Criminal Litigation LLM
Overview
The LLM in Criminal Litigation is the first postgraduate degree course in the UK to be devoted exclusively to criminal litigation. It concentrates on the principles that lie behind the criminal justice system and the need to place those principles in a critical and comparative context.
It has been designed to allow you to examine important areas of Criminal Litigation in greater-depth than is usually possible either at undergraduate level or on a professional training course.
The course appeals to practitioners in the field of criminal justice, particularly: solicitors, barristers, CPS employees and police officers. Lawyers at the start
of their career have found this course helps them to build their knowledge and expertise in a specialist area.
Our past students have also included lawyers on a career break and those seeking judicial appointment wishing to broaden their knowledge and raise their practical awareness. Many students have taken this LLM as an in-depth transition from their LLB or BA courses prior to studying for the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) or Legal Practice Course (LPC).
CPD Accredited
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has approved the course for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for solicitors. Further details about CPD accreditation may be obtained from the SRA.
Why the City LLM in Criminal Ligitation?
- Grow your skills and knowledge with the first postgraduate course in the UK devoted exclusively to Criminal Litigation
- Enhance your understanding of criminal practice, advocacy and sentencing
- Learn from experts with proven experience in delivering vocational training in a learn-by-doing environment
- Become a specialist in the area of criminal litigation and advance your career
- Gain CPD accreditation
Entry Requirements
Candidates should have very strong academic potential and good English. The entrance requirement is normally a degree in law or an appropriate professional qualification and experience. Evidence of at least upper second-class honours ability will be looked for, but full credit will be given for professional experience
(for example, substantial experience as a police officer).
Postgraduate Preparatory Courses for International Students
If you do not qualify for direct entry, our partner INTO City University London offers an academic preparation programme - the Graduate Diploma. The course offers a route to City University London through an excellent teaching and learning experience, located in purpose built study facilities. Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma at INTO City University London to the standard required provides guaranteed progression to this Masters degree.
English Requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English, the following qualifications are also required:
- IELTS: 7 with a minimum of
6 in each area - TOEFL (internet-based):107 or above
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner, INTO City University London offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree. Please click the links below for more information.
English for Postgraduate Study
Pre-sessional English
Visa Requirements
City University London retains Highly Trusted Status from UKBA, enabling us to sponsor international students to study in the UK.
The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course at City, there are different rules for:
- Students on courses of more than 6 months
- Students on courses of less than 6 months
- Students on a pre-sessional English Language course
For more information see our main Visa page.
When and Where
Course Content
The course looks in depth at important topics in the fields of criminal procedure, sentencing, criminal evidence and criminal advocacy, and makes comparative reference to other legal systems. Each of the individual modules explores a topic from a different perspective providing you with a practical understanding of the subject matter. The course is designed to encourage you to:- Look globally at the criminal justice system
- Examine what happens both inside and outside the courtroom
- Consider why procedures or situations work out the way they do
- Think about whether the criminal justice system constitutes a coherent whole
Course Structure
Modules offered include:- Advocacy
- Criminal Procedure
- Criminal Evidence
- Sentencing
We also expect to be able to offer, subject to demand, modules in:
- International Criminal Law - practice and procedure
- Psychology, Advocacy and Evidence
- The Court of Appeal - appeals and procedure
- Witness Handling - children and other vulnerable witnesses
Read the full programme specification.
Teaching and Assessment
Teaching
The course is taught at our campus at Gray's Inn Place located right in the heart of legal London. Our LLM teaching team have considerable experience of vocational training for lawyers. In addition to their experience as teachers and trainers, most members of the LLM course team have practical experience of the criminal justice system, either as barristers or solicitors. Members of the team have published a number of books on the various subjects offered on the LLM for practitioners and students.
The four modules are taught in regular seminars. The topic for each module is considered through a mixture of discussion questions, case studies and hypothetical situations. You are encouraged to participate fully in these discussions and also take the lead handling specific topics. The use of a variety of media and sources is encouraged, with frequent reference not only to practitioner works and law reports, but also to books or journal articles from other jurisdictions or fields of study. Visiting experts on a variety of topics deliver lectures on specialist topics throughout the course.
Assessment
Modules are assessed through a combination of coursework and practice-focused projects. A dissertation of 15,000 - 20,000 words on a topic that falls within one or more of the module areas is also required. A prize is awarded to the student achieving the highest aggregate marks in the taught modules each year.
Opportunities
Career Development
At The City Law School you will be given a personal tutor who will guide your academic and professional progress. In addition, you will have access to the University's Centre for Career Skills and Development.
The Profession
We regularly invite members of the profession to come into the School to talk to our students. We hold 20 events each year for intending barristers where you can talk directly to members of leading sets of chambers. We also run an annual series of careers seminars aimed at intending solicitors. These are also supplemented by the Law & Practice Forum - a series of talks including several given by solicitors in international practice.
LawBore & LawBore Pro
You will have access to LawBore and LawBore Pro - The City Law School's own legal resource portals. These give you access to the latest research materials, legislative updates, library services and study news.
Read the full programme specification.
Fees
- Full-time EU: £10,000
- Full-time Non EU: £10,000
Funding
For up-to-date information about tuition fees, living costs and financial support, visit Undergraduate Fees and Finance or Postgraduate Fees and Finance.
For more information and further ideas about funding your course, visit Financing your study.Career Prospects
Upon successful completition of the four modules and dissertation you will be be awarded a Master of Laws degree in Criminal Litigation (LLM). If you only complete the four modules without a dissertation you will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Criminal Litigation.
When you graduate from the course you will have a substantial understanding of the fundamentals of criminal litigation, together with enhanced analytical abilities.
These attributes will enable you to make a substantial contribution within our developing criminal justice system. Our graduates have often reported that the course has helped them to advance in their careers through gaining a promotion, changing careers or through professional progression.
Postgraduate Experience
Students who complete the LLM may wish to continue their academic studies by enrolling in a PhD or MPhil offered by The City Law School.
Find out more about City University London
Applications can be made directly to The City Law School. Applications open in September each year for enrollment the following September. Late applicants run the risk that the course may be full after the initial round of offers has been made.