Policing MSc

Join our multidisciplinary programme to become an effective leader and manager in a modern diverse policing context

Our Policing MSc focuses on developing an evidence-based approach to addressing modern challenges of policing diverse communities and dealing with organised crime, terrorism, cybercrime and evolving security threats, while upholding principles of procedural justice to increase police legitimacy and public confidence.

This is a multidisciplinary degree programme drawing on psychology, statistics, mathematics, engineering, architecture, forensic sciences, design, geography and computing.

It is designed to enable graduates to be effective leaders and managers in a modern diverse policing context.

Find out more and apply

A flexible approach to learning

We offer this programme in a variety of different ways so that it can fit around your work and other commitments, and we have a dedicated senior teaching fellow who looks after our distance-learning students.

Full-time, campus-based study will take you one full year and you will attend all lectures and tutorials at UCL
Modular-flexible, campus-based study can take you up to five years, and you will attend lectures and tutorials at UCL for one day per week on average

Facilities

The Jill Dando Research Laboratory (JDIRL) is a state-of-the-art secure computer facility, the first of its kind in Europe. It allows our students and staff to conduct world-leading research, using sensitive datasets that would not otherwise be easily accessible. Our partners include UK police forces, national and local government agencies, private companies and NGOs.

As a student on the MSc Policing, you will be able to apply to gain access to these datasets for your dissertation research (subject to appropriate personal security checks).

Career prospects

This MSc will equip students to become future leaders and managers by enhancing problem solving and strategic thinking skills.

The focus on an evidence-based approach will enable practitioners and students to develop evidence-based thinking by adopting a scientific approach to effectively tackle crime, security, and law and order problems.

See our alumni profiles for more information

Networking

The programme offers an array of networking opportunities such as careers events, seminars conducted under the aegis of the Centre for Global City Policing and annual events such as the Women in Security, Crime and Forensic Science showcase and the International Crime Science Conference. All of these events aim to enrich students’ academic experience and professional growth.

These events also provide a platform for students to connect with practitioners across the world and researchers across academia, government, and related organisations, offering a chance to learn from their expertise and establish valuable contacts.

Student testimonials

The opportunity to study MSc Policing at UCL gave me a better understanding of the complexity of my field. Coming up with a good and viable dissertation project was an arduous task that required a lot of dedication. But I would say that the biggest challenges are yet to come in the practice of policing, trying to put into practice what I have learned.

I have worked as a police officer at Mato Grosso Military Police, in Brazil, since 2003. Since graduating, I am looking to set up an evidence-based policing department.

Learning from real experts in security and crime science and working with a wide range of students from different backgrounds was a unique experience.

The Jill Dando Institute of Security & Crime Science (JDI) is a reference worldwide in security studies. The JDI Latin America and Caribbean Unit has a particular focus on public security and policing in Latin America, which was a big attraction for me.