Master of Security and Crime Science
Learn how to manage real-world crime issues and develop analytical and creative methods to improve security in an ever-changing society.
Please note:
There will be no new enrolments into Master of Security and Crime Science in 2024.
Alternatively, PGDip in Security and Crime Science and PGCert in Security and Crime Science are available.
180 points, 1.5 years
Hamilton
Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)
Why study a MSCS?
Want to make a real difference to society? With the Master of Security and Crime Science, you will develop the skills required to become a leader in the security, intelligence and crime-prevention areas in the public and private sectors.
You will combine skills from different disciplines such as Statistics, Computer Science, Geographic Information Systems, Population Studies, Psychology and Management. You'll develop analytical and creative methods to tackle real-world crime, and improve security in an ever-changing society.
This degree will provide a pathway to a career in policy development, crime or accident detection and analysis in both the public and private sectors. The skills you gain from the degree will enable you to promote and enhance security and community safety.
Learn from the experts
The Master of Security and Crime Science is the first of its kind in New Zealand and the Asia Pacific region, led by the New Zealand Institute for Security and Crime Science (NZISCS). The Institute is the primary research partner for the New Zealand Police, and a partner at the Evidence Based Policing Centre in Wellington. Papers and research topics will be delivered by world-leading researchers in psychology, statistics, artificial intelligence including machine learning, cyber security, political science, economics, management, law, education, Māori and indigenous development, and demographic research.
Develop real-world solutions
This degree requires students to investigate and tackle real security and crime problems in collaboration with public and private partners. Previous collaborations with the New Zealand Police have included investigating drug abuse intervention, developing software to help police monitor offenders on bail, inventing new methods to research burglary offences, researching sex abuse attitudes amongst school age children, and optimising traffic patrolling.
Career Opportunities
- Policy development for social agencies
- Intelligence analyst (eg for MPI, National or International Police forces)
- Traffic accident analyst
- Security enhancement engineer
- Social investment expert
- Senior policy advisor
- Crime data scientist
- Analyst specialising in emerging, organised or cyber crime
- Counter-terrorism analyst
180 points, 1.5 years
Hamilton
Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)
Degree information
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Subjects Choose a subject
Browse available subjects and choose one for more information.
Browse MSCS subjects Browse available subjects and choose one for more information
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Entry Requirements There are five ways you can gain admission to the University of Waikato.
- NCEA University Entrance
- Admission at entrance level
- Discretionary entrance
- University Entrance prior to 2015
- Special admission.
For full details visit Entry Requirements.
For admission in the MSCS, students will need to have completed a relevant bachelor's degree or postgraduate diploma with at least a B or higher in their final year majoring papers.
As an international student studying at undergraduate level, you are required to meet English language and academic entry requirements.
View Entry requirements for undergraduate international students.
For admission in the MSCS, students will need to have completed a relevant bachelor's degree or postgraduate diploma with at least a B or higher in their final year majoring papers.
International students are required to meet the English language requirements for admission into Graduate and Postgraduate qualifications with an IELTS (academic stream) overall score of at least 6.5 with at least 6.0 in every band OR successfully complete The University of Waikato College Level 8 Certificate of Attainment in Academic English with a B grade or higher OR a TOEFL iBT score of 90 (with a writing score of 21). International students can email international@waikato.ac.nz for more information or help with the application process.
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Fees and scholarships -
Domestic tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
Domestic tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Find a scholarship
Relevant as of 13 February 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. View information about fees-free study.
-
International tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for international students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
International tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Find a scholarship
Relevant as of 13 February 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.
-
Browse available subjects and choose one for more information
There are five ways you can gain admission to the University of Waikato.
- NCEA University Entrance
- Admission at entrance level
- Discretionary entrance
- University Entrance prior to 2015
- Special admission.
For full details visit Entry Requirements.
For admission in the MSCS, students will need to have completed a relevant bachelor's degree or postgraduate diploma with at least a B or higher in their final year majoring papers.
As an international student studying at undergraduate level, you are required to meet English language and academic entry requirements.
View Entry requirements for undergraduate international students.
For admission in the MSCS, students will need to have completed a relevant bachelor's degree or postgraduate diploma with at least a B or higher in their final year majoring papers.
International students are required to meet the English language requirements for admission into Graduate and Postgraduate qualifications with an IELTS (academic stream) overall score of at least 6.5 with at least 6.0 in every band OR successfully complete The University of Waikato College Level 8 Certificate of Attainment in Academic English with a B grade or higher OR a TOEFL iBT score of 90 (with a writing score of 21). International students can email international@waikato.ac.nz for more information or help with the application process.
-
Domestic tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
Domestic tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Find a scholarship
Relevant as of 13 February 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. View information about fees-free study.
-
International tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for international students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
International tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Find a scholarship
Relevant as of 13 February 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.
Paper details
Unless a student is approved to take CRSCI594, the compulsory papers for the MSCS degree are CRSCI501, CRSCI502, IRSST505, MAORI518, PSYCH544 and the 60 point dissertation CRSCI592.
Students enrolled in a 180 point Master of Security and Crime Science will take the compulsory papers and another 45 points of papers from those prescribed in the Security and Crime Science entry in the University of Waikato Catalogue of Papers.
Depending on your previous study, students who have an honours degree or a postgraduate diploma may be given a waiver on 15 points of the compulsory taught papers required for the Master of Security and Crime Science.