General LLM Trinity v LLM UCC Criminal Justice

Arsenal1986

Hi guys,

I'm considering doing a LLM next year and had applied for the the LLM in Criminal Justice in UCC and the general LLM in Trinity...I'm now trying to decide between the two..I'm not sure that I want to go down the practice route at all so in essence I'm trying to decide which course would provide the most opportunity and open more doors.

I've heard great reports on the UCC LLM that the clinical component, with it's various placements & field-trips, is very interesting and students get great exposure to courts and various institutes within the crim justice system and that it's good for making local contacts in the judiciary.
However I'm thinking that the general LLM from Trinity might be more conducive to finding a job, given the fact it carries modules in Alternative Dispute Resolution, Mediation etc while it also has modules in Human Rights and International Criminal Justice (areas where my interest lie).

Sorry for the long post but I'd really appreciate advice from anybody who has done either course, particulary the Trinity LLM as I've read some negative comments on boards about it critising its subject choice??

All advice greatly appreciated

legal eagle 1

Hey there, I was faced with a similar choice as yourself a few weeks ago and I think what you should really think about is which course you'll enjoy more and therefore be able to put more into. It also depends on what type of career you are looking for, if its anything to do with the criminal/justice system than UCC is the way to go but, if its a more general law career you are looking for than Trinity is your best bet.
From what I 've heard alot of people who do the UCC course end up going on to do the PHD or working in such departments as the Law Reform Commission and with the DPP. It sounds like a very interesting course and I've only heard good things about it. I don't know that much about the Trinity course so, I don't wish to comment on how good/bad it is.
I think most people on this forum are critical of Irish masters no matter what college they are in or what the course entails but, all i can say is choose the one you are most comfortable with and make the most out of it

Arsenal1986

Cheers for that!

BatPateman

Hi OP, I'm really interested in knowing which masters you chose in the end and how it went for you? I am also considering studying both masters and would much appreciate any insights you have.

conorh91

The general LLM in TCD makes more sense.

I don't understand the career benefit of doing an LLM in Criminal Justice. If you're interested in academic work, do a PhD. If you want to practice criminal law, go on circuit and learn the trade. Your leader or the jury won't be poring over your LLM thesis.

Whereas a general LLM degree can be more beneficial if you go into industry or the public sector.

Mr. Incognito

Cork hands down imo

BatPateman

conorh91 wrote: »

The general LLM in TCD makes more sense.

I don't understand the career benefit of doing an LLM in Criminal Justice. If you're interested in academic work, do a PhD. If you want to practice criminal law, go on circuit and learn the trade. Your leader or the jury won't be poring over your LLM thesis.

Whereas a general LLM degree can be more beneficial if you go into industry or the public sector.

That is a fair point. If you look at the modules available on the Criminal Justice LLM however, there are 'industry' applicable modules such as Mental Health Law, Cybercrime, refugee Law and mental Capacity Law. Many of the Trinity General LLM modules are also very academic.

The issue nowadays is getting on the 'circuit' in the first place. There is an oversupply of law graduates, many of whom have masters to boost their CV. I think that the Clinical Placement aspect of the Criminal Justice LLM could be beneficial in this regard.

conorh91

BatPateman wrote: »

That is a fair point. If you look at the modules available on the Criminal Justice LLM however, there are 'industry' applicable modules such as Mental Health Law, Cybercrime, refugee Law and mental Capacity Law. Many of the Trinity General LLM modules are also very academic.

Sure, and in any event, a Criminal Justice LLM is obviously advantageous when applying for work with certain NGOs, state agencies or the DOJ. If the OP is specifically seeking a career in those areas, the Criminal Justice LLM is a no-brainer.

But in my view, the general LLM allows you to cast a wider net. And most employers don't examine individual modules in great detail. They look at the overall thrust of the program. If the OP doesn't want to work in criminal law, I don't see the career benefit of choosing a criminally expensive, restrictive masters.

The issue nowadays is getting on the 'circuit' in the first place.

I regularly bang that drum; unfortunately I don't believe a postgraduate qualification helps at that level, and in that field. The BL is an NFQ Level-10 degree, taking on a Level-9 criminal masters is more likely to be a useful time-filler than add much to your practice credentials.

Gunslinger92

BatPateman wrote: »

Hi OP, I'm really interested in knowing which masters you chose in the end and how it went for you? I am also considering studying both masters and would much appreciate any insights you have.

Hello,

I'm currently studying the LLM (Criminal Justice). Feel free to PM me with any questions

NoQuarter

conorh91 wrote: »

The BL is an NFQ Level-10 degree.

KI themselves told me it was a level 9 equivalent.

conorh91

NoQuarter wrote: »

KI themselves told me it was a level 9 equivalent.

My ego just got deflated by 10%. Thanks a lot pal.

has it possibly been downgraded? I am sure I read it was Level 10.

NoQuarter

conorh91 wrote: »

My ego just got deflated by 10%. Thanks a lot pal.

has it possibly been downgraded? I am sure I read it was Level 10.

Not that I know of. This was a handful of years ago. Sure a phd is level 10 and realistically, it's not to that level academically. I thought level 9 was about right. 9.5 maybe

conorh91

NoQuarter wrote: »

Sure a phd is level 10 and realistically, it's not to that level academically. I thought level 9 was about right. 9.5 maybe

What can I say? I comforted myself in the certain knowledge that a PhD in Golf Course Management was, at least, equal in stature to a right of audience at the Bar of Ireland.

Tis a sad day, NoQuarter.

A sad day.