About This Course
The MA Criminology and Law, will provide students with postgraduate level knowledge and skills in the interdisciplinary area of criminology and law. It builds on criminological and legal skills and knowledge so as to provide specialist training in criminological, criminal justice and legal research. The programme enables students to develop an international perspective on crime, justice and law through national and cross-national approaches and case studies of other societies, and/or ‘cutting edge’ issues in contemporary criminology and law. Students will also acquire a wide range of transferable skills.
Course Content
What will you study on this course?
Part 1: Taught Courses
Modules in Criminology and Law are taught in two semesters between September and May. Of these modules, half will be law based and taught in the Law School and half will be criminology based and taught in the School of Social Sciences. Modules together give 60 credits for Law and 60 for Criminology.
Part 2: Dissertation
Students will write a 20,000 word dissertation on a topic of their choice from within the broad remit of Criminology. Any topic can be suggested that is of interest for students and dissertation tutors.
Programmes and modules are constantly updated and reviewed. As with most academic programmes, please remember that it is possible that specific modules or programmes may not be offered in any particular year, because a member of staff is on study leave, for instance, or too few students opt for it. Bangor Law School reserves the right to vary or withdraw any course or module.
Modules for the current academic year
Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Criminology and Law Modules page.
Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.
Entry Requirements
We accept applications from graduates of Criminology and Criminal Justice, of LLB (Single and Joint Honours) and related subjects such as Politics, and the Social Sciences. Normally, we require a 2(ii) undergraduate degree. An upper second class (or equivalent) is desirable, but applications from candidates with a lower second class degree and professional qualifications and/or appropriate experience will also be considered.
In general, all applicants are judged on their individual merits. Work experience and other factors are also taken into consideration. We have many years’ experience of making offers of entry based on qualifications awarded worldwide and we welcome applications from international students. Entry will require a qualification deemed to be equivalent in level to the UK bachelor degree.
International applicants are normally required to provide evidence of English language proficiency. The minimum English language requirements will normally be:
- IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each individual component score
- Pearson PTE: a score of 62 (with no element lower than 58)
- Cambridge English Test – Advanced: 176 (with no element lower than 169)
Careers
Graduates will be sought after by law-enforcement agencies such as the police. Other employment opportunities include public administration: e.g. crime prevention units, offender management, general administration, and international institutions. Political associations and NGOs are also possible employers. Graduates may take up work for members of parliaments, for lobby groups related to the criminal justice system and to issues of social justice and law broadly conceived. Jobs are also available in research at universities and other research institutions. Of course, students may progress into further postgraduate study leading to a PhD.
