Master of Security and Crime Science
Please note
There will be no new enrolments into Master of Security and Crime Science in 2023.
Alternatively, PGDip in Security and Crime Science and PGCert in Security and Crime Science are available.
Learn how to manage real-world crime issues and develop analytical and creative methods to improve security in an ever-changing society.
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.
Key information
| Years: | 1.5 |
|---|---|
| Points: | 180 |
| Study Locations: | Hamilton |
| Start Dates: | Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July) |
| Estimated Fees* (Domestic): |
$11,450 per year
See if you're eligible for fees-free study in your first year |
| Estimated Fees* (International): | $39,000 (120 pts) or $58,505 (180 pts) |
| Entry Requirements: | Postgraduate International |
| Area of Study: | |
| *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. | |
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Career opportunities
- Policy development for social agencies
- Intelligence analyst (eg for MPI, National or International Police forces)
- Traffic accident analyst
- Security enhancement engineer
- Senior law enforcement officer
- Social investment expert
- Senior policy adviser
- Crime data scientist
- Analyst specialising in emerging, organised or cyber crime
- Counter-terrorism analyst
Entry requirements
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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 [email protected] for more information or help with the application process.
Scholarships and prizes
Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships
Paper details
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Expand to read requirements
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.
Contacts
School of Arts and School of Social Sciences
Phone: 0800 800 145 or +64 7 838 4080
Email: [email protected]
New Zealand Institute for Security and Crime Science (NZISCS)
Have a chat with one of our friendly advisers to help you plan your degree.
Phone: +64 7 838 4610 Email: [email protected]
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