Introduction
Explore the underlying philosophies and policies of criminal procedures and investigate how human rights impact on criminal justice around the world with our fascinating Master’s degree in Human Rights and Criminal Justice.
Study Information
Study Options
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- LLM
- Duration
- 12 months or 24 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time or Part Time
- Start Month
- September or January
With the increasing global demand for criminal justice to comply with human rights, now is the perfect time to study these two disciplines together. Within small teaching groups, you will have the opportunity to share knowledge and experiences of criminal justice with students from various countries. This programme explores human rights and criminal justice from an international viewpoint and will give you the opportunity to use your critical thinking to full effect. You will have the opportunity to study subjects such as Criminal Law, The Politics of Human Rights, Intellectual Property, Human Rights and Development.
This programme was designed by our academics alongside assistance form human rights and criminal justice experts. This collaborative approach will provide you with valuable insights into both subjects and will advance your understanding of factors that influence them. The programme has been carefully coordinated to align with the competencies of top employers in the legal profession.
Available Programmes of Study
Please note: Students staring their LLM programme in January write their Dissertation project during the Summer semester.
Duration: 12 months full-time. 24 months part time.
- LLM
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Human Rights and Criminal Justice
Qualification Duration Learning Mode Study Mode Start MonthLLM 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time January MoreSemester 1
For January students, the first semester covers courses with the prefix LS55 and there is the compulsory course LS551T Critical Legal Thinking and Scholarship. Please note that all January Start Students must produce their Dissertation Project during the Summer Semester, preparation for which begins in January.
Compulsory Courses
- Critical Legal Thinking and Scholarship (LS551T)
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This course provides students from diverse legal and educational backgrounds with a common understanding of the core research, analytical, and writing skills which will be required for LLM-Taught courses. It begins with a series of lectures and progresses to working in a workshop environment and finally to the submission of an individual assignment. It also incorporates a library workshop to provide students with hands-on experience with the resources available for course and dissertation work.
- International Human Rights Law (LS5590)
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30 Credit Points
The course was designed to help students build competence in dealing with the doctrinal issues about international human rights. It involves understanding the place of human rights in public international law, finding one’s way around the foundational human rights documents and the jurisprudence of human rights bodies. The course delivery puts heavy emphasis on classroom discussion on the controversial issues on contemporary human rights law that shape doctrinal development in this field: the justifiability of torture, the limits of freedom of religion, the justiciability of social rights, etc.
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5506)
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This course, which is prescribed for all taught postgraduate students, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 5-6 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks.
Topics include orientation overview, equality and diversity, health, safety and cyber security and how to make the most of your time at university in relation to careers and employability.
Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced Transcript as ‘Achieved’.
Optional Courses
In addition to the compulsory courses, candidates must take courses to the value of 90 credit points. At least 30 of these must be obtained from the courses in list A (Human Rights) below, and at least 30 from the courses in list B (Criminal Justice). The remaining credit points may be obtained from either of the lists below or any LLM campus 30 credit course. Please visit the Course Catalogue for details: Postgraduate Law 2022-2023 - Catalogue of Courses (abdn.ac.uk)
- List A: LS5549
- List B: LS551R, LS554A
- The use of Force in International Law (LS5549)
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30 Credit Points
The course analyses how international law regulates the use of armed forces between States. It is of interest to students who want to understand the legal considerations which frame contemporary conflicts. The course will study the fundamental principle of the prohibition on the use of inter-State force. It will examine the current exceptions to this principle, and how States try to justify the use of force. Consequently, the course will study the most recent recourses to force on the international plane, in particular in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Ukraine. Teaching will be delivered mainly through discussion based seminars.
- Criminal Evidence and Proof (LS551R)
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30 Credit Points
This course is comparative in nature and examines in-depth various key evidentiary doctrines, focussing upon the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights and differences in the approaches adopted by national jurisdictions. The emphasis is not so much on ‘black-letter law’ but on the principles and policies, often clashing, which underlie the detailed legal rules and regulations governing the relevant types of evidence.
- International Cybersecurity Law (LS554A)
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30 Credit Points
The course analyses international legal issues raised by the increasing need to secure cyberoperations. It therefore addresses the emerging international cybersecurity law.
Semester 2
The compulsory dissertation provides the opportunity to research and explore in more detail a specific legal area of your choice. Please note that all January Start Students must produce their Dissertation Project during the Summer Semester, preparation for which begins in January.
Compulsory Courses
- Master of Laws Dissertation (LS5904)
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60 Credit Points
Between May and mid-August students prepare a 10,000 word dissertation on a topic of their choice related to their specialist LLM programme. Students are instructed through the delivery of a preparatory lecture, two supervisory meetings and a two hour dissertation planning workshop in a small group setting. Students are expected to spend considerable time on independent research throughout the course of the dissertation module, including; preparation of dissertation plan, amendment of plan in accordance with supervisory comments, preparation for the dissertation workshop, and, of course, in the final 10,000 word dissertation itself.
Semester 3
In September, January start students will take courses starting with LS50.
Optional Courses
In addition to the compulsory courses, candidates must take courses to the value of 90 credit points. At least 30 of these must be obtained from the courses in list A (Human Rights) below, and at least 30 from the courses in list B (Criminal Justice). The remaining credit points may be obtained from either of the lists below or any LLM campus 30 credit course. Please visit the Course Catalogue for details: Postgraduate Law 2022-2023 - Catalogue of Courses (abdn.ac.uk)
- List A: LS501U, LS501G, LS502Z, LS5068
- List B: LS5096, LS502N
- International Law: A Time of Challenges (LS501U)
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30 Credit Points
The course analyses recent developments in public international law. It first considers the sources of public international law. The question is then asked whether traditional public international law can regulate pressing issues on the international plane. Examples of these problems are: international terrorism, nuclear weapons proliferation, protection of human rights, ethnic conflicts, climate change. The course encourages the participant-student to think creatively as an international lawyer to resolve contemporary international dilemmas.
- Issues in Criminal Justice (LS5096)
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30 Credit Points
This course is comparative in nature and examines in depth certain aspects of the criminal justice process, focussing upon differences between the adversarial and inquisitorial models. Examples are mainly drawn from Scotland, England and continental Europe. Topics addressed include: prosecution systems; the position of the accused; the status granted to the victim; plea-bargaining; the trial process; and appeals. The emphasis is not so much on ‘black-letter law’ but on the principles and policies, often clashing, which underlie the detailed legal rules and regulations governing the relevant institutions and processes.
- International Criminal Law (LS502N)
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30 Credit Points
The course explores the history, ambit and nature of ICL and the notion of individual criminal responsibility, issues of immunities, superior orders and subordinate responsibility. War crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression are also critically examined. National and international prosecution of international crimes with emphasis on the Rome Statute and the International Criminal Court (ICC) and questions of international cooperation to suppress international crimes are carefully studied in light of relevant cases such as decisions of the Nuremburg and Tokyo tribunals, the ICC, ICTY and the ICTR (tribunals for Yugoslavia and Rwanda respectively).
- Oil and Mining Resources for Good (LS502Z)
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30 Credit Points
The course examines the relationship between development management and utilisation of energy and natural resources, law, ethics, governance, and development at the national and international levels on the one hand and poor/variable developmental outcomes, particularly the resource curse phenomenon, on the other hand. The course then proceeds to apply advanced academic and experiential knowledge to formulate the fundamentals for overarching legal frameworks that will enable the good exploitation and development of energy and natural resources, thereby producing enduring benefits for all key stakeholders. The course is multidisciplinary in approach and with some experiential engagement with industry, governments/regulators, and non-governmental perspectives.
- The Politics of Human Rights (LS5068)
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30 Credit Points
The course addresses the political processes by which human rights law is created and sustained (e.g. by exploring the main drivers of the change in human rights norms – like global civil society activism). Discussions review ways in which international human rights law shapes controversial issues of international politics (e.g. problems of international development or humanitarian intervention). Two seminars are dedicated to ‘case studies’ on human rights politics: (1) the practice of human rights activism, and (2) the relevance of human rights for dealing with the social and political tensions generated by oil industry in Nigeria.
- Comparative and International Perspectives on Company Law (LS501G)
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30 Credit Points
This is an optional course at postgraduate level and offers a selective and critical examination of company laws in the UK and other systems. It is an appropriate course for students with an interest in working in the corporate sector or who wish to learn more about how company law operates in different countries. Key issues in comparative company law shall be examined and a range of topics will be covered, dealing with corporate entities, their ownership, management and activities.
Programme Fees
Fee information Fee category Cost EU / International students £23,800 Tuition Fees for 2023/24 Academic Year Home / RUK £11,845 Tuition Fees for 2023/24 Academic Year LLM 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time September More
We will endeavour to make all course options available; however, these may be subject to timetabling and other constraints. Please see our InfoHub pages for further information.
Fee Information
International Applicants
Further Information about tuition fees and the cost of living in Aberdeen
Additional Fee Information
- Fees for individual programmes can be viewed in the Programmes section above.
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our InfoHub Tuition Fees page.
Scholarships
Eligible self-funded international Masters students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Visit our Funding Database to find out more and see our full range of scholarships.
How You'll Study
Distinct from some other esteemed law schools, students at Aberdeen benefit from very personal, high contact teaching and enjoy active engagement with academics. Even when studying independently, you will benefit from having regular contact with your course coordinator and other members of the teaching staff.
Learning Methods
- Lectures
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
By course work, by written examination, or by a combination of these, as prescribed for each course. The degree of LLM shall not be awarded to a candidate who fails to achieve a CGS grade of D3 or above in the specified dissertation course, irrespective of their performance in other courses: such candidates may, at the discretion of the Examiners, be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate.
Why Study Human Rights and Criminal Justice?
A foundation discipline in 1495, the Law School is now considered one of the UK’s elite training grounds for lawyers - and there’s no substitute for experience.
- Study at a Law School ranked Top 100 in the World (Times Higher Education World University Subject Ranking 2022)
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Our Law School is ranked 5th in the UK for Overall Student Satisfaction (National Student Survey 2022)
Students choose to study Law at Aberdeen because of our reputation for academic excellence and unrivalled student experience. At Aberdeen, you will:
- Develop a solid grounding to pursue a career in the legal profession by developing your critical thinking and deepening your knowledge of how human rights affect criminal justice systems.
- Have access to the University’s Law Library and its law collection, which houses official publications and the European Documentation Centre.
- Benefit from the inclusive approach to teaching adopted by our staff, which will ensure that you learn in a way that suits your learning style.
- Benefit from being taught in small groups, which will maximise the interaction of ideas and create a relaxed, informal forum for learning.
- Be part of a diverse student cohort and study alongside classmates from over 40 different nationalities within our School of Law.
- Benefit from the opportunity to attend our Research Seminar Series, which will provide you with unique insights into current legal issues.
The University also has a leading Careers and Employability Service that organises events focused on providing you with the additional skills needed to make the most of your career potential.
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
Normally a 2(i) Honours degree in Law, or another related discipline, or equivalent.
International applicants must also meet the English Language Requirements of the University.
Please enter your country to view country-specific entry requirements.
English Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
- Reference
- a reference letter from your university discussing your academic ability. If you have been out of education for a long time you may wish to use your current or most recent employer, or another professional person
International Applicants
Careers
By studying Human Rights and Criminal Justice at Aberdeen, you will gain a unique insight into the two disciplines from an international perspective. You will benefit from having a competitive advantage in the job market, particularly in careers related to foreign and security policies and international organisations. The programme will also provide a solid grounding for an academic career and help you prepare for a PhD.
Our Experts
- Other Experts
- Ilona Catherine MacDonald Cairns
- Isla Mairi Fraser Callander
- Programme Coordinator
- Elizabeth Eleanor Ruth Shaw
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. Staff changes will occur from time to time; please see our InfoHub pages for further information.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
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School of Law
University of Aberdeen
Taylor Building
Aberdeen
AB24 3UB