Criminology and Law

Entry requirements

We accept applications from graduates of Criminology and Criminal Justice, of LLB (Single and Joint Honours) and related subjects such as Politics, and the Social Sciences. Normally, we require a 2(ii) undergraduate degree. An upper second class (or equivalent) is desirable, but applications from candidates with a lower second class degree and professional qualifications and/or appropriate experience will also be considered.

In general, all applicants are judged on their individual merits. Work experience and other factors are also taken into consideration. We have many years’ experience of making offers of entry based on qualifications awarded worldwide and we welcome applications from international students. Entry will require a qualification deemed to be equivalent in level to the UK bachelor degree.

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

The MA Criminology and Law, which is run by Bangor School of Social Sciences and Bangor Law School, will provide students with postgraduate level knowledge and skills in the interdisciplinary area of criminology and law. It builds on criminological and legal skills and knowledge so as to provide specialist training in criminological, criminal justice and legal research. The programme enables students to develop an international perspective on crime, justice and law through national and cross-national approaches and case studies of other societies, and/or ‘cutting edge’ issues in contemporary criminology and law. Students will also acquire a wide range of transferable skills.

Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.

Part 1: Taught Courses

Modules in Criminology and Law are taught in two semesters between September and May. Of these modules, half will be law based and taught in the Law School and half will be criminology based and taught in the School of Social Sciences. Modules together give 60 credits for Law and 60 for Criminology.

For this MA, Bangor Law School will offer a ground breaking course Forensic Linguistics in Court, which will examine the use of language in the criminal process. Topics in International Criminal Law include international criminal courts and the offences they deal with. In the School of Social Sciences issues such as sentencing policy, theories of deviance, victimisation, international terrorism, the operation of the penal system and theories of policing and law enforcement can be studied both from a UK and international perspective. Teaching is mainly seminar based and allows for in-depth discussions with lecturers.

Part 2: Dissertation

Students will write a 20,000 word dissertation on a topic of their choice from within the broad remit of Criminology. Any topic can be suggested that is of interest for students and dissertation tutors.

Modules include:

• Forensic Linguistics in Court
• International Criminal Law
• Key Issues in Criminology
• Troseddeg Fforensic (Welsh medium)
• Comparative and International Criminal Justice
• Transnational Crime
• Dissertation on any topic within Criminology

Programmes and modules are constantly updated and reviewed. As with most academic programmes, please remember that it is possible that specific modules or programmes may not be offered in any particular year, because a member of staff is on study leave, for instance, or too few students opt for it. Bangor Law School reserves the right to vary or withdraw any course or module.

Information for international students

International applicants are normally required to provide evidence of English language proficiency. The minimum English language requirements will normally be:

• IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each individual component score
• Pearson PTE: a score of 62 (with no element lower than 58)
• Cambridge English Test – Advanced: 176 (with no element lower than 169)

For information and further detailed guidance on entry requirements for International Students, including the minimum English Language entry requirement, please visit the Entry Requirements by Country pages on the International Education Centre section of our website.