LL.B. Law with Criminology

Program Overview

Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) in the United Kingdom offers a compelling LL.B. (Hons) Law with Criminology program, providing students with a robust understanding of legal principles alongside a critical insight into crime, criminal justice, and societal responses to offending. This innovative combined honours degree is designed for those seeking a deep understanding of the intersection between law and criminology, recognizing that legal frameworks often shape and are shaped by criminal behaviour and social structures. The program maintains its status as a Qualifying Law Degree, fulfilling the academic component required for aspiring solicitors and barristers, while simultaneously equipping graduates with specialized knowledge in criminology.

Curriculum: The LL.B. Law with Criminology curriculum at CCCU is meticulously structured to ensure a comprehensive education in both disciplines. The law component covers all the essential Foundation of Legal Knowledge modules mandated for a qualifying law degree, including core subjects such as Criminal Law, Public Law (with Human Rights), the Law of the European Union, Obligations (Contract, Restitution, and Tort), Property Law, Equity and the Law of Trusts, and the English Legal System. Parallel to this, the criminology modules delve into crucial topics like criminological theory, the criminal justice system (including policing, courts, and corrections), victimology, and the social context of crime. Students develop critical legal reasoning, research skills, and the ability to analyze complex societal issues related to crime and justice through a blend of lectures, seminars, workshops, and practical exercises like mooting.

Research Focus: The LL.B. Law with Criminology program at Canterbury Christ Church University benefits from being taught by an academic team with extensive experience and active research portfolios within the School of Law, Policing, and Social Sciences. This ensures the curriculum is informed by current academic debates and real-world issues in both legal studies and criminology. Research interests among the faculty span diverse areas such as policing and penology, victims and victimology, human rights in the criminal justice system, international criminal law, and the sociology of crime and deviance. This strong research foundation enables students to engage with contemporary debates on justice, punishment, and social control, and to contribute to a deeper understanding of the causes and consequences of crime.

Industry Engagement: Industry engagement is a key feature of the LL.B. Law with Criminology program at CCCU, significantly enhancing graduate employability. The university has strong links with the local legal community, including Citizens Advice and local courts. Students can gain invaluable practical experience through initiatives such as the Community Legal Companion (CLOCK) programme, where they can volunteer at local law courts to assist unrepresented parties, and participation in live mediations at the university's in-house Mediation Clinic. Beyond the legal sector, the criminology component provides opportunities to engage with criminal justice agencies through relevant case studies and potential guest speakers from policing, probation, or prison services, providing practical insights into the realities of the criminal justice system.

Global Perspective: The LL.B. Law with Criminology program at Canterbury Christ Church University inherently integrates a global perspective, recognizing the transnational nature of both legal systems and criminal phenomena. The curriculum includes modules on the Law of the European Union, providing an understanding of supranational legal frameworks. Furthermore, the criminology aspect often explores comparative criminal justice systems, international crime (such as human trafficking, terrorism, and cybercrime), and global responses to these issues. The diverse academic staff, many with international backgrounds, bring varied global insights into the classroom, fostering discussions on universal human rights within a criminal justice context and preparing graduates to understand and potentially address global crime and justice challenges.