Minimum Entry Requirements?
Students must normally hold a second class honours degree, higher division (2.1) or higher in the area of social science, law, sociology, psychology or cognate discipline. Please be sure to include transcripts of your final degree award at time of application. If this is not readily available please include transcripts of your academic career to date.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum academic requirements but who have significant relevant professional or vocational experience will also be considered. In addition to the online application form, this latter category of applicants should include two written references with their application and also may be asked to present for interview.

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website. Applicants for this course should have a minimum IELTS (Academic Version) English Proficiency of 6 overall (or equivalent) with nothing less than 6 in each component.

Note: Due to the considerable competition for our postgraduate courses satisfying the minimum entry requirement is not a guarantee of a place. Depending on the course of study, applications will be assessed based on your academic grades and may also take into account your work/life experience. Applicants may also be required to attend for interview for specific courses.

Applications for courses commencing in September 2025 will open in November 2024.

Commencement Date: September 2025

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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.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

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.

What are my career opportunities?
The MA in Criminology provides the opportunity for those who work in the criminal justice system or related agencies to reflect on their work from within an academic discipline. It also provides graduate students with a thorough foundation in research methods, theoretical principles and contemporary debates as a prelude to a career in research, policy making, academia or further study (PhD.).

The course provides an excellent grounding for those seeking to pursue a career in research and/or policy making or for those seeking to pursue higher qualifications (such as MPhil or PhD degrees). The programme is also targeted at those working in, or aspiring to work in, the criminal justice field including lawyers, Gardaí, course officers, social workers, social care workers, psychologists, youth workers and related professionals.