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.