The MA in criminology is a new programme, focusing on crime and various deviant behaviour, the legal system and law enforcement, laws and justice, as well as Iceland's position in comparison to other countries. The programme is taught in English.

Is the program for you??

• Are you interested in law, justice and Icelandic criminal policy?

• Do you want to explore crime in Iceland in an international context?

• Do you have a background in sociology or would you like to acquire the necessary foundation in this field?

• Are you looking for a programme that deals with various different aspects of our society?

• Do you want to learn about criminology, victimology, gender studies, justice studies and health sciences?

What is the study about?

The MA in criminology is open to most students who have completed an undergraduate degree with a first-class grade.

Students who have not previously studied sociology are required to take the following additional courses:

• FÉL204G Methodology: Research methods in social sciences

• FÉL306G Statistics I

• Course in sociological theory taken alongside the MA programme

Students can choose to specialise in either theoretical or applied criminology. The theoretical criminology programme emphasises academic research, while the applied criminology programme is more focused on the practical aspects of the discipline.

It is possible to take a 30 ECTS graduate diploma in sociology, specialising in criminology.

Programme structure

The programme is 120 ECTS and is organised as two years of full-time study.

The programme structure varies depending on specialisation:

Theoretical criminology:

• Mandatory courses, 10 ECTS

• Restricted electives, 40 ECTS

• Free electives, 10 ECTS

• Final thesis, 60 ECTS

Applied criminology:

• Mandatory courses, 60 ECTS

• Restricted electives, 10 ECTS

• Free electives, 20 ECTS

• Final thesis, 30 ECTS

Organisation of teaching

The programme is taught in English, apart from elective courses at other departments, which may be taught in Icelandic. Students can choose whether to submit the final thesis in Icelandic or English.

International applicants who do not speak English as a native language may have to submit evidence of English proficiency. See more about English proficiency under Helpful content below.

Main objectives

After completing the programme, students should, for example:

• have acquired a broader and more in-depth knowledge of criminology.

• have acquired an overview of crime in Iceland in an international context

• be familiar with the roles and various kinds of justice systems

Other

Criminology has its roots in sociology, but is an interdisciplinary subject by nature. Graduate studies in criminology could be a good fit for students with undergraduate degrees in most subjects. In other countries, criminology students come from a range of academic backgrounds, including sociology, psychology, law, police science or economics.

The programme would suit people who work or have worked in the judicial system. Criminology is a subject for anyone interested in the social context of crime, punishment and law enforcement.

Our graduate students have done traineeships at the Prison and Probation Administration and worked on projects to do with criminology.

Completing the programme allows a student to apply for doctoral studies.

• See all doctoral programmes at the Faculty of Sociology, Anthropology and Folkloristics