LLM (Criminology, Criminal Justice and Human Rights)

Course Overview

The LLM in Criminology, Criminal Justice and Human Rights will be delivered by staff from the Crime, Punishment and Rights Research Cluster at the School of Law and the Irish Centre for Human Rights.

The programme recognises the inescapable reality that criminal justice issues cannot be understood without also understanding underpinning human rights law norms and obligations. 

The programme has been designed to inspire students coming from either directly from study or from practice to engage in life-long-learning, to uphold high ethical and professional standards and to appreciate the need to advocate for and adopt an evidence-informed and rights-based approach to criminal justice issues.

The programme’s curriculum emphasises inter-disciplinary intersections and research methods training, to facilitate future or enhanced career possibilities in national, regional and international criminal justice agencies, NGOs, inter-governmental organisations and courts. 

This programme will foster intellectual curiosity and academic attainment through the provision of high quality, research-led teaching that bridges the disciplines of criminology and criminal justice, and law and human rights. In particular, it will provide students with:

• comprehensive and critical understanding of issues at the forefront of criminal justice focused law, policy and practice by adopting criminological and human rights approaches to study and research.
• confidence to express complex ideas (orally and in writing and to undertake independent study using multi-disciplinary sources and scholarship.
• tailored training in relevant methodological approaches and dissemination methods.

Course Highlights:

• A diverse range of cross-disciplinary and research-led modules that focus on topics at the intersection of law, criminology, criminal justice and rights, delivered by leading experts.
• Visits to criminal justice institutions including the Supreme Court, Limerick Prison and Cloverhill Remand Prison to provide students with insights into the reality of criminal justice process and penal policy operationalisation.
• Crime, Punishment and Rights Seminar Series will allow students to hear first-hand from guest lectures involved in creating and applying criminal justice law and policy. The seminar series is organised by the Crime, Punishment and Rights Research Cluster at the School of Law which has strong links with (intergovernmental bodies, (international courts and civil society.
• Crime, Punishment and Rights Film Series at Pálás cinema will showcase movies highlighting issues studied during the programme and provide students with a unique social setting to further explore important topics.
• International Human Rights Law Clinic which provides students with unique practical training on mobilising human rights standards to secure reform, engaging with human rights bodies, at UN and regional levels. Places on this module are limited and are offered on a selective basis.
• Specialist Methodological Skills Training is embedded throughout the course and students can enhance their transferrable skills by taking training in graphic design and podcast production. Students will have the opportunity to use University of Galway CELT studio, a state-of-the-art digital recording space.
• A Minor Thesis is completed by students on a topic of their choice under close supervision by leading experts.
• Career Support is provided through professional workshops concentrating on students CV and interview skills. Careers in Law Week also provides an opportunity to meet potential employers.
• Assessment is primarily through research papers, presentations and minor thesis rather than exams.

Students from the Imprisonment and Rights module who visited Limerick Prison

The criteria for admission to this programme is as follows:

• An approved Second Class Honours Degree, Grade 1 (2.1, Level 8) in law or in another relevant discipline including political science, social sciences and humanities.
• In exceptional circumstances, an applicant holding a degree in another discipline or a degree of less than an approved Second Class Honours Degree, Grade 1 (H2.1) standard may be considered where they have relevant professional experience in law.
• International students should refer to the country-specific information section of the International Office website.

This LLM programme was developed following consultations with a range of potential employers in this field. It has therefore been designed to equip graduates with the essential skills and knowledge they need to pursue a successful national or international career within the fields of criminology, criminal justice and human rights. Graduates may opt to pursue work in legal practice, policy development, advocacy or research in criminal justice broadly or focus on particular careers paths such as with prison or police services, or with regional or international organisations or courts.

Potential employers who hire experts within these fields include national organisations like the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the Policing Authority, Irish Penal Reform Trust, the Irish Prison Service and the Department of Justice. Careers paths are also possible with international organisations such as the Council of Europe and the United Nations and with international criminal courts and tribunals. Students who have completed the specialised modules led by recognised experts, completed tailored methods and dissemination training and engaged in independent research in timely topics will be highly appealing to a wide-range of employers.