Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice

Criminal justice at UL will develop expertise in the understanding of crime and the operation of the criminal justice system.

Key information

CAO points 2026 391

EU fees per year €5,662

Non-EU fees per year €17,500

NFQ Level NFQ Level 8

Duration Four years

Attendance Full-time

Course code LM028

Co-op

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About you

Are you interested in understanding crime and how the justice system works? Whether you aspire to work in law enforcement, security, court administration, the civil service, or the non-governmental sector, or wish to contribute to social justice and community wellbeing, this programme will provide you with the knowledge and skills to make a meaningful impact.

Students of the BA (Criminal Justice) have an inquiring mind and want to develop a grounding in a number of key disciplines in order to fully comprehend the complexities of crime and justice in modern society.

Why study Criminal Justice at UL?

Become an expert in Criminal (and Social) Justice! The BA (Criminal Justice) is administered by the School of Law, which has substantial expertise in the field of criminal justice. The School’s Centre for Crime, Justice and Victim Studies is recognised nationally for excellence in this area, collaborating closely with key stakeholders such as the Irish Prison Service, the Department of Justice, and the Inspector of Prisons. The School has also developed strong links in professional training and education, for example by providing accreditation and quality assurance for the national Garda training programme. These partnerships ensure that teaching remains closely aligned with current developments in the criminal justice system, and that students learn from leading national and international experts.

Students of criminal justice in the University of Limerick will thus be taught by experts in the area who have published widely both nationally and internationally on criminal justice topics and beyond. The expertise of these staff members is further enhanced by contributions from highly qualified faculty across a range of disciplines, including Sociology, Politics, Public Administration, Psychology, and Management, together with legal experts in fields such as human rights, constitutional law, and EU law.

Our School of Law was awarded Law School of the Year at the prestigious LEAP Irish Law Awards 2025.