STUDY

Undergraduate

LLB (Hons) Law with Criminology

Court wig
Course options: Professional Placement, Study Abroad
Institution code: S82
UCAS code: M101
Start date: September 2025
Duration: Three years full-time, four and a half to nine years part-time.
Location: Ipswich
Typical Offer: 112 UCAS tariff points (or above), BBC (A-Level) DMM (BTEC), Merit (T Level).
Course options: Professional Placement, Study Abroad
Institution code: S82
UCAS code: M101
Start date: September 2025
Duration: Three years full-time, four and a half to nine years part-time.
Location: Ipswich
Typical Offer: 112 UCAS tariff points (or above), BBC (A-Level) DMM (BTEC), Merit (T Level).

Overview

As a Law with Criminology student at University of Suffolk, you will build on your knowledge of the law by critically engaging with national and international dimensions of crime and criminal justice policy and develop well informed views on contested public issues. As well as developing a technical knowledge of the law, you will engage in theoretical debates relating to both legal and criminological issues. The programme places a strong emphasis on challenging “common-sense‟ notions of criminal and deviant behaviours by critically examining academic research and making informed decisions based on available evidence.

You will be introduced to a variety of research methods and ethical considerations, so that you can challenge and understand the limitations and ambiguities of empirical research, whilst assessing its value. This will provide an excellent theoretical and practical platform for the completion of a third-year independent project in an area of personal or career interest which will draw on the knowledge and skills through the study of law and criminology. 

The law programme at the University of Suffolk was re-designed in 2020-2021 to create a law degree which is fresh, innovative, and distinctive.  The course aims to develop students into employable, career-ready graduates who have well-developed practical legal skills as well as high levels of knowledge and a love for the law.  We consulted both our existing students and employers to produce a course which meets the needs of our students and their future employers. 
 

Fresh 
 

  • We have replaced many of our formal written examinations with alternative assessments including case studies, portfolios, oral presentations, and advocacy exercises. 
  • You could learn how to apply your legal knowledge in our Legal Advice Centre from the beginning of your first year advising real clients under supervision. 
  • You will have opportunities to hone your courtroom skills in our realistic mock courtroom. 
     

Innovative 
 

  • Using a cutting edge ‘block’ model of teaching, you will study one module at a time in focused four-week teaching periods. 
  • In our Clinical Legal Practice module, you could take a legal placement one day per week gaining practical legal experience and networking opportunities in the community. 
     

Distinctive 
 

  • You will develop your practical legal skills throughout the course conducting legal research, drafting legal documents, and presenting legal arguments. 
  • Your assessments will be spread at equal intervals throughout the year giving you confidence and understanding of one area of law at a time. 
  • We pride ourselves in knowing all our students personally, providing you with individual attention and support throughout your degree. 
  • We keep our teaching groups small to create a friendly, supportive learning environment. 

Further information about the university's relationship with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Bar Standards Board (BSB) is available in the PSRB register.

Law at the University of Suffolk

Law students in our mock Courtroom

The University of Suffolk is world-class and committed to our region. We are proudly modern and innovative and we believe in transformative education. We are on the rise with a focus on student satisfaction, graduate prospects, spending on academic services and student facilities.

2nd

in the UK for teaching satisfaction for Criminology

The Guardian University Guide 2023

5th

in the UK for student to staff ratio in Law

The Guardian University Guide 2023

2nd

in the UK for graduate prospects for Criminology

The Times Good University Guide 2023

Course Modules

Our undergraduate programmes are delivered as 'block and blend' - more information can be found on Why Suffolk? You can also watch our Block and Blend video.

Downloadable information regarding all University of Suffolk courses, including Key Facts, Course Aims, Course Structure and Assessment, is available in the Definitive Course Record.

Old books on a shelf

This module introduces the essential characteristics of law and the foundational skills of lawyering. You will first explore the theories and philosophies underpinning law and the English legal system, making comparisons historically and to other jurisdictions.  

This module examines the main components of the constitutional, administrative and human rights dimensions of public law in England and Wales. You will engage critically with the nature of the British constitution and the function of constitutional principles in balancing the relationship between the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. 

This module examines the concepts and principles of criminal law in England and Wales. It covers the general principles of criminal law and the substantive law concerning a range of offences and defences. You will be able assess the impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 on criminal law. 

This module gives students a solid foundation in criminology using a topic-based approach. Students examine how we can make sense of crime and criminality and explore key areas of debate and controversy within the discipline of criminology. Crime dominates much discussion on the political and social stage and this module enables you to take part and contribute to these public discussions in an informed and knowledgeable way. You will be able to discuss the cause and nature of crime and criminality. Important practical data skills of mapping crime data are a key part in this module.  

This module explores the links between criminology and psychology. You will explore key psychological approaches and perspectives to understand how human behaviour is influenced by biological, behavioural, cognitive, and psychoanalytical processes The focus of the module is on providing students with a grounding in the fundamentals of psychology to complement their understanding of criminology.  

You will examine the principles, policies and practical applications of contract law from a variety of perspectives. You will develop a thorough understanding of how contractual obligations are formed and regulated, how legal principles and concepts are used to identify and resolve legal problems, and the function of contracts in society and the economy. 

This module places considerable emphasis on the current applications of legal principles, policy and academic discourses in this branch of the law of obligations. Very complex sets of social relationships are governed by legal concepts of duty, harm and compensation. 

You would have been introduced to legal research in the first year. This module deepens understanding of legal research for particular purposes and contexts. You will develop insights into how legal research is conducted to address substantive, procedural and contextual legal issues and how to apply techniques from related subjects in the social sciences and humanities. 

You will develop a solid understanding of the historical and theoretical foundations of English land law and of the current legal principles and concepts in use today. The module examines the development of the legal frameworks regulating property in land, including the normalisation of the registration of titles. 

You will develop a solid understanding of the principles and concepts used in the law of trusts in England and Wales, covering the main forms of trust property. The module examines the development and current application of the fundamental maxims in equity, using both primary legal sources and academic discourses. 

This module examines the institutions, practices and processes that make up the criminal justice system You will focus on policing, the courts, the penal system and the probation service but also analyse the social, economic and political factors that underpins the values, practices and processes of these institutions. There has been much discussion about the nature of criminal justice and the apparent failure of key institutions to deliver justice, protection for the public and the punishment of criminals. You will explore the role of the media, public opinion and political expedience in these debates

This module allows you to engage with selected contemporary issues, debates and perspectives in criminology. Based primarily on weekly seminar discussion of an identified journal article, book chapter, or report, the module will focus on critical analysis, appreciation and discussion of each issue and facilitate engagement with broader subject areas of criminology. Students will develop a critical overview of the discipline as it stands and the extent to which it is equipped or willing to engage with certain types of crime. Some topics will allow introductory insights into emerging, specialist fields of enquiry. Recent issues explore include sex work, pornography, left and right wing extremism, black criminology, gendered victimisation, and pre-empting crime. 

This module consolidates the legal research skills developed over the previous two years and enables you to undertake an independent project in your final year.  You will develop your project proposal with support from a supervisor on the course team. 

European Union law (EU law) governs the relations among member states of the European Union and the means by which economic, social and political integration are designed and enforced. This module examines the laws and principles that comprise EU law and determine implementation in member states.  

This module will focus on proceedings in the High Court for judicial review of the decision of public bodies. The module will also examine the Human Rights Act 1998 and alternatives to judicial review proceedings such as internal complaints mechanisms and ombudsmen. 

Students will need to select one optional Law module from the list below:

  • Advanced Property Law and Practice 
  • Clinical Legal Practice 
  • Community Legal Education 
  • Company Law 
  • Criminal Evidence 
  • Criminal Procedure 
  • Family Law 
  • Intellectual Property Law 
  • International Law and Human Rights 
  • Wills and Probate 

Optional modules available in any year will be communicated to you prior to your enrolment to facilitate module choice. Some optional modules may not run in every year of study, and the availability of optional modules depends on the level of student demand, the availability of specialist staff and timetabling constraints. In addition, we regularly review our curriculum to ensure it is up-to-date, relevant, draws on the latest research and addresses contemporary issues. As a result, the modules we offer may change over the course of your degree. 

Students will need to select one optional Criminology module from the list below:

  • Victimology 
  • Drugs, Crime and Society 
  • Penology 

Optional modules available in any year will be communicated to you prior to your enrolment to facilitate module choice. Some optional modules may not run in every year of study, and the availability of optional modules depends on the level of student demand, the availability of specialist staff and timetabling constraints. In addition, we regularly review our curriculum to ensure it is up-to-date, relevant, draws on the latest research and addresses contemporary issues. As a result, the modules we offer may change over the course of your degree. 

Waterfront Building reflecting in the marina

WHY SUFFOLK

2nd in the UK for Career Prospects

WUSCA 2024

3rd in the UK for spend on academic services

Complete University Guide 2025

4th in the UK for Teaching Satisfaction

Guardian University Guide 2024
His Honour Judge Goodin with Law students
Judge in Residence, His Honour Judge Goodin, with Law students
Student in mock court room
Watch our Law course video
Law students in Mock Court room
Law students in Mock Court room
The Mock Court room at the University of Suffolk
The Mock Court room at the University of Suffolk

Entry Requirements

home-masthead-th

Career Opportunities

Many of our graduates go on to have careers in legal practice. The Solicitors’ Qualifying Examination (SQE) has made the routes to becoming a solicitor more flexible. Although some students enrol on the Legal Practice Course, a greater number now enter employment as a paralegal upon completion of their law degree, often studying for the SQE at the same time. Our degree programme also includes all the foundational legal subjects to complete the academic stage of training to become a barrister.

As a result of our conversations with employers, we have enhanced the employability of our graduates by providing exposure to an increased range of legal and ‘soft’ skills involving interacting with clients, advising the public, interviewing and oral presentation skills would all enhance the employability of graduates. 

You will have a number of opportunities to increase your employability whilst study Law with us, including: 

  • Volunteering as a student legal advisor in the university’s Legal Advice Centre
  • Developing your advocacy skills by participating in the David White Memorial Trust Mooting Competition in our new mock courtroom
  • Gaining a valuable insight into an area of legal practice through our one day per week placement scheme during your second or third year
  • Meeting legal practitioners through your modules and extra-curricular activities
  • Developing your awareness of the legal sector through employability and networking events

Your Course Team

Dr Stephen Colman

Stephen Colman is the course leader for the law programme. He is a Senior Lecturer in Law and a non-practising solicitor with various areas of expertise.

Stephen Colman staff profile photo

Dr Ruth Flaherty

Dr Ruth Flaherty joined University of Suffolk in September 2019 as a Senior Lecturer in Law.

Ruth Flaherty staff profile photo

Eleanor Scarlett

Eleanor is Senior Lecturer in Law and Director of the Legal Advice Centre.

Eleanor Scarlett staff profile photo

Dr Reilly Anne Willis

Law lecturer Dr Reilly Anne Willis specialises in International Human Rights with a focus on women’s rights, gender equality, and reproductive rights.

Reilly Willis staff profile photo

Dr Tina Davey

Dr Tina Davey is a Lecturer in Law. She was a practising criminal law barrister in London for many years and teaches on areas like legal ethics and tort.

Tina Davey staff profile photo

Liz Jones

Liz is a lecturer in Criminology.

Liz Jones staff profile photo

Laura Polley

Laura is Lecturer in Criminology and previously worked as a Prison Officer.

Laura Polley staff profile photo

Fees and Funding

UK Full-time Tuition Fee

£9,250

per year
International Full-time Tuition Fee

£15,090

per year

The decision to study a degree is an investment into your future, there are various means of support available to you in order to help fund your tuition fees and living costs. You can apply for funding from the Spring before your course starts.

UK Fees and Finance UK Bursaries and Scholarships International Fees and Scholarships

Ipswich Award

The University of Suffolk is offering a £1,000 Award for students joining the University of Suffolk’s Ipswich campus. The Award is based on specific eligibility criteria based on your year of entry.

More information
A group of students walking down a stairwell

How to Apply

To study this course on a full-time basis, you can apply through UCAS. As well as providing your academic qualifications, you’ll be able to showcase your skills, qualities and passion for the subject.

Apply Now Further Information on Applying
A silhouette of a student in their cap and gown

Megan and Molly Bailey, LLB (Hons) Law with Criminology

"My degree journey was quite a unique experience, as my twin sister was studying the same degree alongside me! We graduated in 2022, both achieving First Class degrees. Throughout the degree, there were opportunities to expand my knowledge, from assisting in mock trials to helping with the establishment of the Legal Advice Centre, and subsequently volunteering in it in my final year."

read more
Megan and Molly Bailey, graduates on the LLB (Hons) Law with Criminology course

Related Courses

Old books on a shelf
LLB (Hons) Law

Our LLB (Hons) Law course aims to develop students into employable, career-ready graduates who have well-developed practical legal skills as well as high levels of knowledge and a love for the law.

Fingerprint on transparent surface
BSc (Hons) Criminology

The University of Suffolk Criminology degree tackles controversial public issues and encourages open debate.

Handprint from a powdered substance
BSc (Hons) Criminology and Sociology

Our BSc (Hons) Criminology and Sociology degree tackles controversial public issues and encourages open debate. All crime has a social context so it makes sense to study criminology and sociology together.

Prison bars
BSc (Hons) Psychology and Criminology

This course enables you to study the workings of the human mind and how this is revealed in human behaviour, alongside the study of crime and criminals including individual motivations and prevention.

Steel police handcuffs
MA Criminology

The MA Criminology addresses contemporary issues within the study of crime, community safety and criminal justice.

Unibuddy: Chat to our Students and Staff

Aerial view of the Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds

Destination Suffolk