Master of Arts in Criminology (Preparatory Programme)

Course Title

MQF Level

Not Applicable

Duration and Credits

1 Year

30 to 60 ECTS

Mode of Study

Full-time

Information for International applicants

Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications

The Course shall be open to applicants in possession of:

a Bachelor degree obtained with at least Category II from this University in an area of study deemed relevant by the Board or
a Bachelor degree from another university recognized by Senate comparable to the qualification indicated in paragraph (a).

The admission of applicants shall be made conditional on the result of an interview conducted by an interviewing board appointed for the purpose.

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You can submit your application online. The deadlines for submission of applications vary according to the intake and courses. We encourage all international applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible. This is especially important if you require a visa to travel and eventually stay in Malta.

You can compare your national qualifications to the local requirements by visiting our qualifications comparability webpage. Access more information about our admission process and English language requirements.

The University of Malta has student accommodation on campus called Campus Hub. Campus Hub is just a 2-minute walk from the main campus. For more information, visit the accommodation website.

Our dedicated team at the student recruitment office is here to support you every step of the way. From the moment you start your application to the moment when you receive your decision letter, we're here to assist you. If you have any questions or need further information, don't hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact us at info@um.edu.mt, and our team will be more than happy to help.

After you receive an offer from us, our International Office will assist you with visas, accommodation and other related issues.

The course allows you to acquire the pre-requisites needed prior to moving on to Masters if you do not have the criminological background required. The programme is designed predominantly to provide you a serious of study units that cover the advanced themes in criminology and to prepare you for a research-based approach required at Masters level, thus contributing to a richer understanding of criminology. The programme is focused on encouraging your intellectual development. The programme is predominantly theory-based, allowing you to understand the different subject areas that constitute criminology. You will acquire a wide range though in-depth understanding of the subject areas facilitating idea and thought organisation and application of new knowledge and skills to the real world. It is our vision that you will endeavour to integrate your previous course knowledge with that of criminology in order to provide a unique contribution to the field.

Students are required to obtain not less than 30 ECTS credits and not more than 60 ECTS credits as directed by the Board, depending on the number of credits already obtained in an area of study related to Criminology, with an overall average mark of 55% or better prior to their registration as regular students on the Course.


Semester 1

Study-Units Offered

CRI2012	Victimology	4 ECTS
CRI3002	Police Leadership and Management	4 ECTS
CRI3003	Psychology of the Courtroom	4 ECTS
CRI3004	White Collar Crimes	4 ECTS
CRI3005	Crime Mapping and Spatial Technologies	4 ECTS
CRI3008	Sentencing, Penal Policy and Management in Corrections	4 ECTS
CRI3013	Terrestrial Domains and Crime	4 ECTS
CRM3012	Terrorism and Counter Terrorism	4 ECTS


Semester 2

Study-Units Offered

CRI2014	Contemporary and Comparative Criminology	4 ECTS
CRI3011	Criminal Careers and Intergenerational Phenomena	4 ECTS
CRI3012	Migration, Crime and Borders	4 ECTS
CRM3001	Cyber Crime	4 ECTS
CRM3009	Designing out Crime: Spatial Planning and the Environment	4 ECTS
CRM3010	Offence and Criminal Profiling	4 ECTS
MRT2013	Ethics in the Criminal Justice System	4 ECTS

This programme of study is governed by the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2021 and by the Bye-Laws for the award of the Degree of Master of Arts in Criminology - M.A. (Crim.) - under the auspices of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing.

The aim of the programme is to:

provide you with a general though detailed knowledge and understanding of crime and criminology;
equip you with a knowledge and understanding of criminological theories and concepts which offer explanations as to why people engage in criminal acts;
enable you to understand the role of the enforcement agencies, courts, policing and corrections in criminal justice;
address issues in criminology, particularly the roles of offender-offence dynamics and society's responses to it;
provide you with a knowledge and understanding, and capacity to use qualitative and quantitative methods of social research and social investigation; and
teach you how to utilize the appropriate technology in criminology and criminal justice study and research.

teach you how to utilize the appropriate technology in criminology and criminal justice study and research;
enable you to develop the ability to apply criminology theories, principles and concepts to address 'Real-life' issues and situations in the criminal justice field, and thus the ability to engage in critical thinking/analysis;
enable you to differentiate between the various research models available and be able to select the most appropriate model that relates to the subject area;
prepare you for progression to Master' courses and Ph.D. programmes.

It is expected that the research programme will not only enrich you in terms of personal and professional knowledge, skills and intelligence, but will also allow you to transfer this new found knowledge to fellow researchers, professional colleagues and to society in general.

Non EU Applicants:

Total Tuition Fees: Eur 4,250 - Eur 8,500 (depending on the number of study units registered for)

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This preparatory course to Criminology is the foundation needed to enter the Masters programme of Criminology if you have not met the pre-requisites needed. Upon successfully completing the superseding Masters programme, you will then be able to pursue a career as a criminologist.

https://www.um.edu.mt/courses/overview/uppmacrift-2024-5-o/