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Law & criminology

BA (Hons) Criminology & Law

A degree with a foundation year, so you can start without A-Levels. Taught in person, usually 2 days a week.

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Key course facts

Campus locations
London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Nottingham Not every course runs in every city. We’ll confirm your nearest campus on your call.
Start dates
Enrolment is ongoing Term start dates run throughout the year, so you can apply now for the next available start.
Entry requirements
No formal qualifications needed for foundation year entry This applies when you apply as a mature student. You’ll have an interview or admissions assessment, and our Admissions team helps you prepare.
Duration
Usually 4 years A foundation year followed by a 3-year degree.
Timetable
2 days a week, in person Usually around 4 hours a day on campus, plus time for independent study and assignments.
Fees (UK students, 2026/27)
Foundation year £5,760, then £9,790 a year Eligible students can pay with a Tuition Fee Loan from Student Finance England, which goes straight to the university, so there’s nothing to pay upfront. Fees can rise in later years.

Course availability, campuses and fees are set by each partner university and can change by intake. We confirm the details for your course before you apply. See how funding works.

Are you fascinated by crime, justice, and the legal system, but don’t have traditional qualifications like A-Levels? This degree is designed to help you begin your academic journey, starting with a foundation year that prepares you for university study with confidence. During the foundation year, you’ll build essential academic skills in research, communication, critical thinking, and digital literacy. It’s the perfect starting point if you’re returning to education or looking to change career paths.

Once you move into the main degree, you’ll explore how and why crimes are committed, alongside the laws and justice systems that respond to them. Topics include:

  • Theories of crime and criminal behaviour
  • The structure of the criminal justice system
  • Legal principles, including criminal and tort law
  • Civil liberties, human rights, and ethics
  • Policing, punishment, and rehabilitation

This course is ideal for those who want to understand the deeper causes of crime while also gaining a strong grasp of legal systems and processes. You’ll develop critical thinking, legal reasoning, and analytical skills that are highly valued in many careers across the justice, public, and legal sectors. Whether you’re starting fresh or bringing life experience with you, this degree offers a powerful route into criminal justice, law or public service, with a foundation year designed to support your journey from day one.

Study crime and the law side by side, so careers in justice and in law both stay open.

Who this course suits

  • You’re interested in crime and the legal system together
  • You’d like a career in criminal justice, law or public service
  • You enjoy reading, debating and building an argument
  • You want to keep both legal and justice careers open

Careers this course can lead to

  • Paralegal
  • Probation services officer
  • Police staff investigator
  • Court or legal administrator
  • Youth justice worker
  • Compliance assistant
  • Victim support caseworker
  • Further study towards the SQE

A typical week

On campus

2 days a week, around 4 hours a day

Lectures and seminars on criminology and law, including criminal and tort law, with discussion of real cases.

Independent study

Evenings, weekends or days off

Reading cases and research, and writing essays and answers to legal problem questions.

Criminology with Law: your questions answered

Can I become a solicitor with this degree?

Solicitors in England and Wales qualify by passing the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) and completing two years of qualifying work experience. A degree in any subject meets the degree requirement, and the law you study here helps with preparation. If becoming a solicitor is your main goal, the LLB covers more law.

How is this different from the LLB?

Criminology with Law focuses on crime and the justice system, with law alongside it. The LLB is a full law degree covering all the main areas of English law.

Do I need to have studied law before?

No. You don’t need any previous study in law or criminology, and the foundation year prepares you for degree-level work.

Will I learn about policing and prisons?

Yes. Policing, punishment and rehabilitation are part of the course, along with civil liberties and human rights.

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