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Security and Crime Science PG Cert

London, Bloomsbury

Security and Crime Science PG Cert 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 apply science to gain a better understanding of crime problems, develop investigative strategies for preventing them and increase the probability of detecting and arresting offenders.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£5,800
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£11,500
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 academic year
2 academic years
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 28 Jun 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of a lower second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university in a relevant discipline or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

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.

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

Students develop the ability to apply scientific principles to crime control, think more strategically to develop and implement crime control policies, appreciate the complexity of implementation issues, critically assess the likely impact of planned crime reduction initiatives and generate more innovative proposals to reduce particular crime problems.

Who this course is for

The programme is particularly suitable for applicants with a background in science subjects such as engineering or computer science, or social science subjects, such as psychology, criminology or geography, wishing to develop the skills necessary for a career or further doctoral research in this field.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

UCL Security & Crime Science is a world-first institution devoted specifically to reducing crime through teaching, research, public policy analysis, and by the dissemination of evidence-based information on crime reduction.

The field of crime science is supported by the police, forensic psychologists, applied criminologists, economists, architects, statisticians and geographers. It also has strong government endorsement.

This multidisciplinary programme draws on expertise in psychology, geography, criminology, philosophy and a range of forensic sciences. Our graduate students come from varied backgrounds; many are practitioners and are encouraged to apply their experience in and out of the classroom.

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

The foundation of your career

Many of our 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 (MOD), or private sector companies with a focus on crime prevention and community safety. Other graduates go on to further doctoral research.

Employability

Graduates from this programme gain skills in both quantitative and qualitative data analysis They also have the opportunity to study crime prevention methods in depth, and acquire knowledge of different types of crime such as cybercrime or organised crime.

They will develop a broad knowledge of the field of security and crime science and a familiarity with the latest academic research, learning from world-leading experts.

Networking

The programme offers an array of networking opportunities such as careers events, seminars and the annual departmental conference, all of which aim to enrich students’ academic experience and professional growth.

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

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through lectures, seminars, tutorials, projects 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 examinations, coursework, presentations, and the dissertation.  

Each taught module consists of 150 hours of content, delivered as a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials and self-directed study.

Modules

This programme can be taken as classroom based (full-time or flexible) or by distance learning. Students undertake 4 modules. 

This programme can be taken as classroom based and by distance learning. Students undertake 4 modules.

Modular-flexible students should take the module SECU0031 (Foundations of Security and Crime Science) first.

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 60 credits. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Security and Crime 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 and Wellbeing team.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Security and Crime Science MSc

Join our open event series to learn more about our MSc courses, future career opportunities and what it's like to be part of our fantastic community. There are also questions for our programme convenors, admission tutors and current students.

Watch on demand event

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £5,800
Tuition fees (2024/25) £11,500

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs associated with this programme.

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

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

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

You will need to complete our application, making sure to address the below points in your personal statement.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • what 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 on completion of your qualification
  • 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.

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: 2024-2025

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Security and Crime Science
Security and Crime Science

scs-admissions@ucl.ac.uk

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