Edinburgh is an exciting environment in which to study criminology and criminal justice, and on this MSc (Master of Science) postgraduate degree programme you will be able to study with criminology staff who have expertise in a wide range of topics, from the theoretical to the applied. Staff teaching on the MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice degree include Professor Richard Sparks, Dr Lesley McAra, Dr Richard Jones, Alistair Henry (Programme Director of the MSc), Dr Anna Souhami, Susan McVie, Dr John Crichton and Dr Andy Aitchison. Edinburgh has a particular focus of research on 'punishment and society', broadly understood, and on youth crime and justice, policing and crime prevention, cybercrime, and comparative criminal justice. See below for further details about postgraduate scholarships.

MSc course modules expected to be available in 2009-10 include:

• Media and Crime
• Police and Policing
• Youth Crime and Justice
• Crime, Justice and Public Policy
• Mental Health and Crime
• Gender, Crime and Criminal Justice
• Theoretical Criminology
• Criminological Research Methods
• Criminal Justice and Penal Process

You may take the MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice either full-time (over one year) or part-time (over the course of two years). It provides an excellent way to study criminology at an advanced level. The MSc postgraduate degree is suitable whether you have studied criminology at undergraduate level or are new to the subject. The degree is also suitable whether you are coming directly from an undergraduate degree, or will be taking the Masters degree as part of your ongoing professional development (for example, as a practitioner in criminal justice, police, security, or social work).

The MSc degree offers a proven career development opportunity. This postgraduate degree (equivalent to an MA, Master of Criminology, MS, or taught MPhil degree) gives you the opportunity to become knowledgeable about important specific areas of criminology, study with expert staff, be intellectually stimulated, and gain a valuable qualification that is attractive to future employers. Former graduates of the MSc degree have gone on to successful careers and employment in a wide range of fields, including at the Home Office, Scottish Government, UK Ministry of Defence, government agencies worldwide, as prison governors, in policing and law enforcement, at offender counselling agencies, drug treatment centres, crime prevention, welfare and charitable organisations, in the legal profession (including as prosecutors), at criminal intelligence agencies, and in the media. Many MSc graduates have progressed to jobs as researchers. Many others have progressed to academic careers at universities.

The degree provides comprehensive training in criminology, criminal justice and research methods, and offers an excellent foundation for those interested in undertaking subsequent doctoral research. Whatever your career destination, you will graduate with a valuable Masters degree from a university with a distinguished history and an excellent reputation and rankings: the University of Edinburgh was founded in 1582 and today has a high ranking globally, as well as in Europe - see for example the THES-QS World University Rankings 2008 and the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2008.

The MSc degree is very well established, offering you the opportunity to study with expert criminology staff, in the company of a talented group of students drawn from around the world. The MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Edinburgh is one of the leading such degrees in the UK. As a student taking the MSc degree, you will be based in the Law School. Facilities in the Law School to which you will have access include the Law Library (containing an excellent collection of criminology books, journals, reports, and other materials), lecture theatres, seminar rooms, three computer labs, specialist computer programs, and wireless access to the Internet.

The Law School organises a range of seminars, lectures, workshops and conferences throughout the year that you will be able to attend, including a seminar series run by the Centre for Law and Society featuring guest speakers from other universities. The University of Edinburgh is a central partner in The Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research. Organisations such as the Scottish Association for the Study of Offending, and The Howard League (Scotland), regularly host lectures in Edinburgh, many of which are held here in the Law School. Together, these features mean that Edinburgh offers you a wide of range of events and resources to enhance your studies. The External Examiner for the MSc degree is Professor Ian Loader of Oxford University.

The MSc degree provides you with a foundation in criminology and criminal justice in the first semester, and then offers a range of optional, more specialist courses in the second semester. In the final part of the degree you will write a dissertation on an approved specialist topic of your choosing. An exciting part of the degree programme is the way in which you progress through it. From general to specialist courses, and from taught programmes to small supervised research projects and onto the dissertation, you are encouraged to become more independent as you progress through the degree.

The dissertation offers you the opportunity to specialise in a topic in which you have a particular interest, under the guidance of an experienced supervisor. The topics addressed in some previous students' dissertations give you an idea of just a few of the numerous areas in which it is possible for you to specialise: Youth justice in Scotland and Canada; penal populism and the role of the media; electronic evidence and cybercrime; prison regimes in Ireland and Scotland; anti-social behaviour in schools; juvenile justice in India; cyber-fraud; governance, security and terrorism; and the future of restorative justice. Whatever your particular area of interest, we can advise on how best to develop this into a Masters criminology dissertation research topic.

Globalisation means that crime, criminal justice, and criminology are all becoming increasingly international. International journals such as Criminology, the British Journal of Criminology, the European Journal of Criminology, the African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies, the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology, and the Asian Journal of Criminology, are becoming ever-more important. In the course of obtaining this Masters degree - from a prestigious university with an excellent international reputation - you will study theories, practices, skills and policies of international relevance. This means that, whether you come from the UK, Europe, or overseas, you will graduate with invaluable skills and knowledge. Whether you study policing, media, mental health and crime, theoretical criminology, cybercrime, or youth justice, you will learn criminology that is useful across the world. The Edinburgh MSc features study of novel aspects of criminal justice and crime control found in Scotland, England and Wales, Europe, and the rest of the world. Whatever your future occupation, your Edinburgh MSc degree will stand you in good stead throughout your career. The MSc degree is also international in the people that it attracts - in the last two years alone, for example, students have come from countries including the UK, Ireland, Greece, The Netherlands, Portugal, Australia, Poland, Canada, USA, Japan, Pakistan, Bermuda, Germany and Lithuania - and thus you will be studying alongside a diverse and interesting group of people drawn from around the world.

The Law School is based in the University of Edinburgh's historic Old College, centrally situated within the beautiful city of Edinburgh. You'll be just a few minutes' walk from Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street (see Google Maps for our location in Edinburgh). Old College is part of the central University campus, and is very close to the Student Union, University Library, and George Square. You'll be studying in one of the best and most interesting areas of the city - in the heart of the Old Town, a vibrant area full of activity.

For more information on what's available in Edinburgh, see the Rough Guide travel guide website, or The List events guide. (Of the printed guides, the best is probably Edinburgh (Rough Guide Directions) (2nd edn, 2008).) And of course, by living in Edinburgh you will be in a great position to enjoy the world-famous Edinburgh Festivals, including the Fringe, International Festival, Film Festival, Book Festival, and Hogmanay (New Year's Eve) celebrations. Travel to and from Edinburgh is easy. Edinburgh has excellent rail links, and the main railway station, Edinburgh Waverley, is just a short walk from the Law School. Edinburgh Airport also offers excellent quick and direct air links to London and to Europe, which means it's easy to travel here, to return home during vacations, and for family and friends to come and visit.

Single students from outside the EU are guaranteed University of Edinburgh post-graduate accommodation (see the University's Post Graduate Accommodation web pages for further details and conditions), and many other students can be accommodated as well. Edinburgh has a huge range of private properties available for student rent for those preferring to live in private accommodation, which means that finding a suitable place to live is usually very straightforward.

If you are interested in the possibility of undertaking doctoral research in criminology, and have not yet taken a Masters degree, the Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice offers an ideal route towards subsequent doctoral research. The MSc degree will give you a solid foundation for your future research, by enabling you to study a range of important areas of criminology, as well as by providing you with UK ESRC-recognised research methods training. During the course of the MSc degree, you will be able to apply for admission to the PhD Programme at Edinburgh Law School. Many former MSc students have gone on to complete a PhD in Criminology, either at the University of Edinburgh, or at other universities including the University of Cambridge. The PhD Programme at Edinburgh Law School features specialist training, expert supervision across a wide range of topics, dedicated PhD student offices, and a vibrant PhD student community, including a Criminology and Criminal Justice Postgraduate Research Group.

Students taking the MSc degree may be eligible to apply for postgraduate scholarships or studentships to help fund their studies. UK and EU students may apply for an ESRC '1+3' Quota Studentship, which pays not only for the fees for the MSc Masters degree and for a subsequent PhD in Criminology but also, in the case of UK students, provides a stipend of £12,940 per annum (2008/2009 rates). Alternatively, UK and European Union students may apply for an ESRC '1+3' Studentship in the ESRC's Open Competition. See the Law School's Postgraduate Scholarships page for further details of the '1+3' awards. Information about numerous other post-graduate scholarships available can be found on the University of Edinburgh's Postgraduate Scholarships website, containing details of many scholarships available to Overseas students, such as the sixteen University of Edinburgh International Master's Scholarships (including for students from India, Japan and China). If you are a student from Overseas you may also find details of further postgraduate scholarships on the British Council website for your country.

I did the MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice and I can honestly say it was the best thing that I have ever done. I would recommend anyone interested in criminology or criminal justice to do this degree.
Briege Nugent, Ireland

Studying at Edinburgh helped me realise my potential in criminological thinking, writing and research... I am grateful to all the staff at the University as they all willingly aided me in this unique learning experience. Edinburgh is an extremely lively city with lots to experience and a vast variety of activities to fully enjoy one's student life.
Maria Xanthou, Greece

The MSc was the ideal space for me. It gave me skills and confidence, and allowed my interests to develop into further research, which led to a PhD.
Ali Mackenzie, UK

Studying in Edinburgh is the most marvellous experience
Chung-hui Ma, Taiwan

Apply today!!

The normal admission requirement is an Upper Second Class (2:1) degree (or international equivalent). There is no restriction as to required undergraduate degree subject, and we are delighted to consider applications from all suitably qualified applicants.

For further information about postgraduate study at the University of Edinburgh, please see the admissions information page, or request your free copy of the University of Edinburgh Postgraduate Prospectus.

Should you wish to discuss any aspect of the MSc degree or your application, please do not hesitate to email Alistair Henry (Programme Director of the MSc) at alistair.henry@ed.ac.uk, or the Law School's Postgraduate Office at PG.Law@ed.ac.uk

• Request your free copy of the University of Edinburgh Postgraduate Prospectus 2009 Entry

• Or go to the online prospectus page at http://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/postgraduate/finder/details.php?id=162