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Crime Science with Data Science MSc

London, Bloomsbury

This MSc 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.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2023/24)
£16,100
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2023/24)
£32,100
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2023
Applications accepted
All applicants: 17 Oct 2022 – 30 Jun 2023
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Completed applications (those submitted successfully and required references have been received) will be assessed in batches and you should receive a decision according to the following dates:
Application complete by 5 January 2023 – Decision by 10 March 2023
Application complete by 30 March 2023 – Decision by 26 May 2023
Application complete by 14 July 2023 – Decision by 31 July 2023

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Entry requirements

Normally a minimum of a second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Relevant disciplines include science subjects, for example engineering or computer science; or social science subjects, for example, psychology, criminology or geography. Alternatively candidates may qualify for entry if they can offer five or more years of relevant professional experience (for example in the police service, or as a crime prevention worker).

The English language level for this programme is: Level 3

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level. International Preparation Courses

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

An internationally renowned MSc that focuses on applying science to crime problems, developing strategies for preventing crime, and increasing the probability of detecting and arresting offenders.

Who this course is for

The programme is particularly suitable for students with a background in science subjects such as engineering, mathematics or computer science, who wish to develop the skills necessary for a career or further doctoral research in this field. We also accept applications from candidates without a first degree if they have five or more years of relevant experience (e.g., as a police analyst or data scientist).
Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

The MSc Crime Science with Data Science is a multidisciplinary degree, drawing on expertise in psychology, social science, statistics, mathematics, architecture, forensic sciences, design, geography and computing. 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 crime problems.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Many graduates now work in the field of crime prevention and detection for public sector employers such as the Home Office, police and Ministry of Defence, or private sector companies with a crime prevention and community safety focus. Other graduates go on to further doctoral research.

Employability

The interdisciplinary nature of the programme equips graduates with a range of transferable skills that includes problem solving, quantitative and qualitative analysis, research methods and critical thinking, enabling access to a wide range of career paths. Examples include jobs on the front-line, such as intelligence and crime prevention analysts; jobs in research and policy ranging from the civil service and academia to NGOs and think-tanks; and careers in the private sector covering areas, such as data science, risk management, fraud and security analysis.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through lectures, seminars, tutorials, projects, laboratory classes, and practical exercises. Practical work will involve the analysis and interpretation of datasets, and the development of new ideas for solving problems. Assessment is through lab and project reports, practical exercises and computer-based tasks, unseen written examination, coursework, presentations, and the dissertation. 

Modules

Students undertake eight taught modules plus the dissertation. The programme consists of six core modules, two optional modules and a research dissertation. Full time students will undertake taught modules in terms one & two, the dissertation will commence in term two and will be completed in the summer.

Students undertake eight taught modules plus the dissertation. The programme consists of six core modules, two optional modules and a research dissertation. Modular flexible students should take the module SECU0031 (Foundations of Security and Crime Science) first and their dissertation as their final module, however other modules in the diet can be taken in any configuration in up to five years. The dissertation will commence in term two and will be completed in the summer. Students cannot start the dissertation during the first year of registration.

Compulsory modules









Optional modules












Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Crime Science with Data Science.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: UCL Security and Crime Science

Join us online for our postgraduate taught open evening and hear from lecturers in crime science, terrorism, forensic science and policing. This is the perfect opportunity to find out what studying one of our MSc programmes entails, as well as learn about some of our latest research that feeds into the syllabus and apply for one of our bursary scholarships. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session.

Watch on demand event

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2023/24) £16,100
Tuition fees (2023/24) £32,100

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

Additional costs

No additional costs.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

UCL Security & Crime Science is offering up to 14 bursary scholarships of between £2,500 and £10,000 to outstanding applicants who have been offered places on one of our MSc programmes.

For further information, please visit our departmental website.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Brown Family Bursary

Deadline: 8 June 2023
Value: £15,000 (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: UK

Next steps

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • what particularly attracts you to this particular programme
  • why you want to study this subject in the Faculty of Engineering Sciences at UCL, rather than elsewhere
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this programme
  • if you are aware and comfortable with the fact that the programme includes courses on statistics and quantitative analysis, as well as a general emphasis on the scientific method and empirical research
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree
  • if you are aware and comfortable with the fact that the programme differs from a traditional criminology programme, and instead focuses practically on how to prevent and detect crimes by treating the crime rather than the offender as the subject of analysis

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

It is important to note that statistical analysis of crime data is an integral component of all of our postgraduate courses. While we do not require students to have a background in mathematics or statistics, in order to get the best out of studying with our department it is vital for our students to show an understanding and willingness to learn the concepts of statistics and quantitative research methods.  

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2023-2024

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Got questions? Get in touch

Security and Crime Science
Security and Crime Science

scs-admissions@ucl.ac.uk

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