Criminal Law is concerned with the most potentially invasive assertion of authority by the state: if you fail to comply with the law you will be punished.
Providing a holistic analysis of the criminal process through an analysis of the law, its philosophical underpinnings and its operation in practice, this LLM pathway offers the opportunity for broad or deeply specialised study within an innovative research-led teaching environment which benefits from Newcastle longstanding stature in this field.
You can study to attain a broad overview of criminal justice processes, or for those wishing to gain in-depth understanding of criminal law and criminal justice, you can specialise in particular aspects as diverse as underpinning theories, policing, health aspects of criminal justice or indeed international aspects of law enforcement co-operation.
The modules on this LLM will allow you to study the five separate objectives used in enforcement of Criminal Law: retribution, deterrence, incapacitation, rehabilitation and restitution taught. All of these are subjects of great debate and controversy across all jurisdictions and students benefit from debating these informed by and in exchange with our broad range of experts.
Why Study this Course?
• Study at a top global law school – Newcastle Law School is one of the UK’s top 20 law schools (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2019), reflecting our excellence in teaching and our world-leading research.
• Research-led teaching – the latest Research Excellence Framework confirmed that 96% of our research is judged to be internationally recognised. Our academics are experts in their fields, conducting cutting-edge research which informs law reform
• Professional links – opportunities include the annual law fair, and visits to leading firms.
• Optional modules – you will choose your options from one the widest ranges of modules on any LLM programme in the UK with over 30 available, enabling you to create a unique degree tailored to your future career aspirations
• Pathway route – this allows you to specialise in a particular area of Law
Institutional Accreditation
University of Newcastle is accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission (DETC), www.detc.org.uk Since , University of Newcastle has been continually accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission and its predecessor.
LLM Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Pathway
Course Level:
Postgraduate, Taught
Credits
180
Course
CODE P1075
How long it takes:
1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
Study Mode:
Distance learning/ Campus
Course cost
Price: US$22,500
Entry requirements
Find out more about
Department:
Newcastle Law School
You follow a modular programme (180 credits in total), which comprises six taught modules (20 credits each) and a dissertation of 15,000 words (60 credits); the latter to be submitted at the end of the year of study. Students following the Criminal Law and Criminal Justice pathway study a minimum of three of their six modules from the list below:
- Criminal Evidence and Proof
- Criminal Justice: Law Enforcement
- Criminal Law Reform Now
- Global Crime Problems
- Human Rights and Criminal Justice
- International and European Legal Responses to Terrorism
- International Criminal Law and Justice
- Socio-Legal Methods
- Socio-Legal Theory
- Theory of Criminal Law
- Transnational Criminal Law
Considering postgraduate study, but unsure whether you meet the entry requirements for a Masters-level degree? Postgraduate admissions guidelines vary by course and university, but can be quite flexible.
Your existing qualifications will be important, but you don’t necessarily need a great Bachelors degree to apply for a Masters. Your personal circumstances and experience may also be considered during the admissions process.
This guide explains the typical entry requirements for a Masters, which include:
- An undergraduate degree in a relevant subject – Depending on the programme and institution, you may need a 2.1 in your Bachelors, but this isn’t always the case
- Language proficiency – If English isn’t your first language, you’ll need to display a certain ability level, usually through a language test
- Professional experience – Some postgraduate programmes may require you to have some professional experience (this is usually the case for PGCEs and Masters in Social Work)
- Entrance exams – These are only required in certain subject areas and qualifications, including some MBAs
Tuition fees for UK/EU students 2020/21
MSc: Full-time £9,900. Part-time £4,950
Postgraduate Diploma: Full-time £6,660. Part-time £3,300
Tuition fees for International students 2020/21
MSc: Full time £23,310
Postgraduate Diploma: Full-time £15,540
Assessment
You’ll show your progress through a combination of written essays, problem-solving assignments and presentations.
All students take our core modules, but please note that the availability of optional modules is subject to demand.
Our graduates move onto a diverse range of careers, with many going on to work in top law schools and law firms. Some examples of where our recent graduates have gone on to work include: Linklaters LLP, 5 Pump Court Chambers, Bar Pro Bono Unit and Squire Patton Boggs. A number of our postgraduate students go directly from Newcastle to complete the Legal Practice Course or the Bar Professional Training Course.
Links to the Legal Profession
The Law School maintains strong links with the professional world, through our network of alumni and contacts in the barristers’ and solicitors’ professions. These links allow us to put on a series of law careers events throughout the academic year.
Each autumn, the University hosts the Law Fair, in which we welcome over 50 law firms, including some of the largest law firms in the world, to the University’s Great Hall. The attendees represent law firms of all sizes and most areas of practice.
Each year, the Law School hosts an “Employability Fortnight”. The events which run in this fortnight have included an Applications Process Panel Session, a Midlands Circuit Court Visit followed by an Inner Temple Drinks Reception in the evening, an Alternative Dispute Resolution Workshop by Herbert Smith, and dedicated Careers Advice Drop-in Sessions.
The Careers Network
The Careers Network organises regular events including presentations by top law firms and the annual Law Fair. It also runs workshops to help students prepare effective applications and to prepare for their next move. Its events on non-law careers, including journalism, marketing and working with charities, can be of interest to law students.
Mooting
The Law School organises a range of mooting opportunities and students have the opportunity to participate (a moot is a mock trial of a legal issue). The Moot Room is a state-of-the-art court room, complete with audio-visual equipment for recording moots. The Law School operates four mooting competitions, and students regularly represent the University at regional and national competitions, with notable success.