Why study Criminal Justice at Liverpool John Moores University?
- Learn from research-active staff and local criminal justice professionals
- Engage with the theory, policy, and practice of the institutions and agencies of criminal justice
- Choose from an extensive range of module options
- Generous funding scholarships available for home and overseas students
- Ideal for undergraduates and those currently working with or would like a career involving criminal justice agencies
- Part Time Study Option
About this course
LJMU's Criminal Justice masters is a stand-alone qualification designed to enhance your career prospects in criminal justice agencies, the probation service, the police and third sector agencies.
The MA Criminal Justice programme offers the opportunity for undergraduates, practitioners, and criminal justice professionals to critically engage with a broad range of issues that impact on the effectiveness and integrity of the workings of the criminal justice system.
Through exploring a series of theoretical and policy-orientated debates relevant to the delivery of contemporary crime control and management, and assessing their cultural, social and symbolic consequences, the course helps you to develop a comprehensive and critically aware understanding of the manufacture and delivery of criminal justice policy.
During the programme you will evaluate discriminatory practice in the criminal justice process and the causes of miscarriages of justice. Your evaluations will be informed by a critical understanding of sources of data and research methodologies and, through option modules, you will develop an in-depth knowledge of particular issues relating to criminal justice in England, Wales and elsewhere.
Chelsea's story
Chelsea Keatinge studied for her Masters in Criminal Justice, having gained a Forensic Psychology and Criminal Justice degree at undergraduate level.
"LJMU was a good choice for me because I wanted to study part-time. It also helped that I received the alumni discount having studied for my undergraduate degree here.
I didn't really know what to expect when I started my Masters but the highlight has been being able to research something that I am really interested in, supported by people who share that interest. The academic staff are great, there is always someone to talk to. My tutors have all worked in the field so can give me real, practical advice.
We all know that Liverpool is a great city for students but it is also a great place to work whilst you study like I have done. It may sound corny but there really is something for everyone here.
For those considering studying at postgraduate level I would say think carefully about what it is you want. This is your opportunity to explore what you are interested in so it is very important to choose the right programme for you."
Phoebe's story
Having graduated in Forensic Psychology and Criminal Justice, scholarship student Phoebe decided to take the next step and study for a Masters in Criminal Justice at LJMU.
"I love living in Liverpool so staying at LJMU was an easy decision. Although I probably underestimated the requirements of postgraduate study, once I got my head around the independent study and increased amount of reading, everything was fine.
The lecturers themselves have been the highlight of my studies here. They have taught me an endless amount. They help you to settle into your studies, build good relationships with you and really develop your skills. They are just brilliant people.
I am dyslexic and have had help right from the start. I have been given support with proof reading and note taking and I have even been offered deadline extensions although I have tried to be good and not take these.
For anyone considering coming to LJMU to study at postgraduate level I would definitely say do it! I can't recommend it enough. The support on offer is brilliant, there are so many opportunities and so many things you can do to prepare for a variety of roles in later life. It is a very rounded experience and, if you are worried about the cost, take a look at scholarships and other funding options."
Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
Researching Crime and Criminal Justice
30 credits
30 credits
This module aims to give you a comprehensive and critical guide to both the theory and practice of research on crime and the criminal justice process. It aims to:
- prepare you for the compulsory dissertation on the MA Criminal Justice course
- enable you to develop an advanced and critical knowledge of the key ontological, epistemological and methodological issues that impact on research into crime and criminal justice
- consider and demonstrate a critical appreciation of the particular research theories, and methods of data collection and analysis, which researchers use to study crime and criminal justice
- examine and demonstrate advanced and critical understanding of issues relating to the politics and ethics of crime and criminal justice research
Key Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice
30 credits
30 credits
This module aims to provide you with the opportunity to critically analyse key issues in contemporary criminal justice at an advanced level. It helps you develop advanced knowledge and critical understanding of specific issues relating to the principles and practice of criminal justice in England and Wales.
Optional Modules
Sex, Crime and Society
20 credits
20 credits
This module will critically evaluate the phenomenon of sexual offences from a variety of perspectives: historical and modern; social/cultural; ethical and moral; political. Within these contexts, the criminalisation of sexual behaviour will be evaluated and the law applied critically to specific factual situations. The module aims to:
- develop a knowledge and understanding of the principles, policies and doctrines relating to the criminalisation and de-criminalisation of sexual, and sexually-related behaviour within society
- provide a critical analysis of the rationale for, and scope of, a selective range of sexual offences in their socio-legal context
Research Dissertation
60 credits
60 credits
The aim of this module is to explore the complex and dynamic relationship between policing services/agents and members of the diversity of publics these organisations serve. It seeks to help you to develop a critical appreciation of the historical and conceptual development of modern policing forms, evaluate contemporary policing structures/methods/networks, and explore future challenges for service provision. It:
-
encourages you to engage with the evolving and multi-faceted challenges facing the workings of one of the key institutions of criminal justice, whilst also exploring the emerging ethical, moral and practical concerns raised by the increasingly powerful played by the private and quasi-private forms of policing and security management.
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improves your understanding of the role the police as an organisation, in shaping notions of belonging, citizenship and identity
Drugs, Alcohol and Criminal Justice
20 credits
20 credits
This module aims to develop your understanding of drug and alcohol use within contemporary society. It deconstructs the drug and alcohol status quo so you can acknowledge the complexities and contradictions that exist within this sphere. It aims to:
- provide a broad critical understanding of the different paradigms and perspectives on substance (mis)use and relevant policy in relation to crime and criminal justice
- set a critical socio-cultural scene for you to build up a comprehensive picture of drug and alcohol use within contemporary capitalist society
- develop your understanding of drug policy and critically consider the rationale and motivations that mould policy developments within this sphere
- develop your knowledge of how drug and alcohol users are responded to within a criminal justice context
Advanced Critical Criminology
20 credits
20 credits
This module is designed to examine the social construction of crime. It aims to:
- provide a balance between theoretical perspectives and empirical, practical knowledge about the power imbalances in society
- critically examine the relationship between these imbalances and crime (reported and unreported), as well as the criminal justice system's responses to them
- equip you with the skills required to demonstrate a critical understanding of crimes involving the abuse of social and/or individual power
Delivering Rehabilitation
20 credits
20 credits
This module critically evaluates, at an advanced level, the role and function of the prison and probation services in relation to the delivery of state punishment and rehabilitation. It aims to:
- critically reflect on the values and principles that underpin the delivery of contemporary penal policy through the creation of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS)
- scrutinise the extent to which contemporary penal policy and practice actually delivers a more systematic approach to the management of offenders
Youth Justice
20 credits
20 credits
This module aims to give you a critical, theoretically-informed and socially-orientated grounding in the study of youth justice. It enables you to:
- develop an analytical approach to understanding the treatment and experiences of young people within, and at the hands of, the criminal justice system
- consider the historical basis of the youth justice system and how political influence has played a significant role in the current development of youth justice policy
- critically compare youth justice policy and practice in England and Wales
International Dissertation
60 credits
60 credits
This module allows students to showcase their knowledge of an international criminal justice issue, enabling them to create a well-structured and extensive assignment that demonstrates critical thinking and the use of suitable research methods.
The Sociology of Policing
20 credits
20 credits
This module seeks to critically explore the complex and dynamic relationship between policing services/agents and members of the diverse public these organisations serve. It will help you develop a critical appreciation of the historical and conceptual development of modern policing forms, evaluate contemporary policing structures/methods/networks, and explore future challenges for service provision.
Your Learning Experience
An insight into teaching on your course
Study hours
Typically, students attend teaching on two or three days per week. Days of attendance vary according to timetabling requirements.
Part time study students study over two years and typically have a longer period for their dissertation module in their second year.
Teaching methods
Teaching is delivered through a series of lectures, workshops and seminars by expert staff and local criminal justice professionals. The teaching team will ensure that you will critically engage with the theory, policy and practice of the institutions and agencies of criminal justice. The focus on research training will equip you with the key transferable skills required to undertake original, empirical research.
Applied learning
Through exploring a series of theoretical and policy-orientated debates relevant to the delivery of contemporary crime control and management, and assessing their cultural, social and symbolic consequences, the course helps you to develop a comprehensive and critically aware understanding of the manufacture and delivery of criminal justice policy.
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
Where you will study
What you can expect from your School
The School is based in the Redmonds Building, in the heart of the bustling Mount Pleasant Campus and Liverpool 's growing Knowledge Quarter. Redmonds is shared by two Schools within the Faculty of Arts, Professional and Social Studies - Liverpool Screen School and the School of Law - and Liverpool Business School, making for a rich blend of student learning experiences. The building is home to high quality lecture theatres and seminar rooms, a mock courtroom, social spaces, and a café. It is only a short walk from LJMU 's Aldham Robarts Library, which contains all the resources you will require for your studies.
Course tutors
Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning
Dr Helena Gosling
Programme Leader
Since completing my PhD, my main research interests are situated in the design, delivery and commissioning of innovation and alternative practice within and beyond the criminal justice system.
Since completing my PhD, my main research interests are situated in the design, delivery and commissioning of innovation and alternative practice within and beyond the criminal justice system.
Helena is a Senior Lecturer in Criminal Justice and programme lead for the MA Criminal Justice and MA International Criminal Justice at Liverpool John Moores University. To date, Helena has worked at LJMU for more than 10 years occupying a variety of roles and responsibilities across both Criminology and Criminal Justice programmes. Prior to becoming an academic, she worked in the drug rehabilitation sector across community, residential and custodial settings.
Career paths
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
The Masters in Criminal Justice offers vocationally relevant knowledge and skills. It will be particularly relevant if you are currently working with or would like a career involving criminal justice agencies, the probation service, social science departments, the police, community-based correction/treatment and third sector agencies.
Fees and funding
Tuition Fees:
- Home fee:
- £9,545
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students
Fees
The fees quoted at the top of this page cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- access to programme-appropriate software
- library and student IT support
- free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages.
Please be aware that the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your tuition fees. Learn more about your fee status and which tuition fees are relevant to you.
- International fee:
- £17,750
International Scholarships and payment plans
Liverpool John Moores University is committed to supporting international students by providing a range of scholarships and flexible payment plans to help students manage their tuition fees.
Scholarships
LJMU provides a variety of scholarships to support international students. Scholarships are available to self-funded students who have accepted their offer and met all the conditions outlined in their offer letter. Students must also demonstrate that they can cover living costs, travel, and other expenses associated to studying at the university. Postgraduate scholarships include tuition fee reductions and are often offered in partnership with external funding organisations.
All self-funded international students are eligible for an automatic scholarship worth up to £4,000. For more details and to view our full list of scholarships, visit the international scholarship webpages.
Deposit
All students must pay a £5,000 deposit before they can receive their CAS letter.
For more information view our deposit page.
Tuition Fee Payment Plan
After paying their £5,000 deposit, students have the option to pay their fees in full or in three equal instalments minus any internal scholarships and discounts. There are two payment options available for international students. You can either pay your tuition fees in full before enrolment or opt for a payment plan. With the payment plan, you can pay your fees in three instalments after making your £5,000 deposit. The first instalment is due before enrolment.
All payments should be made through Flywire. Full details can be found in the How to Pay Guide.
Early Bird Tuition Fee discount
We are excited to introduce a £500 Early Payment Discount to all self-funded international students. Eligible self-funded students who pay their fees by the required deadlines will get a discount which will be automatically deducted from the 1st year of tuition fees.
To see the required deadlines please visit the webpage
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
Undergraduate degree
- a minimum 2:2 ideally in Criminal Justice, Criminology, Sociology, Law or related Social Science and Humanities subjects
Alternative qualifications considered
- to demonstrate a comparable academic standard through past studies and/or where work experience
plus
- a genuine enthusiasm to study issues related to the organisation and delivery of criminal justice
Further information
- Extra Requirements
-
RPL
- RPL is accepted on this programme
International requirements
IELTS
- IELTS 6.5 (Minimum of 5.5 in each component)
Other international requirements
- International students entering on a Student visa cannot study part-time
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
Your student experience
There's so much more to university than just studying for a degree.
Postgraduate life at LJMU
See the amazing support you will get from the university, the academic expertise of the staff here, the first-class learning environment, fabulous libraries, excellent career guidance and their ongoing love affair with the city of Liverpool.
Accommodation
As a new student at LJMU, we guarantee accommodation right in the heart of the dynamic city centre, with easy access to the main University campuses.
You can view our approved accommodation to see the halls that we offer to new students.
Your campus
We’re very proud of our campuses. Not only because they provide a modern and inspiring learning space for all our students but also because they’re a place people really want to be.
Living in Liverpool
Liverpool is one of Europe's most dynamic and cultured cities. Come find out why it's a great city to study in.
Go abroad
LJMU aims to make international opportunities available to every student. You may be able to study abroad as part of your degree at one of our 100+ partner universities across the world. You could also complete a work placement or apply for one of our prestigious worldwide internship programmes.
Sports, societies and lifestyle
Getting involved in sports, clubs and societies at Liverpool John Moores University is a great way to challenge yourself, meet people who share your interests, and feel more connected to the University community.
Talk to our students
Connect with a current LJMU student through Unibuddy for insights and advice on university life, courses, and more.
See what our students are saying
At LJMU we want you to know you’re making the right choice by studying with us. You can see what our students are saying about their experience with us through their reviews on the following websites:
News and views
Browse through the latest stories and updates from the University and beyond
The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.