Law with Criminology LLB(Hons)

Why choose this course?

• Professional accreditation from the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Board

• This qualifying law degree enables you to train as a solicitor or barrister after graduation

• Optional paid placement year with a law firm

• The course satisfies the academic stage of training to become a solicitor or barrister

• You will explore topics such as business planning and business development

• You will be able to choose options such as commercial law, family law, digital marketing and entrepreneurship

• Learning is delivered through a stimulating mix of seminars, guest lectures, skills sessions and workshops

• Extracurricular activities, such as industry-sponsored mooting and client interviewing competitions and pro bono work

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. If you apply to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through Student View.

Year 1

Our law degrees share the same first year modules, introducing you to the different aspects of law, such as legal research skills and courtroom procedures.

Modules

• Law of Torts

  This module will provide you with a detailed knowledge of a number of torts including common law negligence, breach of statutory duty, protection against interference with the person, protection of property interests, protection of reputation and remedies associated with these torts. Where relevant, reference will be made to policy issues and human rights principles – both of which impact on the development of a number of torts.

• Public Law

  Public law is a subject of great topical interest, which is in a constant process of evolution and cannot be fully understood without reference to the UK’s political history and its social and cultural development.

  This module will provide you with a good understanding of constitutional legal principles, the major features of the UK’s constitution, civil rights, judicial review and an awareness of significant changes and developments in the subject.

• Legal Systems, Skills and Methods

  This key module is the foundation for all the other law modules and introduces two essential areas: (a) the way legal institutions in the UK operate and how the law is made; and (b) the legal skills lawyers need including clear communication skills, legal writing and referencing, oral presentation, problem-solving and analytical thinking. The knowledge and skills acquired in this module are essential to all other areas of academic development. 

• Contract Law

  This module covers the formation, content, viability and discharge of contracts and remedies available for breach of contract. You will explore the concepts and legal principles in a political, social and economic context, and develop an understanding of the relationship of statutory and European Union sources of law with the common law.

• Law, Society and Ethics

  This module introduces the essentials of legal ethics and the fundamentals of the legal profession. You will develop an appreciation of legal ethics to law and society, and its implications, and explore the role of the legal profession in supporting democracy and protecting justice and the rule of law.

• Criminal Justice and Theory

  This module introduces the main institutions and agencies constituting the criminal justice system in England and Wales. You will also explore some of the key debates and theories in relation to crime, justice and punishment. You will develop an understanding of the history and development of criminology as a discrete discipline, and how this fits within the wider study of law and justice.

Year 2

In year 2 you will start to explore criminology. You may also have the opportunity to take part in national mooting competitions and take advantage of work shadowing opportunities, which could include showing judges and law firm partners.

Criminology modules are taught at our Falmer campus.

Modules

• Criminal Law
• The Art of Advocacy
• European Union Law
• Law of Organisations
• Criminology Theory and Practice
• Key Debates in Crime and Justice

Students about to take part in a mock trial at Lewes Crown Court

Placement year

The year's paid work placement is a vital part of the course. It gives you the chance to apply your learning to real-life situations and challenges, to meet and network with potential employers, and have opportunities to get real work experience before you graduate. This is something that employers value highly.

On your placement, you will complete a business project. This project contributes to your degree and, depending on the topic you choose, could provide valuable insight for your placement employer.

Our LLB students have completed placements at the Home Office, House of Lords, Acumen Business Law, Alfred James & Co Solicitors, Devonshires Solicitors and Gaby Hardwicke Solicitors. It is also possible to undertake a placement year abroad.

Our dedicated placements and employability team will support you throughout. Read more about our placement years.

Final year

In your final year, core modules further deepen your knowledge and understanding.

You will also be able to tailor the course to the subjects you are most interested in through option modules.

Modules

• Equity and Trusts
• Land Law
• Criminology Research Project
• Plus one project module from
  • Legal Research Project
  • Criminology Dissertation
  • Law Dissertation
  • Justice and Practice – Community Legal Clinic
  • Placement Project

Options*

• Family Law and Family Justice
• The Innocence Programme
• Criminal Evidence
• Commercial Law
• Healthcare Law and Ethics
• International Economic Law and Socio-Economic Development
• Comparative Law and International Justice
• Employment Law
• Intellectual Property Law
• Civil Litigation
• Criminal Litigation
• Domestic and Sexual Abuse

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Law societies 

Student Law Society

The Student Law Society is a thriving community of over 150 law students. With support from the Students’ Union, it organises an exciting schedule of social and educational events.

Members have recently enjoyed visits to Lewes Crown Court, Brighton Magistrates Court and the Houses of Parliament. Social events have included paintballing, go-karting, surfing, a Christmas Ball at the Brighton Hilton Metropole, and a trip with law students from other universities to Amsterdam.

Through initiatives such as these, the society provides excellent opportunities for personal development and for networking with other students interested in a career in law.

Student Mooting Society

The Mooting Society has a fast-growing membership of over 120 students. The society provides workshops, guest speakers, socials, trips and competitions to help build members' confidence and adversarial skills that are increasingly essential in any career path in the legal sector.

The objective of the mooting competitions is to develop the research and advocacy skills of future practitioners. Students argue both sides of a fictitious legal case in a court room setting in front of a panel of judges.

Course leader

Jo Smith

Jo is a senior lecturer and course Leader on our Law with Criminology degree. She also provides support for the Law LLB course.

She leads our Criminal Law and Family Law modules and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Institute, with a PGCert in Higher Education from the University of Surrey. 

Jo completed her PhD looking at feminist women's experiences of online misogyny at the University of Surrey in 2019. She has subsequently published several book chapters on her PhD, looking at bystander experiences of online misogyny, activist responses to online abuse, and policing hate.

She's presented her research at a number of national and international conferences, and contributed to Law Commission reviews of online abuse and hate crime. Her current research projects look at domestic and sexual violence, and LGBTQI+ life experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jo's a qualified solicitor and has worked in criminal law since 2008, with experience in family law and civil liberties law too.

She's worked as a legal advisor for Rights of Women since 2014, and has also been involved in activism and campaigning around women's rights, domestic and sexual abuse, and LGBTQI+ rights. Jo is a board member of Stop Hate UK, of the British Society of Criminology, and a member of the The Policing Institute for the Eastern Region, ARU steering committee for a project on gender diversity in the justice system.

Jo's always happy to talk about her experiences in law, and uses her practical experience to shape her teaching.

Read more about your course leader.

International requirements and visas

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visas and immigration advice

Course fees

If you choose to take the professional placement (sandwich) year offered on this course you will pay a reduced fee during this year. Our fee for the professional placement year is £1,410 for UK students and £2,180 for international students. This fee may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2023–24.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Local area

Maps

Support and wellbeing

Sport at Brighton