top of page

Master of Social Sciences in the field of Criminology

The Master of Social Sciences in the field of Criminology [MSocSc(Crim)] is the first and long established postgraduate criminology programme in Hong Kong. It offers a professional qualification for practitioners in criminal justice and related fields, and provides a foundation for advanced research degree studies in the discipline. Offered since 1986, the programme is designed for people:

  • Who intend to start or already have a career in the police, the law, corrections, non-governmental organisations and related agencies;

  • Who want to complement their skills through the academic study of crime and criminal justice;

  • Who work in government, commerce, security and risk management, journalism, teaching, and other areas where a knowledge of criminology would be professionally helpful;

  • Who wish to increase their technical and conceptual skills through an advanced university education;

  • Who wish to pursue research studies in criminology.

 

On completion of the programme, students should:

  • Be able to apply a social-sciences approach to the study of crime and deviance;

  • Be able to understand a variety of contemporary developments in criminology and related social-policy issues;

  • Have possessed professional knowledge of the role of social sciences, including law and psychiatry, in understanding crime and criminal justice;

  • Be equipped with the theoretical and practical skills to investigate these core areas within criminology.

Mode of attendance
  • Full Time (one year, with classes on evenings and occasionally weekends)

  • Part Time (two years, with classes on evenings and occasionally weekends)

Medium of instruction

English

Entrance requirements
  1. Candidates should hold a Bachelor’s degree, or another qualification of equivalent standard, preferably with a major in the social sciences, humanities, law, education, business, or management disciplines. Alternatively, they should have relevant working experience in the criminal justice system, social-welfare agencies or in other work with offenders.

  2. Candidates will possibly be required to pass a written test and a face-to-face interview, and if necessary, a language test will be scheduled to assess their English proficiency.

  3. You may need to satisfy visa restrictions (for non-local applicants) and English language requirements.

Tuition fee

For study commencing in academic year 2025/26, the programme tuition fee is HK$200,000. Payments are split into two instalments over one year (full-time study), or four instalments over two years (part-time study).

Programme director

Prof Peng Wang

General enquiries
Student experiences

This Masters programme was an eye opening experience that provided me with detailed theoretical knowledge in understanding crime and criminal justice.

— Deborah, Alumna of Criminology

 

This course gave me new knowledge and academic insights, revolutionising my appreciation of crime problems and complementing my professional career.

— Emily, Alumna of Criminology

Programme structure

You have to complete 8 courses (6 credits each) and a dissertation (12 credits), with a total of 60 credits:

  • Full-time study: Four compulsory courses, four elective courses and the dissertation.

  • Part-time study: In Year 1, four compulsory courses. In Year 2, four elective courses and the dissertation.

Please check the Regulations and Syllabuses for definitive information on programme requirements and course eligibility.

Courses

Compulsory courses

SOCI7001

Criminal justice: Process and politics

2nd semester

SOCI7002

Methods of research for criminology

1st semester

SOCI7004

Theoretical criminology

1st semester

SOCI7009

Global and comparative criminology

2nd semester

Elective courses

SOCI8002

Economic and organized crime

Unavailable this year

SOCI8003

Law and society

1st semester

SOCI8004

Punishment and society

Unavailable this year

SOCI8006

Youth and delinquency

Unavailable this year

SOCI8008

Special topics in criminology – Drugs International Perspectives and Policies

2nd semester

SOCI8011

Media and crime

1st semester

SOCI8013

Gender, crime and social control

Unavailable this year

SOCI8015

Crime and deviance in PRC

Unavailable this year

SOCI8017

Cultural criminology

Unavailable this year

SOCI8018

Policing in comparative perspective

Unavailable this year

SOCI8019

Issues in police reform

Unavailable this year

SOCI8020

White collar and corporate crime

1st semester

SOCI8024

Digital media, moralities and cultures

Unavailable this year

SOCI8032

Drugs and society

2nd semester

SOCI8033

Co-presence – Human-animal relationships in modern cities

2nd semester

SOCI8034

Special topics in criminology II

Unavailable this year

Final year (compulsory)

SOCI8022

Dissertation in Criminology

Full-year course

Note: Not all courses will be offered each year. Course availability varies based on teaching resources and student demand.

Important dates

Applications period: normally mid-December to February each year
Programme commencement date: early September following close of application period

Apply

Applications Deadline (2025/26):

Full Time: 12:00 noon (GMT +8), February 3, 2025

Part Time: 12:00 noon (GMT +8), February 3, 2025

All applications will be reviewed by our panel, and the shortlisted candidates will receive an update and/or invitation to interview within one month, after the application deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions – Application for TPG programmes

Statement about RPG & TPG application process

bottom of page