Criminal Law and Criminal Justice

MA/LLM

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Year of entry: 2026-27

Start date:

October 2026 | January 2027

Study route:

One year full-time, on campus
One year full-time, online
One year full-time, flexible learning
Two years part-time, on campus
Two years part-time, online
Two years part-time, flexible learning

Status:

Fully approved

Location:

Birkbeck Campus, Central London

Awarding body:

University of London

Study options:

Full-time | Part-time | Flexible learning | On campus | Online

Course overview

Our MA/LLM Criminal Law and Criminal Justice is grounded within legal, criminological, policy and humanities perspectives to offer you a unique opportunity for advanced study of criminal law and criminal justice. On successful completion of this course, you can decide whether you would like to receive an MA or an LLM so that your chosen award is based on your own needs, career path and area of specialism.

Why choose this course?
- This course is ideal if you have a keen interest in criminal law and criminal justice and want to learn in a stimulating, flexible, learning environment.
- It brings together students from a range of backgrounds, including those with pre-existing knowledge or experience, who wish to advance their existing career and specialise in this area, as well as those with a desire to carve out a new career path.
- You will be taught by leading academics in criminology, criminal justice and law and active researchers at the Institute for Crime and Justice Policy Research (ICPR), who are at the forefront of generating new knowledge on contemporary criminal justice issues, including in policing and the policed, courts and the judicial process, prisons and the use of imprisonment, and fraud and digital technologies.
What will I learn?
Compulsory modules on this course will provide you with:
- an introduction to theoretical perspectives on the relationship between criminal law and criminal justice
- deep insights into cutting-edge debates and a range of contemporary issues in criminal law and criminal justice
- advanced knowledge of modern criminal law.
You will also have the chance to choose option modules from a diverse list spanning law, criminology, social policy and the humanities, so you can tailor your studies to your interests and future career goals.
How will I learn?

Learning is through lectures, seminars and tutorials, alongside your independent work. Throughout the course, you will have various opportunities to develop skills relevant to your career, such as through conducting an independent research project with support from a specialist supervisor.
You will be able to choose between full- and part-time study. This course has an evening timetable with classes taking place in the evening, allowing you to pursue other activities and commitments during the day.
How often will I attend classes?

Full-time October start: Two to three evenings a week, October to July.
Full-time January start: Two to three evenings a week, January to December.
Part-time October start: One to two evenings a week, October to July.
Part-time January start: One to two evenings a week, January to December.
Flexible Master's

This course is part of our Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both.

If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.
Course disclaimer

Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.
Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More highlights

You can look forward to a stimulating, flexible learning environment, alongside students with diverse backgrounds and professional experiences.
You will be taught by staff who are part of a proud tradition of critical scholarship in criminology and criminal justice, who address issues of crime through power and inequality, and are led by principles of social and racial justice.
We are home to the Institute for Crime and Justice Policy Research. The outstanding team of academics and researchers at ICPR bring a wealth of knowledge to this Master's course, leading compulsory and specialist modules and providing research project supervision.
Students can attend specialist research seminars, such as the Criminology Seminar Series, which feature national and international scholars speaking on current issues and groundbreaking interdisciplinary research.
We use electronic learning environments to enhance our teaching and learning. Birkbeck Library has an extensive teaching collection of books, journals and electronic resources in law and related disciplines, such as economics, politics and sociology. For example, it provides access to over 17,000 electronic journals, which are available online 24 hours a day. You can also take advantage of the rich research collections nearby, including those of the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Senate House Library, the British Library of Political and Economic Science (LSE Library) and the British Library.

Modules and Teaching

One year full-time or two years part-time, flexible learning or online or on campus, starting in October 2026 or January 2027
Course structure
For this course you must complete modules worth a total of 180 credits, consisting of:
- two compulsory modules (30 credits each)
- three option modules (30 credits each)
- a research project (30 credits).
The dual stream award (either MA or LLM) allows you to choose a qualification that best suits your existing and future career. The final award will be determined prior to completion.
You can apply to take this Flexible Master’s course either on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both. If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course.

Compulsory modules
- Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice
- Criminal Law Theory and History
Indicative option modules
MA/LLM Criminal Law and Criminal Justice research project
- Masters Research Project (Criminology)
Teaching

We encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching to help ensure you have the best learning experience and provide a range of different modes of learning to help you juggle study with work and other commitments.
Find out more about our teaching and teaching hours.

What are the methods of teaching?
This course includes both taught and research (a research project) components. Teaching and learning formats may vary: some modules follow a traditional programme of weekly meetings, others may take the form of intensive courses offered over one or two weekends.
Independent study and active participation are essential to all course provision. You should plan to spend at least five hours in private study for every hour spent in class.
How will I be assessed?

Final assessment for most compulsory and option modules is based on a 4000-word essay. You will also submit a research project of 8000 words on a topic of your choice, to be agreed with the module convenor.

Please see individual modules for more details.
Find out more about assessment at Birkbeck, including guidance on assessment, feedback and our assessment offences policy.

School of Social Sciences

The school offers an invigorating and enriching educational experience, and students are taught by internationally renowned researchers with an exciting range of expertise.

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Entry requirements

A second-class honours degree (2:2) or above in law, the humanities or social sciences; other honours degrees will be considered.

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered, and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

International students: Please note, if you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.

What are the English language requirements?

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.
If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please Global Recruitment at Birkbeck or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.
Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.
What are the visa and funding requirements?
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.
The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:
- Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
- Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa
International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).
As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.
For full information, read our visa information for international students page.
Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

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