Criminology & Criminal Justice

Overview

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.

Core Modules

Criminal Justice Processes (20 credits)

Criminology and Criminal Justice Methods 1 (5 credits)

Criminology and Criminal Justice Methods 2 (5 credits)

Theoretical Criminology (20 credits)

Approaches to Legal Research (10 credits)

Key Debates in Criminology (20 credits)



Optional Modules

Dissertation (Criminology & Criminal Justice) (60 credits)

Youth Justice: Theory, Law and Practice (20 credits)

Dissertation in Practice (60 credits)

Climate,Justice & Human Rights (20 credits)

Policing and Crime Prevention (20 credits)

Restorative Justice: Principles, Issues and Debates (20 credits)

Crimes of the Powerful (20 credits)

Entrance requirements

Graduate

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



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).



International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region at https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/your-country/



English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 7.0, with not less than 6.0 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.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 28th August 2026. 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 application portal against the programme application page.

Assessed coursework

Dissertation

1 year (Full Time), 2 years (Part Time)

Entry Year: Academic Year 2026/27

Career Prospects

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/