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Crime and Security Science MSci

London, Bloomsbury

Our Crime and Security Science MSci aims to create a generation of leaders in the crime, intelligence and security sectors. Using science from disciplines as varied as psychology, political science, statistics, computer science and geography, you will learn to tackle real-world crime problems and develop creative and ethical ways to increase security in a changing world.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
4 academic years
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£9,535
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£33,000
Programme starts
September 2026
Application deadline
14 Jan 2026
UCAS course code
NONE
Apply via UCAS

Entry requirements

A levels IB Diploma Other qualifications
Grades
AAB
Subjects
No specific subjects. At least two A level subjects should be taken from UCL's list of preferred A level subjects. WJEC Level 3 Applied Diploma in Criminology is acceptable in lieu of one A Level subject.
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4.

Contextual offer information

Grades
BBB more about contextual offers
Subjects
No specific subjects. At least two A level subjects should be taken from UCL's list of preferred A level subjects.
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4.
Points
36
Subjects
A total of 17 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5.

Contextual offer

Points
32 more about contextual offers
Subjects
A total of 15 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5.

UK applicants qualifications

For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:

Equivalent qualification

Pass in Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 30 credits at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit, all from Level 3 units.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

D3,D3,M1 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects.

A,A,B at Advanced Highers (or A,A at Advanced Higher and B,B,B at Higher).

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

International applications

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

Access and widening participation

UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.
Check your Access UCL Scheme eligibility

Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates

The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.

Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.

For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.

English language requirements

The English language level for this programme is: Level 3

Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.

A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.

Course overview

Security threats and crime are evolving rapidly in an increasingly digital and globalised world. Addressing these challenges requires innovative approaches and expertise in crime prevention, data analysis, intelligence, security technology, and interdisciplinary methods from across various sciences.

The Crime and Security MSci at UCL is designed to equip you with the skills to tackle real-world security challenges. Taught at the UCL Department of Security and Crime Science—the first university department in the world dedicated to crime reduction and security—you learn from leading experts in a globally recognised centre of excellence.

During this programme, you develop a strong foundation in crime and security, learning key research methods, coding skills, and analytical techniques essential for understanding crime trends and security threats. As you progress, you explore advanced topics such as forensic psychology, policing, security technology, and data science, with the flexibility to tailor your studies through optional modules.

A distinctive feature of this programme is the emphasis on practical experience. You have the chance to apply for a placement with a company or government organisation to carry out a real-world security-related project. Recent student projects have included analysing threatening letters to athletes, assessing victim support services, and designing an app to report sexual harassment. In your final year, you collaborate with industry partners to tackle complex security challenges, applying techniques such as risk management and horizon scanning while integrating ethical and sustainability principles.

This unique combination of theoretical knowledge, interdisciplinary approach, and hands-on experience will prepare you for a career in security and crime science, whether in law enforcement, intelligence, private security, or policy development.

What this course will give you

UCL's Department of Security and Crime Science is the first university department in the world devoted specifically to reducing crime and other risks to personal and national security.

Our programme will give you the skills and knowledge you need to be at the forefront of addressing security problems worldwide.

You will be taught by a combination of academic experts in security and crime reduction and expert policing and security professionals. You will be learning about real-world problems and how to fix them.

Teaching and learning

In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

Upon successful completion of 480 credits, you will be awarded a MSci (Hons) in Crime and Security Science.

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 is 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.

You will study eight modules in year 1 and year 2, with six modules and a research project in the year 3.

Each module on this course is designed to give you knowledge and skills from a different area that you can use to help make different aspects of society safer and more secure.

In year 1 you will learn the fundamentals of crime and security, key research methods, and coding skills essential for analysing crime and security threats. This year also focuses on developing study skills to help you succeed at university.

In year 2 you will explore crime prevention and security problem-solving in greater depth. Optional modules allow you to specialise in areas such as policing, forensic psychology, and security technology. You will also have the chance to apply for a placement with a company or government organisation to work on a real-world security project.

In year 3 you will cover advanced topics such as data science and criminal investigation. You will also have flexibility in choosing optional modules to tailor the programme to your interests. A major component is an independent research project, where you will investigate real-world security challenges.

In year 4 you will take part in a collaborative industry project, working with industry partners on real-world security challenges. You will learn and apply techniques such as risk management and horizon scanning, while integrating sustainability and ethical principles into your work.

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4

Compulsory modules










Compulsory modules







Compulsory modules






Optional modules






Ethics and Society







Compulsory modules

Integrated Industry Project


Optional modules







Your learning

You will learn using a combination of lectures, tutorials, practical workshops, and individual and group projects.

In a typical week, students should expect to have 12-15 hours of contact time and to complete 20-25 hours of independent study.

Each module consists of taught sessions such as lectures, small-group tutorials, practical workshops and field trips, together with individual and group independent study (completing exercises, reading and homework).

Assessment

We use a wide range of assessments to help you develop the skills you need to do well in your chosen career.

As well as exams, you will complete oral presentations, structured reports, evidence summaries, coding problems and a research project.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Virtual Open Event: Crime and Security Science BSc/MSci Q&A

—

Join us for an interactive session to explore how our undergraduate programmes in Security and Crime Science prepare you to tackle real-world security challenges. This online event includes: A course introduction, A taster lecture, A live Q&A with the course leader and a current student. Learn about career pathways, what makes our programmes unique, and our new BSc pathway, which allows you to earn an MSci with honours in an additional year. Join us to get your questions answered!

Online - Open day

Crime and Security Science information video

Watch this video to find out more about Crime and Security Science at UCL, including entry requirements, course structure and other helpful information.

Watch on demand event

The foundation of your career

Graduates of this programme have pursued a wide range of crime and security-related roles globally. Many have secured positions as police detectives, intelligence analysts for government agencies and intelligence services, security consultants, data analysts, programme and software developers, fraud investigators, and other professional roles in both the public and private sectors. Employers of our graduates include the Ministry of Justice, BAE Systems Applied Intelligence, UK Government, Ministry of Defence, Control Risks, PwC, Sussex Police, and others (Graduate Outcomes Surveys 2017–2022).

Other graduates have continued their studies at leading institutions in the UK and abroad, pursuing PhDs in security, crime science, cybersecurity, and related fields (Graduate Outcomes Surveys 2017–2022).

Employability

The increasingly technologically driven and international nature of crime and security problems means that law enforcement, government, and the private sector are now looking for a new generation of professionals with broad disciplinary knowledge, strong analytical skills and hands-on experience. 

This programme equips you with key subject-specific skills, such as intelligence analysis, forensic assessment, and risk evaluation, alongside transferable skills in problem-solving, data analysis, and strategic decision-making. Through independent and group research projects, you will develop project management, communication, and critical thinking skills that are highly valued across various industries. You will also gain practical experience through placements and industry engagement, ensuring you graduate with the skills needed to adapt security strategies in complex and evolving environments.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £9,535
Tuition fees (2025/26) £33,000

Fees are for Undergraduate 2025/26 entry and are for the first year only. Fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase: Student Terms and Conditions. UK fees are in line with the Government announcement on fee cap increases and are subject to the passing of secondary legislation. Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2025/26 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.

Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.

Additional costs

This programme does not have any additional costs outside of purchasing books or stationery, printing thesis binding or photocopying. Indicative prices for printing can be found here.

For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).

Funding your studies

Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Scholarships

The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.

Next steps

Your application

We are looking for inquisitive students who are keen to combine social-science skills such as problem solving and critical thinking with cutting-edge coding, data science, and cybersecurity skills.

We look for applicants who are interested in using these skills to solve real-world problems.

We accept students from a range of educational backgrounds so we do not require students to have any previous experience of programming.

How to apply

Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.

Selection

For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.

If you get an offer to the programme, you will typically be invited to an offer holder open day which will provide an opportunity to talk to departmental staff before making a final decision.

Apply via UCAS
Application guidelines
Download prospectus

Got questions? Get in touch

Security and Crime Science
Security and Crime Science

scs-admissions@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.