MSSc/Diploma in Criminal Justice


Duration
1 year Full time / 2 years Part time

Course Structure
The postgraduate courses are provided on a full-time and part-time basis, with teaching generally carried out in the evenings.

The Masters programme requires a total of 180 credits, comprising 60 credits from core modules, 60 credits from elective modules, and 60 credits from a dissertation.

The Diploma programme requires 120 credits, comprising 60 credits from core modules and 60 credits from elective modules. There is no requirement to produce a dissertation.

Entrance Requirements
Admission to the Masters programme requires the possession of a 2.1 honours degree in a relevant discipline.  Admission to the Diploma programme requires the possession of a 2.2 honours degree in a relevant discipline. Students with professional, voluntary or practical criminal justice experience are encouraged to emphasise this in their application. 

Compulsory Modules
Students are required to take compulsory modules in:

  • Criminal Justice Processes (30 credits)
  • Criminal Justice Research (15 Credits)
  • Sentencing (15 Credits)


Elective Modules
Students must choose from the following elective modules to accrue a total of 60 credits. The full range of elective modules may not be available every year and will depend upon student demand and staff availability.

  • Punishment & Social Control (15 credits)
  • Penal Policy & Practice (15 credits)
  • Policing (15 credits)
  • Restorative Justice (15 credits)
  • Gender, Sexuality and Violence (15 Credits)
  • Management Theory and the Criminal Justice System (15 Credits)
  • Management Practice and the Criminal Justice System (15 Credits)
  • Transnational Crime(15 Credits)
  • Transitional Justice and Conflict Transformation (15 Credits)

    Masters Programme
    Students proceeding to the masters degree must complete a supervised dissertation of 15,000-20,000 words (worth 60 credits), on a relevant topic of their choice.

    Transfer regulations from Diploma to MSSc
    The Diploma in Criminal Justice may be taken on a full-time (one year) or part-time (two year) basis. Candidates who successfully complete the requisite compulsory and elective moduels (120 credits) will bea warded the degree of Postgraduate Diploma in Criminal Justice. Candidates may progress to the MSSc in Criminal Justice. However, to do so, they should have obtained a mark of at least 50% in all compulsory and elective modules at the first attempt. Progression to the MSSc is ultimately at the discretion of the MSSc Course Co-ordinator and Postgraduate Committee.

    Please note that to progress to the MSSc you will need to re-register with the University and will be liable for additional fees in relation to the dissertation component (60 credits). In addition you CANNOT register for the MSSc in the same academic year as you have taken the Diploma. For instance, if you complete the Diploma in June (and decide to progress to the MSSc) you will not be permitted to register until the new academic year begins in September of that year. If you satisfactorily complete the dissertation component (60 credits) you will be eligible for Summer graduation the following year.

    Assessment
    Assessment methods are at the individual tutor's discretion but normally involve written assignments and may also involve assessed individual or group presentations.

     Further Information
     Academic Contact

    Dr Graham Ellison g.ellison@qub.ac.uk

    The School of Law Postgraduate Secretary
    For general queries please contact :


    Postgraduate Secretary
    School of Law
    Queen's University Belfast
    Belfast BT7 1NN
    Northern Ireland

    Tel:  (44) 028 9097 3476 
    Fax: (44) 028 9097 3376
    Email: pglawenquiries@qub.ac.uk

     Application

    See Admissions Office for details of :

    Application Procedure
    Details of Postgraduate Fees

    Scholarships