Criminal Law and Justice LLB (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
Female student standing in a mock court room wearing  robes and wig, holding an open book

Criminal law is of fundamental social importance. It provides the State with the greatest opportunity to inhibit an individual’s freedom and liberty, and this course scrutinises the mechanisms for doing so.

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

Course code

M223

Start date

January 2025 - condensed


Course overview

The Criminal Law and Justice LLB (Hons) course explores the mechanisms underpinning criminal law, domestically and internationally, whilst encouraging students to challenge the legitimacy of the State’s power and its interference with individual autonomy and freedom.  

This course aims to help you: 

  • Acquire knowledge and understanding of legal doctrines, concepts, principles, rules and values in the core areas of law and in the specialist area of criminal law and justice. 
  • Develop an appreciation of the context in which law operates, and an understanding of the dynamic nature of law, its uncertainty, the need for reform and proposals for such reform in the furtherance of securing justice for all.
  • Develop the ability to apply the legal knowledge and skills acquired to both the theory and practice of law, particularly in a criminal law setting.

The January start for this course is condensed in Year 1. Please see the ‘How you’ll learn’ section below for more details.

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Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

The course aims to give you opportunities to: 

  • Immerse yourself in criminal law by following a criminal case from the commission of an offence through preparation for trial and finally sentencing, through an authentic case simulation.
  • Hone your criminal advocacy skills in our mock courtroom, known as the ‘moot room’4.
  • Apply to volunteer in the Employment Law Clinic, Advocacy Clinic or Business Law and Enterprise Clinic at the Coventry Law Centre where selected students can gain practical legal experience under the supervision of trained solicitors and lawyers2.
  • Engage with students at other international universities and industry experts2 , as well as further develop your intercultural competencies and digital skills through initiatives like our Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects2.

If you choose to start this course in January you will study exactly the same course but over a slightly shorter timescale in Year 1. This is ideal if you missed the September start, want to transfer from a different university or course or just need a bit more time to prepare for life at university.

Accreditation and professional recognition

The degree is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:

CILEX -  Chartered Institute of Legal Executives

Criminal Law and Justice Law LLB is a recognized degree by the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) for the 2023 intake. Any graduates of this course that pass the optional third year modules ‘Family Law’, or ‘Company Law’ and ‘Employment Law’, will not need to pass the CPQ Foundation stage or CPQ Advanced stage assessments and as such are capable of being recognised as CILEX Advanced Paralegals. Those who do not complete either ‘Family Law’ or ‘Company Law’ and ‘Employment Law’ will still be exempt from the mandatory aspects of CPQ Advanced stage. On completion of your course, you will have the option to pay £400 for CILEX recognition.


Memberships

Coventry Law School is currently a member of the International Association of Law Schools, an association of around 160 law schools from over 55 countries, representing around 7,500 law faculty members. Having this status allows you to access a variety of international experiences, including with our partner institutions across the world. 

Coventry Law School is also currently a member of the European Law Faculties Association with over 250 members from Europe and beyond.

Coventry Law School is currently a member of British and Irish Law Education and Technology Association, one of the largest Technology Law associations in Europe. 

Memberships are renewed annually, and there is currently no intention for any of the memberships or partnership to lapse, however if our memberships or partnership are not renewed we would notify applicants and students as soon as possible1.

Collaborations

Central England Law Centre

Coventry Law School collaborates with the Central England Law Centre in order to offer a professional element to your learning, through our Law Employment and Advocacy clinics. Students who are selected to participate in the clinics get involved with many aspects of what the solicitors do at the Law Centre, with supervisors who are currently working in practice and experts in specific areas of law. They get hands-on experience doing reserved legal activities, providing supervised advice and assistance to members of the public.  

Find your future career in law

See what our students think about their law course.

‘The criminal law seeks to safeguard citizens from serious harm . At the same time, criminal justice represents one of the State’s most powerful tools against its citizens. No other area of law is able to so significantly infringe a person’s liberties and freedoms. The criminal justice system therefore, has to strike a balance between controlling criminal behaviour and protecting the rights and freedoms of the accused.’ 

Dr Gary Betts, Head of the Law School, 2022
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What you'll study

During your first year, you will work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge of the law and develop the fundamental legal skills necessary to undertake the remainder of your course. You will also be exposed to a range of contemporary issues in the law that relate to each of the LLB courses on offer. If you discover that you have an interest in a particular area of law that you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degree courses to one of the other LLB courses listed above (subject to meeting progression requirements). 

As you move through your second and final year, you will study further core legal modules whilst also exploring more specialist commercial law subjects and enhancing your practical legal skills.

The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.

Common first year courses

  • Commercial Law LLB (Hons)
  • International Law LLB (Hons)
  • Law LLB (Hons)

Modules

In your second year, you will continue to build your understanding of core legal subjects, whilst exploring criminal law and justice in detail. You will also begin to develop your practical legal skills to provide you with an insight into life in legal practice. 

Modules

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year or study abroad year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee3 of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement2.

Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our placement/study abroad offering here, it is often tailored for each course every year and depends on the length of placement or study abroad opportunities that are secured. Therefore, the placement and study abroad arrangements vary per course and per student.  Request further information about going on a placement or study abroad year. 

Modules

Year three aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by immersing you in the criminal trial process to develop your professional legal skills. You can choose from a variety of optional modules to tailor your degree to your interests and/or future ambitions, as well as work on a large final project in a criminal law area of your interest or participate in one of the law school’s pro- bono clinics (subject to securing a place at the Coventry Law Centre).

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

The Criminal Law and Justice LLB (Hons) degree has been designed so that it is capable of satisfying the academic component of Bar training as required by the Bar Standards Board.

For further details of the requirements of the academic component of Bar training, please visit the Bar Standards Board website.

The course is delivered through a combination of live/asynchronous lectures, workshops, online activities and directed readings.

Lectures tend to be expository in nature, introducing you to basic concepts and core principles. Workshops provide you with the opportunity to deepen your understanding of the subject matter through active exploration of legal issues, for example through debates, discussions, presentations, and other practical activities. Teaching sessions are designed to be interactive and may involve exploring real-world and hypothetical problems, considering case studies and analysing contemporary or more theoretical legal issues. This interactive approach enables you to develop your legal skills throughout our degree and immerse yourself in authentic legal experiences.

Throughout the course, your learning will be supported through AULA, our mobile-first virtual learning environment and you will receive specialist training in the use of a variety of legal databases (our online learning platform is subject to change).

If you choose to start this course in January it will be run as a condensed programme. You’ll start your course in January and finish your first year in August. Upon successful completion of Year 1, you will progress onto Year 2 in September and then continue to start subsequent years of your course in September, completing your degree at the same time as the September starters unless you opt to do a placement year.


Teaching contact hours

We understand that everyone learns differently, so each of our courses will consist of structured teaching sessions, which can include:

  • On campus lectures, seminars and workshops
  • Group work
  • Self-directed learning
  • Work placement opportunities2.

If you would like more information, you can request information about teaching hours.

Part of university life is undertaking self-directed learning. During a typical week you will have time that allows you to work independently to apply the skills and knowledge you have learnt in taught or facilitated sessions to your projects or assignment briefs. This self-directed learning allows you to use your research skills, consolidate your knowledge or undertake collaborative group work.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods include:

  • Formal examinations
  • Phase tests
  • Essays
  • Group work
  • Presentations
  • Reports
  • Projects
  • Coursework
  • Exams
  • Individual assignments

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes. 


International experience opportunities

Throughout the Criminal Law and Justice LLB degree, we aim to expose you to a wide variety of international opportunities2. From undertaking an international field trip to working with students from international universities in a Collaborative International Online Learning project, we aim to offer an international opportunity for everyone. The Law School has particularly strong links with the Southwest University of Political Science and Law in Chongqing, China and established links with the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa, the University of Nebrija in Madrid and the University of the West Indies.

Throughout the course, you will explore aspects of international law and develop cognisance of diverse cultural and global perspectives. The Law School is a diverse community of legal academics and students, which brings depth and vibrancy to your student experience.

Breathing life into the law

Law students joined forces with journalism, paramedic and acting students as a dramatic court case gave them hands-on, industry-relevant experience.


Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Requirement What we're looking for
UCAS points 112
A level BBC
GCSE Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 4 / C or above including Maths and English
BTEC DMM
IB Diploma 24 Points
Access to HE The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits at Merit. Plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 overall (with at least 5.5 in each component area)

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.


Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £9,250 per year Not available
EU £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary**
£16,800 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International £16,800 per year Not available

If you choose to do a work placement2, you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee3 of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our undergraduate finance page and see the University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our international scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

Other additional costs

  • On completion of your course, you will have the option to pay £400 for CILEX recognition, if you successfully pass either ‘Family Law’ or ‘Company Law’ and ‘Employment Law’. This means you will not need to pass the CPQ Foundation stage or CPQ Advanced stage assessments and as such are capable of being recognised as CILEX Advanced Paralegals.

Condensed course – January start date

If you choose to start this course in January please make sure you check the Fees and Finance page for more information. Although starting this course in January does not prohibit you from being eligible for student finance, the way it is paid in your first year differs from those who start their course in September.

If you start the course in January, your tuition fees will be paid in accordance with the university’s Tuition Fees, Refund and Withdrawal Terms and Conditions for January starters and for any further years of study, your fees will be paid in accordance with the terms for September starters.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

The Criminal Law and Justice LLB course is delivered at the main Coventry University campus, where you'll benefit from our dedicated law facilities4.

Moot Room

Moot Room

Our Moot Room gives you the opportunity to develop those vital and practical legal skills. You can practise your legal skills in a realistic setting, as well as having the chance to take part in mooting competitions.

Legal clinic

Legal Clinic

Use the Legal Clinic to develop your practical legal skills and help you stand out in your future career. You will have access to 'real' clients and work alongside trained solicitors and lawyers.

A lawyer stands in a court room, with people behind we assume make up the jury, and two judges to his left

Routes into a Legal Career

Find out more about how Coventry University can kick start your legal career through our preparation courses.



Careers and opportunities

Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to:

  • Critically analyse theories, principles and laws across diverse substantive legal areas, with a particular focus on the rules and practices relating to the criminal justice system.
  • Appreciate and apply principles of justice and professional ethics and their application to the law, whilst being cognisant of diverse cultural and global perspectives.
  • Identify and synthesise relevant information from primary and secondary legal sources, using both digital and non-digital resources, whilst adhering to principles of academic integrity.
  • Draw reasoned conclusions through the application of legal principles and knowledge to complex problems, whilst tolerating ambiguity and recognising alternative legal outcomes.
  • Communicate effectively and professionally, by conveying and explaining legal information, ideas and arguments appropriately in a variety of contexts.
  • Demonstrate self-management and work independently or collaboratively as appropriate.
  • Demonstrate intellectual independence through the acquisition of specialist knowledge and understanding of current legal thinking and emerging research.
  • Apply a range of practical or clinical legal skills, including those applicable to criminal practice.

Law graduates can pursue a wide variety of careers both in the UK and overseas. Many graduates enter the legal profession as solicitors, barristers, paralegals or legal executives (additional education/courses and training required). However, the skills learned are also transferrable to career paths outside of law such as recruitment, management, teaching or finance. Many of our law graduates also go on to pursue a career in academia or undertake further academic study.

Where our graduates work

Previous law graduates from Coventry Law School have gone on to work at a wide variety of organisations and firms including:

  • Crown Prosecution Services
  • DAC Beachcroft  
  • NFU Mutual 
  • PwC
  • Deloitte
  • Linklaters 
  • Oracle 
  • Squire Patton Boggs 
  • Stobbs 
  • Co-op Legal Services 

I have volunteered with the Coventry Law employment clinic. This allows me to interview actual clients and produce advice for them. This has been extremely valuable in relating my studies to the world of work and given me incredible experience, as well as helping the clients. I have learned so much from this opportunity and I feel like I have a step up when it comes to training contract applications.

Leah Bolt, Law graduate LLB, 2022
Leah Bolt
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