Criminal Law and Criminal Justice

Birkbeck, University of London
Postgraduate MA Full-time 1 Year LawPolicingSociology

About this course

Our MA/LLM Criminal Law and Criminal Justice is grounded within legal, criminological, policy and humanities perspectives to offer you a unique opportunity for advanced study of criminal law and criminal justice. On successful completion of this course, you can decide whether you would like to receive an MA or an LLM so that your chosen award is based on your own needs, career path and area of specialism.

Why choose this course?

  • This course is ideal if you have a keen interest in criminal law and criminal justice and want to learn in a stimulating, flexible, learning environment.

  • It brings together students from a range of backgrounds, including those with pre-existing knowledge or experience, who wish to advance their existing career and specialise in this area, as well as those with a desire to carve out a new career path.

  • You will be taught by leading academics in criminology, criminal justice and law and active researchers at the Institute for Crime and Justice Policy Research, who are at the forefront of generating new knowledge on contemporary criminal justice issues, including in policing and the policed, courts and the judicial process, prisons and the use of imprisonment, and fraud and digital technologies.

    What you will learn

    Compulsory modules on this course will provide you with:

  • an introduction to theoretical perspectives on the relationship between criminal law and criminal justice

  • deep insights into cutting-edge debates and a range of contemporary issues in criminal law and criminal justice

  • advanced knowledge of modern criminal law.

    You will also have the chance to choose option modules from a diverse list spanning law, criminology, social policy and the humanities, so you can tailor your studies to your interests and future career goals.

    How you will learn

    Learning is through lectures, seminars and tutorials, alongside your independent work. Throughout the course, you will have various opportunities to develop skills relevant to your career, such as through conducting an independent research project with support from a specialist supervisor.

    You will be able to choose between full- and part-time study.* This course has an evening timetable with classes taking place in the evening*, allowing you to pursue other activities and commitments during the day.

    Highlights

  • You can look forward to a stimulating, flexible learning environment, alongside students with diverse backgrounds and professional experiences.

  • You will be taught by staff who are part of a proud tradition of critical scholarship in criminology and criminal justice, who address issues of crime through power and inequality, and are led by principles of social and racial justice.

  • We are home to the Institute for Crime and Justice Policy Research whose outstanding team of academics and researchers bring a wealth of knowledge to this Master's course.

  • Students can attend specialist research seminars, such as the Criminology Seminar Series, which feature national and international scholars speaking on current issues and groundbreaking interdisciplinary research.

    Careers and employability

    Postgraduate studies in criminal law and criminal justice offer you a range of career opportunities, such as: 

  • legal practitioners

  • positions within the third sector including non-government organisations (NGOs) and voluntary organisations

  • positions within criminal justice agencies, such as the police, prisons and the youth justice system

  • local government or civil service roles 

  • education, research and academia.  

    MA/LLM Criminal Law and Criminal Justice graduates complete the degree with a set of valuable transferable attributes such as:

  • the ability to critically evaluate and assess a range of sources

  • the ability to present persuasive arguments 

  • the ability to work effectively as part of a team

  • high-level oral and written communication skills in English.

    • Study Options

    This course is available in 4 study options:

    Full-time Shown above

    Duration: 1 Year

    Qualification: MA

    Location: London

    Part-time

    Duration: 2 Years

    Qualification: MA

    Location: London

    Part-time

    Duration: 2 Years

    Qualification: LLM

    Location: London

    Full-time Shown above

    Duration: 1 Year

    Qualification: LLM

    Location: London

    Career Prospects

    Graduates from this course typically go into the following occupations:

    1162 Senior police officers
    3314 Prison service officers (below principal officer)
    3319 Protective service associate professionals
    3520 Legal associate professionals
    3312 Police officers (sergeant and below)
    2434 Business and related research professionals

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    Course Details

    Qualification
    MA
    Study Mode
    Full-time
    Duration
    1 Year
    Start Date
    2025
    Academic Year
    2025
    Campus / Location
    London
    Scheme
    Postgraduate
    Subjects
    Law, Policing, Sociology

    Offered by

    Birkbeck, University of London

    London

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