Criminal Justice and Human Rights | University of Aberdeen

Course summary

Combine the key specialist topics of criminal justice with some of today’s most powerful human rights issues, studying cases from around the world in a variety of contexts. With our carefully designed LLM, you’ll have the opportunity to further your understanding of how the two topics impact each other whilst expanding your employability prospects.

One of the biggest changes in recent times has been the increasing global demand for criminal justice systems to comply with human rights. Whether you’re studying international conventions to confront human trafficking or legal frameworks to investigate war crimes, this programme will help you explore both Criminal Justice and Human Rights in depth and breadth and will identify how the two topics impact each other. You will have the opportunity to study subjects such as Criminological Theories, Criminal Evidence and Proof and The Use of Force in International Law. This programme was designed in collaboration with criminal justice and human rights experts as well as our internal staff at the University.

With this combined input, you will gain unique insights into both subjects from an international perspective, which will advance your understanding of the factors that influence them. The programme has been carefully coordinated to align with the competencies required for today’s international job market. The University of Aberdeen is known for attracting world-class teaching staff with international experience in their specialist subjects.

Modules

Course Modules

In addition to being taught through traditional lectures and seminars, the University Law School employs a range of teaching methods to suit your learning style. Even when studying independently, you will benefit from having regular contact with your course coordinator and other members of the teaching staff.
Please note: Students staring their LLM programme in January write their Dissertation project during the Summer semester.

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Entry requirements

Normally a 2:2 honours degree in Law (or another related discipline) or equivalent. Documents required with your application: a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and marks you achieved in your degree(s); a detailed personal statement explaining your reasons for choosing this programme; CV/Resume optional; reference letter from your university discussing your academic ability.

English language requirements

Test	Grade	Additional details
IELTS (Academic)	6.5	Overall - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5 or above; Reading - 6.0 or above; Speaking - 5.5 or above; Writing - 6.0 or above. IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training are not accepted.
TOEFL (iBT)	90	TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition: Overall - 90 with: Listening - 17 or above; Reading - 21 or above; Speaking - 20 or above; Writing - 21 or above. DI code is 0818
PTE Academic	62	Overall - 62 with: Listening - 59 or above; Reading - 59 or above; Speaking - 59 or above; Writing - 59 or above. Online test is not accepted.
Institution's Own Test		Academic English Pre-sessional Programme (PSE) - Pass (valid for 1 year). Academic English Preparation Programme undertaken at other UK HEI - accredited by BALEAP and within 1 year of start of course.
Cambridge English Advanced	C	Overall - 176 with: Listening - 162 or above; Reading - 162 or above; Speaking - 162 or above; Writing - 169 or above.

To study for a postgraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write academic English fluently. These skills will allow you to understand lectures, produce high standards of written work, and perform well in examinations. We can assess your English language proficiency through a variety of means: through your nationality, through the qualifications you gained in high school, through the degree you undertook or are undertaking at university, or through a recognised English language test. Postgraduate Higher requirements are used by the Schools of Business; Divinity, History and Philosophy; Education; Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture; Law; and Social Sciences. The MSc in Oil and Gas Enterprise Management and the MSc in Integrated Petroleum Geoscience also make use of the Postgraduate Higher requirements. Please note certification must be within the two years prior to commencement of your degree programme, unless otherwise stated.https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/requirements-pg-266.php

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Fee information is not yet published for entry in Academic Year 2027/2028. For guidance, the fees on the University Online Prospectus website are for 2026/27.

Sponsorship information

Aberdeen Alumni Discount - PG

This scholarship is available for students registered for online programmes and on-campus programmes delivered at our Aberdeen campus.

A special ‘loyalty discount’ of 20% off the cost of any element of self funded graduate study is available to University of Aberdeen graduates who wish to undertake further study at the University of Aberdeen. The discount applies to a range of taught graduate programmes (Masters, Diploma, Certificate and Short Course), and the year one of a full time research programme (years one and two for part time research students). It is available to both UK/EU and International students.

Please see Eligibility at the link provided.

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/funding/69