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Programme Specification for Law with Criminology by distance learning LLB (Hons)

This programme is no longer recruiting.

This programme is only offered at: Offered only in collaboration with ICS Ltd.

Final award

LLB (Hons)

Intermediate awards available

Cert HE, Dip HE, Ordinary degree, University Undergraduate (Associate) Certificate

UCAS code

N/A

Details of professional body accreditation

Exemption from the academic stage of legal training by both the Law Society and the General Council of the Bar

Relevant QAA Benchmark statements

Law (QAA, 2000)

Date specification last up-dated

July 2009

Profile

The summary - UCAS programme profile

BANNER BOX:

This course provides a comprehensive and innovative approach to the study of Law, with a focus on Criminology, and potentially leads to a Qualifying Law Degree.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Entry to Level 1 or the Full Programme

To enrol on the first Level or the Full Programme you must normally hold 200 UCAS Tariff Points or equivalent.

Entry on a Modular Basis

If you do not hold the required tariff points for Level 1 or Full Programme entry, studies will be permitted on a modular basis, following a counselling interview with a course advisor. If you are concerned that this level of study may not be suitable for you, we will provide an online basic skills exercise with feedback to assist you to make a decision.

ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

Rationale

ICS has entered the Higher Education, distance-learning market with a measurable degree of success and the launch of this BA (Hons) Law with Criminology degree will continue to develop this success further.

The previously launched LLB (Hons) Law and BA (Hons) Psychology and Criminology degrees have proved to be very popular and are the two top selling degree so far for ICS.

The BA (Hons) Law with Criminology degree will be the second Qualifying Law Degree (QLD) offered by ICS, and will serve to compliment and expand the higher education portfolio as ICS strive to meet the market’s current and future needs.

There has been overall demand for Criminology and it is clear from our existing programmes that students are keen to study it in line with other suitable disciplines. Given the close relationship of Law and Criminology and the demand for Qualifying Law degrees, the evidence suggests that Criminology is a very appropriate discipline to study at a minor level.

What is Law?

Law holds a fundamental position in society and shapes many aspects of human behaviour. The LLB degree offers an insight into the principles, processes and institutions of Law and the relevant social, political, historical, philosophical, ethical and cultural context in which Law operates. It gives students the opportunity to develop skills that are central, not only to legal and related professions, but to many other types of employment.

What is Criminology?

Criminology is the study of crime and of society's response to crime. Criminology combines a number of social sciences, including sociology, legal studies and psychology. As a field of science it has developed rapidly in recent years, as society in general has become increasingly concerned with the problem of crime. Criminology students study all aspects of the criminal justice system (the police, the courts, prisons and probation work) as well as focusing on offenders and on victims. Students develop a critical approach to questions of crime and justice, an understanding of the meaning of crime, its effect on society and the impact of crime and punishment.

Law with Criminology at ICS

  • Study at your own pace to develop knowledge of the Law
  • A broad-based degree preparing you for many careers
  • No entry qualifications needed to start on a module – modules make up degrees!
  • All course materials designed by experts in the fields of Law
  • No set term times and no need to attend classes
  • An affordable way to learn with a flexible choice of ways to pay
  • Help and guidance from ICS student advisers AND mentors
  • Academic support from a subject specialist tutor
  • Access to the ICS Online Student Community – you are not alone!

Programme structure

In order to obtain a Qualifying Law Degree you need to complete your course within six years.

To be awarded an Honours Degree in Law with Criminology, you will have to complete a total of 18 modules, with a total value of 360 credits. This will comprise of 120 credits at Level 1, 120 at Level 2 and 120 at Level 3. All modules throughout Levels 1, 2 and 3 are Core modules and therefore must be studied. They each carry a value of 20 credits.

As this course is a Criminology minor, you will study 4 Law modules and 2 Criminology modules at every level (1, 2 and 3). Subject to regulatory requirements, this degree will still be classed as a Qualifying Law Degree.

Learning environment

This programme is offered on a distance-learning basis allowing you to select your learning environment – be it your home, office or a public library. Learning material is presented in the format of textbooks with specially written Study Guides containing interactive activities; feedback is provided to enable you to monitor your own progress.

Student/ student discussion and student/ tutor discussion opportunities are available via our Online Student Community Website. Additional learning resources include access to ATHENS and UK Libraries Plus system.

Assessment

There are two opportunities each calendar year at which to take exams or submit final assessments. Your mentor will help you decide when to take each exam/ submit each assessment.

Assessment at Level 1 is mostly by coursework, to provide maximum feedback and guidance to you. Across Levels 2 and 3, the emphasis does shift to examination-based assessment.

Coursework is set for completion and detailed feedback is provided on an individual basis.

Students will have a maximum of four opportunities to take an assessment. Students will be advised of the need to pass modules, which are Prerequisites for enrolment on other modules.

A capping system will operate for subsequent attempts in line with Section 6 of the Academic Framework/ Modular Regulations.

Work experience/placement opportunities

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Project work

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Added value

By successfully completing a distance learning degree course, you not only display relevant knowledge, skills and understanding to an employer but also that you are able to manage your time effectively, that you are self-motivated and already have a good work ethic – all of which will give you the edge you need to find success in the real world.

Subject to certain regulatory requirements, students who successfully complete the LLB (Hons) Law with Criminology degree will be exempt from the academic stage of legal training by both The Law Society and the General Council for the Bar.

IS THIS THE PROGRAMME FOR ME?

If you are interested in...

  • Understanding the relationship between law, individuals and society.
  • Gaining a comprehensive and critical understanding of key legal principles, issues and institutions.
  • Understanding in depth the Criminal Justice Process.
  • Examining those legal principles, issues and institutions within their social, economic, political, cultural and international contexts.
  • Looking at contemporary issues that impact the study of crime.
  • Analysing policies, philosophies and issues underpinning the development of substantive legal principles and their enforcement.
  • Developing transferable skills, which are flexible and employment-related.

If you enjoy...

  • Handling detailed and complex materials and presenting facts, principles and issues raised in a clear and concise manner.
  • Developing your written presentational skills and gaining confidence to present your ideas in a clear, concise and cogent manner.
  • Exploring a range of Law related issues in the 21st Century.
  • Learning how criminologist can use their knowledge to help people

If you want...

  • A degree in Law with a focus on Criminology and a grounding in core law subjects.
  • Knowledge and skills that can be used in a large range of career settings
  • To study in a flexible way

Your future career

This degree provides a foundation for a wide range of careers. Students may go on to train as solicitors or barristers or they may go on to postgraduate study. You will also develop key skills that provide an excellent basis for employment in areas related to the Criminal Justice System, such as the Police, Prison Service and Probation Service. The skills will also be of value in other areas, for example, Local Government, Charities, Non-Governmental Institutions, the private sector etc

How we support you

On enrolment, you will be provided with an induction pack containing all the information you need to prepare you for your studies.

ICS has a team of dedicated mentors to help you with general needs and respond to your queries in respect of any administrative issues. You can contact your mentor via phone, e-mail, post and fax – and you are guaranteed a timely response. Your mentor will also contact you at regular intervals – initially to welcome you and agree a study plan, and then to talk to you about your progress and remind you of important deadlines.

In addition, you will be allocated a subject tutor for each module you study.

You can contact your subject tutor via your mentor, or directly via the ICS Student Community.

In addition, the ICS Student Community provides opportunities for you to contact other students.

Bonus factors

  • No Entry requirements
  • No set term/enrolment times
  • Study at your own pace
  • Contact with Tutors as much or as little as you want.
  • The support of experienced Mentors to guide you through your studies.
  • Flexible payment plan
  • Contact with other students through the Online Student Community

Outcomes

Programme aims and learning outcomes

What is this programme designed to achieve?

This programme is designed to give you the opportunity to:

  • Develop a critical understanding of law and legal processes in political, economic, international, comparative and historical contexts
  • Develop skills in legal analysis and reasoning
  • Pursue a successful, responsible and useful career in a number of areas of employment, through relevant knowledge, skills and understanding
  • Progress to further study
  • Encourage independent judgement and self-awareness
  • Make informed choices for future work and study through providing a general, broadly-based course
  • Learn in a flexible manner; in a timescale and environment in keeping with your preferences and needs
  • Satisfy the academic stage of training of the Professional Bodies

What will you learn?

Knowledge

  • Detailed knowledge and understanding of The English Legal System (ELS)
  • Ability to explain the main legal institutions and procedures of the ELS
  • A thorough understanding of the core substantive areas within its jurisdiction
  • Criminal theory
  • Issues in criminology and the nature of crime
  • The Criminal Justice System
  • Research methods and the utilisation of primary and secondary sources
  • The background and structure of the legal profession

Thinking skills

  • Analysis and interpretation of evidence
  • Scientific reasoning
  • Critical thinking
  • Appreciation of multiple perspectives and approaches

Subject-Based Practical skills

  • Ability to design and conduct research
  • Detailed knowledge and understanding of The English Legal System
  • Ability to analyse and interpret quantitative and qualitative data
  • Utilisation of primary and secondary sources

Skills for life and work (general skills)

  • Communication, both oral and written
  • Computer literacy (word-processing, electronic communication, electronic databases, statistical software, internet searching).
  • Numeracy and statistical competence
  • Self-awareness
  • Planning and time-management
  • Employability skills

Structure

The programme structure

Introduction

All programmes are credit-rated to help you to understand the amount and level of study that is needed.

One credit is equal to 10 hours of directed study time (this includes everything you do e.g. lecture, seminar and private study).

Credits are assigned to one of 5 levels:

  • 0 - equivalent in standard to GCE 'A' level and is intended to prepare students for year one of an undergraduate degree programme
  • 1 - equivalent in standard to the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
  • 2 - equivalent in standard to the second year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
  • 3 - equivalent in standard to the third year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
  • M - equivalent in standard to a Masters degree

Credit rating

The overall credit-rating of this programme is 360 credits.

Typical duration

To gain a Qualifying Law Degree, the programme must be completed within six years. ICS support, however, is available for eight. Study within this period is entirely flexible and should be determined and planned by you, with the support of your mentor.

How the teaching year is divided

You can commence your studies at any time – enrolment on this programme is not tied to the academic year. We will work with you to formulate a realistic study plan based on the time you have available for study, availability dates for exams and assessments and your preferred completion date.

What you will study when

This programme is part of a modular degree scheme. A typical full-time student will take six 20 credit modules per year. An honours degree student will complete six modules at level one, six at level 2 and six at level 3.

It is possible to bring together modules from one subject with modules from another to produce a combined programme. Subjects are offered in a variety of combinations:

  • Single - 120 credits at levels one, two and three
  • Major - 80 credits at levels one, two and three
  • Joint - 60 credits at levels one, two and three
  • Minor - 40 credits at levels one, two and three

Modules are defined as:

  • Core - Must be taken
  • Option - Select from a range of identified modules within the field
  • University wide option - Select from a wide range of modules across the University

The following are the core and optional requirements for the single and major pathways for this programme

LEVEL TITLE CREDITS

STATUSSINGLE

STATUSMINOR

1

Skills for Academic Learning in Law

20

Core

Core

1

The Legal System

20

Core

Core

1

Criminal Justice Process*

20

Core

Core

1

Comparative Legal Systems

20

Core

Core

1

Constitutional and Administrative Law

20

Core

Core

1

Contemporary Issues in Criminology

20

Core

Core

2

Contract Law

20

Core

Core

2

Equity and Trusts

20

Core

Core

2

Crime and Social History

20

Core

Core

2

Tort Law

20

Core

Core

2

Law and Society

20

Core

Core

2

Theoretical Criminology

20

Core

Core

3

Criminal Law

20

Core

Core

3

Human Rights

20

Core

Core

3

Mentally Disordered Suspects, Defendants and Offenders

20

Core

Core

3

Land Law

20

Core

Core

3

EU Law

20

Option

Core

3

Crime, Deviance and Culture

20

Option

Core

 

*Criminology modules are highlighted in bold.

Requirements for gaining an award

In order to gain an honours degree you will need to obtain 360 credits including:

  • A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
  • A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
  • A minimum of 120 credits at level three or higher

In order to gain an ordinary degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 300 credits including:

  • A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
  • A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
  • A minimum of 60 credits at level three or higher

In order to gain a Diploma of Higher Education you will need to obtain at least 240 credits including a minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher and 120 credits at level two or higher

In order to gain a Certificate of Higher Education you will need to obtain 120 credits at level one or higher.

In order to gain a Foundation Degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 240 credits including:

  • A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
  • A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher

(A foundation degree is linked to a named Honours degree onto which a student may progress after successful completion of the Foundation degree.)

Degree Classification

Where a student is eligible for an Honours degree, and has gained a minimum of 240 UEL credits at level 2 or level 3 on the programme, including a minimum of 120 UEL credits at level 3, the award classification is determined by calculating:

The arithmetic mean of the best 100 credits at level 3

×

2/3

+

The arithmetic mean of the next best 100 credits at levels 2 and/or 3

×

1/3

and applying the mark obtained as a percentage, with all decimals points rounded up to the nearest whole number, to the following classification

70% - 100%

First Class Honours

60% - 69%

Second Class Honours, First Division

50% - 59%

Second Class Honours, Second Division

40% - 49%

Third Class Honours

0% - 39%

Not passed

Assessment

Teaching, learning and assessment

Teaching and learning

Knowledge is developed through

  • Guided reading
  • Knowledge-based activities with feedback
  • On-line question/ answer forums

Thinking skills are developed through

  • Reflective/ thinking activities with feedback
  • Analytical activities with feedback
  • Evaluative activities with feedback
  • Problem-solving activities with feedback
  • On-line question/ answer forums

Practical skills are developed through

  • Practical/ physical activities with feedback
  • IT activities with feedback
  • Research skills-based activities with feedback
  • Workshops

Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through

  • The study medium, i.e. distance learning
  • Planning activities with feedback
  • IT activities with feedback
  • All other activities with feedback

Assessment

Knowledge is assessed by

  • Coursework
  • Essays
  • Examinations

Thinking skills are assessed by

  • Coursework
  • Examinations
  • Book Reviews

Practical skills are assessed by

  • Practical Reports
  • Portfolio compilation
  • IT exercises
  • Case study exercises

Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by

  • Group Work
  • Tutorial assignments
  • IT exercises

Quality

How we assure the quality of this programme

Before this programme started

Before this programme started the UEL checked that:

  • There would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme;
  • Adequate resources would be in place;
  • The overall aims and objectives were appropriate;
  • The content of the programme met national benchmark requirements;
  • The programme met any professional/statutory body requirements;
  • The proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms.

This is done through a process of programme approval, which involves consulting academic experts including some subject specialists from other institutions. Each panel scrutinises available documents and talks to the staff who will teach the programme before deciding whether it can be approved.

How we monitor the quality of this programme

The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating:

  • External examiner reports (considering quality and standards)
  • Statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate)
  • Student feedback

Drawing on this and other information, the programme team at ICS undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process, which includes student participation. This is then reviewed and endorsed by UEL.

Once every six years the University undertakes an in-depth review of the whole field. This is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists. The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions. The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.

The role of the programme committee

ICS has a Programmes Study Board comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme. The team is responsible for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality. The programme committee plays a critical role in the University's quality assurance procedures.

The role of external examiners

The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one external examiner. External examiners have two primary responsibilities:

  • To ensure the standard of the programme
  • To ensure that justice is done to individual students

External examiners fulfil these responsibilities in a variety of ways including:

  • Approving exam papers/assignments
  • Attending Field Boards
  • Reviewing samples of student work and moderating marks
  • Ensuring that regulations are followed
  • Providing feedback to the University through an annual report that enables us to make improvements for the future

Listening to the views of students

The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this programme:

  • Module evaluations
  • Programme evaluations
  • Polls via our website
  • Student representation at ICS Programmes Study Board Meetings held twice yearly.

Students are notified of the action taken through:

  • Individual mailing letters as required
  • A newsletter, published twice a year
  • Postings on the ICS Student Community

Listening to the views of others

The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties:

  • Annual student satisfaction questionnaire
  • Questionnaires to former students
  • Annual Tutor conference

Further Information

Alternative locations for studying this programme

LocationWhich elements?Taught by UEL staffTaught by local staffMethod of Delivery

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-

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Where you can find further information

Further information about this programme is available from:


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