Master of Arts in Criminology (Preparatory Programme)
University of Malta
Information last verified July 2026
Program Overview
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. 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.
Career Opportunities
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.
Program Curriculum
Year 1 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.
Admission Requirements
General Entry Requirements Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications Notes and any other requirements 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. You are viewing the entry requirements for International applicants. Switch to Local qualifications. 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.
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
€4,250 (Non-EU)
About University of Malta
University of Malta
Msida, Malta
TheUniversity of Malta(Maltese:L-Università ta' Malta;UM; formerlyUOM) is apublic research universityin the towns ofMsidaandValletta, Malta. It serves as theflagshipandnational universityof...
University Profile- Start Date October
- Language English
- Duration 1 year
- Credits 60
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