LLB (Hons) Criminal Law

All our Qualifying Law Degrees share a common first year, so you’ll find yourself gaining a broad legal understanding from the off. In year two, you’ll begin to specialise, starting with developing your employability. Year three brings with it a focus on independent learning, so expect plenty of project work.

Throughout the course, you’ll be assessed in a number of different ways, each of which has been specially selected as being relevant to the skills you’ll be expected to demonstrate. These include coursework, oral presentation, multiple choice tests, case notes, in-class essays and exams.

Year 1

Semester 1

• Legal skills, legal study, legal system (including foundation)
  You'll be introduced to aspects of the English Legal System, and practical, transferable legal skills and legal theory essential to effective engagement with legal studies. You'll be introduced to the theories of what law is and what are its sources, the court system, EU and International law and the personnel involved in the administration of the law.
  You'll encounter and develop a range of skills, including study skills, deriving law from primary sources and explaining, discussing and applying it, research, using secondary sources, problem solving, essay writing, communication and IT skills, numerical skills and reflective learning.
• Foundations of public law
  You'll study the fundamental laws, practices and principles of public law which define and influence the relationship between the individual and the state as characterised by various governmental institutions in the UK. Detailed consideration is given to the fundamental mechanisms by which human rights are protected and government is subject to legal and political accountability. Various skills are developed including those of analysis, critical evaluation and problem solving.
• Introduction to contract and tort
  This module is designed as your introduction to the areas of tort and contract law. You'll be introduced to the basic concepts of contractual and tortious liability. In terms of substantive coverage, contract law will focus on formation of contract and tort will focus on Trespass to the Person and how this aims to ensure protection of liberty, autonomy and personal integrity. The module seeks to explore the workings of these areas of law with exploration of the underlying legal, social and economic policies. In addition this module is designed to reinforce the legal skills, legal study and legal system module.

Semester 2

• Introduction to public and EU law
  The purpose of this module is to further develop students’ understandings of the nature of constitutional arrangements in the UK, with a focus on sovereignty especially in relation to membership of the EU. The aims of this course are as follows: to provide students with a good grounding in the institutions of governments in the UK and the underlying principles upon which they are based; to provide students with a grounding in the institutions and principles of governance in the EU; to link the above mentioned through an exploration of the dilemmas of sovereignty and the continuing need for the supremacy of governmental institutions drawing upon selected historical, social and constitutional developments to highlight such issues.
• Contract law
  This module is designed to build on the Introduction to tort and contract module and introduces you to the basic concepts of contractual liability arising in the context of contract content, vitiating factors and discharge of a contract. You'll explore the workings of these areas of contract by considering the underlying legal, social and economic policies. In addition this module is also designed to reinforce the legal skills, legal study and legal system module.
• Tort law
  This module builds on the Introduction to contract and tort module and introduces you to the basic concepts of tortious liability in the context of negligence and torts derived from negligence. The module seeks to explore the workings of these areas of torts with exploration of the underlying legal, social and economic policies. In addition this module is also designed to reinforce the legal skills, legal study and legal system module.

Year 2

Semester 1

• Working in the law (including foundation)
  In this module you're provided with an opportunity to develop transferable and practical skills in the context of your career development. You'll have the opportunity to think about different kinds of legal work and to reflect on your knowledge, develop and practice your skills and gain experience needed to pursue the career of their choice.  The module will assist you in making, reviewing and implementing your career plan. You'll be encouraged and supported in gaining practical work experience in furtherance of the development of their career plan alongside the module. The module is assessed by 100% coursework.
  
  

• Criminal law 1
  You'll be introduced to the basic principles of criminal liability, and will explore statutory and common law sources on which the law is based. The module is assessed by a part seen examination paper (100% - 2 hour examination plus 15 minutes reading time - 50% for unseen questions and 50% for a seen question which will be made available to students a week prior to the examination).
• EU rights
  Law of the European Union reflects the importance of EU law in the English legal system. It is important to the management of the UK economy and relevant to the financial practitioners in the City. Business leaders' decisions are influenced by EU competition law. It is important to migrants and practitioners of immigration law, to consumers and trading standards officials, to all employees through employment law and to all of us in relation to the environment. The module is assessed by an unseen examination paper (100% - 2 hours plus 15 mins reading time).

Semester 2

• Criminal law and the law of criminal evidence
  In this module you'll build upon the basic principles of criminal liability studied in criminal law 1 and examine how the rules of evidence apply while considering some more complex areas of criminal law. The module is assessed by a trial observation (50% - 2,500 words maximum) for criminal evidence and an unseen examination paper (50%  - 1 hour plus 15 minutes reading time) for criminal law 2.
• Property, equity and trusts 1
  This module introduces you to property law (including land law) and equity and trusts. You'll study some basic property law topics, focusing upon the creation, transfer and management of property interests. Key legal, transferable and practical skills are developed. At the same time, the module explores the economic and social basis of property law in business and the family, and the reasons for and policies behind the law. Assessment is by means of a part seen examination. The module also gives preparation for the further study of property equity and trusts 2 and land law. 

Plus one option from the below for semester 2 (please note that although most optional modules run, we do not guarantee to run every module each year):

• Comparative law - legal traditions of the world Students study key concepts of major legal systems of the world – Arabic, Chinese, civil law and common law. They study the basic underlying philosophies and methods of each legal system and a selection of current topics of debate such as law making and judicial decision making, contract law, crime and punishment, human rights and the relationship between the individual and society and medical law. This allows them to analyse and evaluate the similarities and differences of approach between the different legal systems. Students then choose one of these topics as the subject for an oral presentation researching, analysing and evaluating the law and proposals for reform in the light of different approaches between two or more of these major world legal systems.
• Gender, justice and the law
  You'll explore a number of legal topics which have important consequences for women and their relationship with the law. You'll be encouraged to develop an appreciation of the social, economic and political contexts in which the law and feminist theories operate. The module recognises the importance of combining theory and practice and seeks to explore those connections by embedding theory within a practical legal framework; for example, by exploring the impact of feminist and associated theories in the areas of domestic violence, rape and sexual harassment.
• Medical law and ethics
  You'll study key concepts of medical law and medical ethics. You'll study current topics of debate in medical law, such as consent to treatment, abortion and euthanasia, from a legal and then an ethical perspective. This allows you to analyse and explore the relationship between ethics and law. You then choose one of these topics as the subject for an extended essay, researching, analysing and evaluating the law and proposals for reform in the light of different ethical positions and approaches. 

Year 3

Semester 1

• Property, equity and trusts 2
  You'll build on the property equity and trusts 1 module, in particular its introduction to equity and trusts, to fulfil the study of these topics required by the legal professional bodies as a foundation subject of a qualifying law degree. You'll examine the trust and equity in action by considering the powers and duties of trustees, and the control exercised by the courts over them at the behest of beneficiaries (or in the case of charity trustees, the Attorney-General and the charity commissioners). Special attention is given to the role of trustees in the management of charities and co-owned land, among numerous other examples of the role played by trustees in business life, such as in pension funds, investments and as personal representatives. The module is assessed by a part seen end of term examination paper (100% -  2 hour examination plus 15 minutes reading time).
• Criminal litigation in context
  You'll examine key areas in the criminal litigation process, from arrest and charge, through to trial, appeal and sentencing. You'll focus on the roles of key personnel and organisations in the criminal justice system, the funding of criminal matters by the Legal Services Commission/Criminal Defence service and human rights issues. You'll also be introduced to the rules of client care and professional conduct in criminal cases, criminal evidence and the special considerations that apply to young offenders under the age of 18.

Semester 2

• Land law
  Land law is a study of relationships. You'll study the relationship between the land and the rights which can exist in or over it, the relationship between the various persons who own an estate or interest over the land or want to defeat the competing interests in or over the land. You'll look at the rights and duties of each party to that relationship, how these relationships co-exist and what happens when the relationships come into conflict. Land law governs the relative priorities enjoyed by two or more interests concerning the same piece of land. Land law creates clear rules and formalities as to how the owner of an interest in land can acquire, transfer or extinguish that interest in land. You'll study the interests over land which land law is prepared to recognise and how these interests must be protected to ensure enforceability against third parties. The module is assessed by a part seen end of term examination paper (100% - 2 hour examination plus 15 minutes reading time).

Either Semester 1 or 2

• Project (this is a compulsory module which students can choose to complete in either semester 1 or 2)
  You'll be given an opportunity to carry out extended independent research in an area of your choice relating to substantive English law. Normally, you'll not be allowed to choose a topic that has been taught in detail on the degree. There are three pieces of assessed work, which count towards the final project mark. A project supervisor is allocated to you once you've selected a project area. 

Plus two optional modules (please note students must complete three modules per semester. Although most optional modules run, we do not guarantee to run every module each year):

Semester 1 options

• Analysis of evidence and proof: the science of proof This module introduces the students to the theory of the function of the law of evidence and the necessity for a distinct consideration of the analysis of evidence and proof from the rules of admissibility. These theories are mainly advocated by Professor William Twining and Jeremy Bentham. The module then introduces the students to a practical tool of analysis of facts in a hypothetical case that students will eventually translate in to two pieces of coursework for assessment. The students analyse the evidence in terms of relevance and then for presentation at a mock trial on the module. The classes require the students each week to focus on the preparation of the chart which in turn prepares them for trial. The chart is a detailed analysis of evidence in the hypothetical case given to students, presented in diagrammatic form which can be put in to their professional development portfolios.

Semester 2 options

• Civil litigation
  The module examines key areas in the civil litigation process, from pre-action steps and issue of claim, through to trial and appeal, including: the ethos of modern civil litigation, human rights issues, civil litigation funding, the central role of the Civil Procedure Rules, rules of professional conduct in civil litigation cases, case management by the court, offers to settle, civil evidence and civil advocacy, orders, judgments and their enforcement and an overview of the civil costs regime.
• Civil rights and the state
  This module is designed to allow students to examine and consider the response of the state to threats posed by crime, terrorism, strikes and other types of civil and political emergencies and unrest and the impact on a citizen’s civil rights. Students are encouraged to consider the social, economic and political context within which the law operates. The aims of this course are as follows: to provide students with an in depth coverage of the principles relating to police powers and the powers of the state in relation to policing, terrorism and emergency powers; to critically evaluate the relationship between the individual citizen, the police, local and central government; to explore the philosophical, conceptual and policy issues involved; to broaden and encourage an appreciation of the wider social, economic and political context within which the police and government operate; to examine the practical problems of enforcing individual civil rights; and to further develop the skills required for independent research, analysis and problem solving of complex legal problems.
• EU criminal and migration law
  The focus of this module is migration, justice and security in the EU. The module incorporates an Erasmus Intensive Programme (IP) under which LSBU students study with students from other EU universities. The field trip will require students to work intensively over a 2 week period with students from the partner universities and thus attendance for activities and class possibly during part of the Easter vacation either at LSBU or at a partner university outside of the UK.
• Law and technology
  The module provides students with an opportunity to analyse and evaluate the impact of technology on Law, Dispute Resolution and the delivery of Legal Services. Lectures will consider the uses of technology as they impact on areas of law such as Contract and Commercial Law, roles and careers in the Legal Profession, on Access to Justice and Dispute Resolution processes and on the delivery of Legal Services. In workshops, Law students will work in project groups with Computer Science students to design and create a piece of legal technology software such as a learning or access to justice resource.

With a qualifying law degree, you can go on to apply to the Legal Practice course or Bar Professional Training course, in order to qualify as a solicitor or barrister. You could also apply your degree to other careers that value analytical and persuasive skills.

A law degree offers a variety of career choice in one of the most well-paid and socially important sectors. The type of career on offer can depend on the kind of law firm you want to work for, and possibly the area of law you specialise in. And options are not confined to the legal services sector either, due to the range of transferable skills gained from the course.

DAC employability partnership

DAC Beachcroft partnered with LSBU to create an employability programme which aims to help increase diversity within the firm. This project came about due to Nick Young's (regional partner at DAC Beachcroft) strong affiliation to LSBU as an alumnus of the university.

Nick Young is an alumnus here at LSBU, and created this employability programme to help increase diversity within his firm, DAC Beachcroft, where he's a regional partner.

DAC Beachcroft are supporting the development of law students at LSBU with employability skills through training and preparation for a training contract, and the steps involved before securing a contract.

Working in the Law module

Working in the Law is a compulsory module for second year LLB students. The module delivers sessions on graduate employability, writing applications for law work, developing Curriculum Vitae and making presentations. You'll actively use online materials developed by the University Careers Service to encourage you to think about your knowledge, skills and attributes when considering career options. Personality and psychometric tests are carried out for you to further reflect upon and provide an opportunity to develop further as part of the Personal Development Plan (PDP). The module goes further to introduce you to the contentious and non contentious areas of practice, providing an opportunity to appreciate application of the law in practice.

We place a great emphasis on employability: you're supported in gaining work experience and additional evening sessions are organised for practitioners to deliver talks to you about life in practice. We regularly arrange Continuing Professional Development sessions, which are open to you to attend and network with practitioners.

Law student editorial magazine

In addition to these programmes, students will have the opportunity to be contributors and editors in the annual law students magazine, The Devil's Advocate.

Please click and zoom to read the articles in full detail.

Employability Service

We are University of the Year for Graduate Employment for the second year in a row - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018, 2019.

At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:

• An online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
• Our Careers Gym offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and finding work experience, as well as regular presentations from employers across a range of sectors.

Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.

No.1 UK wide for Satisfied overall with the course in Law

Guardian League Table, 2018

Law Mentoring at LSBU

Law students are invited to take part in a Law mentoring scheme as both a mentor or mentee. This programme gives mentors experience in supporting and leading, whilst mentees benefit from their guidance.

Free tablet and core e-books

We provide you with a free iPad or tablet including core e-books plus you'll also receive some hard copies of books. You'll also gain access to the VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) to benefit from weekly online teaching support. This includes quizzes with instant feedback and audio presentations which summarise the lectures. This is in addition to face-to-face teaching at lectures and seminars.

Personal Tutoring

As an undergraduate Law and Social Science student, you will be allocated a named tutor during your first semester at LSBU.  The role of your tutor is to be your primary contact for academic and professional development support.

Your tutor will support you to get the most of your time at LSBU, providing advice and signposting to other sources of support in the University.  They should be the first person at the university that you speak to if you are having any difficulties that are affecting your work. These could be academic, financial, health-related or another type of problem.

You will have appointments with your personal tutor at least once a semester for 30 minutes throughout your course. You can contact your tutor for additional support by email or in person during office hours.

• A Level ABB or:
• BTEC National Diploma DDM or:
• Access to HE Diploma with 33D 3M 9P or:
• Equivalent Level 3 qualifications worth 128 UCAS points
• Applicants must hold 5 GCSEs A-C including Maths and English, or equivalent (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above).
• We welcome qualifications from around the world. English language qualifications for international students: IELTS score of 6.0 or Cambridge Proficiency or Advanced Grade C.

Work experience in a Law firm prior to enrolment is not required. However if you can secure any, it will provide a good entry point and start your self-development connected to Law.

For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for undergraduate students.

Please check your fee status and whether you are considered a Home, EU or International student for fee-paying purposes and for our regulatory returns, by reading the UKCISA regulations.

See our Tuition Fees Regulations (PDF File 136 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 102 KB).

Possible fee changes

The University reserves the right to increase its fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions.

The fees for international students are reviewed annually and the University reserves the right to increase the tuition fees in line with the RPIX measure of inflation up to 4 per cent.

Scholarships

We offer several types of fee reduction through our scholarships and bursaries. Find the full list and other useful information on our scholarships page.