Criminology and Law BA (Hons)

This course is in clearing

Why study at UEL?

Top 40 UK university

Guardian University Guide 2026

1st in England

Overall Positivity, National Student Survey 2026

Fastest Rising in England for graduate employability

Graduate Outcomes Survey 2025

Overview

Course modules

Gain foundational knowledge of law, crime and sociology in this foundation year introducing you to law and criminology.

Year one of this criminology and law course will give you a good understanding of the law and its place in the criminal justice system. It will prepare you for the next two years of study.

In the first two years, you'll build firm foundations by studying key subjects in criminology and law, like modules that include Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice, the Legal System and Legal Methods, and Criminal Law.

In your final year, you'll complete a large, independently researched project on a relevant criminology or law topic. 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. Studying this course will prepare you for jobs in criminology and/or the legal profession.

NOTE: Modules are subject to change. For those studying part time courses the modules may vary.

Download course specification

Entry requirements

Degree:

112 UCAS points

This is the standard advertised entry requirement for most students applying to this course.

Degree with contextual offer:

96 UCAS points

You may be eligible for a reduced offer based on your personal, educational or socioeconomic background.

Degree with foundation year:

64 UCAS points

If you do not meet the standard entry requirements, you can apply for a foundation year. This additional year prepares you with the academic skills needed to progress to the full undergraduate degree.

 

Pre-entry programmes


If you lack formal or current qualifications, there are routes available to help you achieve your goal. 

Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

Your previous qualifications, uncompleted study or industry experience may mean you can start your studies at a later point in the course and influence your eligibility for entry

What makes this course different

1st in London

Our sociology courses ranked 1st in London for “Teaching on my course” and “Assessment and Feedback” (National Student Survey 2023, Results published 10 August 2023)

See full NSS survey results

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 law facilities such as our dedicated chamber for moots and mock trials.

See our facilities

Course options

Start date

Degree

UCAS code: M911

Criminology and Law BA (Hons), home applicant, full time

  • Home Applicant ,
  • This course is in Clearing,
  • Full time, 3 years
  • £ 9,790 per year. Subject to change, see Fees, Funding and Additional Costs below

Criminology and Law BA (Hons), international applicant, full time

  • International Applicant
  • Full time, 3 years
  • £ 16020 per year

Degree with foundation year

with foundation year
UCAS code: LM60

Criminology and Law BA (Hons), home applicant, full time

  • Home Applicant ,
  • This course is in Clearing,
  • Full time, 4 years
  • £ 9,790 per year. Subject to change, see Fees, Funding and Additional Costs below

Criminology and Law BA (Hons), international applicant, full time

  • International Applicant
  • Full time, 4 years
  • £ 16020 per year

Careers Guarantee

The UEL Careers Guarantee is the University’s commitment to supporting you with your career development during your studies and after you graduate. It brings together careers guidance, employability support and opportunities designed to help you prepare for work or further study.

What can I do with this degree?

Combining criminology and law opens up careers across the justice system, legal profession and public sector. Graduates go on to work as:

  • Crime Analyst
  • Policy advisors, researchers or civil servants
  • Advocates and caseworkers in NGOs and human rights organisations

Many continue into postgraduate study, including an LLM or MSc Criminology, to specialise further or move into academia, policy research and senior legal roles. The breadth of this degree means employers across law, government and the voluntary sector take notice.

Official student data from Discover Uni

The banner below displays some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).

How you'll learn

This course takes you from the theory of law and crime into the realities of how justice systems operate in practice. You’ll explore topics such as criminal law, human rights, policing, sentencing, race and justice, and contemporary crime challenges from digital offending to global organised crime.



Throughout your studies, you’ll build advanced research and legal reasoning skills, learning to evaluate policy, analyse evidence, and make informed recommendations for reform.



Students also have opportunities to engage in work-based learning and volunteering, linking academic study to real-world advocacy and policy impact.



Many of our graduates progress to careers in law, the voluntary sector, civil service, NGOs, and postgraduate study including Master’s and PhD research in criminology, law and human rights.

Guided independent study

When not attending timetabled lectures or workshops, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This will typically involve skills development through online study, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, and preparing coursework assignments and presentations.

Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, and specialist facilities, such as edit suites, the library, the full Microsoft Office software, including MS Teams, and Moodle: our Virtual Learning Environment.

Some students have worked as volunteer community support officers, while others have volunteered in local community groups. If you choose this approach, you'll be able to count your community experience towards your degree

Academic support

If you need a bit of extra help with certain skills such as academic writing, English, maths, or statistics, our Academic Tutors offer workshops, drop-in sessions, and one-to-one appointments to help our students achieve their potential. 

You can receive advice and guidance on all aspects of the IT systems provided by the university from our IT Service Desks located on all three campuses.

Our Student Support hubs in Docklands and Stratford feature centralised helpdesks to cater to your every need. UEL provides also support and advice for disabled students and those with specific learning difficulties (SPDs).

Dedicated personal tutor

When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of the academic course team who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at UEL and who will show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer.

Workload

Your overall workload consists of class and online tutor-led sessions, individual learning, and practical activities. The size of classes can vary depending on the nature of the course, module, and activity. This can range from large groups in a lecture theatre setting, to smaller groups taking part in seminars and collaborative work. You will receive your personalised timetable at the beginning of the academic year depending on your course.

Your timetable

Your individualised timetable is normally available within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9.00am and 6.00pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.

Class sizes

To give you an indication of class sizes, this course normally attracts 40 - 50 students a year. Lecture sizes are normally 40 plus students.

In workshops, you will be taught in groups of 12 - 15 students. However, this can vary by academic year.

How you'll be assessed

Assessment tasks are mainly spread across the year to make the workload manageable. Assessment methods include group work, exams and individual work including essays, presentations, case studies, professional development and practical activities depending on the nature of the course. All grades count towards your module mark. More details will be included in the student handbook and module guides. You will always receive detailed feedback outlining your strengths and how you can improve. 

We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 15 working days, although you will receive immediate feedback following many of our face-to-face assessments.

Campus and facilities

Who teaches this course

This course is delivered by Royal Docks School of Business and Law

The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.

What our students and staff say

Students at USS Campus
It was fantastic - a really good course. 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 backs up your theoretical learning."

Besnik Vrapi

BA (Hons) Criminology and Criminal Justice graduate

Emma Cunningham, seated and smiling
I love teaching Criminology to my UEL students, as well as using the amazing facilities on campus. I find that they have something new to teach me each year, too."

Dr Emma Cunningham

Senior lecturer, Criminology