Why study this course with LJMU?
- 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.
Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
This course is currently undergoing its scheduled programme review, which may impact the advertised modules. Programme review is a standard part of the University’s approach to quality assurance and enhancement, enabling us to ensure that our courses remain up to date and maintain their high standard and relevancy.
Once the review is completed, this course website page will be updated to reflect any approved changes to the advertised course. These approved changes will also be communicated to those who apply for the course to ensure they wish to proceed with their application.
Your programme is made up of a number of core modules which are part of the course framework. Some programmes also have optional modules that can be selected to enhance your learning in certain areas and many feature a dissertation, extended report or research project to demonstrate your advanced learning.
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
Optional modules
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.
Assessment methods on this course include essays, projects, portfolios, dissertation and presentations.
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

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.
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Lecturer
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.
Tuition fees and funding
- Home full-time per year:
- £9,545
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus wifi.
Financial Support
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. The University offers a range of financial support for students. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist financial support pages including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.
Additional Costs
In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:
- Accommodation
- Travel costs and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
- Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
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.
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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.