Law and Criminology (Full-time) (BA Hons)
Are you ready to dive into the fascinating world of Law and Criminology? This degree will help you understand the legal system and how it works within society. You’ll learn about the criminal justice system, including the key institutions involved, and the various roles you could pursue in this field.
The course focuses on building your knowledge of the English legal system and the foundations of legal knowledge. You’ll also explore the political, psychological, and social aspects of criminology, giving you a broad understanding of how laws are made and applied. This is essential for anyone looking to work in areas like policing, prison, probation, youth justice, or any aspect of the criminal justice system.
Throughout your studies, you’ll develop critical analytical tools to evaluate crime, justice, and punishment. This includes understanding how policies evolve in response to crime and learning about crime prevention and crime response strategies. You’ll also study the legal consequences of crime, gaining insights into both national and international crime.
One of the highlights of this course is its emphasis on practical skills. You’ll enhance your research, interpretation, and critical evaluation abilities. These practical legal skills are invaluable whether you decide to become a lawyer or pursue other career roles in the criminal justice system.
This degree also provides a thorough understanding of criminological theorising. You’ll study the historical and political dimensions of law, as well as the social, economic, and ethical dimensions. This comprehensive approach will allow you to see the impact of crime on society and understand how societal responses to crime are shaped.
The course is taught by experienced academics and practitioners, ensuring you receive high-quality education and insights from those working in the field. You’ll also hear from policymakers and other experts, providing a well-rounded perspective on law and criminology. You’ll learn to navigate complex legal situations and apply your knowledge to real-world problems, making you a valuable asset in any legal or criminal justice career.
In summary, the BA (Hons) Law and Criminology is designed to prepare you for a wide range of careers in the legal and criminal justice sectors. Whether you’re interested in criminal behaviour analysis, public policy, governance, or becoming a lawyer in practice, this degree offers the knowledge and skills you need to succeed. By the end of the course, you’ll have a broad understanding of law and be well-equipped to face the challenges and opportunities in this dynamic field.
Course details
- On-campus
- Full-time
- English
Undergraduate Fees
Home (Full-time): £9,535 per year
Overseas (Full-time): £15,525 per year
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
Our philosophy of learning and teaching centres on providing a comprehensive understanding of law and criminology through a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application. We aim to develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a deep appreciation of the complexities of the legal and criminal justice systems.
This course combines the study of Criminology where the student will look at crime, why people commit crime, what deters people from crime, policing of crime and the legal penal system, with a grounding of legal principles such as Contract, Public tort, Property, and Criminal Law.
In the first year, you will be introduced to the foundations of legal knowledge and criminological theories. You will study the Criminal law, learn about the legal process, and explore the social, political, and behavioural dynamics in this field. This foundational year equips you with essential analytical tools and an understanding of key legal concepts.
Compulsory
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
The second year builds on your foundational knowledge by delving deeper into understanding crime, justice and punishment, and the legal consequences of crime. You will explore the law of tort, contract and family law and practice. This year focuses on developing your critical thinking and research skills.
Compulsory
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
In your final year, you will refine your understanding of complex legal situations, such as equity and trusts and property law. You will engage in modules such as crime and vulnerability as well as gender, race, religion and crime and learn how you would apply your knowledge to real-world problems. This year prepares you for diverse career roles in law and criminology.
Compulsory
(40 credits)
(20 Credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
Course Disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
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Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Further information
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96 UCAS Tariff Points
e.g. A-levels: CCC, BTEC: MMM, IB: 30
The UCAS tariff score is applicable to you if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a  for you to work out what your qualification is worth within the UCAS tariff.
We are interested in creative people who demonstrate a strong commitment to art and/or design and, therefore, we welcome applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds.
We arrange interviews for all applicants to assess suitability for the chosen course. Your skills, achievements and life experience will be considered, as well as your portfolio of work.
GCSEs
GCSE grade A*-C (grade 9-4 in England) in English and Mathematics is also required.
Alternative entry routes
If this course interests you, but you don’t have the entry requirements to join our bachelor’s degree you could consider:
- ‘with Foundation Year’. This route is designed to give you extra support as it provides you with an additional year (full-time) of supported study.
Once you successfully complete your Foundation Year studies, you will automatically advance onto the main degree. 
- Certificate in Higher Education (CertHE). This is a one-year course and is equivalent to the first year of the three year, full-time bachelor’s degree.
Once you have successfully completed your CertHE studies, you will be eligible to progress for the remaining two years of the bachelor’s degree.
These are ideal routes if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied this subject, or if you did not achieve the grades you need for a place on this degree. 
Admissions Advice and Support
We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, such as your background, experiences and individual circumstances. This is known as ‘Contextual Admissions’. For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa.
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship.
For full information read our visa application and guides.
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
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The course will be assessed by a mixture of written coursework and exams. Each module is worth 20 credits which would equal two assessments per module with the equivalent of a 2,000 word assignment or an exam per 10 credits.
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Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.
If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies.
We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed.
Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities
There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch.
Opportunities to Learn Welsh
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills.
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This course has no additional costs.
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit our Scholarships and Bursaries section.
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The course team has developed very close links with a number of professional organisations in both the public sector and legal services fields. This has allowed for close consultation on the development of course content and the availability of unique work experience opportunities.
For those students who wish to pursue a career in the Police force then the course works closely with South Wales Police and Dyfed Powys Police and has developed a volunteer work programme for the students to gain valuable experience and insight into the profession.
The course includes the option of the Operational Policing which incorporates the Certificate of Knowledge of Policing (CKP).
It has now become essential for several Police forces to have a CKP before applying.
This will put the students in a more advantageous position to gain employment in their chosen profession.
The course provides a good opportunity for students who would be interested in the Fast Track route into the Police.
The course works closely with other Public sector organisations, all of which have legal departments and the combination of both legal and public sector understanding and knowledge would be seen as a benefit to such a position.
The team has developed close relationships with local Law firms and developing work experience opportunities which would benefit the students if they chose to extend into further legal study.