Postgraduate Taught
Why study Postgraduate Law at Queen’s?
Our students are taught by an outstanding team of academic staff who are internationally renowned scholars at the forefront of their fields in Law and Technology, Human Rights, Criminology and Criminal Justice, International Commercial and Business Law, and Intellectual Property Law. We foster a stimulating approach to study where discussion and debate encourage students to consider the wider cultural, economic, technological, international and political impact and effects of the law. Our programmes offer a thought provoking range of subjects to study, with a curriculum that constantly evolves in response to major legal and world developments.
2nd
In the UK for Law Career Prospects
(Guardian University Guide 2025)8th
In the UK for Research Quality
(REF2021)11th
In the UK for Law
(Complete University Guide 2025)Courses of Study
Check out the available programmes of study on the main Queen's University Coursefinder.
| LLM Criminology and Criminal Justice | LLM International Human Rights Law | LLM International Commercial and Business Law |
| LLM Law | Masters in Law | LLM Law and Technology |
| LLM Intellectual Property Law |
Student Experience
Research Led Teaching
Pursuing a postgraduate qualification with us offers you a unique opportunity to engage with world-class research that shapes lives and society. The School, recognised in the Research Excellence Framework 2021 for its impactful studies, provides a nurturing environment for research with both local and global implications, spanning areas like Human Rights, Criminology, and Law, Innovation, and Technology. Engaging in this research community not only broadens knowledge and skills but also places you, the student at the forefront of legal scholarship, making significant contributions to legal practice, policy, and academia. This can open doors to high-level careers in legal practice, policy-making, and academia, offering a platform to influence legal and societal change.
Explore Research
Ciara O'Hagan - MLaw
The MLaw is a two year Qualifying Law Degree, it is designed not only for those with a background in law but also for career changers who wish to dive into this fascinating and dynamic field. Whether you're drawn to the intellectual challenge of law, the potential for making a positive impact, or the prospects for career advancement, this program offers a unique opportunity to pivot towards an exciting new career path.
Lydia Millar - LLM Human Rights
Studying for a master's degree can serve as a powerful catalyst for pursuing a PhD. The rigorous academic environment, combined with exposure to pioneering research, inspires students to deepen their exploration of legal studies. Engaging with faculty and peers on cutting-edge issues provides both the motivation and the foundation necessary for embarking on a PhD journey, aiming to contribute novel insights to the field of law.
Student Voices
The School places employability skills at its heart. Employers are very interested in law graduates who are tech-savvy and are clear and comfortable communicators, whether with clients or more generally. We embed skills-development directly into the curriculum as such, through project-based learning work, computational skills and elsewhere depending on your masters pathway.
Legal Practitioners
Practical Experiences
Get an inside look into the daily practice of law, providing invaluable insight and advice for those seeking a career with the law.
Find Out More
Doing a master’s is never a bad idea. I always say if the opportunity presents itself, take it. The decision to undertake a master’s is not always an easy one but we can make it less complicated. Ogaku Agabi
LLM Law and Technology
Student Skills Assistant
The LLM in Human Rights Law provides students with stimulating insights into how fundamental principles concerning rights and justice are applied (or not) in the world today. Adopting an international and comparative approach, the programme focuses on contemporary issues and considers provocative questions about the appropriateness of relevant policies and initiatives. Christopher McCrudden
Professor
Lawpod: reflecting on the LLM experience at QUB
Host Dr Lauren Dempster chats with three current Master’s students from the School of Law, each enrolled on different LLM programmes.
Funding Opportunities
NI Students
Postgraduate students from Northern Ireland can access a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 annually, depending on their course's duration and cost. If the course fee exceeds the loan amount, students are responsible for the difference. The loan must be applied for annually for courses exceeding one year. For more information, visit Student Finance NI.
International Students
The Queen's Loyalty Scholarship offers a 20% fee reduction for the first year of undergraduate, postgraduate taught, or postgraduate research programs at Queen's University Belfast. It's open to international alumni returning to study full-time in an eligible program. Exclusions apply, and applicants must have successfully completed their previous program at Queen's. For more details, visit: QUB PG Loyalty Scholarship.
Postgraduate Scholarships
Supporting specific academic and career interests within law.
Each scholarship has distinct requirements and deadlines, highlighting the necessity for targeted applications. For detailed information and application procedures check out the scholarship page.
Find Out MoreUniversity Services and Opportunities
THE GRADUATE SCHOOL
The Graduate School provides an exclusive postgraduate hub that values the needs of our postgraduate students. Based in the beautifully restored and remodelled Victorian Lynn library, this fully-accessible space has modern, hi-tech meeting and group study rooms, a silent study area and social spaces creating a vibrant hub for intellectual exchange and collaboration. Queen’s is one of the top 10 most beautiful universities in the UK (Times Higher Education, 2023).
CAREERS GUIDANCE AND EMPLOYABILITY OPPORTUNITIES
Our careers team offer one to one guidance, employability skills sessions, eg. CV writing and interview technique and job search advice. Recruitment fairs and presentations from a variety of employers and alumni also help our students gain important insights to help shape their future career. The Graduate School provides high-quality, transdisciplinary training and personal skills development programmes that aim to make our students stand out in an increasingly competitive local and global job market.
STUDENT SOCIETIES
The award winning Law Society of Queen's University Belfast is one of the largest academic societies on campus, aimed at providing members with the best academic and careers support for Law students and for those with an interest in a legal career, as well as a vibrant and entertaining social calendar throughout the academic year.
The Student Law Society publishes an impressive student magazine The Verdict and arranges numerous social functions throughout the year. The social calendar includes nights out, a magical mystery tour and a formal dance, giving you the opportunity to meet your classmates and lecturers in a more relaxed environment.
FACILITIES
Our facilities at Queen’s include a state-of-art Law building with superb teaching facilities, a moot court, study and wellbeing spaces. Queen’s has one of the most modern campuses in the UK, including the award winning McClay Library, one of the finest libraries in the world and home to 1.2 million volumes and over 2,000 reader places. 98% of current international students were satisfied with our library service (International Student Barometer 2024).
Where are they now?
Our graduates are well prepared for global careers, legal or otherwise.
Sarah Quinlan, LLM Criminology
Chief Executive, Children's Heartbeat Trust
"Returning to university after ten years to study for my Criminology LLM was both daunting and immensely rewarding. Juggling full-time work and part-time study proved challenging but the support and encouragement from Faculty staff contributed greatly to my success. What I enjoyed most about the course was the blend of academic theory with practical application. Learning from, and engaging with, professional and committed staff working at the forefront of their field enabled a deep understanding of the significant issues and their application in the ‘real-world’. This experience of further education has greatly developed my skills and knowledge, which can only enhance my employability in my chosen field of work.”
Alistair Pitt, LLM Human Rights Law
Trainee Solicitor, Herbert Smith Freehills
“I am currently employed by Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, where I work as a trainee solicitor in the Belfast office. I joined the firm as a legal analyst / paralegal on a fixed-term basis in 2014 while I was still undertaking a full-time postgraduate course, left to complete my dissertation, rejoined as a part-time employee in October 2014 and finally obtained permanent full-time employment in January 2015. I applied via the internal recruitment system for a position as a trainee and was very fortunate to be awarded a training contract in September 2016.”