The Master's

The Master in Criminology offers research-based, specialized, European, and internationally oriented study of crime. Other subjects of study include different ways of dealing with crime and the processes of (de)criminalization.

A strong link between education and research and an explicitly international orientation and comparative approach characterize the programme in Leuven. By writing a master's thesis, students will specialize in one of three research areas: criminality and (in)security, person- and community-oriented criminology, or law enforcement. Furthermore, the programme aims to optimize critical-reflective methodological skills and attitudes to enable autonomous, constructive, and high-standing research and contributions to the field.

The English-language Master in Criminology in Leuven boasts close cooperation between the students and staff, whose expertise ranges across a wide range of topics, from theoretical to applied criminology. Students are closely guided in their master's thesis.

The programme focuses on international and EU policy developments in the area of criminal justice and criminology. It examines recent developments in criminological theory, as well as their implications for national and international policy-making.

My profile

You have a critical-reflective attitude towards law (as a framework normatively regulating behaviour) and toward society and the phenomenon of crime. Moreover, you show interest in the interaction between theory and practice and you are sensitive to the (inter)personal and social functioning of people. You possess specialized knowledge of criminological theory, basic knowledge of criminal justice and law, and have basic skills in oral and scientifically written reporting.

As a successful graduate of the Master in Criminology programme, you will obtain an assortment of specialized and more in-depth theoretical insights into criminology. You will know facts concerning the developments and (the possible solutions for) problems in policy and practice of institutions that are involved in dealing with criminality. You will have developed a discerning mind and will recognize the importance of theoretical, methodological, and moral reflection. This guarantees both the quality of policy-making and the quality of your own vocational practice.

Assets

Launched in January 2007, the Leuven Institute of Criminology (LINC) comprises around fifty professors and assistants involved in criminological research and education within the Department of Criminal Law and Criminology of the K.U.Leuven Faculty of Law. LINC is the most recent incarnation of the criminological tradition in Leuven, which started with the establishment of the School for Criminology in 1929. LINC continues the Leuven tradition of combining solid research with a deep commitment to society, achieved through fundamental and policy-oriented research organized around ten research lines.

Study programme

The core compulsory courses are considered the framework for the specializations, both concerning the content as to the methodology. Beside the theoretical core framework, the student must choose a research and a master's thesis seminar. The master's thesis brings together the knowledge stemming from the core courses and the substantial specialization from the seminars. Student need to interpret their research results and must personally, actively, autonomously, and scientifically contribute to the field of criminological science.

Career prospects

You stand before numerous professional possibilities in different sectors ranging from prevention to the administration of justice, including public welfare. Within the scope of the increasing cross-border character of criminality, the programme's strong international orientation, based on vocational developments within the field, opens up many prospects for criminologists in the European Union, as well as in many international organizations or international or transnational institutions requiring expertise going beyond the bachelor's level.

Application and Admissions

Detailed information on application procedures and admission requirements depends on your preceding qualifications, etc.

• You will find more information on application matters here.

Criminology - Impressionen vom Masterstudium

Übersicht der Masterstudiengänge - KU Leuven

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