LLB Criminal Law

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Aberystwyth University

Program Overview

The LLB in Criminal Law at Aberystwyth is designed for students who are fascinated by the justice system and want to make a real impact in law and society. It blends foundational legal knowledge with specialised criminal law training, giving you the skills to analyse, argue, and understand law in both theory and practice.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: You’ll start with core legal principles to build a strong foundation, including Criminal Law, Contract Law, Tort Law, and Legal Skills and Research. This year is all about understanding the building blocks of law and developing the analytical and reasoning skills you’ll need throughout your degree.

Year 2: You’ll deepen your study with modules like European Law, Equity and Trusts, and Land Law, while also engaging in criminal law-focused electives such as Criminal Justice Policy or Policing and Society. This allows you to start specialising in criminal law while still gaining a broad legal perspective.

Year 3: In your final year, you’ll choose advanced criminal law modules and have the opportunity to undertake a dissertation. Modules may include Advanced Criminal Law, Criminal Evidence, Law of Sentencing, or Dispute Resolution, giving you the chance to explore areas of interest and gain research experience, preparing you for both professional practice and postgraduate study.

Focus areas: criminal law, criminal justice, dispute resolution, sentencing, law of evidence, policing, human rights law

Learning outcomes: ability to analyse criminal law principles, evaluate evidence, apply legal reasoning to real cases, conduct independent research, communicate legal arguments clearly both orally and in writing

Professional alignment (accreditation): recognised qualifying law degree in England & Wales — a step toward professional legal training for solicitor or barrister pathways

Reputation (employability rankings): graduates are highly regarded for both academic rigour and practical readiness, with strong employment outcomes in law, criminal justice, and related fields

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

When you study Criminal Law at Aberystwyth, your learning goes far beyond lectures. You’ll gain hands-on experience that brings the law to life, from working on real case studies to practising courtroom skills. The program is designed to help you build confidence, sharpen your legal thinking, and develop practical skills that will make you workplace-ready the moment you graduate.

Here’s how your experience will be enriched:

Hands-on legal practice: Engage with practical case studies and projects that mirror real-life criminal law situations, helping you apply theory in realistic contexts.
Mooting and advocacy training: Participate in mock trials and advocacy exercises that strengthen your research, public speaking, and argumentation skills.
Work placements and professional exposure: Optional placements in criminal justice or related organisations give you real-world experience and insight into career paths.
Specialist library and research resources: Access a law-focused library and digital research tools that support your assignments, moots, and independent projects.
Collaborative projects and networking: Work in groups on legal projects, attend workshops, and take part in extra-curricular law society activities to develop teamwork and professional connections.

This program ensures that by the time you graduate, you’re not only confident in your understanding of criminal law but also equipped with practical skills and experiences that employers value.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from the LLB Criminal Law program leave Aberystwyth with the confidence, knowledge, and practical skills to step into a variety of careers. Many go on to work in criminal law practice, the wider legal profession, or roles in public services, while others take their expertise into areas like corporate compliance or policy advisory. With this degree, you’ll be equipped to pursue roles such as criminal solicitor, legal advisor, probation officer, or policy analyst:

Career support services: The university’s Careers Service helps with CV writing, interview preparation, networking opportunities, and placements with law firms or criminal justice organisations.
Employment outcomes and earning potential: Graduates often secure employment or further study soon after graduation, and early-career salaries reflect the strong value of a law degree.
University–industry connections: Partnerships with local law firms, probation services, and community legal projects provide practical exposure and networking opportunities.
Long-term professional value: The degree is recognised for professional legal training in England & Wales, offering a clear pathway to qualifying as a solicitor or barrister.
Graduation outcomes: Students graduate with strong analytical, research, and advocacy skills, making them competitive candidates in law, criminal justice, public administration, and related fields.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing your LLB, you can choose to deepen your expertise with postgraduate studies such as an LLM in Criminal Law, or pursue research-focused degrees like an MPhil or PhD. You may also progress to professional legal training to qualify as a solicitor or barrister, opening doors to advanced practice or specialist legal careers.