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LL.M. in International Criminal Justice

Overview

The LL.M. in International Criminal Justice is an internationally recognised postgraduate law degree. The degree is primarily of interest to those who wish to work or progress their career in International Criminal Justice.

Why Study International Criminal Justice at Griffith College?

• Griffith College’s LLM in International Criminal Justice offers a specific international focus—a key advantage in today’s globalised legal landscape. Due to the broad range of modules offered, learners may tailor their programmes to suit their particular interests within the field of Criminal Justice.
• The LLM in International Criminal Justice degree benefits learners with learner support and personal attention, relevant and well-designed modules taught by experienced academics and professional practitioners, and career support.
• The small class sizes in postgraduate law programmes allow for more individual attention from lecturers. This fosters a deeper understanding of complex legal concepts and provides opportunities for personalised guidance on your academic journey.
• The Law Faculty offers a rich variety of extracurricular activities beyond the classroom. This allows you to develop essential skills like communication, teamwork, and leadership, all of which are highly sought after by employers in the legal sector.

Course Highlights

• To facilitate the advanced study of legal issues relating to international criminal law and criminal justice.
• To permit graduates to develop a career in law, which specialises in international law.
• To expedite the development of skills required for working in an international, multi-cultural environment.
• To permit graduates to develop the necessary legal knowledge for work in a human rights organisation/NGOs.
• To lay the foundation for further study, most pertinently, PhD, insofar as learners develop a particular interest in an area which they wish to research in even greater depth.

Intake Dates

• Dublin - Part-Time - September 2025
• Dublin - Full-Time - September 2025

Related Courses

• LL.M. in International Law

Course Details

The LL.M. in International Criminal Justice is studied over one calendar year. The student will complete six subjects and a dissertation. In the first semester, the student will complete two mandatory subjects (Advanced Legal Research and Writing and Law of International Organisations). In the second semester, students will study International Criminal Law and two elective modules. (Electives run subject to demand and at the discretion of the faculty.)

Assessment in the taught modules in semesters 1 and 2 is by way of assignments and examinations. A dissertation is completed over the summer months under the guidance of a designated supervisor.

Semester 1

Advanced Legal Research and Writing

The aim of this module is to promote the learner's advanced legal research and writing skills. The module initially focuses on the development of online research skills and search operators. The learner develops an understanding of various research methodologies which can be employed when conducting research: doctrinal, comparative, socio-legal, etc, while also developing the skill and confidence to formulate a research proposal. Furthermore, the module fosters within learners the ability to communicate complex legal issues in a clear and logical manner and to write excellent legal prose with style, precision and accuracy. Learners also master a legal house style; the Oxford University Standard for Citation of Legal Authorities (OSCOLA).

Law of International Institutions

This module aims to introduce learners to the international system of law and international institutions. It explores the origin and function of the international legal system and the role and function of international institutions throughout the world. Learners will be introduced to some of the many challenges facing international law and international institutions in carrying out their mandate, including rogue states, the fragmentation of international law, and the institutional legacy of the origins of the United Nations. It will explore growing fields of study such as the accountability of international institutions, and global constitutionalism. Through the content of the module, there will be a focus on theories of international law and of diplomacy. It provides a basis for learners to build their understanding of international peace-building and reconciliation in the Masters program.

Semester 2

Corporate Governance

The primary objective of this module is to impart a critical understanding of the structure, objectives and mechanisms of Corporate Governance, and the legal and other issues affecting systems by which corporations are directed and controlled. The module provides learners with an understanding of the theoretical foundations of Corporate Governance and an ability to distinguish between the main theories, principles, and practices. Learners will develop the ability to (i) identify the key parties and constituents involved in Corporate Governance, (ii) compare their roles, impact, and responsibilities.

Gender, Sexuality and Human Rights

This module combines analysis of current law with a critical exploration of the structures, potential, and limits of law and legal reform. The focus of the module is human rights, primarily as a legal regime with specific application to gender and sexuality issues, but also as a political sphere within which issues relating to gender and sexuality are negotiated. The module includes discussions of domestic, European, and international developments. As such, this module provides grounding in the key issues of gender, sexuality and human rights discourse whilst ensuring that learners will gain an understanding and appreciation of those issues which are at the cutting edge of these discussions.

International Asylum and Immigration Law

This module provides a detailed and comprehensive understanding of International Asylum and Immigration Law. The learner studies the principles, doctrines and rules underpinning International Asylum and Immigration law, along with relevant international legal instruments and learns to apply these to practical problems. The module addresses the political, social and philosophical issues raised by asylum seeking, while also providing learners with the tools to solve technical asylum problems.

Restorative Justice

A fundamental aim of the module is to instil an understanding of the principles of peacebuilding through the mechanisms incorporated under Restorative Justice practices. Restorative justice focuses on the harm done to an individual, and how they might be healed. It differs from the general judicial practice that is more focused on retribution, and punishment. Restorative justice places the victim at the centre of the process and facilitates a dialogue between the victim, offender, and the community at large with aim of helping the offender identify the harm and hurt caused, to prevent recidivism. Flexibility and responsiveness are among the key aims and features of the restorative processes.

Criminology

The purpose of this module is to introduce learners to the various aspects of the discipline of criminology, the study of crime as a social phenomenon. The sub-discipline of victimology is also examined in this module, the study of the causes and impact of victimisation in society. This module aims to equip learners with a comprehensive understanding of a number of criminological theories, all of which see crime as a social construct. Additionally, the objective of this module is to apply these theories to various aspects of the criminal justice system and criminal offending in Ireland, in comparative jurisdictions and at the international level. These broader criminological concerns are then complimented by a consideration of victimological theories and the place of victims in the criminal justice system.

Social, Economic and Environmental Rights

This module examines the protection of Social and Economic Rights within International Law. It seeks to locate social, economic and environmental rights within the wider scope of International Law protection and addresses the theoretical debates over the method of protection that these rights should be given. Learners study the operation of the UNESCR, and UNEP and assess their effectiveness in identifying where the rights lie and how best to restitute injured parties. The UNESCR is compared to a range of regional instruments and the contrasts between the various methods of protection discussed. Case studies are undertaken focusing on the protection of specific rights within developing and developed nations.

International Privacy and Data Protection Law

This module provides an explanatory overview to data protection and privacy law, taking an international perspective that encompasses Irish and EU law. The module will consider theoretical and practical approaches in understanding the power and significance of handling personal information securely. The module aims to encourage learners to think outside the box when it comes to understanding privacy and data protection issues rather than empower learner’s knowledge of key privacy and data protection terms.

Semester 3

Dissertation

The research dissertation is designed to permit learners to delve into a topic which is of particular interest to them, and it comes at the end of the LLM, at a point in time when continuous assessment and examinations in all taught modules have been completed, and therefore, learners are well placed to undertake independent research. Learners on the LLM in International Commercial Law programme must complete a dissertation which is commercial in nature. Learners on the LLM in International Human Rights Law programme must complete a dissertation which is human rights in nature. Those learners who are obtaining the general LLM in International Law are free to choose either a commercial or human rights LLM.

Entry Requirements

• 2.2 degree in Law or a related discipline (minimum 50% legal component to the degree) or foreign equivalent or relevant work experience.

English Language

Griffith College accepts Duolingo English Test (DET) as valid proof of English proficiency.

How to Apply

All applicants must apply online by uploading a copy of the following:

• Photo I.D. (driving license or passport)
• Degree transcripts from previous studies
• CV outlining experience

Fees

Tuition Fees

Irish/EU citizens, living in Ireland

• Study Mode: Full-Time
• Dublin: EUR 8,150.00

Irish/EU citizens, living abroad

• Study Mode: Full-Time
• Dublin: EUR 9,000.00

International

• Study Mode: Full-Time
• Non-EU living in Ireland or abroad: Please refer to our Non-EU Tuition Fees section.

General Fee Information

An Academic Administration Fee of EUR 250 is payable each September at the start of term. For students starting in the January/February term, EUR 125 is payable in February, and then EUR 250 will be payable each September from then onwards.

2% Learner Protection Charge

A 2% Learner Protection Charge is applicable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted. The fees below relate to Year 1 fees only.

Flexible payment options

Students wishing to pay their fees monthly may avail of our direct debit scheme. Please view our Fees information page for more information and assistance. Sponsorship Is your company paying for your course? They will need to complete a Griffith College Sponsorship Form and send this to the Student Fees Office: Post: Student Fees, Griffith College Dublin, South Circular Road, Dublin 8, D08V04N. Email:

Progression

Completing an LLM in International Criminal Justice provides learners with the skills required to advance their careers in the legal sector, such as:

• Administrators
• Advisors or researchers with government departments
• Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or businesses such as: IHRC, Trócaire, UN and Amnesty International, Law Reform Commission.
• The EU institutions such as: The Directorate Generals, Prison Services, Legal Aid Boards.