Criminal Law and Criminal Justice
(LLM) Criminal Law and Criminal Justice
Entry for 2026
FHEQ level
This course is set at Level 7 (Masters) in the national Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.
Course Aims
The aim of this programme is to develop to an advanced level students understanding of criminal law and criminal justice and the interrelationship of these two areas of study. The programme will address challenging issues of criminal law such as the law of homicide, sexual offences, capacity and defences. It will also address important questions of criminal procedure and practice such as the role of the police, the nature of criminal defence and the trial process, youth justice and penal policy. These issues will be explored not only from practical but also theoretical and comparative perspectives and attention will be paid to the social, political and economic context.
Students completing the programme will benefit from the significant research and teaching experience of a group of senior faculty in SLS with interests in criminal law, criminal procedure, criminal and penal practice, both in the United Kingdom as well as internationally and comparatively. The programme complements our existing strengths in international criminal law, international and domestic security law and comparative justice. Other departments in the School of Law, Politics and Sociology will also provide opportunities for students to engage with relevant ideas in other disciplines through the possibility of their attending courses in these departments.
Students on the programme will also have the opportunity to join their colleagues on the LLM International Criminal Law on their annual study tour to the international criminal institutions at the Hague, Netherlands as well as to participate in a range of study visits to local criminal justice institutions.
Course learning outcomes
Describe and critically analyse the fundamental principles, practices and institutions of criminal law and criminal justice
Describe and critically analyse the fundamental theories of criminology
Reflect critically upon the meanings, purposes and ideologies of criminal law, criminal justice and/or criminology
Critically evaluate a range of subjects specific to the optional modules chosen on the course
Understand and make self-directed use of a variety of research methodologies in criminal law, criminal justice and/or criminology
Undertake a substantial original research project
For information on the composition of this course please see either the on-line Undergraduate prospectus for undergraduate related courses or the on-line Postgraduate prospectus for postgraduate related courses.
More detailed information on the course structure and modules within this degree will be available on this page shortly.
Please note that the University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver courses and modules in accordance with the descriptions set out here. However, the University keeps its courses and modules under review with the aim of enhancing quality. Some changes may therefore be made to the form or content of courses or modules shown as part of the normal process of curriculum management.
The University reserves the right to make changes to the contents or methods of delivery of, or to discontinue, merge or combine modules, if such action is reasonably considered necessary by the University. If there are not sufficient student numbers to make a module viable, the University reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the University withdraws or discontinues a module, it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative module.