An MSc (by Research) is the perfect qualification to take your first steps into research. You'll gain qualitative andor quantitative research skills. These will be essential when you complete independent research projects. If you are aiming to study for a PhD, the MSc (by Research) will prepare you for study at PhD level. You will also gain subject-specific research skills for professional development purposes.<br>You'll demonstrate an understanding of research methods suitable to your chosen field. You'll undertake an approved programme of supervised research and it gets assessed via a thesis and a viva voce (oral examination). We have a strong research culture with a number of our research activities rated as ‘internationally excellent’ in previous Research Assessment Exercises. We have developed an excellent international reputation and was one of a select number of UK law schools included in the world’s top 200, in the influential QS World Rankings. We take a broad approach to legal research including doctrinal, theoretical, empirical, critical, historical and socio-legal studies of law. We have a number of specialist areas and key themes including: Hate crime and cyberbullying as well as criminal law theory and philosophy and criminal justice more generally, war crime trials, international criminal law and genocide, piracy and crimes at sea Human rights, justice and security, and democratic constitutionalism in Europe Diversity, crime and justice, including issues relating to imprisonment and families, violence against minority ethnic women, migration and human trafficking International and European law and comparative approaches relating to maritime and ocean issues, international commerce, international intellectual property rights, security issues, environmental issues, energy and nuclear security Medical law and legal issues concerning bioethics and biosafety 'The institute for international and comparative law’ produces research of doctrinal, interdisciplinary and policy-related types. It also engages in the world of law, law enforcement and policy outside academia, including consultancy work.