Comparative Criminal Justice Leiden University

Overview

Comparative Criminal Justice explores contemporary criminal justice developments and challenges from legal and criminological perspectives. It's unique in its cross-national & multidisciplinary scope.
Students will thoroughly study the concept of criminal justice: the system of principles, rules, practices and institutions through which the state administers sanctions against socially undesirable behaviour. The programme addresses key institutions, processes and cross-national issues on crime and crime prevention, law and policy. It distinguishes itself by its international comparative perspective, analysing criminal justice systems, legislation and policies in common law and civil law countries.

Students will explore the social and legal dilemmas that political and legal institutions face while governing security, guaranteeing safety and handling (inter)national crises. While the course devotes attention to all traditional actors in the criminal justice process, it also considers how crime control is shaped by other (non-state) actors and outside the criminal justice process. Our programme is taught by academic staff as well as by professionals working in the criminal justice sector. Apart from following lectures, you will also participate in field-trips to Dutch and international institutions such as the Netherlands' Council of State, Europol and the European Parliament.

What you will learn

Globalisation poses new challenges for national and international crime problems. As our graduate you will be well prepared to analyse these challenges and work towards a solution. The mix of legal and criminological perspectives discussed during the course, equips students with the tools to operate in a large variety of organisations, including international criminal justice actors. The course also aims to develop students’ transferable skills, including research, writing and presenting skills, so that they will be able to solve problems and convey their ideas in a wide range of contexts.

During the programme a lot of attention is also given to career prospects; for example, there are guest lectures, field trips, and students are encouraged to maintain a portfolio of reflections in regard to their academic advancement throughout the programme. Students carry out an independent and original piece of research, which showcases the skills and knowledge acquired during the Master’s programme. During this process, they benefit from the guidance of staff with expertise in the area of Criminal Justice. Completing an internship is an optional component of the programme.

Career prospects

The master's programme prepares students for a career in the broad field of criminal justice. Our graduates end up in law(-related) professions, (international) criminal justice organisations, research, teaching, and roles related to policy-making and policy-advice. Examples of graduate destinations include: the Law Reform Commission of Ireland, the Koninklijke Marechaussee, Eurojust, the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security, and EY.

Accreditation

Accredited by NVAO, the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders.