Why study with us?
With more than 150 years of experience, the University of Sydney Law School is one of the world’s leading law schools, ranked 14th in the world in the 2021 QS World University Rankings by Subject.
Our staff are acclaimed legal educators, world-renowned researchers and venerated practitioners.
In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availability of courses to be delivered remotely.
This course will be available for students to study remotely during 2022 if they are unable to undertake face-to-face study. Please note that some units of study that are not essential to completing the degree may not be available to be studied remotely. For the latest updates on course availability, visit the COVID-19 information page.
About this course
Gain a critical understanding of criminal justice through multidisciplinary learning delivered by some of Australia’s leading criminologists.
Designed for anyone with an interest in criminal justice, the Master of Criminology addresses contemporary questions about crime and social control in policy, theory and practice. You will scrutinise crime and criminal justice in modern Australia and compare it with a wide range of local and global community concerns.
Our face-to-face classes are led by Australia’s experts in criminal law, criminal justice policy, juvenile and restorative justice, forensic psychology, crime and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues, international and comparative criminal justice and policing. This course recognises the importance of research, policy and applied learning.
We will equip you for work with public and private criminal justice and social welfare agencies with a focus on psychology and psychiatry, public policy, social research and legal practice.
We welcome practitioners and students from a broad range of backgrounds including social policy, research, advocacy, psychology, public health, history, media, policing, corrections, law, socio-legal studies and criminology.
Scholarships
The John O’Brien Scholarship is available for high achieving students in the Master of Criminology. To find out more visit our Scholarships website.
For academic requirements check the ‘Admission requirements’ section on this page.
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
As many units of study are taught intensively, admission and enrolment in individual units may be possible year round.
Standard closing dates:
Semester 1 - 31 January of the commencing year
Semester 2 - 15 July of the commencing year
We strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible, offers are made on a rolling basis and places are limited. Separate scholarship deadlines apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (August)
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Standard closing dates:
Semester 1 - 15 January of the commencing year
Semester 2 - 25 June of the commencing year
We strongly encourage international applicants to apply as early as possible to allow time for visa and travel arrangements. Separate scholarship deadlines may apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (August)
Study plan
Master of Criminology candidates complete 48 credit points, which is equivalent to eight units of study. There are two compulsory units of study:
The remaining units of study can be selected from the wide and relevant range of electives on offer. The Criminal Justice Internship provides an opportunity to experience the working environment of criminal justice agencies. The Criminology Research Project units can provide a pathway to Higher Degree Research.
You may also seek permission to study two elective units offered either by Sydney Law School or by another faculty.
Refer to the University of Sydney Law School Handbook for further details regarding award requirements.
Visit the Sydney Law School website for the most up-to-date postgraduate unit of study timetable.
View unit of study descriptions using the link below.
Under normal progression, a student shall undertake and successfully complete all units of study to the value of 24 credit points per semester as prescribed for the course. Students are required to attend all lectures, tutorials and other activities prescribed for their units of study.
Available places will be offered to qualified applicants based on merit, according to the following admissions criteria. Admission to candidature for the Master of Criminology requires: a) a bachelor's degree with a minimum credit average from the University of Sydney, or an equivalent qualification; or b) a bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney, or an equivalent qualification; and the applicant provides evidence of two years of relevant professional experience.
As part of Professional Plus+, Sydney Law School offers Professional Development seminars, courses and units of study in a range of subjects and modes, including intensive programs, seminar series and individual evening presentations. Seminars, courses and postgraduate units of study are available to anyone with an interest in the area of study.
Continuing Legal Education is a requirement of the Law Society of New South Wales. Practising solicitors are required to obtain 10 units of MCLE annually in order to maintain registration as a legal practitioner. Continuing Professional Development is also a requirement of the New South Wales Bar Association. Barristers are required to accrue 10 points each practising certificate year. Seminars, courses and units of study offered under Sydney Law School's LPD Program meet the necessary requirements of both the Law Society of New South Wales and the New South Wales Bar Association in relation to their individual members.
The Master of Criminology (MCrim) draws on many disciplines and has many applications. People who have studied criminology work in a number of areas and for a host of organisations. You will find criminologists hard at work in the following places: Criminal justice agencies; Non-criminal justice state agencies; Government policy and politics; Border protection and intelligence agencies; Local government; Research institutions; Non-government organisations (NGOs); Consumer groups and advocacy organisations; Private companies; Universities.
Participants in our Professional Plus+ program are able to audit postgraduate units of study, attending lectures and receiving copies of lecture notes. You do not undertake assignments or examinations. Courses are offered by one of two methods, either attendance one night per week for 13 weeks, or by intensive mode. Courses offered as intensive units are normally conducted over four or five days. Courses are worth 24 MCLE/CPD points unless advertised otherwise. Individual units of study within the program may be undertaken by suitably qualified candidates who do not wish to commit to the study of an award course. Non-award candidates are students of the University; on satisfactory completion of unit of study requirements, candidates receive an academic transcript showing the details of the unit or units of study undertaken, with results and grades. Subject to approval, completed non-award study may be credited to an award course. You may undertake units in postgraduate programs in other faculties at the University of Sydney or at other universities subject to approval by the Associate Dean (Postgraduate Coursework) on a cross-institutional basis. A formal application, detailing the academic content, attendance and assessment requirements of the unit(s) proposed to be completed should be made to the Law School first before applying to the other faculty or institution. If you are from another institution, you can also apply to study units at Sydney Law School upon approval from your home institution and the Law School.
