Queen's University Belfast

Youth Justice PgDip

Queen's University BelfastBelfast, United Kingdom

Course overview

Designed for those who want to advance their understanding of youth issues, youth offending and social and criminal justice responses to young people, this postgraduate diploma focuses on developing critical analytical skills and enhancing the ability to assess policy and practice against international standards and benchmarks. Targeted at practitioners, policy-makers and those interested in further academic study, it provides the opportunity to apply academic knowledge and critical analytical skills to practice and to enhance understanding of young people's lives, the criminal justice system and the discourse of children's rights. Given increased policy attention in the area of youth justice and strategies impacting on children and young people more generally, the programme reflects the concern to understand the needs and rights of children and young people and ground responses in evidence, best practice and international standards.

Closing date for applications: Friday 31st July 2026 at 4pm. Late applications may be considered..

Key highlights

  • Examines youth offending and social and criminal justice responses to young people
  • Develops critical skills to assess policy against international standards
  • Applies academic knowledge and analytical skills directly to professional practice
  • Explores young people's lives, the justice system and children's rights discourse
  • Grounds responses to young people in evidence and best practice

Entry requirements

  • Degree: 2:2 — 2.2

Scholarships

  • International Postgraduate Taught Scholarship

    Year one award of between £2000 and £5000.

    Up to £2,000
  • The Burdett Trust MSc Nursing Scholarships

    For Home Students: Tuition fees £7,665 Stipend £10,250. For International Students: Tuition fees £24,295 Stipend £17,000

  • Vice Chancellor’s International Attainment Scholarship - Postgraduate Taught

    Value: 50% of tuition fees paid for up to a maximum of two years.

    Up to 50% of fees

Careers this course leads to

  • Youth justice worker
  • Youth offending team officer
  • Policy officer (youth and criminal justice)
  • Children's rights advocate
  • Probation officer
  • Researcher in criminology and youth justice

Cost of study

UK/Home: £5,133 (NI/ROI), £6,933 (GB) | International: £15,333

Admission

Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to Queen's University Belfast, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.

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