Law and Society (Taught)

Law shapes almost every aspect of society. Our Law and Society MA takes an interdisciplinary approach, encouraging you to critically examine law and legal institutions in their broader social context. This intensive programme is designed for aspiring researchers preparing for PhD study, as well as those aiming for careers in the public or non-governmental sectors.

Why choose this course?

• Global Top 250 for Law (Times Higher Education World University Subject Rankings, 2024)

• Keele is a member of the ESRC’s North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (NWSSDTP), which opens up opportunities for PhD research funding

• Optional research-intensive pathway meets the Economic and Social Research Council’s (ESRC) postgraduate social science research training and development guidelines

• Close-knit community, smaller class sizes, tailored personal/professional support includes Senior Practitioner in Law, an experienced solicitor developing employability skills and employer links

• Global Top 100 for International Outlook, Law (Times Higher Education World University Subject Rankings, 2023)

Keele's academically challenging Law and Society postgraduate programme adopts a critical and interdisciplinary approach. It draws on the Sociology of Law to provide a deep understanding of law as a social phenomenon and will enable you to develop critical awareness of the role law has in society and how it's shaped by social forces.

You’ll develop advanced training in research methods, critical thinking and analytical skills as well as opportunities for developing socio-legal advocacy skills and experience through outreach work. This will enhance your employability in areas including academic expertise, professional skills and social and ethical responsibilities preparing you for impactful careers in policy work or research.

Through the programme you will build a strong foundation in understanding some of the critical theories and methodologies that examine law and legal institutions and acquire the skills to choose a theoretical framework and methodology in the design of your own research project.

Our programme offers two distinct pathways, one focusing on a balanced mix of core foundational modules and wide selection of optional modules, while the other is an intensive research methods route designed for those intending to pursue a PhD.

Depending on your choice of pathway you can explore a variety of topics and approaches to law and society such as equality, human rights and social justice, community outreach and socio-legal advocacy as well as core training in philosophy of social research, research design and qualitative and quantitative research methods in social science.

About Keele

Keele University was established in 1949 by the former Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University. Founded to meet the needs of a changing world, Keele has always had a pioneering vision to be a different kind of university.

We excel in both teaching and research, with some of the most satisfied students in England, and research that is changing lives for the better at a regional, national and global level.

Our beautiful 600-acre campus is one of the biggest in Britain – but all the most important services and facilities are on your doorstep, with accommodation, teaching spaces, facilities including a medical centre, sports centre and pharmacy, and a range of shops, eateries and entertainment venues – including the Students’ Union – clustered around the centre.