Law - Human Rights in Criminal Justice

Key programme benefits to future students

- Students will be provided with a comprehensive knowledge of this ever developing field of law and encouraged to assess the merit of mainstreaming human rights within the criminal justice system. - Students will be given an in-depth understanding of the legal regimes operating at national, regional and global levels and sources of human rights law in the field of criminal justice.

- In addition to an understanding of the human rights protection mechanisms in this context, students will address the question of how human rights law can be enforced. Students will also develop important transferable skills including analytical, research, communication and report writing skills.



Key facts

The LLM/MA Human Rights in Criminal Justice was shortlisted in 2020 for Postgraduate course of the Year (Law Category) at the HEA Awards 2020

Autumn Modules

• Advanced Legal Research Skills

Optional Modules (choose three)

Comparative International Protection of Human Rights Law | Criminal Justice Processes and Sentencing | Law of the European Convention of Human Rights | Penology and Victimology | Advanced Constitutional Law; Judicial Power and Constitutional Interpretation



Spring Modules

• Dissertation Methodology

Optional Modules (choose three)

International Criminal Law | Policing and Human Rights | Criminology | Comparative and European Criminal Justice | Regulatory Crime Using evidence to improve societal outcomes in the real world | Hate Crime | Youth Crime



Summer Modules

• Dissertation



Part-time

Autumn Modules

• Advanced Legal Research Skills (Y1)

• One elective from the list (Y1)

• Two elective modules (Y2)



Spring Modules

• Two electives from the list (Y1)

• Dissertation Methodology (Y2)

• One elective module (Y2)



Summer Modules

• Dissertation

Applicants must normally have a second class honours degree, grade 2 (2.2) in law or in a relevant social science (Primary degree: Level 8 - National Qualifications Authority of Ireland). In exceptional circumstances an applicant who cannot satisfy the undergraduate requirement may be accepted on the basis of relevant work experience in accordance with UL’s Policy on Recognition of Prior Learning. Applicants with a primary degree in law should apply for the LLM whereas applicants from cognate disciplines to law should apply for the MA. The course structure, elective modules and assessment instruments are the same for LLM and MA students. Applicants with a primary degree in law will be awarded an LL.M., whereas all other applicants will be awarded an M.A.

In exceptional circumstances an applicant who cannot satisfy the undergraduate requirement may be accepted on the basis of relevant work experience in accordance with UL’s Policy on Recognition of Prior Learning.



Applications from those with practical experience in either field are particularly encouraged.



WHAT TO INCLUDE WITH YOUR APPLICATION:

Qualification transcripts and certificates

A copy of your birth certificate or passport

A copy of your CV

Two academic references

A one page supporting statement, which should demonstrate: (1) your motivation, enthusiasm and a clear understanding of why you are making the application to the Human Rights in Criminal Justice master’s programme, and to UL; (2) how your academic background and other relevant experiences have shaped your decision to apply and how the programme of study contributes to your career plans; (3) Evidence that you have the ability, experience, skills and motivation to successfully complete the programme of study.

If your qualifications have been obtained in a country where English is an official language this will suffice.

If this is not available, the following additional documents must be provided:

English translation of your qualification(s)/transcripts AND

English language competency certificate

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time, on-campus.

Autumn

Graduate careers

Graduates have pursued careers in the legal professions, research and academia, corporate sector and public affairs roles.