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Course type: Masters degree
Credits: 180

Credits

Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.

One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.

You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.

For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes: 2 years part-time study
Read more about how long it takes
Study method: Distance learning
Course cost: Postgraduate loan available
See Fees and funding
Entry requirements: Find out more about; Entry requirements

MA in Crime and Justice

: Course code: F75

This masters degree explores new perspectives and ways of thinking about crime, harm and justice. It is concerned with examining problematic areas of social life, transgression, ‘crime’, social harm and justice. You will consider the significance of power, social structure, and economic and social inequalities in understanding ‘crime’, and processes of criminalisation in local, transnational and global contexts. Studying this qualification will enhance your ability to think critically about problems of crime, social harm and the delivery of justice.

You must complete your study by 31 December 2028. If you would like to discuss your options with one of our advisers, please contact us.

Compulsory modules	Credits	Next start
Principles of social and psychological inquiry (DD801) This module aims to equip you with critical research literacy skills that provide a crucial foundation for your continuing postgraduate studies within psychology and the social sciences. See full description Register	60	03 Oct 2026 FINAL
Crime and global justice (DD804) Using real-world examples, this module provides innovative insights into the complex interplay between local and global dimensions of crime, harm and justice. See full description Register	120	03 Oct 2026

Compulsory modules

Credits

Next start

Principles of social and psychological inquiry (DD801)

This module aims to equip you with critical research literacy skills that provide a crucial foundation for your continuing postgraduate studies within psychology and the social sciences.

See full description

03 Oct 2026 FINAL

Crime and global justice (DD804)

Using real-world examples, this module provides innovative insights into the complex interplay between local and global dimensions of crime, harm and justice.

See full description

120

03 Oct 2026

Credit transfer

For this qualification, we do not allow you to count credit for study you have already done elsewhere.

On completion

On successful completion of the required modules for the qualification you can be awarded an MA in Crime and Justice. You will be entitled you to use the letters MA (CJ) (Open) after your name. You will have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.

MA in Crime and Justice

We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time. If we make changes to this qualification, we’ll update this page as soon as possible. Once you’ve registered or are studying this qualification, where practicable, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes. If you’d like to know more about the circumstances in which the University might make changes to the curriculum, see our Academic Regulations or contact us. This description was last updated on 18 March 2025.

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MA in Crime and Justice

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Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

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On completion

Regulations

How long it takes

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