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LLM|Postgraduate Taught

Criminology and Criminal Justice

Entry year
2024/25
Entry requirements
2.2 (minimum 55%)
Duration
2 years (Part-time)
1 year (Full-time)
Places available
Open (Part Time) (Part Time)
Open (Full-Time) (Full Time)

This exciting, stimulating and topical postgraduate degree programme in Criminology and Criminal Justice is taught by internationally-recognised scholars and researchers who offer students a wide introduction to the study of crime and criminal justice in contemporary society. The programme is also unique insofar as it draws upon Northern Ireland’s experiment in overhauling its criminal justice system (police, prisons and restorative justice) as part of the political settlement reached in 1998. As such students are introduced to ‘what works’ in criminal justice reform with police reform in particular becoming a burning issue in many jurisdictions currently. Key research strengths of the teaching staff lie in the following areas:
-Community Safety and Crime Prevention
-Policing
-Prisoner Reintegration
-Restorative Justice
-Sex Offending
-Victimology
-Anti-Social Behaviour
-Crime and the Life Course

The LLM in Criminology and Criminal Justice is designed to appeal to prospective students with an academic or professional interest in criminology or criminal justice. It enables students to understand the motivations for offending as well as the practical operation of criminal justice and how the state responds to criminality and victimisation. This degree will be of considerable relevance and interest to those who are already employed in criminal justice-related work in fields such as legal practice, government, non-governmental organisations, as well as equipping those who have just completed undergraduate degrees to develop the knowledge and skills to pursue criminal justice-related careers or undertake advanced level study.

Criminology and Criminal Justice highlights

Student Experience

The LLM Criminal Justice programme has an international focus and taught by leading academics and practitioners in the field. Queen's has a long history of criminology and criminal justice teaching & research and was the first University on the island of Ireland to provide graduate studies in Criminology and Criminal Justice in 1994 and at the time was one of only a handful of UK universities to do so also. Queen’s offers one of the only Criminology and Criminal Justice programmes internationally that deals specifically with reform of the criminal justice system in a post-conflict environment (e.g. restorative justice, prisons and policing). Research and teaching is carried out under the auspices of the Institute of Criminology and Criminal Justice (ICCJ) based within the School. The ICCJ organises an active, annual speaker and conference series, with talks by academics and practitioners.

At Queen's you will be part of a thriving postgraduate culture built on teaching excellence, leading-edge research, innovation, collaboration and engagement. These components are woven together in our Graduate School. It is here you will develop new skills and increased personal effectiveness that will enable you to stand out in the crowded and increasingly competitive global job market. Life at Queen's is not just about the degree. We offer our students the opportunity to really enrich their studies. Whether you're into student societies, sports, music, dance, or just a coffee with your friends, Queen's has exceptional facilities to cater for all interests.

Career Development

We are dedicated to student employability and have strong connections to civil society organisations, criminal justice bodies and agencies, international institutions and networks. We have a strong record placing students in professional employment both inside and outside Northern Ireland. For example, three of the most senior officers in the Police Service of Northern Ireland studied our LLM. Law was ranked Top 10 in the UK for graduate prospects (Complete University Guide 2024).

Internationally Renowned Experts

Law at Queen's is taught by world-leading experts in the area of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Our staff have close research links with the professions, government and Civil Society. Law at Queen's is in the top 150 Law Schools worldwide and we are ranked 18th in the world for international outlook. Research in Law was ranked 8th in the UK in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (2021).

World Class Facilities

Our facilities at Queen’s include a state-of-the-art Law building with superb teaching facilities, a moot court and study spaces. Queen’s has one of the most modern campuses in the UK, including the award winning McClay Library, one of the finest libraries in the world and home to 1.2 million volumes and over 2,000 reader places.

Our Physical Education Centre was used as a training camp for the 2012 Olympics. Our Queen’s Elms Student Village and city centre student accommodation (built in 2018) are located within easy walking distance of the University.

Student Testimonials

Course Structure

Students may enrol on a full-time (1 year) or part-time (2 years) basis. Students must complete six core modules (80 CATS points), two optional modules (40 CATS points) and a research dissertation (60 CATS points).

The Masters is awarded to students who successfully complete all taught modules (120 CATS points) and a research dissertation (60 CATS points).

Compulsory Modules

Theoretical Criminology
Key Debates in Criminology
Criminal Justice Processes
Dissertation (Maximum 15,000 words)
(Students who secure a summer work placement of at least 8 weeks can complete a Dissertation in Practice Module including 12,000 word dissertation and 3,000 word reflective journal of the learning experience)

Course Details

The LLM Criminology and Criminal Justice Programme takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of crime and justice and draws on original staff research. Modules are rooted in relevant theoretical frameworks with a strong criminological focus and provide students with methodological training in addition to supporting the development of critical analysis and other transferable skills. Through the dissertation, students can explore a wide variety of criminological and criminal justice topics. Students are encouraged to develop a critical understanding of the criminal justice process and the practical operation of criminal law in a domestic and comparative context, and are given the opportunity to explore in-depth a particular criminal justice-related issue through the submission of a dissertation.
The programme is delivered through a series of taught modules and culminates in the submission of the dissertation on an original topic.

Methodology Mini-Modules

Approaches to Legal Research
Criminal Justice & Criminology Methods 1
Criminal Justice & Criminology Methods 2

Optional Modules

Restorative Justice
Crimes of the Powerful
Youth Justice: Theory, Law and Practice
Prisons, Punishment & the Legacy of Conflict in NI
Climate, Justice and Human Rights

Please note this is not an exclusive list of the optional modules available. Optional modules are reviewed each year and subject to staff availability and student numbers

People teaching you

Professor

School of Law
Email: g.ellison@qub.ac.uk

Contact Teaching Hours

Small Group Teaching/Personal Tutorial

8 (hours maximum)
In addition to 6-8 hrs of teaching per week, students should set aside 10-12 hours per module for reading and preparation to engage meaningfully in classroom discussions, group work and other forms of active engagement.

Learning and Teaching

Learning opportunities associated with this course are outlined below:

Learning Opportunities

The Law School at Queen's has approximately 1,000 undergraduate students, 200 postgraduates, 70 PhD students and over 60 members of academic staff. You will be taught by scholars from all over the world, many of whom have international reputations in their fields and all are committed teachers and researchers. Students will also have access to an excellent law section in the library and extensive IT facilities.

The School operates a proactive system of student support. Programme Co-ordinators are allocated to each degree programme tasked to guide and support you throughout your time with us, together with the School's experienced and helpful administrative staff. We place considerable emphasis on facilitating good communication between staff and students. To this end, a Student Voice Committee, comprised of elected student representatives, the Director of Graduate Studies and other members of academic staff, meet at regular intervals throughout the academic year. This Committee provides students with a forum in which to raise matters of concern to them and also enables the School to keep students informed about matters affecting the School and wider university.

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable students to achieve their full academic potential.

We do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enables our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, life-long learners. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:
- E-Learning technologies: Information associated with lectures and assignments is communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Canvas. A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the programme through, for example: interactive group workshops in a flexible learning space; podcasts and interactive web-based learning activities; opportunities to use IT programmes associated with design in project- based work etc.
- Seminars: Seminars provide information about topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading. Seminars also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups to all year group peers).
- Self-directed study: This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s Law student when important private reading and research, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.

Assessment

Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:

  • Assessed coursework
  • Dissertation

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Modules

Modules

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2024/25). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.

  • Year 1

    Core Modules

    Optional Modules

Entrance requirements

Graduate

Applicants with a primary degree in a relevant/cognate subject: Normally a strong 2.2 Honours degree (with a minimum of 55%) or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in Law, Social Sciences, Humanities or a cognate discipline.

Applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree with below 55% in a cognate discipline (or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) along with a minimum of 2 years relevant experience may be considered.

Applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree or above in other disciplines may be considered if they can demonstrate 2 years relevant experience.

Exemption from these requirements may be considered for those applicants who hold a Master's degree in a relevant subject (or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University).

Admission under Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) may be considered for this course. The University's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy provides guidance on the assessment of experiential learning. Please visit http://go.qub.ac.uk/RPLpolicy for more information.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 16th August 2024 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

  • Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
  • Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

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Careers

Career Prospects

Introduction

Some criminology and criminal justice graduates use this degree as a basis for further study towards a research degree such as a PhD, which may in turn lead to an academic career. Others pursue criminology and criminal justice-related careers in the legal, public, private or voluntary sectors.
http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/

Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 £7,300
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 £7,300
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 £9,250
EU Other 3 £21,500
International £21,500

1EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees.

Additional course costs

There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

How do I fund my study?

The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study. Tuition fee loan information.

A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas (excluding Initial Teacher Education/PGCE, where undergraduate student finance is available). Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.

More information on funding options and financial assistance - please check this link regularly, even after you have submitted an application, as new scholarships may become available to you.

International Scholarships

Information on scholarships for international students, is available at www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/international-scholarships.

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How to Apply

Apply using our online Queen's Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Apply now

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study.
Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

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