Applicants require a full Level 8 Award, an undergraduate honours degree in criminal justice or in a cognate discipline, such as criminology, social policy, sociology, politics, law, history, psychology or equivalent, and must meet the Institute’s English Language Requirements, where necessary. The programme will also be accessible to international students with such equivalent qualifications as no prior knowledge of the common law is required, though desirable.

In the instance that programme applicants do not meet the initial entry requirements set out for the programme, they may be eligible to be considered for admission under SETU’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy.

Start Date: September 2025.

This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Further Studies
This MA also offers opportunities for progression to other programmes at SETU principally the structured doctorate in the School of Humanities. The MA in Criminology and Criminal Justice will provide students with an opportunity to acquire the research and literature skills to undertake primary research in the field of criminology under the structured doctorate programme at SETU. Various other universities have similar postgraduate options for which graduates of the MA would also be eligible.

Further Career Opportunities
This MA aims to create skilled staff that will promote the effective management of a range of issues relating to crime and criminal justice.

The MA also offers a gateway towards practice by enhancing the skills and knowledge of graduates, which in turn sets them aside from other candidates in the jobs market. For those practitioners already working in the criminal justice sphere, this level of qualification will not only enhance their confidence in their own role but also allow them to progress to other roles which may require additional levels of qualification.