Postgraduate Taught
Why study Postgraduate Law at Queen’s?
Our students are taught by an outstanding team of academic staff who are internationally renowned scholars at the forefront of their fields in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Human Rights, International Business Law and Law and Technology. We foster a stimulating approach to study where discussion and debate encourage students to consider the wider cultural, economic, technological, international and political impact and effects of the law. Our programmes offer a thought provoking range of subjects to study, with a curriculum that constantly evolves in response to major legal and world developments.
Our research activities have impacted nationally and internationally through a diverse range of projects ranging from slavery and trafficking, to the Hillsborough disaster, offender reintegration and desistance, and the role of judges in post-conflict settings.
We enjoy excellent external relationships with the legal profession, reflected in the Judge in Residence programme through which a High Court Judge makes regular contributions with students to the wider academic life of the School. Our strong links with the legal profession allows our students to gain key insights into building and shaping their career.
85th
Law at Queen’s is ranked 85th in the world
(THE Subject Rankings 2020)7th
in the UK for graduate prospects
(Complete Universities Guide 2019)94.1%
of Queen’s Postgraduates are in employment or further study 6 months after graduation
(HESA Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, 2016/17)
THE GRADUATE SCHOOL
The Graduate School provides an exclusive postgraduate hub that values the needs of our postgraduate students. Based in the beautifully restored and remodelled Victorian Lynn library, this fully-accessible space has modern, hi-tech meeting and group study rooms, a silent study area and social spaces creating a vibrant hub for intellectual exchange and collaboration. Queen’s was ranked 3rd worldwide for our Graduate School. (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019)
CAREERS GUIDANCE AND EMPLOYABILITY OPPORTUNITIES
Our careers team offer one to one guidance, employability skills sessions, eg. CV writing and interview technique and job search advice. Recruitment fairs and presentations from a variety of employers and alumni also help our students gain important insights to help shape their future career. The Graduate School provides high-quality, transdisciplinary training and personal skills development programmes that aim to make our students stand out in an increasingly competitive local and global job market.
STUDENT SOCIETIES
The award winning Law Society of Queen's University Belfast is one of the largest academic societies on campus, aimed at providing members with the best academic and careers support for Law students and for those with an interest in a legal career, as well as a vibrant and entertaining social calendar throughout the academic year.
The Student Law Society publishes an impressive student magazine The Verdict and arranges numerous social functions throughout the year. The social calendar includes nights out, a magical mystery tour and a formal dance, giving you the opportunity to meet your classmates and lecturers in a more relaxed environment.
FACILITIES
Our facilities at Queen’s include a state-of-art Law building with superb teaching facilities, a moot court, study and wellbeing spaces. Queen’s has one of the most modern campuses in the UK, including the award winning McClay Library, one of the finest libraries in the world and home to 1.2 million volumes and over 2,000 reader places. Queen’s was ranked 1st worldwide for satisfaction with library service (TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES GOOD UNIVERSITY GUIDE 2019)
The LLM in Human Rights Law provides students with stimulating insights into how fundamental principles concerning rights and justice are applied (or not) in the world today. Adopting an international and comparative approach, the programme focuses on contemporary issues and considers provocative questions about the appropriateness of relevant policies and initiatives. Christopher McCrudden
Professor
Where are they now?
Our graduates are well prepared for global careers, legal or otherwise.
Sarah Quinlan, LLM Criminology
Chief Executive, Children's Heartbeat Trust
"Returning to university after ten years to study for my Criminology LLM was both daunting and immensely rewarding. Juggling full-time work and part-time study proved challenging but the support and encouragement from Faculty staff contributed greatly to my success. What I enjoyed most about the course was the blend of academic theory with practical application. Learning from, and engaging with, professional and committed staff working at the forefront of their field enabled a deep understanding of the significant issues and their application in the ‘real-world’. This experience of further education has greatly developed my skills and knowledge, which can only enhance my employability in my chosen field of work.”
Alistair Pitt, LLM Human Rights Law
Trainee Solicitor, Herbert Smith Freehills
“I am currently employed by Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, where I work as a trainee solicitor in the Belfast office. I joined the firm as a legal analyst / paralegal on a fixed-term basis in 2014 while I was still undertaking a full-time postgraduate course, left to complete my dissertation, rejoined as a part-time employee in October 2014 and finally obtained permanent full-time employment in January 2015. I applied via the internal recruitment system for a position as a trainee and was very fortunate to be awarded a training contract in September 2016.”