Master of Laws Criminal Justice with Placement Year

LLM in Criminal Justice provides knowledge, understanding and critical thinking in the areas of Criminal Justice. It is an ideal course for those who wish to specialise in the areas of Criminal Justice, Criminal Law, and Global Policing. 

Our LLM Criminal Justice offers one compulsory module, Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice and Criminal Law, which is your Pathway Specific Module (only available to LLM in Criminal Justice students within the Programme) plus a compulsory elective where you may choose between Global Policing and Law Enforcement or Crimes of the Powerful.

Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice and Criminal Law will cover contemporary topics such as miscarriage of justice, presumption of innocence, case study analysis for Nulla Poena Sine Lege, cultural defence in criminal law, consent in sexual offences, process of criminalising new offences and decriminalising the existing offences. You will also have a wide range of other modules from the LLM programme to choose between for your optional modules, such as International Humanitarian Law, Medical Law and Ethics, and Family Law, which will help you to expand your areas of interest.   

You’ll have one compulsory module: Contemporary Issues in Criminal justice and Criminal Law as your Pathway Specific module. By studying this module, you will explore and challenge how society, states, case law, policymakers and global trends affect regulating the law and the criminal justice system.  

Modules contain authentic assessments (no exam) helping you to improve transferable skills. The compulsory elective enables you to choose between Global Policing and Law Enforcement or Crimes of the Powerful. To expand your areas of interest, you’ll also have a wide range of other modules from the LLM Programme to choose between for your optional modules, such as International Humanitarian Law, Medical Law and Ethics.  

Expect to graduate with:  

Research skills using a range of sources, including verbal questioning 
Evaluation skills and the ability to interpret and explain complex information clearly 
Analytical skills 
Reasoning and critical judgement skills 
Ability to formulate sound arguments 
Lateral thinking and problem-solving skills 
Ability to write concisely 
Confident and persuasive oral communication skills 
Attention to detail and the ability to draft formal documents with precision
These skills are in demand by employers, align with our graduate attributes outlined by the university and enable students to demonstrate their professional capability in a number of sectors and roles through the competency and strength-based evidence required throughout the interview process. 

You will engage with highly controversial, debatable, and contemporary topics in Criminal Justice by participating in class discussions, debates, case study analysis, and role plays. Module assessments will enable you to improve your interpersonal skills, team working, critical analysis, and problem-solving skills.    

Your dissertation will support you to improve your independent study, research, critical thinking, and presentation skills. Your authentic assessments will allow you to work on real life scenarios and enhance your employability skills.