LLM Criminal Justice

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to have background knowledge of law or a discipline related to the LLM (usually an undergraduate degree or professional qualifications). Applicants will normally hold a degree with a minimum pass of 2:2, or equivalent overseas qualification, or an equivalent professional qualification. A degree in law is preferred but is not essential.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Drawing upon research expertise in this area at De Montfort University, this course examines the theory and practice of how the criminal justice system operates. It assesses the efficacy of the law's processes to achieve justice for the victims of criminal behaviour and those accused of criminal offences.

You will learn to critically appraise aspects of criminal law, practice and procedure to formulate, evaluate and adapt solutions to contemporary problems. Through various assessments, including presentations, case study analysis, individual exercises, report writing, and essay writing, you will independently develop and present legal arguments with a theoretical and conceptual basis to support positions. In addition, you will deepen your understanding of the methodologies which can be used to pursue a career in criminal justice research.

Each module on the programme examines a different stage in the criminal justice process. The combination of the modules provides a straightforward narrative journey through the criminal justice process, culminating in a research-led portfolio or academic dissertation piece.

Education 2030

We want to ensure you have the best learning experience possible and a supportive and nurturing learning community. That’s why we’re introducing a new block model for delivering the majority of our courses, known as Education 2030. This means a more simplified timetable where you will study one subject at a time instead of several at once. You will have more time to engage with your learning and get to know the teaching team and course mates. You will receive faster feedback through more regular assessment, and have a better study-life balance to enjoy other important aspects of university life.

Key features

• You will be taught by legal experts who have a wealth of experience. These will include barristers, solicitors, professors and practitioners from the international legal arena.
• You will benefit from the block teaching delivery mode. The block teaching approach widens participation in the context of legal study. A more concentrated weekly schedule allows you to focus on one subject at a time instead of several at once. This means that you will be able to focus closely on each subject and absorb your learning material in more depth whilst working more closely with your tutors and coursemates.
• In our Critical Issues in Sentencing and Punishment module, you will examine current sentencing policy and how it is formulated, critically evaluating its theoretical underpinnings and assessing its efficacy in achieving justice for the victims of crime, defendants and society as a whole.
• You can expand your knowledge of the law in dedicated learning spaces, including access to a crown court – a site of trials since the Middle Ages, a training courtroom and a simulated Judge's Chambers suite. In addition, the university's Hugh Aston Building has a dedicated law library exclusively for law students, allowing you to practise scenario-based learning.
• You will develop and apply values, skills, knowledge and behaviours that will enable them to contribute to the development of a just, peaceful and sustainable world.

Information for international students

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with 5.5 in each band (or equivalent) when you start the course is essential.

English Language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

Fees and funding

Find out more about funding here.