Find out more about studying Master of Laws Criminal Justice with Work Experience at University of Hertfordshire? We've gathered all the key details, entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
LLM - Master of Laws
College Lane - Campus
Full Time
Sep 2027
2 Year
About the course LLM in Criminal Justice provides knowledge, understanding and critical thinking in the areas of Criminal Justice. It is an ideal course for those who wish to specialise in the areas of Criminal Justice, Criminal Law, and Global Policing. Our LLM Criminal Justice offers one compulsory module, Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice and Criminal Law, which is your Pathway Specific Module (only available to LLM in Criminal Justice students within the Programme) plus a compulsory elective where you may choose between Global Policing and Law Enforcement or Crimes of the Powerful. Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice and Criminal Law will cover contemporary topics such as miscarriage of justice, presumption of innocence, case study analysis for Nulla Poena Sine Lege, cultural defence in criminal law, consent in sexual offences, process of criminalising new offences and decriminalising the existing offences. You will also have a wide range of other modules from the LLM programme to choose between for your optional modules, such as International Humanitarian Law, Medical Law and Ethics, and Family Law, which will help you to expand your areas of interest. You’ll have one compulsory module: Contemporary Issues in Criminal justice and Criminal Law as your Pathway Specific module. By studying this module, you will explore and challenge how society, states, case law, policymakers and global trends affect regulating the law and the criminal justice system. Modules contain authentic assessments (no exam) helping you to improve transferable skills. The compulsory elective enables you to choose between Global Policing and Law Enforcement or Crimes of the Powerful. To expand your areas of interest, you’ll also have a wide range of other modules from the LLM Programme to choose between for your optional modules, such as International Humanitarian Law, Medical Law and Ethics. Expect to graduate with: Research skills using a range of sources, including verbal questioning Evaluation skills and the ability to interpret and explain complex information clearly Analytical skills Reasoning and critical judgement skills Ability to formulate sound arguments Lateral thinking and problem-solving skills Ability to write concisely Confident and persuasive oral communication skills Attention to detail and the ability to draft formal documents with precision. These skills are in demand by employers, align with our graduate attributes outlined by the university and enable students to demonstrate their professional capability in a number of sectors and roles through the competency and strength-based evidence required throughout the interview process.
Students will have the opportunity to self-select from a range of work experience opportunities both within Hertfordshire Law School, Hertfordshire Law Clinic, and in the wider legal community. You will work individually and collaboratively with legal professionals, utilise professional digital learning resources, and engage with the expertise, support and opportunities available in the wider University of Hertfordshire community.
The module will enable you to critically analyse and examine the contemporary issues in the criminal justice system and criminal law. It will look at issues related to policing, trial process, sentencing and, rehabilitation. In this module, you will also explore the emergence of new crimes and consider the technological developments, changes in societies and our understanding of deviance. You will also explore the role of society, policy makers, states, and case law in criminal justice system to understand how different factors shape our approaches to creating laws and regulating the criminal justice system.
This module prepares you for undertaking independent research in your chosen modules, as well as an individual research dissertation in your chosen field. The aim is to provide the opportunity for students to develop and apply postgraduate level skills of independent research, analysis, evaluation, writing and presentation. You will examine different legal and other research methods and assess their relevance to your own independent research and practice.
The dissertation requires you to select a topic relevant to one of your LLM module choices. Guidance is given on topic selection. Students are allocated a supervisor for their dissertation to provide them with support and some formative feedback. Supervision meetings are documented through diary sheets completed by both parties.
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