Law - Comparative Criminology & Criminal Justice

Students undertake a wide variety of modules which aim to combine theoretical concepts with real-world problems such as terrorism and organised crime.

As a student in Maynooth you will be part of our vibrant community of students and scholars working in the fields of criminology and criminal justice. Our expert academic team, drawing on their extensive research and professional experience, deliver an interdisciplinary programme with a strong emphasis on enhanced research skills. These skills are highly sought-after by employers in the area. There is a strong focus on employability throughout the programme, including opportunities for student placements with criminal justice organisations and civil society.

Students must complete 90 credits in total, taking 35 taught credits in semester 1 and 30 taught credits in semester 2. A 25-credit dissertation is completed during the summer.

Students also have the option of graduating with a Postgraduate Diploma instead of a Masters in Arts. The structure of the Postgraduate Diploma follows that of the Masters in Arts structure, but students do not complete a dissertation.

Not all modules offered will run every year; offerings are dependent upon demand and other potential constraints. Outside of a small number of compulsory modules, students may choose any combination of modules they wish.

Candidates should have a minimum 2.2 grade, honours (level 8) undergraduate degree in law or in a cognate discipline, such as criminology, social policy, sociology, politics, history, psychology etc. This must be a recognised primary degree that is considered equivalent to Irish university primary degree level. A personal statement of up to 1,000 words outlining why an applicant is suitable for the programme should be included as part of an application. This personal statement will form part of the assessment by the Admissions Committee.

These are the minimum entry requirements and meeting these requirements will not guarantee an offer of entry onto the programme, as entry to the programme is competitive. Applications by applicants with other types of diplomas or who do not reach this minimum level of qualifications will be determined by the Admissions Committee in line with the University's policy on recognition of prior experiential learning. The programme will also be accessible to international students from all jurisdictions, as no prior knowledge of the common law is required.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Minimum English language requirements:

• IELTS: 6.5 minimum overall score
• TOEFL (Paper based test): 585
• TOEFL (Internet based test): 95
• PTE (Pearson): 62

Maynooth University's TOEFL code is 8850

Closing Date : 30 June 2023

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

The programme will allow students to build upon their existing qualifications with a view to accessing positions within the justice and security field, with the additional advantage that students will be provided with a genuinely international and comparative outlook. Graduates may go on to work in careers within An Gardaí Síochána, the security industry, data analytics, probation, the prison service, the civil service, research institutes, academia, the NGO sector, etc.