Criminal Law
40.04.01 In English and Russian
Level of education Master
Type of instruction Full-time
Duration 2 years
Programme description
- The master’s programme "Criminal Law" combines fundamental theoretical training in criminal law, criminology and comparative law with training in the practical skills required to represent the interests of defendants, victims and other parties to proceedings. The applied approach, which focuses the learning process on solving practical issues, makes it possible to teach methods for: assessing criminal law risks in various spheres of activity; carrying out comprehensive criminal law support for business; and developing measures to prevent the commission of crimes. The teaching staff use advanced teaching methods including information technology, case studies, role plays, and business games. The training focuses on analysis of investigative and judicial practice in order to develop different options for solving complex issues in crime qualification
- The programme is designed to train high calibre experts who are fluent in criminal law matters and capable of independently carrying out professional activities in: courts, prosecutor’s offices; public defender’s offices; and preliminary investigation bodies. The graduates can work in the field of criminal justice, applying the acquired knowledge and skills in practice, acting as prosecutors and defenders in criminal cases, advising and representing the interests of parties to a criminal proceeding
Main courses
- Constitutional Foundations of Criminal Law
- Sentencing and Identity of the Criminal
- Qualification of Crimes Against Public Security
- Qualification of Crimes Against Life
- Qualification of Crimes Against Property
- International Criminal Law
- Theoretical Principles of Classification of Crimes
- General Issues in the Theory of Crime
- Issues in Criminal Responsibility and Punishment of Minors
- Criminal Law of Foreign Countries: General Part
- Criminal and Legal Issues of Official Malfeasance
Our advantages
- The academic programme is designed to train specialists with in-depth theoretical knowledge and practical skills for working in: courts; prosecutor’s offices; public defender’s offices; and preliminary investigation bodies
- During the training, students receive in-depth knowledge of: criminal law; criminology; and comparative law
- The academic staff that provides the teaching of main courses has a high level of qualifications and considerable experience in practical activities. The lecturers have a substantial experience in teaching at higher education institutions and organisations that provide further training for lawyers. They are also involved as experts by: legislative authorities; the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation; the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation; the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation; and other government agencies and non-governmental organisations
- The academic staff uses cutting-edge teaching methods such as: information technology; case studies; role-playing; and business games. The training is focused on the analysis of: investigative and judicial practice; and complicated issues in law enforcement
- The training in the master’s programme is based on interaction with law enforcement agencies. They propose and approve topics for master’s students’ research projects; take part in the final certification; provide assistance in building the teaching methodological base; and provide present-day investigative, prosecutorial, and judicial internships
Main areas of research
- Constitutional principles of criminal law
- General theory of the development and application of criminal law
- Criminal liability and punishment of certain categories of entities
- Challenges of sentencing
- Counteraction to certain types of crime
- Complicated issues in crime qualification
- Comparative law
- Criminal policy
International relations
Master’s students have an opportunity to take advantage of St Petersburg University’s extensive international links.
Career opportunities
The graduates can work in the field of criminal justice, applying the acquired knowledge and skills in practice, acting as prosecutors and defenders in criminal cases, advising and representing the interests of parties to a criminal proceeding.
The graduates can work:
- at courts of the Russian Federation
- at public prosecution agencies of the Russian Federation
- at the departments of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation
- at the departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation
- at the departments of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation
- as teachers at law schools
- as lawyers
- as legal advisers at government agencies and local self-government bodies
- as lawyers at commercial and other organisations
Accreditation
The programme has been internationally accredited by the Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation (FIBAA) as part of the institutional accreditation of the Faculty of Law, the Certificate dated 26 February 2021.