(Full time) 2021 start
Security, Conflict and Justice MSc
Coronavirus information for applicants and offer holders
We hope that by the time you’re ready to start your studies with us the situation with COVID-19 will have eased. However, please be aware, we will continue to review our courses and other elements of the student experience in response to COVID-19 and we may need to adapt our provision to ensure students remain safe. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, regularly visit our website, which we will continue to update as the situation changes www.leeds.ac.uk/covid19faqs
Overview
Hosted by the School of Law, this interdisciplinary programme is run in conjunction with the School of Politics and International Studies and the School of Sociology and Social Policy.
The programme offers an exciting opportunity to understand contemporary issues of security, conflict and justice from the perspectives of criminology, international relations, law, politics and sociology. It will allow you to select from a broad range of modules to critically evaluate some of the most pressing contemporary issues of security, conflict and justice from an interdisciplinary perspective, as well as offering the opportunity to specialise in topics that relate to your future career choice or academic interests.
You will gain in-depth understanding of how security, conflict and justice intersect, and how they are experienced at the local, national and transnational levels. You will gain skills and knowledge that inform a wide appreciation of security, conflict and justice, as well as receiving training in research methods drawn from across a range of disciplines.
Research insight
MSc Security, Conflict and Justice enables you to learn from experts from within these three intersecting research fields, with all the facilities that a leading research-led university offers. The University of Leeds hosts diverse expertise in these fields that aims to develop new knowledge, analysis and policy to address the major challenges faced by contemporary societies across the globe. Drawing upon research strengths from across participating schools – Law, Politics and International Studies, and Sociology and Social Policy – this programme is built upon world-class research in areas such as responsibility to protect, policing, organised crime and criminal justice.
Studying MSc Conflict, Security and Justice
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Course content
You’ll benefit from our optional Support in Academic and Personal Development programme. This runs alongside your taught academic programme in semester one and is specifically designed to complement the School’s induction activities and ongoing academic skills support for students. The programme may include wellbeing activities, careers talks, assessment query sessions as well as additional language support for non-native English speakers.
The optional modules listed below are a selection of those on offer. For the full list see the course catalogue using the links below.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- New Frontiers of Security, Conflict and Justice 15 credits
- Researching Crime, Security and Justice 30 credits
- Security, Conflict and Justice 30 credits
- Dissertation Security, Conflict and Justice 60 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
You will also choose 45 credits from the below:
- Criminal Justice Processes 30 credits
- Contemporary Criminological Theory and Approaches 30 credits
- Rethinking Policing 1 15 credits
- Rethinking Policing 2 15 credits
- International Criminal Law 15 credits
- Globalisation and Crime 15 credits
- International Corporate Governance 15 credits
- International Law of Credit and Security 15 credits
- Financial Crime 15 credits
- International Human Rights 30 credits
- Global Governance through Law 30 credits
- Conflict, Complex Emergencies and Global Governance 30 credits
- Gender, Globalisation and Development 30 credits
- European Defence and Security Analysis 30 credits
- Contemporary Politics of the Middle East 30 credits
- The Politics of the Israel-Palestine Conflict 30 credits
- Insurgency 30 credits
- International Relations and the Environment 30 credits
- Terrorism 30 credits
- Theoretical Approaches in International Relations 30 credits
- Civil War and Intrastate Conflict 30 credits
- Global Justice 30 credits
- Researching Society and Culture 30 credits
- Quantitative Research Methods 15 credits
- Qualitative Research Methods 15 credits
- Understanding Society and Culture 30 credits
- Power, Critique & Global Transformations 15 credits
- Inequalities: Exploring causes, Consequences and Interventions 30 credits
- Business, Environment and Sustainability 15 credits
Learning and teaching
Compulsory modules are taught in lectures and seminars. The taught components are delivered across two semesters. The remainder is spent focusing on your dissertation, conducted under the direct supervision of an individual staff member. Support for the dissertation is provided via two group sessions, one-to-one meetings and comments on draft work.
The course director will be your personal supervisor and will support you throughout the programme but you can take queries to any member of the teaching team.
Independent study is integral to this programme – not just to prepare for classes but to develop research and other critical skills.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
You will be assessed by a variety of methods depending on your module choice, but primarily through coursework essays during each module. Your dissertation will be assessed through submission of an extended written piece of work. The exact criteria for assessment will be down to the school within which you choose to undertake your dissertation.
Applying, fees and funding
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in criminology, international relations, law, politics, sociology, social policy, or related social science discipline.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Law (6 weeks) and Language for Social Sciences and Arts: Law (10 weeks).
If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.
How to apply
Application deadlines
International – 30 June 2021
UK – 20 August 2021
If you intend to apply for funding, you should submit an application for a place on your chosen course at least one month before any specific scholarship deadline.
This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Documents and information you will need include:
- Original or certified copies of your transcripts
- Original or certified copies of your degree certificate
- Original or certified copy of your IELTS/TOEFL results (if English is not your first language).
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
Faculty of Social Sciences Taught Admissions Policy 2021
Fees
- UK: £9,250 (total)
- International: £20,750 (total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
Brexit
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.
The School of Law offers a number of scholarships. Find out more about what we offer on the School's scholarships page.
Career opportunities
The truly interdisciplinary nature of this programme will provide you with valuable tools to pursue a wide range of career paths relevant to security and justice. The MSc Security, Conflict and Justice is ideal if you plan to work in professions that relate to criminal justice, global governance, policing, social policy, international relations, international security, and academia. By developing the ability to think broadly and to connect complex issues, you will be well equipped for the future. This degree programme will provide you with the skills and knowledge to enter into further academic research or to pursue a professional career in areas such as civil service, media and publishing, teaching and training, policy, or international agencies and NGOs.
Recent graduates have gone on to work in the UK and overseas in a range of sectors and professions including think tanks, the police, the public sector and beyond. Many also pursue further study by commencing PhD research.
Posts in organisations such as the United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the armed forces are also potential destinations for graduates.
Careers support
The School of Law offers career and personal development support through the School’s dedicated Employability Officers. You can book one-to-one appointments with our Employability Officers throughout the year to discuss your career aspirations and get advice on how to make the most of your time with us.
The School also arranges a number of community engagement (pro bono) and work experience opportunities, career development workshops, guest speaker events and careers fairs throughout the year. These opportunities will allow you to develop new skills, enhance your career prospects and network with prospective employers.
Find out more about how we support your career development.
In addition to the School-specific careers support, you will also have access to the University’s award-winning Careers Centre. The Careers Centre offers one-to-one appointments, advice on starting your own business, careers events, mentoring schemes and support with your CV, applications and interviews.