economics, management, law, education, Māori and indigenous development, and demographic research.

Develop real-world solutions

This degree requires students to investigate and tackle real security and crime problems in collaboration with public and private partners. Previous collaborations with the New Zealand Police have included investigating drug abuse intervention, developing software to help police monitor offenders on bail, inventing new methods to research burglary offences, researching sex abuse attitudes amongst school age children, and optimising traffic patrolling.

Discover More

As an international student studying at undergraduate level, you are required to meet English language and academic entry requirements.

View Entry requirements for undergraduate international students.

For admission in the MSCS, students will need to have completed a relevant bachelor's degree or postgraduate diploma with at least a B or higher in their final year majoring papers.

International students are required to meet the English language requirements for admission into Graduate and Postgraduate qualifications with an IELTS (academic stream) overall score of at least 6.5 with at least 6.0 in every band OR successfully complete The University of Waikato College Level 8 Certificate of Attainment in Academic English with a B grade or higher OR a TOEFL iBT score of 90 (with a writing score of 21). International students can email international@waikato.ac.nz for more information or help with the application process.

English language test	Undergraduate, graduate certificates, and graduate diplomas (all courses except those listed below)
IELTS (Academic)	6.0 overall (no band less than 5.5)
iBT (internet-based) TOEFL	80 with a score of 21 in writing
iBT (home-based) TOEFL	80 with a score of 21 in writing
Duolingo English Test (DET)	105
C2 Proficiency (formally known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE))	169 and no bands below 162
Language Cert International ESOL (LRWS)	B2 Communicator with 33-37 score per skill
NCUK English for Academic Purposes	Minimum C grade average with no lower than D in all components. Some programmes have additional entry requirements. For further details, visit our dedicated NCUK information page.
New Zealand Certificate in English Language (NZCEL)	Level 4 (Academic)
Michigan English Test (formally known as Michigan Language Assessment Battery (MELAB))	Minimum score of 54
Pearson PTE Academic	Overall score of 50 with no Band less than 42
Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE)	II with distinction in all four components
University of Waikato College	Successful completion of Level 7 with a B grade in the Certificate of Attainment in Academic English (CAAE) programme