MSc Criminology and Criminal Psychology

Wherever there are people, crime will follow, which makes criminology and criminal psychology an exciting interdisciplinary field to study. The specialist criminological knowledge and skills you gain through this 100% online and part-time Masters could open up a variety of careers within offender support, security services, alcohol and drug rehabilitation, plus many more.

This online MSc Criminology and Criminal Psychology will provide you with a sociological introduction to crime, causation and criminological theory. You will disseminate research undertaken at the University of Essex’s Centre for Criminology which informs both academia and public policy. This includes research strands in crime and the media, green criminology as well as terrorism, security and surveillance.

You will explore the challenges that arise when investigating complex crime and how these challenges can sometimes derail an investigation. And you will learn how to critically evaluate the application of investigative strategies and assess a range of scientific, forensic and techniques that are available to complex crime investigators.

You will gain an overview of the links between mental disorder, personality disorder and crime and develop a thorough understanding of forensic psychology and its role in the assessment, treatment and management of mentally disordered offenders. You will also develop a critical understanding of the historic relationship between psychology and police practice, including where psychology has had the greatest impact on policing.

Teaching methods

We’re a 100% online education provider, so we use a state-of-the-art virtual learning environment (VLE) to deliver our teaching, resources and assessments. Our system tracks and manages the learning process in real-time and provides you with immediate access to your learning materials. The VLE is accessible 24/7 and allows both students and tutors to actively take part in real-time conversations and live Q&As.

We believe you get the most out of your time spent studying when you are kept informed of your performance, and we achieve this by:

• assessing you throughout modules rather than waiting for the end of year assessments
• showing your marks in your grade book which can be viewed whenever you log onto the virtual learning environment (VLE)
• rapid turnaround on work assessed to ensure your grade book is always up to date
• ensuring you have regular contact with your Student Support team

Assessment methods

All assessments are delivered through our virtual learning environment (VLE). There is no requirement to travel to external test centres or to sit exams! Instead, you will submit assignments through the VLE, such as written reports, discussion forum participation or reflective journal entries.

We also have a policy of ensuring that the work submitted by students is authentic – we use a well-established electronic monitoring system to check for plagiarism.

Why Essex Online?

Study online. Graduate on campus.

You will complete your studies and assessments 100% online and your qualification will be awarded by the University of Essex, an award-winning university with a 60-year heritage of teaching and research excellence and one of the top 30 universities in the UK (Complete University Guide 2025). Upon completing your course, you will graduate with the same certificate as campus-based students – your mode of study is only mentioned on your academic transcript.

World-class academic and mentoring support

Our online tutors are leading authorities and specialists in their respective fields. They are passionate about what they teach and combine their knowledge of industry practice with high-quality academic delivery, offering you an unparalleled learning experience.

We also have a dedicated team of Student Advisers and Study Skills Advisers that will support you from your first day to graduation. They will be on hand to help and guide you as you progress through your studies. Whatever the question or issue, they will work with you to find a solution.