UCL Department of Security and Crime Science

This Diploma provides students with a thorough understanding of how science and scientifically based techniques can deliver immediate and sustainable reductions in crime. The programme focuses on how to better apply science to understand crime problems, develop strategies for preventing them, and increase the probability of detecting and arresting offenders. 

Students develop the ability to apply scientific principles to crime control, think more strategically in developing and implementing crime control policies, appreciate the complexity of implementation issues, critically assess the likely impact of planned crime reduction initiatives and generate more innovative proposals for reducing particular

The Department of Security and Crime Science is the first in the world devoted specifically to reducing crime through teaching, research, public policy analysis and by the dissemination of evidence-based information on crime reduction.  Our graduate students come from varied backgrounds; many are practitioners and are encouraged to contribute their experience in and out of the classroom.

Full time students
Full time students will complete the Diploma in one calendar year.

Modular/Flexible students
Modular/Flexible students can take up to 5 years to complete the programme, although we would typically expect the course to be completed in three years.

Programme Structure
The Diploma in Crime Science is composed of 4 compulsory modules and 4 optional modules (15 credits per module) for a total of 120 credits.

Compulsory Modules

• Designing and Doing Research - PUBLGC31: This module addresses head-on the question of what it means be scientific about security and crime. In doing so, it tackles several contiguous queries: What is the logic of crime science? What are the key methods of crime science? What is involved in applied science and engineering in the context of crime and security? What are the warrants for the findings of crime science, compared to other ways of studying crime and security? How does a crime scientist go about designing and undertaking a scientific study? In answering these questions, the course objectives are 1) to help students understand the distinctiveness of a scientific approach to security, crime and crime control; 2) to enable them to discriminate good and bad scientific research questions; 3) to allow them to recognize and be able to formulate testable scientific hypotheses; 4) to ensure that they can critically assess scientific research designs; and 5) to equip them to devise a plausible design for a piece of research in crime and security science, leading ultimately to the formulation of their dissertation research project.
• Quantitative Methods - PUBLGC32: The aim of this course is to provide students with an understanding of how to visualize and analyze quantitative data. Relevant examples are used to show how the principles and methods can be used to test hypotheses concerned with crime. The aims of the course are two-fold. First, to develop students into intelligent consumers of research by explaining why researchers conduct studies in the way they do and what methods are appropriate for different kinds of data. And, second, during supported workshops, to provide students with the opportunity to apply their learning by analyzing real or simulated data. The course will provide students with practical skills that will help them to complete their dissertations.
• Understanding Crime and the Criminal Justice System - PUBLGC33: This module aims to provide students with a broad understanding of the issues relating to the measurement of crime as well as the identification and description of crime problems. It provides an overview of the criminal justice system and also furnishes an overview of different crime-related disciplines (criminology, criminal justice and crime science), their theories as well as how each relates to crime reduction. Finally, the module provides an introduction to the roles played and contributions made in crime reduction by a sampling of professions and disciplines. By the end of this course, students should be able to think critically about current crime measurement and crime related theory. They should be able to demonstrate familiarity with the components and operation of the Criminal Justice System. Students should also be able to show an understanding of the distinctions between different crime-related disciplines and their value for crime reduction practice. They should be able to critically assess current ways in which crime is described and analysed, and consider a broader and more innovative range of options in response to crime. They should be able to identify how different fields can contribute to crime reduction. Assessment: one exam.
• Foundations of Security and Crime Science - PUBLGC42: The purpose of this module is to set out the foundational concepts, theories and approaches that underpin the masters programmes offered in the Department of Security and Crime Science. In this way the module provides an overarching framework for the modules that follow. It outlines the distinctive nature of the crime science approach to understanding, preventing, detecting and investigating crime and security problems. It presents the key theories that explain the temporal and spatial patterning of crime and terrorism events, and introduces students to associated strategies for disrupting these patterns. The need for a multidisciplinary approach – especially the integration of the social and physical sciences - to address crime and security problems is emphasised, with the contributions of the forensic sciences and security technology highlighted.  Assessment: one exam.

Optional Modules

• Qualitative Methods: The module introduces students to a variety of qualitative research techniques used in the social sciences.  It provides an understanding of how qualitative and quantitative methods can be used to complement each other to enrich a research project.  The sessions cover theoretical considerations required in qualitative research and each week introduces the student to a different qualitative method or approach that can be used in crime science research.  Collectively, the sessions will enable students to construct qualitative research instruments appropriate to real-world research questions, analyse data in a scientific manner, and interpret findings appropriately. Assessment: one 1500 word essay (30%) and one exam (70%).
• Crime Mapping and Spatial Analysis - PUBLGC26: This module will equip students with the theoretical and practical knowledge of geographical analytical tools applicable to the discipline of crime science. Using the SARA framework, this module will provide students with the opportunity to analyse real and simulated data to explore each part of the problem-solving process. Drawing on three computer packages (ArcGIS, Geoda and CrimeStatIII), this module will be invaluable to anyone intending to use spatial analysis in their dissertation or future applied work of this kind.  Assessment: two 2000 word essays (30% and 70%).
• Preventing Crimes - PUBLGC43: This module aims to give students a solid understanding of the crime prevention process. In order to gain this understanding it is important that students do not purely consider a crime type and suggest a list of responses. There also needs to be an understanding of the process of crime prevention- for example frameworks that can be used in planning prevention and issues that are likely to come up in the process of implementing prevention. Furthermore, it is useful to consider issues such as the quality of evidence that is available in making decisions regarding prevention.  Hence there will be discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of different evaluation designs and further evaluative techniques that are commonly used in evidence production. Finally it is useful to understand the process of synthesizing evidence on what works in reducing a particular type of crime so that it is possible to give practitioners a detailed account of what they might expect when using a particular preventative strategy. This course focuses exclusively on examples of crime reduction using situational crime prevention techniques.  Assessment: one poster presentation (20%) and one 3000 word essay project (80%).
• Investigation and Detection - PUBLGC45:  This module provides students with an understanding of the processes and actors operating throughout the course of a criminal investigation from the crime scene itself, to the collection and analysis of evidence, its interpretation and eventual presentation in a courtroom. The various stages of the investigation and detection processes will be examined which will include an introduction to crime scene management methods; the influence of various criminological theories about offender behavior and how they relate to criminal investigations; knowledge concerning the production of intelligence and evidence by forensic science; an understanding of the influence of the law and the courts. Students will interact with a number of different professionals and disciplines that contribute to the detection and investigation process.  Assessment: one 3000 word essay.
• Intelligence Gathering and Analysis - PUBLGC46: Provides an account of how intelligence gathering and analysis is organised in the UK. We will examine the intelligence life-cycle in some detail from the identification of an intelligence requirement through to the actions consequent on an intelligence report. Students will also become familiar with graphical and computer-based techniques for organising, analysing and presenting complex heterogeneous data. Assessment: assignment and exam.

Admission is open to graduates who possess a 2:2 honours degree (or equivalent) or better in a relevant discipline (e.g. criminology, psychology, sociology, law) or individuals with 5 or more years relevant professional experience (e.g. in the police service, crime prevention worker). Applicants may be required to undertake and pass a qualifying exam if they have good experience but 'nonstandard' qualifications. Proficiency in the use of spoken and written English is required. Students whose first language is not English will need to meet the College's English language requirement.

Applications are considered throughout the year, but applicants are advised to apply early.

Further information may be obtained from:

UCL Department of Security and Crime Science
University College London
35 Tavistock Square
London, WC1H 9EZ
Tel: 020 3108 3206
Fax: 020 3108 3088
Email:scs@ucl.ac.uk

Application forms are available from the Admissions and General Enquiries Office, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1 6BT, Email: admissions@ucl.ac.uk, Tel 020 7679 7742, Fax 020 7679 3112, or visit the website: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate-study

Scholarship Schemes
Please click here for funding and scholarship schemes. 

(*Please note there is an Application Processing Fee for all Postgraduate Taught programmes of £25 for online applications and £50 for paper applications.)

For those taking the programme over two or more years, you will be charged according to the number of credits you take that year, therefore the annual cost will vary according to your study load. However, the overall fee will be approximately the same as the full time fee, with a slight increase to allow for annual inflation:

A 15 credit component (equivalent to one taught module) corresponds to approximately £844 for Home/EU students and £1282 for overseas students.

Fees are paid on an annual basis.

Many graduates of the Diploma have gone on to work in the field of crime prevention and detection for public sector employers such as the Home Office, Police (UK and overseas) and Ministry Of Defence (MOD), or private sector companies with a crime prevention and community safety focus.

Click here to see the career paths previous students have taken.