Program Overview

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Queen's University Belfast

Overview

Queen's University Belfast is a public research university in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines.

Study

Undergraduate

• Undergraduate 2026
• Undergraduate 2025
• Postgraduate Taught 2025
• Postgraduate Research

Postgraduate Taught 2025

• net-zero-engineering-year-industry-msc
• applied-cyber-security-professional-internship-msc
• clinical-health-psychology-msc
• applied-cyber-security-msc
• artificial-intelligence-msc
• city-planning-design-pgcert
• software-development-part-time-msc
• zero-carbon-engineering-pgcert
• net-zero-engineering-msc
• data-analytics-msc
• net-zero-engineering-distance-learning-msc
• architecture-march
• hydrogen-energy-systems-pgcert
• pharmaceutical-analysis-industrial-placement-msc
• psychological-science-msc
• pharmaceutical-analysis-msc
• clinical-health-psychology-pgdip
• professional-practice-architecture-pgcert
• applied-developmental-psychology-msc
• biopharmaceutical-engineering-pgcert
• biopharmaceutical-engineering-year-industry-msc
• pharmaceutical-analysis-higher-level-apprenticeship-msc
• climate-change-pgcert
• business-agrifood-rural-enterprise-pgdip
• climate-change-msc
• business-agrifood-rural-enterprise-pgcert
• planning-development-higher-level-apprenticeship-msc
• education-religious-education-pgce
• pharmaceutical-analysis-international-industrial-placement-msc
• city-planning-design-higher-level-apprenticeship-msc
• climate-change-pgdip
• planning-development-msc
• education-modern-languages-pgce
• advanced-pharmacy-practice-msc
• education-mathematics-pgce
• biopharmaceutical-engineering-msc
• construction-project-management-higher-level-apprenticeship-msc
• education-social-science-pgce
• education-science-pgce
• education-english-pgce
• environmental-engineering-msc
• environmental-engineering-pgdip
• construction-project-management-msc
• construction-project-management-industrial-internship-msc
• building-information-modelling-project-management-msc
• building-information-modelling-project-management-higher-level-apprenticeship-msc
• educational-studies-med
• cognitive-behavioural-psychotherapy-pgdip
• youth-justice-pgdip
• systemic-practice-family-therapy-msc
• mental-health-mental-capacity-law-msc
• systemic-practice-family-therapy-pgcert
• sociology-global-inequality-msc
• social-science-research-pgdip
• childrens-rights-msc
• substance-use-substance-use-disorders-msc
• youth-justice-childrens-rights-pgcert
• teaching-english-speakers-other-languages-applied-linguistics-msc
• systemic-psychotherapy-msc
• specialist-cognitive-behavioural-therapy-msc
• educational-leadership-msc
• cognitive-behavioural-practice-pgcert
• youth-justice-msc
• substance-use-substance-use-disorders-pgcert
• social-science-research-mres
• palliative-care-pgdip
• inclusion-special-educational-needs-med
• international-business-msc
• applied-behaviour-analysis-msc
• autism-spectrum-disorders-msc
• financial-analytics-msc
• systemic-practice-family-therapy-pgdip
• mental-health-mental-capacity-law-pgdip
• childrens-rights-participation-pgcert
• management-msc
• financial-risk-management-msc
• master-business-administration-internship-mba
• master-business-administration-mba
• finance-msc
• business-analytics-msc
• actuarial-science-msc
• marketing-msc
• human-resource-management-msc
• caring-children-young-people-complex-needs-msc
• advanced-professional-clinical-practice-msc
• professional-nursing-adult-nursing-msc
• accounting-finance-msc
• advanced-professional-practice-msc
• professional-nursing-mental-health-nursing-msc
• professional-nursing-children-young-people-msc
• artificial-intelligence-pgcert
• applied-cyber-security-pgcert
• advanced-clinical-pharmacy-practice-pgcert
• industrial-pharmaceutics-msc
• advanced-clinical-pharmacy-practice-msc
• independent-prescribing-pgcert
• clinical-education-pgcert
• cancer-medicine-msc(res)
• public-health-mph
• bioinformatics-computational-genomics-msc
• global-health-mph
• mental-health-pgdip
• clinical-anatomy-msc
• biomedical-clinical-research-msc
• education-computing-digital-skills-creative-enterprise-pgce
• foundations-clinical-psychology-pgcert
• nursing-care-the-older-person-care-home-settings-pgcert
• data-analytics-pgcert
• engineering-energy-economics-the-environment-pgcert
• operations-supply-chain-management-pgcert
• environmental-engineering-pgcert
• software-development-pgcert
• audiovisual-post-production-pgcert
• city-planning-design-msc
• professional-nursing-learning-disabilities-nursing-msc
• midwifery-msc
• advanced-social-work-children-young-people-families-pgdip
• advanced-social-work-children-young-people-families-pgcert
• advanced-social-work-children-young-people-families-msc
• substance-use-substance-use-disorders-pgdip
• introduction-games-technologies-pgcert
• games-technologies-pgdip
• creative-games-technologies-ma
• building-information-modelling-project-management-industrial-internship-msc
• finance-trading-msc
• digital-business-msc
• ai-business-msc
• leadership-sustainable-rural-development-msc
• leadership-sustainable-development-msc
• advanced-clinical-pharmacy-practice-pgdip
• mechanical-engineering-management-higher-level-apprenticeship-msc
• mechanical-engineering-management-industrial-internship-msc
• mechanical-engineering-pgcert
• mechanical-engineering-management-pgcert
• mechanical-engineering-management-msc
• mechanical-engineering-management-pgdip
• engineering-management-pgcert
• accounting-finance-analytics-msc
• software-development-msc
• planning-development-pgcert
• electronics-msc
• electronics-professional-internship-msc
• advanced-food-safety-msc
• animal-behaviour-welfare-msc
• anthropology-ma
• anthropology-pgdip
• arts-humanities-mres
• arts-management-ma
• business-agrifood-rural-enterprise-msc
• conflict-transformation-social-justice-ma
• criminology-criminal-justice-llm
• ecological-management-conservation-biology-msc
• english-creative-writing-ma
• english-creative-writing-pgdip
• english-literary-studies-ma
• english-literary-studies-pgdip
• english-poetry-ma
• english-poetry-pgdip
• film-ma
• geopolitics-ma
• geopolitics-pgdip
• global-security-borders-ma
• history-ma
• intellectual-property-law-llm
• international-commercial-business-law-llm
• international-human-rights-law-llm
• international-public-policy-msc
• international-public-policy-pgdip
• international-relations-ma
• international-relations-pgdip
• interpreting-ma
• irish-studies-ma
• law-llm
• law-technology-llm
• linguistics-ma
• linguistics-pgcert
• linguistics-pgdip
• masters-law-mlaw
• media-broadcast-production-ma
• media-broadcast-production-pgdip
• molecular-biology-biotechnology-msc
• one-health-parasitology-infection-biology-msc
• philosophy-ma
• philosophy-pgdip
• politics-ma
• politics-pgdip
• prescribing-pharmacists-pgcert
• public-history-ma
• translation-ma
• violence-terrorism-security-ma
• violence-terrorism-security-pgdip

Research

Research Themes

• Research Themes
• Global Research
• Research Areas
• Research Excellence Framework
• Research Strategy
• Research Impact
• Our People
• Research Opportunities
• Postdoctoral Development Centre
• Governance, Ethics and Integrity
• Research Contacts
• Search Our Research
• Find a PhD

International

International Students

• International Students
• Applying to Queen's
• English Language Requirements
• Tuition Fees
• International Scholarships
• University Preparation Courses
• Exchange and Study Abroad
• Find Your Country / Region
• China
• India
• USA
• Middle East and North Africa
• South East Asia
• Sub Saharan Africa
• Why Study at Queen's
• Contact us

Business

Business Overview

• Commercialisation
• Partnering with Industry
• Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
• IP & Innovation
• Business Support
• Business Engagement
• Chief Executives' Club & Events
• Queen's Business School
• William J Clinton Leadership Institute
• MBA (Master of Business Administration) programme
• Recruit Our Students

About

About Overview

• Campus & Facilities
• Sustainability
• Social Charter
• Public Engagement
• Visit Us
• News
• What's on
• Leadership and Structure
• Strategy 2030
• Faculties & Schools
• Professional Services
• University Department List
• Rankings and Reputation
• Work at Queen's

Youth Justice & Children's Rights

Overview

Designed for those who want to advance their understanding of youth issues, youth offending and social and criminal justice responses to young people, this postgraduate diploma focuses on developing critical analytical skills and enhancing the ability to assess policy and practice against international standards and benchmarks.

Course Content

Course Structure

This online PgCert programme draws on specialisms within the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work (in youth studies, criminology, children’s rights and research methods).

A fully online approach has been adopted which includes a mixture of live and pre-recorded lectures, online live tutorials, online discussion forums and guest speakers.

The Postgraduate Certificate is awarded to students who successfully complete 60 CATS points from the following taught modules:

• Perspectives in Childhood and Youth (10 CATS)
• Childhood and Youth Research in Practice (10 CATS)
• Foundations in Children’s Rights (20 CATS)
• Youth Justice: Theory, Law and Practice (20 CATS)

People Teaching You

• Dr Mary-Louise Corr
• Dr Siobhán McAlister
• Professor Laura Lundy
• Professor Shadd Maruna

Teaching Times

Morning / Afternoon / Evening/ Weekend and online flexible learning

Learning and Teaching

Learning opportunities available with this course are outlined below:

• Learning and Teaching Methods
  • Fully online learning formats
• VLE
  • Canvas is the university’s VLE (Virtual Learning Environment).

Assessment

Assessments associated with this course are outlined below:

• Modules will be assessed through a variety of written work including: essays; blogs; audits; research proposals; critical reviews.

Facilities

The Graduate School

What Our Academics Say

“The Postgraduate Certificate in Youth Justice and Children's Rights provides an opportunity for recent graduates, and those working in policy and practice, to enhance their understanding of contemporary youth issues, system responses to young people and the discourse of children’s rights. Importantly, it aims to enhance the ability of students to apply their learning to policy, practice and research through auditing rights compliance, designing research tools and writing comment pieces/blogs.”

Dr Mary-Louise Corr, Programme Director

Modules

Perspectives on Childhood and Youth

• Overview
  • This is an introductory module for students undertaking one of four pathways in the suite of Masters programmes on childhood and youth.
• Learning Outcomes
  • Critical understanding of the range of perspectives used to study childhood and youth.
  • Understanding of conventions for critical review of academic articles.
• Skills
  • Develop skills of critically analysing argument, methodology, evidence and use of literature as appropriate.
  • Develop skills to write within an identified disciplinary context, drawing on inter-disciplinary perspectives in order to develop criticality.
• Coursework
  • 100%
• Examination
  • 0%
• Practical
  • 0%
• Credits
  • 10
• Module Code
  • SOC9047
• Teaching Period
  • Autumn
• Duration
  • 6 weeks
• Pre-requisite
  • No
• Core/Optional
  • Core

Youth Justice: Theory, Law and Practice

• Overview
  • The module covers key areas in youth justice including theories on causes of offending.
• Learning Outcomes
  • Critically discuss the main theories relating to youth crime.
  • Critically assess the impacts and outcomes of institutional and policy responses to youth crime.
  • Critically apply an understanding of theories to contemporary youth justice contexts.
• Skills
  • Understand how theory relates to policy and practice development.
  • Develop skills in the critical evaluation of youth justice policy and practice.
  • Develop research and organisational skills by using library resources and electronic resources.
  • Develop and enhance skills in critical thinking and analysis.
  • Develop oral skills through participation in workshops and group work tasks.
• Coursework
  • 100%
• Examination
  • 0%
• Practical
  • 0%
• Credits
  • 20
• Module Code
  • SOC9045
• Teaching Period
  • Spring
• Duration
  • 12 weeks
• Pre-requisite
  • No
• Core/Optional
  • Core

Foundations of Children's Rights

• Overview
  • The module will introduce students to the international children's rights laws affecting children, with a particular focus on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
• Learning Outcomes
  • Find, read and apply international human rights texts.
  • Understand the key human rights provisions which apply to children and how these are implemented in practice.
  • Develop a critical understanding of the research literature.
  • Understand and engage with the theoretical debates on children's rights.
  • Employ international standards to evaluate existing policies and practices in relation to children & identify areas where change may be necessary in order to comply with international human rights principles.
• Skills
  • Use human rights research data bases to identify and evaluate information of relevance to specific areas of investigation.
  • Conduct independent legal research and assess the usefulness of information.
  • Explain core principles of human rights law as it affects children.
  • Apply human rights law to professional practice, using it as a tool for critical evaluation of practice.
• Coursework
  • 100%
• Examination
  • 0%
• Practical
  • 0%
• Credits
  • 20
• Module Code
  • EDU7219
• Teaching Period
  • Autumn
• Duration
  • 12 weeks
• Pre-requisite
  • No
• Core/Optional
  • Core

Childhood and Youth Research in Practice

• Overview
  • This is an introductory module for students undertaking one of four pathways in the suite of Masters programmes set up under the auspices of the Improving Children’s Lives Initiative.
• Learning Outcomes
  • An appreciation of the practical and methodological issues involved in carrying out research with children and young people in a chosen discipline / field.
  • Critical understanding of some of the ethical issues involved in research with children and young people.
• Skills
  • Identify and justify a research question within a specific discipline.
  • Identify key ethical considerations in relation to a research question and / or research population.
  • Demonstrate ability to suggest realistic and informed strategies to deal with ethical and methodological issues in research with children and young people.
• Coursework
  • 100%
• Examination
  • 0%
• Practical
  • 0%
• Credits
  • 10
• Module Code
  • EDU7217
• Teaching Period
  • Autumn
• Duration
  • 6 weeks
• Pre-requisite
  • No
• Core/Optional
  • Core

Entry Requirements

Entrance Requirements

• Normally a strong 2.2 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a social science or related discipline.
• Closing date for applications: Thursday 31st July 2025 at 4pm.
• Late applications may be considered.
• Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible.

International Students

• Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region.
• Please Select Your Country/Region.

English Language Requirements

• Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required.
• *Taken within the last 2 years.

Careers

Career Prospects

• Possible career paths include work in youth and social justice related fields.
• Previous graduates from the Pg Diploma and MSc Youth Justice have been successful in gaining jobs working for NGOs in the criminal justice and youth justice fields.
• Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits.

Employment after the Course

• You will have gained the skills necessary to locate and evaluate policy, research and practice on youth justice related issues.
• This will position you for working in organisations that: advocate for the rights and needs of children in conflict with the law and that formulate policy.
• You will also have a more holistic understanding of the lives of children in conflict with the law, placing you in a perfect position to work with and for these children, and for organisation that support them (e.g. NGOs/ voluntary organisations, statutory sector bodies, government departments).

Employment Links

• Civil service; criminal justice/ youth/ children’s rights charities; government departments; research organisations.

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees

• Northern Ireland (NI) 1 | £2,434
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 | £2,434
• England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 | £3,083
• EU Other 3 | £7,166
• International | £7,166

Additional Course Costs

• There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.

How Do I Fund My Study?

• The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study.
• A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas (excluding Initial Teacher Education/PGCE, where undergraduate student finance is available).

International Scholarships

• Information on scholarships for international students, is available at [insert link].