Keele University

What you'll study

This taught masters examines law as a social institution rather than a set of rules in isolation. Typical topics include socio-legal theory and methodology, law in everyday life, comparative and international perspectives on rights and governance, and contemporary issues such as criminalisation, family and welfare law, and regulatory governance. Teaching usually combines core modules that build conceptual and methodological skills with optional modules that allow specialisation.

• Core themes: socio-legal theory; research methods for law and society; law, rights and the state; empirical approaches to legal institutions.
• Optional / specialised topics (examples): human rights and social justice; criminal justice and social control; family law and social policy; regulatory governance and compliance; migration, citizenship and the law.
• Independent research: the programme culminates in a substantial dissertation or major research project, supervised by academic staff, in which you apply social science methods to a legal question or analyse the social impacts of law and legal institutions.
• Teaching and assessment: a combination of seminars, lectures and workshops, with assessment by essays, research reports, presentations and a dissertation. There is emphasis on critical thinking, qualitative and quantitative research skills, and communicating complex ideas to academic and non-academic audiences.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold an undergraduate degree at 2:1 level or above (or international equivalent) in law, social science, humanities or a closely related discipline. Applicants with a 2:2 plus relevant professional experience or a strong academic and personal statement may be considered. Those without a law background are welcome, but may be advised to take introductory material or bridging modules.

International applicants whose first language is not English must meet the university's English language requirements; typical offers ask for a recognised test such as IELTS with a level that demonstrates readiness for postgraduate study. Additional documentation such as references and a personal statement outlining research interests and relevant experience is normally required.

Career prospects

Graduates of Law and Society programmes go into a wide range of careers that value critical, research-led understanding of law in social context. Common destinations include:

• Policy and research roles in government departments, policy institutes and think-tanks.
• Work in non-governmental organisations, charities and advocacy groups focused on human rights, social justice and community development.
• Further academic study (PhD) or roles in university research and teaching.
• Careers in the legal sector: while this degree is not a qualifying law degree, graduates often move into legal practice via conversion courses or use the programme to specialise for roles in compliance, legal policy or paralegal work.
• Roles in criminal justice, social services, probation, and international organisations where interdisciplinary understanding of law and society is required.

Why study at Keele University

Keele offers a campus-based experience with an emphasis on interdisciplinary teaching and small-group learning, enabling close contact with academics who combine socio-legal expertise with research across politics, sociology and criminology. The university encourages applied learning and critical enquiry, so students benefit from research-led seminars, opportunities to develop practical research skills, and support for independent projects.

Students on Keele masters programmes can expect supportive supervision for dissertations, access to library and online research resources, and a learning environment that promotes collaboration across disciplines. The programme is suitable for those who want to bridge academic study with policy, advocacy or further research in law-related fields.