Master of Criminology

Develop specialised knowledge and explore the latest developments in crime and justice with a Master’s degree in Aotearoa’s most established and extensive criminology programme.

Join our justice-focused team

Get to the heart of contemporary debates in crime, harm, and justice. Critically examine the workings of our social systems and how we respond to victims and offenders. Explore opportunities for transformations in justice.

With a Master of Criminology at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, you’ll gain advanced knowledge in criminological theory and methods. You’ll use your analytical and problem-solving skills to create and assess new and innovative approaches to complex issues in crime and justice.

If you’ve completed your undergraduate study and are interested in moving on to advanced postgraduate study—or if you’re aiming for a career in criminal justice or a related sector—our Master of Criminology is the perfect next step.

Explore questions with real consequences

In the Master of Criminology programme, you’ll address the social and political realities of crime. You’ll consider the intersections of violence, harm, and power in our society and explore processes of criminalisation.

You’ll critically examine responses to crime and victimisation—including in relation to the changing role of policing, the use of prisons and community-based alternatives, the experience of victims, and how crime is perceived by the public.

Come to Wellington

Wellington is home to national agencies for health, justice, police, corrections, social welfare, and more. Studying here, you’ll benefit from the University’s links to central government and the wider criminal justice community. And Wellington has so much to offer as a place to live, from the lively downtown scene to the leafy green belt.

Active support for your research

Within the School of Social and Cultural Studies, you’ll be part of a strong culture of postgraduate research and supervision. You’ll be encouraged to pursue an area of criminology that matches your goals and interests. Our teaching staff will actively mentor you through the process of developing a project, conducting research, and writing the dissertation that forms the cornerstone of your Master of Criminology degree.

Carrying out original, independent research, you’ll hone your skills in analysing and presenting arguments. You’ll develop a critical mindset that will give you a sound framework for evaluating a variety of real-world scenarios. And you’ll improve your written and spoken communication as you present your findings in reports and in academic forums.

Fast-track your studies

The Master of Criminology can be completed in 12 months over three consecutive trimesters. It’s a great way to accelerate your learning and prepare yourself for a professional role or for further study at doctoral level.

If you are interested in a shorter programme of study, you might consider the 60-point Postgraduate Certificate in Criminology or the 120-point Postgraduate Diploma in Criminology. All three qualifications are “staircased”, so that courses completed for a smaller qualification can count towards a larger one.

Scholarships for international students

We are currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme. Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.

Globally ranked

The Institute of Criminology is part of the School of Social and Cultural Studies in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. Our Criminology scholars are internationally recognised experts. And our faculty is globally renowned for its research, ranking among the top 150 of universities in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2025.

The QS World University Rankings is an annual global publication that gives overall rankings and subject rankings for more than 1,500 universities worldwide.

Find out more

Sign up now to find out more about what the Master of Criminology can offer.

Career options

The critical thinking, research, and analytical skills you'll develop are valued across many sectors beyond traditional criminology roles. Master of Criminology graduates pursue diverse careers across multiple sectors:

Criminal justice system

• policy analysts in Ministry of Justice, Corrections, or Police
• probation and community corrections officers
• victim support and advocacy roles
• courts administration and policy.

Government and public sector

• policy advisors in government agencies
• research analysts
• policy analysis and development
• intelligence and security analysis.

Research

• research positions in universities, institutes, or think tanks.

Non-Governmental Organisations

• programme managers in justice-focused NGOs
• community development and violence prevention
• restorative justice facilitation.

Private sector

• corporate compliance and ethics
• risk assessment and management
• security consulting
• workplace safety and investigations.

Scholarships

Every year Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington offers thousands of scholarships to new and current students. Look for scholarships based on your level of study, subject area, and background.

Find details about studying the Master of Criminology at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

Qualification family structure

The MCrim, PGDipCrim, and PGCertCrim make up a tiered family of qualifications. These are “staircased”, so that courses completed for a smaller qualification can count towards a larger one.

• Postgraduate Certificate in Criminology (60 points)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Criminology (120 points)
• Master of Criminology (180 points)

If you have enrolled in the MCrim but for some reason have to withdraw before finishing it, you may be able to gain the PGCertCrim or PGDipCrim as an exit qualification.

Or, if you’re not quite ready to commit to the MCrim, you can enrol in the PGDipCrim or PGCertCrim. Then, once you’re sure this is the pathway for you, you can easily move into the Master’s programme.

Studying the Master’s

The MCrim includes two compulsory introductory courses, along with a selection of courses that focus on core and cutting-edge criminological issues and concepts. The taught courses are followed by a dissertation project that you’ll complete under staff supervision.

Here’s how your timetable would look if you want to complete the Master of Criminology in three consecutive trimesters:

Trimester 1

• CRIM 430—Criminology Theory (15 points)
• CRIM 431—Criminology Research Methods (15 points)
• 400-level option 1 (30 points)

Trimester 2

• 400-level option 2 (30 points)
• 400-level option 3 (30 points)

Trimester 3

• 500-level dissertation (60 points).

See the Requirements tab for more details about the 400-level courses you can choose.

Studying the PGDipCrim and PGCertCrim

The PGDipCrim programme includes the courses from Trimester 1 and 2 of the MCrim programme, but does not include the dissertation.

The PGCertCrim programme includes just the Trimester 1 courses and has no internship or dissertation.

How you’ll be assessed

In the MCrim programme, you’ll be assessed through a combination of written and oral assignments. Assessments include essays, oral presentations, reviews, and commentaries. You’ll also complete a research proposal and a 60-point dissertation.