The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is a modern and vibrant institution located in Scotland. It was formed in 2007 through the merger of the University of Paisley and Bell College. With a history dating back to 1897, UWS has a rich heritage of providing education and training to students from across Scotland and around the world. Today, UWS is one of Scotland's largest universities, with four main campuses located in Paisley, Hamilton, Ayr, and Dumfries. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in areas such as business, engineering, health, education, and the arts, and is known for its innovative and student-centered approach to learning.

The MSc Criminal Justice degree has been designed to be flexible and allows for part-time and full-time study, while also blending on-campus, and online delivery techniques.

The MSc comprises five core and one optional taught, 20-credit modules followed by a 60-credit research dissertation.

If you chose to exit the course before undertaking the research dissertation, you can exit with the award of Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip).

You will be required to design and undertake an extended piece of written research focused around a specific research question via the MSc Dissertation.

For the Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) stage, you will study the following modules:

Policy Analysis and Practice (core, 20 credits)
Policing in the Contemporary World (core, 20 credits)
Applied Research Methods in Social Sciences (core, 20 credits)
Contemporary Social Issues (core, 20 credits)
Applied Criminal Justice (core, 20 credits)
To complete the PgDip stage, you will select one 20-credit module as an option. The selection of the optional taught 20-credit module is based both on your interests and on their availability (which can change from year-to-year). Currently, options include, but are not restricted to:

Global Crisis Management (20 credits, optional)
Contemporary Penology (20 credits, optional)
Power, Politics and Civil Society (20 credits, optional)
Social Research Today (20 credits, optional)
Successful completion of the PgDip allows you to proceed to the master's module:

MSc Social Sciences Dissertation
Teaching and assessment
The statistical breakdown details below describe the core modules:

LEARNING AND TEACHING

Scheduled learning: 19%
Independent study: 81%
Learning is within an international context and research underpins all modules across the course. You have the opportunity to work with academics and external partners on research projects.

ASSESSMENT

Coursework: 100%
Your skills development and employability are embedded throughout assessments. Academics who teach on the course draw on their research networks for the benefit of your experience through a combination of field trips to external organisations and the use of guest speakers from external bodies.

Course structure
Find out more about the structure, learning outcomes, compulsory and optional modules in this course.

Criminal Justice course structure

• The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is a vibrant and dynamic institution located in Scotland. Founded in 2007, UWS was formed through the merger of the University of Paisley and Bell College. With a history dating back to 1897, the university has a rich heritage of providing education and training to students from across Scotland and around the world.
• UWS is one of Scotland's largest universities, with four main campuses located in Paisley, Hamilton, Ayr, and Dumfries. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in areas such as business, engineering, health, education, and the arts. UWS is also known for its innovative and student-centered approach to learning, which includes a focus on practical, real-world experiences and hands-on learning opportunities.
• UWS is officially ranked by Times Higher Education in the top 150 of universities worldwide under 50 years old (2022 Young University Rankings). In the recent Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, 90 percent of research at University of the West of Scotland was classed as world-leading, internationally excellent, or recognised internationally. UWS was also crowned Higher Educational Institution of the Year 2022 (The Herald Higher Education Awards).
• One of the standout features of UWS is its commitment to providing students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in today's rapidly changing job market. The university offers a wide range of programs that are designed to meet the needs of students from all backgrounds, and its experienced faculty is dedicated to helping students reach their full potential.
• In addition to its strong academic programs, UWS also offers a wealth of extracurricular activities and student services. The university has a vibrant student life, with numerous clubs and organizations, as well as sports teams, volunteer opportunities, and cultural events. There is also a well-established student support network that provides guidance and assistance to students on a wide range of topics, from academic support to personal and financial advice.
• Another key aspect of UWS is its strong commitment to research. The university has a growing reputation as a center of research excellence, and its faculty and students are working on a wide range of cutting-edge projects in areas such as engineering, health, education, and the arts. This research is not only helping to advance knowledge in these fields, but it is also helping to create new opportunities for students and improve the lives of people around the world.
• In conclusion, the University of the West of Scotland is a dynamic and forward-thinking institution that is dedicated to providing its students with the education, skills, and experiences they need to succeed in today's rapidly changing world. With its strong academic programs, vibrant student life, and commitment to research, UWS is the perfect place for students who want to get the most out of their college experience.

You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

• Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
• Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it