Welcome to web pages for the Master of Science programme in Global Crime, Justice and Security, which we deliver jointly with the School of Law.  On these pages you will find key information about this new and exciting degree programme delivered jointly by the Schools of Law and Social and Political Science at the University of Edinburgh.

When to apply

We strongly advise students to submit their applications before mid-June, especially where they require an unconditional offer of study in order to secure a student visa. Complete applications may be considered after this stage, but the School can not guarantee that such applications will receive a decision in time for the start of studies in September 2011. We would invite students applying after June to contact the programme director before applying. 

A message from the Co-Directors

"There are an increasing number of areas of research and practice which require a knowledge and understanding of law, politics and the policy process, international relations, and various aspects of social science. The connected phenomena of crime, justice and security, in a global context, represents such a growing field of interest for academic research and is a focus of a range of international and domestic governing and non-governmental organisations.

"My own research on post-war reform and reconstruction in Bosnia and Herzegovina opened my eyes to the importance, excitement and challenges of research in an area which tied together international political processes with local political and criminal justice processes as part of an effort to rebuild a functioning state and to integrate it into European, transatlantic and global structures of governance.  This experience and, since joining the School, the recognition that many of my colleagues have expertise highly relevant to contemporary international developments in the field of crime, justice and security, convinced me of the need for advanced level teaching in global crime, justice and security, and that the Schools of Law and Social and Political Science are in a strong position to offer this. 

"As such, along with colleagues in the Law School, it has been my pleasure to design an MSc programme which brings together these scholars and their expertise in order to offer students a qualification which is very much more than the sum of its parts.

"These pages tell you more about the aims and structure of the programme, the kind of material it handles and should let you decide if it is the MSc you are looking for.  If, after looking through these, you still have questions, please e-mail me.  I can answer your questions and add them to our FAQ database."

All the best, Andy

Dr Andy Aitchison, Lecturer in Social Policy

"Law is much more than just the study of formal rules and processes - something which is, of course, recognised by law schools themselves, but the light shone on law by other disciplines can be enormously illuminating. At the same time, the rigour of legal analysis has much to offer other disciplines. The School of Law already benefits enormously from - unlike most law schools - having established strengths in criminology within the School itself, but the most exciting feature of this new MSc programme is the sheer range of expertise which it draws on. Many of the issues canvassed in this new programme are too complex to be properly understood from a single perspective. The intersection of different disciplines offered by this new programme will, I hope, be as exciting for you as it is for us."

All the best, James

James Chalmers, Senior Lecturer in Law

Who to Contact

For general queries (e.g. fees, qualifications) and application queries:

The Graduate School of Social and Political Science

Chrystal Macmillan Building

15a George Square

EDINBURGH EH8 9LD

Tel: +44 (0)131 651 1560

Fax: +44 (0)131 651 1778

E-mail: pgadmissions.sps@ed.ac.uk

 

For queries about the programme:

Dr Andy Aitchison

The University of Edinburgh

School of Social and Political Science

Chrystal Macmillan Building

15a George Square

EDINBURGH EH8 9LD

Tel: +44 (0)131 6504246

E-mail: andy.aitchison@ed.ac.uk

How to Apply

Applications for this programme are now being accepted.  To enter this programme in September 2012, applications must be submitted by 15th July 2012. Please note that deadlines for scholarship applications precede this date.

Further guidance on how to apply and entry requirements, etc. is available on the Graduate School website. Please feel free to contact the Programme Director with any further queries.

Fees

The full-time fees for this programme in 2012/2013 are:

Home/EU students £7,100

Overseas students £13,050

Full fees information, including part time fees, is available here.

Information on how to pay is available here.  

Bologna Compatibility

Like all University of Edinburgh Masters programmes, the degree is fully Bologna compatible, and is recognised across Europe and beyond under the principles of the Bologna framework. The programme comprises 180 Edinburgh credits, which are equivalent to 90 ECTS credits.