Law, Human Rights in Criminal Justice - LLM / MA Graduate profile
Key information
This course can lead to the following sectors and careers:
This programme advances graduates' expertise to strengthen their potential to gain employment in the fields of criminal justice and human rights such as roles within the legal profession; criminal justice agencies and organisations involved in the protection of human rights both nationally and internationally.
Still curious?
The team regularly host and take part in webinars to support future students. If you would like to learn more or ask questions at an online information session, click below.
I took up a position as a research fellow at the Courts Service of Ireland – my role utilised the research skills that I gained during my LLM every day as I drafted judgments and researched points of law for the judiciary of the High Court.
What attracted me to the programme was the fact that it combines two distinct disciplines which are traditionally taught separately. The modules offered are designed to emphasise the inter-relationship between human rights and criminal justice. During the programme, we covered key areas such as policing and human rights and the Law of the European Convention on Human Rights.
I would highly recommend this course for anyone who wants to improve or begin their lawyering skills. The LLM in Human Rights and Criminal Justice enabled me to study modules that developed my lawyering and research skills both critically and analytically and had the added advantage of being presented in a multi-jurisdictional setting. Studying the LLM also led me to pursue a PhD, which I am currently engaged in under the supervision of Dr. Andrea Ryan of the School of Law, UL.
Having completed my undergraduate degree in the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG), I felt that completing a master’s was the route I should take. I decided that after studying in NUIG for 3 years, it was time for me to get more exposure by moving to a different University in Ireland. While completing my degree I had a great attraction to the study of Criminal law, however, I wanted to incorporate Human Rights into my love for Criminal Law.
One of the main attractions to the University of Limerick was not only the similarities between it and NUIG, as both colleges are of medium to large student populations, and both have excellent sporting facilities. However, it was the fact that they provided a unique combination of two distinct disciplines (Human Rights and Criminal Justice) which are traditionally taught separately and this appealed to me most.
The modules offered in the course emphasize the ever-growing relationship between human rights and criminal justice. During the course of the programme we covered key areas such are International Criminal Law, Penology and Victimology and Policing and Human Rights.
I would highly recommend the course of Human Rights and Criminal Justice to all students wishing to gain further knowledge of these diverse areas of law, with their unique inter-relationship. The LLM in Human Rights and Criminal Justice has enabled me to study modules that have developed my lawyering and research skills both critically and analytically alongside the added advantage of being presented in a multi-jurisdictional setting.
I chose this master's programme above all others available in the country due to its uniqueness, as well as the background and diversity of staff and students. Which I knew would provide me with the opportunity to work alongside some of the greatest in the industry, both academically and those who work in practice.
The University campus provides a wonderful atmosphere and setting for studying, this inspired me throughout my year in the University of Limerick.
My interactions with experts in the field of human rights and criminal justice at UL and with Irish police officers have provided me with new avenues to network, share and learn beyond the completion of my course. This was made possible by the unique environment fostered by my lecturers, which encourages networking and innovative exchange of views and ideas.
Through the program, I have gained more insights into global best practices of policing and supervisory role in applying appropriate legal mechanisms to protect the rights of both the victims and suspected perpetrators of crime. The course has equipped me with multiple skills learned from my lecturers and fellow students of different countries and backgrounds – which has greatly contributed towards my academic and professional growth.
Upon completing my study at UL, I resumed work in Nigeria where I got promoted to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and transferred to the National Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force.
Today, I have served as a resource person at electoral violence and security course; secretary technical committee on curbing kidnapping and related crimes; member technical working group in the 2019 general elections as well as various other official engagements. I believe the knowledge and skills acquired from University of Limerick have added much value to my professional growth and emboldened the confidence of supervisors towards me
