Transnational Crime, Justice & Security

Student Testimonials

Stephanie Buitelaar, Netherlands, MSc Transnational Crime, Justice, & Security, 2011-12

"As an international student new to this discipline, I found that the programme excellently helped me integrate into the subject matter as well as the community. The MSc in Transnational Crime, Justice and Security supplied me with a theoretical understanding of criminological concepts and approaches. The program is tightly linked with the MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice which gave me the opportunity to develop an in-depth perspective on empirical criminal issues as well. Paralleled with optional courses ranging from Rehabilitation to Crime in the Media and Popular Culture, you are encouraged to explore and choose a focus that interests you.

A huge asset to this programme is the fact that it is run out of the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research (SCCJR). This allowed us as students to be completely immersed in the professional Criminology community, attending conferences and unique lectures. I found this to be a huge advantage as it provided us with access to information as well as with opportunity to make contacts in the Criminology field. Our professors are involved with current and relevant projects and studying in the SCCJR gives you first hand access to them. The professional staff in this programme go above and beyond to help their students and you always feel their support. I could not have asked for better mentors.

As an individual with a vast array of interests, this programme was able to give me the opportunities to work in both the private and public sector. Since finishing this MSc, I have completed internships in a private security company as well as at the European Union delegation to Indonesia. Both organizations found my academic background to be relevant to their industries. The freedom to pursue my international career is certainly due to this MSc programme. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to work in crime policy or prevention in the international job market."

These testimonials come from students on the closely related MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Much of the subject-specific teaching is shared between these programmes.

Elvinas Blazevicius, student from Lithuania on MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice, graduated 2011
"The programme offered a good combination of fundamental criminology and contemporary challenges in crime control. Since I see myself working in international organisations such as Europol, United Nations or European Union institutions, I found the programme’s focus on the issues of crime and globalisation particularly useful.

Being a student in Glasgow was a truly enjoyable experience for me. The friendliness and kindness of Glaswegians, as well as the attention and willingness to help of the teaching staff, made me feel at home. Considering the current economic climate, I am convinced that my Masters degree will put me ahead of my competitors and will definitely open many doors."

Orla Clohessy, student from Ireland on MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice, graduated 2011 
"The MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice provides a challenging and comprehensive course. It has provided me with an advanced knowledge and understanding of the wide range of empirical and theoretical issues in criminology. A key feature of the course is the opportunity to select from the range of interesting and diverse modules available. All seminars are planned to take into account what is going on in the world today making each module up-to-date and relevant. This often involved guest speakers taking part in seminars.

The support and guidance from the teaching staff is exceptional, with the contact time between the lectures and students being particularly impressive. The fact that the department and teaching staff are at the heart of the SCCJR meant that I got the opportunity to attend and take part in several criminology conferences and training courses which the Centre provided funding for.

On a practical level I obtained an in-depth understanding of the complex problems that crime can pose within criminal justice and criminal law fields. Through this course I developed excellent data and research skills and an extensive knowledge of the methods and data used in criminal justice settings. This has proved invaluable in my employment in the criminal justice field. This course will provide you with an advanced knowledge and a range of the necessary research and analytical skills which are vital for a career within a criminal justice setting.”  

Shadi Whitburn, student from Mexico on MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice, graduated 2011
“What reinforced my theoretical understanding of criminology while studying the MSc was to learn and interact with practitioners and researchers from different disciplines in criminology. From gender violence, youth gangs to organized crime, there is a leading expert for each area at the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research. Today the Centre is my second home. Thanks to the support and guidelines of the professional academic staff, I was able to secure funding as an international student at Glasgow University and continue my studies with a PhD program.”