Law and Criminal Justice LLB (Hons)
Subject and course type
- Law, Criminal Justice and Criminology
- Undergraduate
If you’re fascinated by the application of law and the criminal justice system, kickstart your career with our Law and Criminal Justice LLB (Hons) degree course. Law at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ is ranked within the top three in London for six out of seven of the NSS 2024 themes, and is No.1 for Student Voice and Organisation and Management.
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Explore the intersection between the legal and criminal justice systems
Kickstart your career in Law and Criminal Justice.
If you want to pursue a career as a lawyer, solicitor or barrister, this course provides the foundational legal knowledge as defined by the and the to pursue training in the legal profession. Meaning, you will graduate with the understanding you need to choose a career path and the qualification, skills and experience to enable you to do so.
You will have a wealth of opportunities outside the classroom to further your learning and gain hands-on experience in your chosen field. There are a range of extracurricular activities available, from court visits in central London to national and international law competitions. We also invite guest speakers from industry, our alumni and academic experts to share their experiences. This often leads to internships with prestigious organisations such as SecurityWomen and the Minority Rights Group International.
Why choose this course
If you want to pursue a career in law but remain open to other opportunities within the criminal justice system, this could be the right course for you. You will learn about the criminal justice system and debate the application of justice, using a case study approach to ground your studies in real world situations.
Our Law and Criminal Justice LLB (Hons) degree will enable you to study the foundations of legal knowledge required as part of the training for the Bar. In addition to this, you will critically engage with the legal system itself and develop an understanding of the principles underpinning crime control.
You will gain skills in analysis and evidence evaluation, dispute resolution, project management and communication, which are vital for working in the criminal justice system. To embed your studies in lived understanding, you will learn from practitioners who work in the criminal justice system. In addition, you will have opportunities to conduct field work in the areas of law and criminal justice that most interest you, in order to help you develop your practical skills.
Prepare for global impact
Kingston School of Law, Social and Behavioural Sciences offers courses in economics, sociology, law, psychology and criminology. Our degrees are underpinned by a vibrant research culture and delivered by a blend of practitioners and academics who are dedicated to equipping you with the employability skills to thrive in your career.
Course content
Please note: optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.
Foundation year - Social Sciences
If you would like to study this degree at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ but are not yet ready to join the first year of an LLB (Hons) course, you may want to consider studying this course with a foundation year.
Year 1
Year 1 introduces the English Legal System and Methods, including how to access and use legal materials. Public Law covers the UK's constitution and relationships between individuals and state. Law of Tort considers civil wrongs such as negligence, nuisance and occupier's liability. Law of Contract explores binding agreements and breaches.
Core modules
30.00 credits
This module develops your understanding of the English Legal System (ELS) - courts, procedure and sources of law - in order to make sense of your legal studies.
You will be equipped with a legal methods toolkit, covering skills for research, analysis and writing relevant to your studies and in legal practice.
This module also has a strong emphasis on developing your personal and professional skills. We will help you to build your professional identity and global citizenship, enhancing your understanding of ethical issues, values, design thinking and commercial awareness. You will be guided by your Personal Tutor to plan your own personal and professional development journey and identify your core graduate attributes.
30 credits
The law of contract is the law of legally enforceable agreements and is at the heart of the English common law. It is one of the seven foundations of legal knowledge and invariably forms part of any degree with an overt legal content. It describes the rules which govern commercial activity, allowing businesses and consumers to maintain stable, consistent relationships over time and over distance. The law of contract covers everything from a complex multi-party agreement to construct a stadium, the employment of the cleaners and the star players, as well as the purchase of a hot dog from a stall outside.
30.00 credits
The module introduces you to the constitutional and administrative law of the United Kingdom through a study of the core constitutional principles present within the UK legal system and the control of executive action by the courts. The module provides an essential introduction to the study of law since the validity of any particular law is a function of a constitutional rule which establishes manner, form and necessary pedigree for what is to qualify as a valid particular or occasional law.
30 credits
Tort can be described as the area of civil law which provides a remedy for a party who has suffered the breach of a protected interest. The module focuses on the wide range of activity to which tort law applies and examines the remedies it provides for many different types of loss or harm. Tort is also one of the foundations of legal knowledge subjects required by the professional bodies as part of a qualifying law degree for those seeking entry to the legal profession.
Year 2
In Year 2 you will build on what you have learned in Year 1. Your Land Law module will cover property ownership, use and rights. In the Criminal Law module you will study murder, theft and sexual crimes. Exploring EU Law considers the single market (informed by recent politics). You'll also develop critical insight into key issues and controversies in the delivery of justice by our principal criminal justice institutions: the police, prison and probation services. You will explore the range of different penalties available and the changing ways in which 'justice' is conceptualised and delivered.
Core modules
30 credits
Land law studies the nature of land, the history of the current legislative structure and third party interests in, on and over private land in England and Wales. It introduces the concepts behind ownership and use of private land, considering also how the law operates in the context of freehold and leasehold title, rights of way and squatters' rights.
30 credits
This module studies the general principles of criminal liability, definitions of what constitutes particular crimes and offences, and how that law affects particular circumstances. This involves not only a critical examination of the law, but also, using hypothetical factual situations, an understanding its detailed application.
30 credits
The European Union's (EU) development has had a significant impact in Europe and globally. Although the UK has left the EU, its law is still relevant not only because it remains part of the applicable law of the UK, but also to understand how the UK now interacts with the EU.
You will develop detailed knowledge and in-depth understanding of the core areas of EU law, and the relationship between the EU and its member states and the respective role of the Court of Justice of the European Union and national courts in applying EU law.
This module also has a strong focus on developing your employability skills. You will take part in personal development activities designed to strengthen your professional identity and global citizenship, while expanding your knowledge of legal practice in different professional contexts.
30 credits
This module provides you with a critical insight into key issues and controversies in the delivery of justice by our principal criminal justice institutions: the police, prison and probation services.
You will learn about the historical context of these key institutions of justice, as well as the main issues confronting the criminal justice system in the 21st century.
You will explore the range of different penalties available, from fines and community sentences to restorative justice, and the changing ways in which ‘justice' is conceptualised and delivered, or not delivered, in the present day, particularly with respect to the changing place of the victim. You will connect theory to practice through projects in partnership with external organisations.
Optional year
You will also have the opportunity to spend a year abroad on work placement or studying at one of our partner institutions in North America, Europe, Australia or Asia.
Professional placement year
This course has a professional placement year option which takes place between Year 2 and your Final year. During this professional placement year you will take a placement within a relevant setting, ensuring you gain essential experience to add to your CV and help you secure a graduate job.
Final year
In the Final Year, you will study Equity and Trusts, which considers wills, charitable trusts, and trustees. You will also study Law in Context, which will help you develop your legal reasoning and other key employability skills.
For the rest of your study you will be able to shape your degree around what interests you the most.
Core modules
30.00 credits
This module examines the idea of conscience in English law. It looks at how, historically, equity developed from the King in order to ameliorate the problems caused by an increasingly inflexible common law, at a time when Parliament met infrequently. The concept of the trust, where ownership is divided between legal and beneficial owners, is examined, including the conscience-inspired constructive trust, and the use of the trust in many contexts, including charity law. The administration of trusts is also considered.
30 credits
This module will help you to develop legal reasoning skills in specific legal contexts, such as environmental law, criminal justice, employment issues, business law, company law and family matters.
You'll analyse legal issues and how they apply to real-life scenarios, enhancing your employability skills. You'll also have a choice of pathways in which you can showcase your legal research, writing and presentation skills in a topic that interests you.
We will help you to further strengthen your professional skills, encouraging you to critically evaluate your own personal development and plan for your future career.
Optional modules (choose 60 credits)
30 credits
This module introduces you to the criminal law responsibility of private individuals and their human rights protection under international law.
The first part of the module focuses on the mechanisms of international criminal justice, and the law that underpins it. The sources and fundamental principles of ICL, institutional aspects of ICL are explored, from the Nuremberg Tribunals, to the international Criminal Court (ICC), as well as established international crimes (genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes).
The second part of the module focuses on essential aspects of international human rights law. It examines the main international instruments which provide protection for human rights, substantive established human rights, the importance of the distinction between global and regional protection of human rights, with a special focus on the European Convention of Human Rights, as well as the mechanisms in place to protect and enforce these rights.
The final part of the module focuses on a number of crimes, analysed both from an international criminal law and international human rights perspective, such as the crime of torture.
15 credits
This module brings criminological theories and perspectives to bear on the uses of criminal law in contemporary societies. Students will have the opportunity to think critically about selected current and emerging topics in criminal law and explore how the relationship between the elements of crimes and the processes of criminalisation change over time.
As new technological developments present challenges to existing frameworks in criminal law, offending behaviour in cyberspace and the uses of artificial intelligence in the delivery of criminal justice raise important criminological issues in law reform. Similarly, popular and media narratives about social disorder often expose the limits of the criminal law and how such limits may be justified – should the criminal law have a place in the construction of the self and identities in public and private spheres?
The module examines a range of current and emerging problems that raise questions about law and power in crime control, individual autonomy and consent, security and liberty in criminalisation and decriminalisation, surveillance technology in law enforcement, and the protection of vulnerable groups.
30.00 credits
The dispute resolution module makes extensive use of role-play in order to develop a deeper understanding of the dynamics that underlie conflicts, and of the process of dispute resolution. Comparisons are made with litigation and with other adversarial and quasi-judicial mechanisms to place mediation and negotiation in context. Themes are identified and discussed, often using role-plays, and the social and psychological aspects considered. The module also covers theories of conflict and conflict management, and the general landscape of dispute resolution.
15 credits
This module considers the rules, processes and institutions involved in responding to young offenders. Together, these elements shape what is deemed the youth justice system as separate from the standard criminal justice system designed for adults.
From the point of arrest through to sentencing, you will be equipped to analyse the relevant legal framework and wider criminological research.
This module also has an international dimension, covering the basis, evaluation and enforcement of international human rights standards.
15 credits
Global migration has intensified rapidly since 1960, with the UNPD estimating an increase from 80 to 210 million by 2009. It has become a contentious political topic with far-reaching consequences for contemporary societies, and arguably for established sociological paradigms (e.g. methodological nationalism).
The module will equip students to understand and investigate in depth the social dynamics of migration and its consequences, and enable them to offer informed and critical comment on contemporary debates (e.g. media coverage of migration, on the economics of migration, and on migration's consequences for social solidarity). It is organised to reflect on social issues such as social mobility, poverty, gender and education, inequality and citizenship as they relate to different types of international mobility, and to explore fundamental consequences of migration for shaping social relations at local and global levels.
This module will introduce students to current trends in migration flows, to the different types of human mobility and the dynamics behind them, and to governments' responses to the social, political and legal challenges raised by international migration. In addition, students will have the opportunity to develop their own professional thinking in this field.
15 credits
This module explores miscarriages of justice: the issues, circumstances, and responses to problems in criminal justice processes that result in wrongful convictions.
You will consider theoretical, empirical, and practical explanations of miscarriages of justice with particular focus on the nature and construction of evidence. Therefore you will also be introduced to the law of criminal evidence, with insights from forensic science, psychology, and sociology.
This module also examines significant case studies – some historical and some contemporary – with opportunities to consider developments in comparable jurisdictions. You will be exposed to current and challenging debates about justice, rights, innocence, remedies and compensation that surround these cases.
30 credits
This is a Level 6 optional module that draws upon social science debates and knowledges. Students will learn by observing and undertaking work-based practice. The principle underlying this module is that worksites are important contexts for students to test, validate, expand upon, supplement and enrich their academic learning.
The module requires students to undertake a minimum of 40 hours of fieldwork in an organisational setting. The form that the fieldwork will take will depend upon the type of placement secured, but, typically it may involve interning, shadowing or volunteering in subject relevant placements (for example across social justice, criminal justice/crime prevention, welfare and support fields).
Whilst in their placements students are encouraged to think about the social aspects of organisations and working life, including their structural forms, interpersonal relationships and their practices. Students will be supported in securing their placement at Level 5 in preparation for the commencement of the module at Level 6.
15 credits
This module introduces you to philosophical underpinnings of justice, including ethics and morality. You will explore a range of case studies and the exercise of justice in different national and international contexts, including in response to war crimes and breaches of human rights, such as the work of the international criminal court and the role of truth and reconciliation commissions.
The module recreates real-world tasks you may encounter upon graduation in practitioner and policy focused environments. You will have flexibility in your assessments to grapple with justice in UK or international contexts.
15 credits
This module considers the place of drugs in society, ways of policing of drugs, and justice issues concerned with the possession, use, and supply of drugs.
You will analyse the wider societal harms linked to drug use, including drug-related crime, as well as the politics of drugs control itself. You will learn about the effects of drug consumption and dependency on the individuals who use drugs, with a spotlight on the UK's most popular drugs of choice, both illegal (e.g. cannabis) and legal (e.g. alcohol), as well as the misuse of medicines.
You will engage in topical debates around the efficacy of drug prohibition in reducing supply/demand, the potential costs (monetary and social) of drug law enforcement, and the adoption of a criminal justice approach, as opposed to a health-based approach, to drugs.
Future Skills and career opportunities
Graduates will be well-placed for careers in the legal profession, criminal justice system and advocacy. You will be able to pursue opportunities in law, as a solicitor or barrister, in the usual way as in a non-criminal justice field as you will qualify with an LLB.
There are new Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) requirements emerging, which an LLB Law graduate will need to satisfy to practise law in any field. However, there are also a wide range of career opportunities outside of law in criminal justice.
Careers where a legal qualification is not required but law and criminal justice knowledge would be useful include the police or detective degree entry pathway, the Probation Service, the Prison Service, the civil service fast stream, the Health and Safety Executive, research organisations, Liberty, Amnesty International and a variety of charity and campaigning groups.
Embedded within the Law and Criminal Justice LLB (Hons) course and throughout the whole Kingston experience is our Future Skills programme. The Future Skills programme was developed to respond to the ever evolving demands from modern day employment.
It will help you obtain the skills most valued by employers, such as problem-solving, digital competency, and adaptability, and learn how to apply these skills in different scenarios. You’ll also learn how to articulate to employers how being able to do so gives you the edge.
You will take part in an Assessment Centre Experience, providing the opportunity to experience the pathway to employment with tailored feedback:
- develop your understanding of the jobs market, including current trends and opportunities, different recruitment processes and how to identify relevant roles
- receive personalised feedback reports to help you to improve and progress
- access additional webinars on top tips, employer expectations and best practice
Social Sciences Café (SSC) is a series of events within the Department of Criminology and Social Sciences, which aims to help prepare students for life after graduation. Students can take part in seminars on employability skills and postgraduate studies, speaker and panel events on topical issues that engage the broader ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ (KU) community, and social events linked to key moments in the academic calendar.
SSC is often visited by KU graduates working in the public, private and third sector in the UK and around the world, who are keen to share their career journeys and advice for students at an early stage of their career planning. These events can also be visited by professionals for ‘meet the employer' advice and networking sessions.
At ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ, we're not just keeping up with change, we're creating it
For more information on how Kingston prepares you for the future job market, visit our Future Skills page.
Teaching and assessment
Scheduled learning and teaching on this course includes timetabled activities including lectures, seminars and small group tutorials.
Outside the scheduled learning and teaching hours, you will learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, preparing for and completing your work for assessments. Some independent study work may need to be completed on-campus, as you may need to access campus-based facilities such as studios and labs.
Our academic support team here at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ provides help in a range of areas.
When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of academic staff who will provide academic guidance, support you throughout your time at Kingston and show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ.
A course is made up of modules, and each module is worth a number of credits. You must pass a given number of credits in order to achieve the award you registered on, for example 360 credits for a typical undergraduate course or 180 credits for a typical postgraduate course. The number of credits you need for your award is detailed in the programme specification which you can access from the link at the bottom of this page.
One credit equates to 10 hours of study. Therefore 120 credits across a year (typical for an undergraduate course) would equate to 1,200 notional hours. These hours are split into scheduled and guided. On this course, the percentage of that time that will be scheduled learning and teaching activities is shown below for each year of study. The remainder is made up of guided independent study.
- Year 1: 22% scheduled learning and teaching
- Year 2: 22% scheduled learning and teaching
- Year 3: 20% scheduled learning and teaching
The exact balance between scheduled learning and teaching and guided independent study will be informed by the modules you take.
Your course will primarily be delivered in person. It may include delivery of some activities online, either in real time or recorded.
Types of assessment
- Year 1: Coursework 63%; practical 10%; exam 27%
- Year 2: Coursework 41%; practical 16%; exam 43%
- Year 3: Coursework 70%; exams 30%
Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. If your course includes optional modules, this breakdown may change to reflect the modules chosen.
We aim to provide feedback to you on your assessments within 20 working days.
Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student friendly as possible, scheduled learning and teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9am and 6pm. 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.
Fees and funding
| Fee category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | £9,535* |
| International | |
| Year 1 (2025/26): | £18,500 |
| Year 2 (2026/27): | £19,200 |
| Year 3 (2027/28): | £19,900 |
The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student. In 2025/26 the fees for this course are above.
Please visit the Fees and Funding page for more information.
For courses with Professional Placement, the fee for the placement year can be viewed on the undergraduate fees table. The placement fee published is for the relevant academic year stated in the table. This fee is subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.
* For full time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.
Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest-rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.
Scholarships and bursaries
For students interested in studying this course at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support.
Isola Bursary
Kingston alumnus, Peter Isola, set up the Isola Bursary to help those from under-resourced backgrounds pursue a career in Law. Priority for the Isola Bursary is given to those from households with an income of £25,000 or less however, meeting the criteria does not guarantee a bursary, as there is a limited number available.
Eligible students will be identified automatically and you do not need to apply for the bursary. However, please ensure that you do apply for your student finance support as you must have a household income assessment fully completed by the relevant organisation (with all evidence verified) in order to be considered for the Isola Bursary.
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Our libraries have an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as open-access computers and laptops available to rent. However, you may want to buy your own computer or personal copies of key textbooks. Textbooks may range from £50 to £250 per year. And a personal computer can range from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.
While most coursework is submitted online, some modules may require printed copies. You may want to allocate up to £100 per year for hard-copies of your coursework. It’s worth noting that 3D printing is never compulsory. So if you choose to use our 3D printers, you’ll need to pay for the material. This ranges from 3p per gram to 40p per gram.
ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ will pay for all compulsory field trips. Fees for optional trips can range from £30 to £350 per trip.
Your tuition fees don’t cover travel costs. To save on travel costs, you can use our free intersite bus service. This route links the campuses and halls of residence with local train stations - Surbiton, Kingston upon Thames, and Norbiton.
If you choose to do a placement year, travel costs will vary depending on your location. These costs could be up to £2,000.
Law competitions
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Client interviewing competition
Kingston Law students participate annually in this competition that promotes development of the essential skills involved with client interviewing. It is an excellent opportunity for students who are likely to have a direct contact with clients in the legal profession (e.g. as solicitors).
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National Student Negotiation competition
Our Law students regularly participate in the Regional Finals of this competition. This annual competition which aims to develop excellent negotiation skills is organised by the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) in London.
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International Criminal Court (ICC) Moot Court competition
Our students with an interest in Public International Law, International Criminal Law, and those who wish to continue their career as barristers often come together to compete annually in the final round in The Hague, the Netherlands. ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ Law has won the UK round twice and has finished as runner-up twice.
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Space Law Moot Court competition
Law students from ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ enjoy participating in the European Rounds of this competition, traditionally taking place in continental Europe. The Competition, organised annually by the European Centre for Space Law (ECSL) and the International Institute of Space Law (IISL), is recommended for students who would like to work in the fields of aviation, space or telecommunications law.
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Human Rights Moot Court Competition
Kingston Law students participated in the 2023 regional round of this competition in Tbilisi, Georgia. The Competition is organised annually by the European Law Students' Association, and focuses on the European Convention on Human Rights.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes
for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
Key information
The scrolling banner below displays some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).
