LLB (Hons) Law with Criminology
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Laws
- UCAS Course Code
- M2L3
- Course Length
- 3 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
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Why you should choose us
90%
Of graduates go on to work and/or study within 15 months after the course
Graduate Outcome Survey 2020Course Overview
Our Law with Criminology degree is aimed at students who want to study for a traditional English Law Degree alongside the fascinating and popular field of Criminology. This is the study of the nature and causes of crime, of criminality and those who commit crime, and responses to crime, including the Criminal Justice System.
Situated within the historic Earlham Hall, UEA Law School stands out as a premier institution, providing an immersive and personalized learning environment. You will benefit from dedicated lecturers who are experts in various legal and criminological domains, alongside a supportive community of scholars and students. With an active law society and a vibrant student body, you'll develop the skills and confidence necessary to excel within the legal profession and beyond.
The course combines the seven foundation subjects of a traditional law degree with several specific criminology modules. The semesterised approach to teaching, where each module is taught in one semester, also allows you to select from a wide range of optional modules later in the course (seven across your second and final year) so that you can tailor your degree around the subjects that interest you and stimulate your curiosity. Choices include a variety of law and criminology modules as well as modules from outside of the Law School including several Sociology modules.
During the course, you will cultivate vital and applicable skills in research, writing, critical analysis, and constructing well-supported arguments. You will delve into legal and criminological concepts with a discerning approach, learning to evaluate crime from different angles and pondering diverse responses to contemporary events and global issues. Throughout your degree journey, you will benefit from guidance and constructive feedback to refine your abilities, unlock your full potential, and harness these versatile skills for success in both legal and non-legal professions.
You will find plenty of chances to boost your confidence and enhance your professional profile with the Law School's excellent employability programme and extracurricular activities like mooting (mock trials), negotiation, client interviewing, and mediation. Our numerous events with law firms, barrister chambers, criminal justice agencies, and alumni offer fantastic networking opportunities and insights into post-graduation options. If you are keen on giving back to the community, you can volunteer at the UEA Law Clinic, which has clinched the national LawWorks Best Partnership in Pro Bono award four times. Here, you will provide free legal advice under the supervision of local solicitors to those who wouldn't otherwise have access to it. This wealth of activities and experiences will prepare you for your post-graduation career, ensuring that you leave UEA a desirable candidate for a variety of employment options.
Study and Modules
Structure
In your first year, you will establish a strong grounding in foundational subjects necessary for further criminological and legal study. You will take three modules per semester (six in total). The Law School also runs Essential Study Skills workshops. You will begin to cultivate important legal and academic skills such as legal reasoning, research and writing, as well as how to think and write for criminology.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Teaching
Your modules will be built up of a combination of lectures and seminars. In lectures, you’ll learn about the structure of a subject and be introduced to key issues and asked to think critically about them.
For your small-group seminars, you’ll be given reading and guiding questions to consider and prepare ahead of class. Seminars are an opportunity to really deepen your understanding of the subject through critical discussion and debate.
Academics at UEA are given the freedom to experiment and innovate with their teaching, so while the above describes the general format of modules, some subjects will vary.
Assessment
Modules in the Autumn semester usually involve coursework assessment, while those in the Spring semester are assessed through exams. This approach aims to maintain a healthy mix of assessment methods. Throughout the semester, you will also get chances to hand in non-assessed assignments to sharpen your academic writing skills and get feedback on your work.
Structure
In your second year, you will take the remaining law subjects which are the essential building blocks of a legal education. As in your first year, you will take three modules per semester, six in total. You will begin to tailor your degree by selecting one optional module from a wide-ranging list that includes both law- and crime- related modules taught within the Law school, sociology modules, and modules delivered within other UEA Schools.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Teaching
Your modules will generally continue to be made up of a combination of lectures and seminars. Lectures will introduce you to the broad scope of ideas, concepts and issues related to your subject, while seminars will give you the chance to engage with these concepts through discussion, question and answer, and critical thinking.
Assessment
In the Law School, during the Autumn semester, your second-year modules will typically be evaluated through coursework, while in the Spring semester, exams will continue to be the norm. This setup is designed to ensure a well-rounded mix of assessment methods. Additionally, you will have opportunities throughout the semester to submit assignments that are not graded, allowing you to practice your academic writing skills and receive feedback on your work. If you take modules outside of the Law School, you may encounter different assessment methods.
Structure
In your third year, you have even greater freedom to tailor your course according to your interests by selecting all of your modules from a wide range. You will take three modules per semester (six in total).
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 100, Max Credits: 120)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Teaching
Your modules will continue to contain a mixture of lectures and seminar discussions. As you take more advanced and specialised subjects in your third year, you might find smaller class sizes, more inventive teaching methods, and deeper discussions with like-minded students.
Independent Study
For each seminar, you can expect to set aside around 10-12 hours for preparatory work. This will mainly involve researching, reading, and engaging with other materials like videos to develop your thoughts, arguments, and ideas, which will then be discussed in class. This is a vital part of university study because it helps you transition from the structured environment of school and Sixth Form to a more professional context after graduation. In that setting, you will be expected to complete tasks with a high level of independence, so this preparatory work is key for preparing you for the workplace.
Additional Support
The UEA Learning Enhancement team, based in the Student Services Department, area always ready to help you develop your study skills, including research, writing and higher-level thought.
If you have additional needs due to disabilities such as sensory impairment or learning difficulties, please talk to our Student Support Service about how they can support you.
Assessment
In your third year, any courses you take within the Law School will continue to be assessed with a mixture of coursework and examinations. As you study more advanced subjects, your assessments will challenge you further in line with your academic growth. If you choose modules delivered in other Schools within UEA they may be assessed differently.
Employability
After the Course
Upon graduation, you will be equipped to embark on your chosen career path. You will have honed various transferable skills, including effective research and assessment of different theories related to law and crime. Moreover, you will excel in applying theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios and making informed judgments. Alongside these, you will have developed broader skills like clear communication, concise writing, persuasive argumentation, and efficient information extraction from extensive documents.
If you are looking to the legal profession, you will progress to the next stage of training and continue the process of qualifying as a barrister or solicitor. If you are looking at a career within criminal justice, you will also have developed the relevant skills and subject area knowledge to be able to pursue a range of job roles. You will also be equipped to pursue other routes such as in business, accountancy, the civil or diplomatic service, the charitable sector, management and human resources, teaching, journalism or academia, to name a few.
Many of our graduates have gone on to build careers as solicitors in leading firms in London and internationally. Others work as in-house counsel in companies, public authorities, and the Government Legal Service. We also have a significant number of alumni who are barristers, including several King’s counsel and those who have been appointed as judges.
Criminology graduates often pursue careers within the many agencies of the Criminal Justice System and with the wide variety of organisations and charities who work with offenders.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Legal Practice (solicitor, barrister - with further study)
- Other law-related careers (NGOs, international organisations, in-house compliance, legal researchers, police)
- Public Sector (civil service, local government, politics, education, research)
- Criminal Justice related agencies and organisations (police, prison or probation services, Ministry of Justice, Home Office, campaigning and reform, charities working with offenders and their families, youth offending teams)
- Media/Journalism
- Financial and Management Services (banking, tax, insurance, investment, accountancy, human resources)
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade 4.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Contextual Offers
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
A levels
AAB
Contextual offer: BBB
BTEC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDD
Contextual offer: DDM
Combinations of BTEC and A levels
Extended Diploma: DDD
Diploma: DD, plus B at A level.
Contextual Offer: DD, plus C at A level.
Extended Certificate: D plus AB at A level.
Contextual Offer: D plus BB at A level.
BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers
Access to HE Diploma
Pass Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 36 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 9 credits at Level 3
T levels
Not accepted
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
International Baccalaureate
33 points overall
Irish Leaving Certificate
4 subjects at H2, 2 subjects at H3
Scottish Highers
AAAAA
Scottish Advanced Highers
BBC. A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade 4.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students.
A levels
AAB
BTEC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDD
Combinations of BTEC and A levels
Extended Diploma: DDD
Diploma: DD in related subject plus B at A level.
Extended Certificate: D in related subject plus AB at A level.
BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers
International Baccalaureate
33 points overall
- INTO UEA
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
-
IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.
-
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of additional course-related costs.
How to Apply
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Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information: