2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Programme Catalogue

MSc Criminal Justice and Criminology

Programme overview

Programme code
MSC-LAW/CJC
UCAS code
Duration
12 Months
Method of Attendance
Full Time
Programme manager
Kisby Dickinson
Contact address
K.M.Dickinson@leeds.ac.uk
Total credits
180
School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme
School of Law
Examination board through which the programme will be considered

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements are available on the Course Search entry

Programme specification

The MSc in Criminal Justice is an advanced postgraduate course designed to provide a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of criminal justice at the domestic and international levels. The programme provides a dynamic platform to not only expand your theoretical understanding of key concepts in the field but also to apply this knowledge in practical scenarios, equipping you with the skills to navigate the complexities of these areas.

Structured with a blend of compulsory and optional modules, the programme allows you to tailor your studies to your specific interests whilst ensuring a solid foundation in criminal justice and criminal law. Compulsory modules in Criminal Justice Processes, Researching Crime, Security and Justice and Contemporary Theories of Crime, enable you to develop your legal research and writing skills, culminating in an independent piece of research on your chosen topic, the Dissertation. Optional modules offer a further range of specialisations, including Theories of Social Justice, Security, Conflict and Justice, and Contemporary Theories of Criminal Justice. This modular structure provides you with the flexibility to pursue specific areas of interest within the realm of criminal justice.

A distinctive feature of this programme is its commitment to the principles of the new Leeds Curriculum. It emphasises research-led teaching, ensuring that you are engaged with the latest scholarship and debates. The curriculum also promotes a breadth of learning, providing you with a holistic understanding of the subject matter. Contents are regularly updated to reflect the evolving nature of domestic and international landscapes, preparing you to address current and emerging challenges in your professional career.

While primarily delivered through in-person lectures and seminars, the programme also utilises digital technologies to enrich the learning experience. This combination allows for an inclusive, engaging, and flexible environment, accommodating diverse learning styles and needs.

Upon successful completion of this programme, you will have achieved a comprehensive understanding of the most pressing issues relating to criminal justice at the domestic and international levels, including its application to real-world and hypothetical scenarios. You will be able to critically evaluate rules and policies, undertake independent research, and effectively articulate arguments. In addition to these subject-specific outcomes, the programme also develops transferable skills such as critical thinking, time management, and advanced communication abilities, which are indispensable in professional settings.

In summary, the MSc in Criminal Justice programme combines legal and academic learning with the development of key research and professional skills. It provides you with a unique opportunity to delve into the complexities of the issues relating to criminal justice, thereby preparing you to gather relevant skills to pursue careers in academia, legal practice, non-governmental organisations, supranational organisations, or industry.

Year 1

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Compulsory Modules

Candidates will be required to study the following 135 credits of compulsory modules

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
LAW5022MResearching Crime, Security and Justice30Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
LAW5041MDissertation Criminal Law/Criminal Justice60Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
LAW5229MContemporary Theories of Crime15Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
LAW5358MCriminal Justice Processes30Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Optional Modules

Candidates will be required to choose 45 credits of optional modules. 

Candidates will be required to study:
30 credits in Semester 1 and 15 credits in Semester 2 OR
15 credits in Semester 1 and 30 credits in Semester 2 from the following optional modules.

Semester 1
Choose 1 module from either Basket 1 or Basket 2

Basket 1
NOTE: If LAW5861M (30 Credits) or LAW5301M (30 Credits) is chosen, this counts as one 15 credit option from Basket 1 AND one 15 credit option from Basket 3.  

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
LAW5065MCentral Issues in Criminal Law15Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
LAW5115MRethinking Policing15Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
LAW5301MSecurity, Conflict and Justice30Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
LAW5406MTheories of Social Justice15Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
LAW5861MInternational Human Rights30Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Basket 2

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
EDUC5862MResearch with Children and Young People30Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
SLSP5317MSociology of Media and Culture30Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
SLSP5356MInequalities: Exploring causes, Consequences and Interventions30Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
SLSP5502MResearch Strategy and Design30Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Semester 2 
Basket 3: Choose modules as required to ensure the combined credit total for all your optional modules equals 45.

NOTES:
- If you have chosen 1 x 15 Credit module from Basket 1, select 2 x 15 Credit modules OR a 30 Credit module

- If you have chosen a 30 Credit module from either Basket 1 or Basket 2, choose only 1 x 15 Credit module from Basket 3

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
LAW5146MInternational Criminal Law15Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
LAW5231MContemporary Theories of Criminal Justice15Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
LAW5362MComparative Human Rights Law15Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
LAW5386MGlobalisation and Crime15Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
LAW5401MInequalities, Law and Justice30Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
SLSP5515MQuantitative Research Methods15Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
SLSP5520MQualitative Research Methods15Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Last updated: 10/07/2024 16:47:48

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