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Study criminology abroad

Find programs that match your eligibility and aspirations then apply with reduced application fees, a free assessment and access to a dedicated advisor.

Find your perfect criminology programs abroad

Find criminology programs you love that match your needs & aspirations, where you stand a high chance of acceptance.

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Criminology degrees abroad

Criminology is the study of crime, and looks at the causes, nature, control and prevention of criminal behaviour. A big part of most criminology programs is assessing the impact of crime on society, and how social problems and issues relate to criminality and victimization.

The emphasis on the social aspects of crime mean that studying criminology abroad will give you a unique opportunity to see how different societies and cultures approach criminal behavior.

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Criminology program structure

The curriculum of a criminology program can vary depending on the country and university you study in, so it’s important to look closely at the structure content before you apply to make sure it covers what you expect.

Here are some of the topics you can expect to study during a criminology degree:

  • Introduction to criminology
  • Crime and society
  • Criminal justice
  • Controversies in criminology
  • Sociology of race and ethnicity
  • Criminological research
  • Policing
  • Criminology dissertation

Most criminology programs will be made up of core modules that you must take, and a number of optional modules that you choose, allowing you to tailor your degree to your interests.

Many criminology programs include the option to include a year abroad, which means you can increase your experience even further. An undergraduate degree in criminology will take between three and four years to complete, and a postgraduate program will be over one or two years.

Why study criminology abroad

Choosing to study criminology abroad not only means you’ll have a much wider choice of programs to choose from, but will also give you a unique perspective on the subject.

As criminology looks at criminal laws, and the relationship between crime and society, what you learn will be closely linked to the country you’re studying in. This means you’ll be able to broaden your understanding, and understand how different cultures approach issues related to crime.

Studying abroad is also a great way to meet new people, experience a new and exciting culture, improve your language skills and improve your CV. Find out more about the benefits of studying abroad here.

Where to study criminology abroad

There are a number of factors worth considering when you’re working out where to study criminology abroad:

  • Work out what type of location you want to live and study in. Think about things like the culture, lifestyle and climate; do you want to live in a city with year round sun, or would you prefer a small town environment with a laid back atmosphere?
  • Think about where you want to work after you graduate. Your criminology degree may focus on the criminal system and societal issues of the country you’re studying in, so you might find it easier to find a job here at the end of your program.
  • If you’re more concerned about the content and reputation of the program, you can base your decision on which universities are highly ranked for criminology and cover the areas that you’re interested in.

Read our guide on how to choose where to study abroad for more help on working out which destination is right for you.

Best countries to study criminology

There are criminology schools and university programs available all over the world, and some of the most popular destinations also boast the best ranked programs. Some of the best countries to study criminology include:

Best universities to study criminology

The best university to study criminology will be in a country you want to live in, and offer a program that matches your interests and career ambitions.

If you want to study a degree that includes a work placement or internship for example, make sure this is included and offered by the university program you choose.

You should also think about what the university offers outside of the classroom, including sports, societies and other social activities.

See all universities offering criminology programs

Criminology study abroad programs

You can study criminology at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. As an undergraduate you can study a BSc or BA, depending on the university you choose. There is little difference between the two, but a BA may focus more on social subjects and the BSc could be more oriented toward forensic sciences.

As a graduate you can study a master’s degree in criminology, and after this you can choose to study for a doctorate in the form of a PhD or MPhil.

Criminology undergraduate programs

Bachelor's in criminology

  • false

    Criminology and Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies - BA Simon Fraser University, Canada

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    35,177 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 47,386 CAD

    Start date
    May, September, January
    Show program overview about Criminology and Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies
  • false

    Sociology and Criminology - BA (Hons) Bournemouth University, UK

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    3 years
    Annual tuition fee
    20,117 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 16,250 GBP

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about BA (Hons) Sociology & Criminology
  • false

    Criminology - BA (Hons) University of Windsor, Canada

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    11,185 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 15,100 CAD

    Start date
    May, September, January
    Show program overview about Bachelor of Arts in Criminology with Honours (4 Year)
  • false

    Criminology (Co-Up) - BA (with placement) Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Canada

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    52 months
    Annual tuition fee
    17,203 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 23,224 CAD

    Start date
    January, May, September
    Show program overview about Bachelor of Arts, Major in Criminology
  • false

    Criminology and Psychology - BCP RMIT University, Australia

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    3 years
    Annual tuition fee
    22,326 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 34,560 AUD

    Start date
    February, July
    Show program overview about Bachelor of Criminology and Psychology

Associate in criminology

  • false

    Criminology - AA Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Canada

    Program type
    Associate
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    16,603 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 22,415 CAD

    Start date
    January, May, September
    Show program overview about Associate of Arts Degree in Criminology
  • false

    Criminology - AA Douglas College, Canada

    Program type
    Associate
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    14,491 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 19,485 CAD

    Start date
    September, January
    Show program overview about Criminology
  • false

    Criminology - AA Coast Mountain College, Canada

    Program type
    Associate
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    10,434 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 14,127 CAD

    Start date
    January, September
    Show program overview about University Studies | Associate of Arts Criminology Specialization

Diploma in criminology

  • false

    Criminology - Dip Langara College, Canada

    Program type
    Undergraduate diploma
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    14,176 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 19,138 CAD

    Start date
    January, September
    Show program overview about Criminology
  • false

    Criminology - UGDip Douglas College, Canada

    Program type
    Undergraduate diploma
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    14,491 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 19,485 CAD

    Start date
    September, January
    Show program overview about Criminology
  • false

    Criminology - Dip Coast Mountain College, Canada

    Program type
    Undergraduate diploma
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    10,434 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 14,127 CAD

    Start date
    January, September
    Show program overview about Criminology Diploma
  • false

    Criminology - UGDip Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Canada

    Program type
    Undergraduate diploma
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    15,839 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 21,383 CAD

    Start date
    January, May, September
    Show program overview about Diploma in Criminology

Certificate in criminology

  • false

    Criminology - Cert Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Canada

    Program type
    Undergraduate certificate
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    16,603 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 22,415 CAD

    Start date
    January, May, September
    Show program overview about Certificate in Criminology
  • false

    Criminology and Corrections - Cert University of Utah, USA

    Program type
    Undergraduate certificate
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    31,104 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 31,104 USD

    Start date
    January, May, August
    Show program overview about Criminology and Corrections
  • false

    Law with Criminology - Cert HE University of Essex, UK
    • Online
    • Part-time

    Program type
    Undergraduate certificate
    Duration
    16 months
    Annual tuition fee
    7,822 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 6,167 GBP

    Start date
    November, February, April, July, September
    Show program overview about Law with Criminology

Criminology graduate programs

Master's in criminology

  • false

    Criminology - MA Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    13,525 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 22,670 NZD

    Start date
    January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November
    Show program overview about Criminology
  • false

    Social Research Methods: Criminology - MSc Teesside University, UK

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    18,650 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 15,000 GBP

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Social Research Methods: Criminology
  • false

    Criminology and Criminal Psychology - MSc University of Greenwich, UK

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    20,675 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 16,300 GBP

    Start date
    January, September
    Show program overview about Criminology and Criminal Psychology
  • false

    Criminology - MA Simon Fraser University, Canada

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    35,209 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 47,429 CAD

    Start date
    September, January
    Show program overview about Criminology
  • false

    Criminology (Distance Learning) - MSc Bath Spa University, UK
    • Online

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    19,089 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 15,050 GBP

    Start date
    January, February
    Show program overview about Criminology (Distance Learning)

Doctorate in criminology

  • false

    Criminology and Criminal Justice - PhD University of Nebraska Omaha, USA

    Program type
    Doctorate
    Duration
    3 years
    Annual tuition fee
    16,374 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 16,374 USD

    Start date
    January, May, August
    Show program overview about Criminology and Criminal Justice, PhD

Diploma in criminology

  • false

    Criminology and Criminal Justice - PGDip Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand

    Program type
    Postgraduate diploma
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    20,134 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 33,746 NZD

    Start date
    February, July
    Show program overview about Criminology and Criminal Justice
  • false

    Criminology and Criminal Psychology - PGDip University of Essex, UK
    • Online
    • Part-time

    Program type
    Postgraduate diploma
    Duration
    16 months
    Annual tuition fee
    9,490 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 7,482 GBP

    Start date
    January, April, July, October
    Show program overview about Criminology and Criminal Psychology

Certificate in criminology

  • false

    Criminology and Criminal Psychology - PGCert University of Essex, UK
    • Online
    • Part-time

    Program type
    Postgraduate certificate
    Duration
    8 months
    Annual tuition fee
    4,745 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 3,741 GBP

    Start date
    January, April, July, October
    Show program overview about Criminology and Criminal Psychology

Entry requirements to study criminology abroad

The entry requirements for every criminology program will depend on the university and country you’re applying to, however there are some standard requirements to be aware of:

  • Completion of secondary education in your home country, including IB Diploma
  • A personal statement that outlines your interest in criminology and your future plans
  • Satisfactory English language proficiency test scores
  • A bachelor’s degree, usually in criminology or a related field, to study at postgraduate level

Check the requirements for your chosen program carefully before you apply, to see what grades you’ll need. The application process will also be unique to the country, university and program you’re applying to, but you can see the general study abroad application requirements here.

Future criminology careers

A criminology degree opens up a number of career paths and opportunities. Popular careers for criminology graduates include:

  • Criminologist
  • Police officer
  • Corrections officer
  • Probation officer
  • Prison officer
  • Social worker
  • Criminal intelligence analyst
  • Forensic accountant

Some of these careers may require some additional training, or a master’s level degree. It’s worth considering what career you want after you’ve graduated to better understand the type of program you should study, and what other courses you might need to take.