University of Waikato

What you'll study

The programme covers the scientific study of crime and security, emphasising evidence-based prevention, measurement and analysis. You will study core topics in crime science, security management and research methods, and apply those ideas to real-world problems through coursework and a substantial research project or thesis.

• Crime science and criminological theory — theories of offending, environmental criminology, routine activity and opportunity-reduction approaches.
• Situational crime prevention and design — practical techniques for reducing victimisation and opportunities for harm in built and virtual environments.
• Quantitative methods and data analysis — statistics, spatial analysis (GIS), and crime mapping for analysing patterns and evaluating interventions.
• Qualitative methods and evaluation — interview and ethnographic methods, programme evaluation and mixed-methods designs appropriate for crime and security research.
• Security technologies and cyber considerations — principles of cyber security, surveillance technologies and their governance and ethics (where offered as elective options).
• Policy, governance and ethical issues — regulation, human rights, confidentiality and ethical dimensions of security practice.
• Research project or thesis — an independent research dissertation or applied research project supervised by academic staff; this is a major component of the master's and develops specialist expertise.

Study modes typically include taught papers and a research component; you can usually choose between a thesis-focused pathway or a coursework-plus-research project pathway. Part-time and distance study options are often available to support working professionals.

Entry requirements

Admission normally requires a recognised bachelor's degree with honours in a relevant discipline (for example criminology, sociology, psychology, computer science, geographic information science, law or a related field), or a bachelor-level degree plus relevant professional experience. Applicants without a direct honours degree but with substantial professional experience in security, policing, intelligence or research roles may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

• Academic transcripts and a curriculum vitae outlining relevant study and/or work experience.
• A personal statement or research proposal describing your interest in the field and intended area of research.
• Referee reports or contact details for referees may be requested.
• International applicants whose first language is not English will need to meet the University’s English language requirements (for example through IELTS or equivalent qualifications).

Specific entry conditions, including minimum grades and any prerequisites, are set by the University and should be checked on the programme web page or via admissions guidance.

Career prospects

Graduates from this programme move into a range of professional roles that require analytic, research and policy skills related to crime and security. Typical career paths include:

• Crime analyst or intelligence analyst in policing and law enforcement agencies.
• Security manager, risk assessor or consultant in private security and corporate settings.
• Policy adviser or analyst in central and local government departments working on justice, safety and resilience.
• Researcher or evaluator in universities, think tanks, independent research organisations and non-governmental organisations.
• Roles in cyber security teams addressing crime-focussed threats and digital investigations, subject to elective study choices.

The programme’s emphasis on applied methods and a substantial research project also prepares graduates for further doctoral study if they wish to pursue an academic or specialist research career.

Why study at University of Waikato

The University of Waikato offers an interdisciplinary learning environment with staff experienced in criminology, data analysis and security studies. Small cohort sizes allow for close supervision of research projects and personalised feedback on applied analytic work.

• Interdisciplinary teaching that integrates social science perspectives with quantitative and spatial analysis skills.
• Opportunities to work on applied projects and to build links with practitioners in policing, local government and industry.
• Access to research supervision and facilities that support quantitative analysis, GIS and mixed-methods research.
• Flexible study options suitable for both full-time students and working professionals seeking part-time or distance study pathways.

Prospective students should consult the University of Waikato’s programme pages and admissions team for current details on entry pathways, available electives and supervision expertise to align the degree with their career goals.