BA (Hons) Criminology and Law
Course overview
Start date
September 2019
Subject area
Criminology
Attendance
Full-time
Part-time
Learning
On campus
Course summary
Criminology and Law are a perfect fit, combining a social science approach to crime with an understanding of core legal principles and institutions.
You’ll learn about the causes and consequences of crime through a study of the current theories, issues and debates, backed by an understanding of the criminal justice system and its institutions and roles such as the police, courts, prisons and probation service.
And you’ll explore the inter-relationships between the law, individuals and society, studying how the law fits into the social, political and cultural context of the society we live in.
You should note that this very popular course does not provide exemption from the academic stage of qualifying as a solicitor or barrister. Please see our LLB (Hons) Law with Criminology if this interests you.
Contact us
If you have any questions, talk to a member of our Applicant Enquiries team on +44 (0) 20 8223 3333 or email study@uel.ac.uk.
Get in touch86%
Student satisfaction
Our students gave us more than 80% overall satisfaction rating in 2018's National Student Survey.
Learn from the best
Our criminology and law experts carry out world-leading research and are often in frequent demand by governments and the media to provide expert analysis, comment and advice.
Superb facilities
Study at our ultra-modern £33 million campus at University Square Stratford and you’ll benefit from superb facilities such as our dedicated chamber for moots and mock trials.
Besnik Vrapil
Criminology and Law, (BA Hons)
It was fantastic - a really good course. I learned a huge amount and this backed up my practical work experience as a special constable. My degree was essential in helping me to get a full-time job with the Met and I’d encourage anyone to volunteer in the community early on as it really backs up your theoretical learning.
Fees and funding
Tuition Fee Loan
You can apply for a loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees, which will be paid directly to UEL. There are no up-front fees required. Repayment only starts after you finish your course and are earning over £25,000. If you haven’t finished repaying your loan after 30 years it will be automatically cancelled.
To apply visit gov.uk/student-finance
Maintenance Loan
You can apply for a loan to help with living costs such as food, travel and accommodation. How much you can borrow depends on where you live and study, and whether you are currently on welfare benefits. The maximum loan you can apply for is £12,382.
To apply visit gov.uk/student-finance
Supplementary Grants
The government also offer the following additional support:
- Parent’s Learning Allowance
- Adult Dependants' Grant
- Childcare Grant
- Disabled Students’ Allowance
For further information visit gov.uk/student-finance
All students will receive:
Bursaries Schemes for which you can apply
Care Leaver and Foyer Bursary - up to £1,500
Progression Bursary - up to £2,000
Engagement Bursary - up to £2,000
Hardship Bursary - up to £2,000
Helena Kennedy Foundation - £1,500
Going Global – awards range from £300 - £700
Scholarships Schemes for which you can apply
Vice Chancellor Scholarship - up to £27,750 over three years
Dean Scholarship - up to £13,500 over three years
EU Scholarship (EU Only) - £1,000
Sports Scholarships - up to £6,000
There are a number of external organisations that offer financial help to
students. Please see the below list to view additional support options.
Alternatively, you can visit the Scholarship Search website.
Please note that the University of East London is not responsible for
the content of these external sites and is not associated in any way
with the funding schemes and their application processes.
Bank Of England Scholarship Programme
European Funding GuideThe Student Disability Association Fund
Some courses offer the option of a placement year, giving you the chance to gain valuable work experience in a relevant industry between your second and third years. If you are an international student on a Tier 4 visa, you are able to undertake a placement if it is an integral and assessed part of your course.
In 2018/19 placement year tuition fees are set at £1,060.
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate your finances while you're a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
Tuition Fee Loan
You can apply for a loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees, which will be paid directly to UEL. There are no up-front fees required. Repayment only starts after you finish your course and are earning over £25,000. If you haven’t finished repaying your loan after 30 years it will automatically be cancelled.
For information visit gov.uk/student-finance
Please note EU students can only apply for their funding using a paper application form.
To download a form visit www.gov.uk/student-finance-forms
All students will receive:
Bursaries Schemes for which you can apply
Care Leaver and Foyer Bursary - up to £1,500
Progression Bursary - up to £2,000
Engagement Bursary - up to £2,000
Hardship Bursary - up to £2,000
Helena Kennedy Foundation - £1,500
Going Global – awards range from £300 - £700
Scholarships Schemes for which you can apply
Vice Chancellor Scholarship - up to £27,750 over three years
Dean Scholarship - up to £13,500 over three years
EU Scholarship (EU Only) - £1,000
Sports Scholarships - up to £6,000
There are a number of external organisations that offer financial help to
students. Please see the below list to view additional support options.
Alternatively, you can visit the Scholarship Search website.
Please note that the University of East London is not responsible for
the content of these external sites and is not associated in any way
with the funding schemes and their application processes.
Bank Of England Scholarship Programme
European Funding GuideThe Student Disability Association Fund
Some courses offer the option of a placement year, giving you the chance to gain valuable work experience in a relevant industry between your second and third years. If you are an international student on a Tier 4 visa, you are able to undertake a placement if it is an integral and assessed part of your course.
In 2018/19 placement year tuition fees are set at £1,060.
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate your finances while you're a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
At UEL, we understand that studying in another country is a big financial commitment. If you apply early for an undergraduate, you may be entitled to a scholarship of up to £3,000.You can find out more about the international scholarships here.
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) also run an Emergency International Fund to assist international students in hardship.
You can contact our SMART team on 02082233333 or study@uel.ac.uk
As part of the Tier 4 student visa requirements, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) estimate that you will need £1,265* per month to cover your living costs. It includes expenses for accommodation, food and drink, travel within London, text books, entertainment, clothing, toiletries and laundry. Most Tier 4 students are required to show they have sufficient funds to cover the first nine months of the course before they start- a total of £11,385- in addition to the tuition fees. You can find more information about the specific requirements of the Tier 4 student visa here. The amount that you will spend can vary depending on your lifestyle. The UKCISA International Student Calculator can help you plan and manage your money.
* Please note the Immigration Rules are subject to change and this figure is likely to be increased by UKVI year on year. Please therefore check our ISA pages (www.uel.ac.uk/isa) for more information at the time of preparing your visa application.
Deposits and paying by instalments
International students are required to pay a deposit prior to being issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Your remaining balance will be paid in five monthly instalments over your first term. The first of these instalments must be paid when completing your enrolment on arrival at UEL. Please follow the payment instructions here.
After the required payment has been made, you will be asked to complete the online International Student Reply Form to confirm your acceptance of our offer and of our terms of admittance and fees policy.
Our International team at UEL are available for advice and guidance on studying in London, fees, scholarships and visa requirements.
Email: international@uel.ac.uk
Entry requirements
- September 2019
-
Degree
112
New UCAS Points
INTERNATIONAL
(Including European Union)
We accept a range of qualifications from across the world. Please see our country pages for information on specific entry requirements for your country.
If you don’t quite meet the academic requirements for this course, you can apply with an additional foundation year. Read more about the International Foundation Programme. SEE YOUR COUNTRYAccess to HE Diploma (QAA approved) with 60 credits overall and 45 credits at Level 3
We will also consider the UEL Introduction to Law and Criminology short course
If you do not meet the academic English language requirements for your course, you may be eligible to enrol onto a pre-sessional English programme. The length of the course will depend on your current level of English and the requirements for your degree programme. We offer a 5-week and an 11-week pre-sessional course. Find out more here.
Level 2 equivalences such as Level 2 Functional Skills in English / Maths, Level 2 Key Skills in Communication / Application of Number and Level 2 Adult Literacy / Adult Numeracy
As an inclusive university we recognise that applicants who have been out of education for some time may not have the formal qualifications usually required for entry to a course. We welcome applications from those who can demonstrate their enthusiasm and commitment to study and have relevant life/work experience that equips them to succeed on the course. We will assess this from the information provided in your application (particularly your personal statement) and may ask you to attend an interview or submit a piece of work to help us decide on your eligibility for the course. Our pre-entry Information Advice and Guidance Team are able to provide further advice on entry requirements and suitability for study.
What you'll learn
This course will give you a comprehensive understanding of the law and its place in the criminal justice system.
In the first two years you’ll build firm foundations by studying the fundamentals of the subjects, taking modules that include the Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice, the Legal System and Legal Methods and Criminal Law.
In your final year you’ll be expected to complete a large, independently researched project on a relevant topic that interests you. Plus you’ll have a choice of 23 distinctive options to tailor the course to suit your motivations and interests.
These final-year options include Global Illicit Drug Trafficking, Civil and Criminal Litigation, Race, Ethnicity, Crime and Justice, and Introduction to Islamic Law.
You’ll be encouraged to ‘learn by doing’ by taking the chance to gain work experience and take an active role in student clubs and societies.
What you'll study and when
- Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice (core)
- Contemporary Issues of Youth Justice and Criminology (core)
- The Legal System and Legal Methods (core)
- Constitutional and Administrative Law (core)
- Research Methods in Criminology (core)
- Applied Criminology & Professional Practice (core)
- Criminal Law (core)
- Human Rights (core)
- Project (option)
- Global Illicit Drug Trafficking (optional)
- Mentally-disordered Defendants & Suspects (optional)
- Preventing and Correcting Offending Behaviour (optional)
- Prison Studies (optional)
- Terrorism Studies (optional)
- Psychological Criminology (optional)
- Race, Ethnicity, Crime and Justice (optional)
- Youth Crime and Sub-culture (optional)
- Work-based learning (optional)
- Football Hooliganism (optional)
- Surveillance, Technology and Society (optional)
- Psychosocial Perspectives on Criminal Behaviour (optional)
- Civil and Criminal Litigation (optional)
- Client Practice (optional)
- Evidence (optional)
- Human Rights in the Developing World (optional)
- Intellectual Property Law (optional)
- Introduction to Islamic Law (optional)
- Immigration Law (optional)
- Law and Society in Africa (optional)
- Media Law (optional)
- Public International Law (optional)
How you'll be assessed
We’ll assess you with a mixture of coursework and exams. Coursework includes essays, reflective reports, group and seminar presentations. You’ll be given plenty of feedback to help you improve.
You will also have the chance to complete a work-based learning module, where you’ll be assessed on your practical work, and in your final year you’ll complete a project based on independent research.
Course specificationHow you will learn
Teaching methods vary throughout the course but you’ll find this variety to be stimulating and challenging. You’ll learn by lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops and individual supervision, supported by digital materials, notes and handbooks.
You’ll be expected to do your own independent study to build on your learning. University is more demanding than school or college in what it expects from you, so you’ll need to be motivated to earn your degree.
Our lecturers have strong links with government, industry and the wider academic community, so you’ll have lots of opportunities to learn outside of the lecture theatre and seminar room.
If you play an active role throughout the course, joining in with debates and attending guest talks, conferences and events, you’ll enhance your learning and find that the more you put in, the more you get out.
You’ll be encouraged to volunteer or undertake work experience to broaden your experience and learn in ways that academic study alone can’t give you. And you may be expected to do some work in groups with other students to gain fresh perspectives.
Your future career
UEL Criminology and Law graduates have found work in a wide variety of roles, with some pursuing a career in related fields while others have used the transferable skills they learned to pursue other opportunities.
The course has a strong focus on preparing for employment, with a specific employability module in year two geared towards providing you with the best advice on preparing for the job market and applying for jobs.
Whether you decide to pursue a directly relevant career or not, you’ll learn skills that appeal to employers in any sector, including writing and presenting, the ability to make a case, meet deadlines and work independently.
Students have found jobs in a number of related areas, such as:
▪ The police, prison and probation services
▪ Central and local government
▪ Social work
▪ Voluntary organisations and charities.
Our graduates have also found roles in other fields, such as market research, journalism, teaching and other public-sector roles, or gone on to postgraduate study.
To enhance your career prospects, we run a dedicated employability programme for students in the School of Business and Law. Called 'Employ', it includes employability workshops, skills training sessions, guest speaker events, voluntary work, student ambassador roles and work experience opportunities.
