Law with Criminology (Placement Year) LLB Hons

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Lancaster University

Program Overview

Lancaster University’s Law with Criminology LLB (Hons) with Placement Year combines a rigorous legal education with a deep exploration of crime, justice, and social order. This degree is ideal for students who are passionate about understanding the legal system while gaining insight into the causes and consequences of criminal behaviour. Alongside your academic studies, the placement year allows you to gain invaluable real-world experience in a legal, criminal justice, or policy-related environment, giving you a competitive edge in your future career.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:
Your first year lays the foundation in core legal principles and criminological theory. You’ll study modules such as Criminal Law, Contract Law, and Crime and Society, developing critical thinking and analytical skills essential to both disciplines. This stage introduces you to how laws are created, interpreted, and applied within society.

Year 2:
In the second year, you’ll explore more complex legal systems and criminal justice processes through modules like Public Law, Land Law, and Policing, Punishment and Society. You’ll also develop research and advocacy skills, preparing you for your upcoming placement and real-world problem solving.

Placement Year:
During your third year, you’ll gain hands-on experience with employers such as law firms, government agencies, NGOs, or social justice organisations. This immersive year allows you to apply your academic learning in professional settings, enhancing your employability and practical understanding of the justice system.

Year 4:
Returning to campus, you’ll focus on advanced areas such as Equity and Trusts, Criminal Justice in the Modern World, and Human Rights and Civil Liberties. You’ll also undertake a dissertation or research project that allows you to delve deeply into a topic of personal and professional interest, showcasing your analytical and independent research skills.

Focus Areas: Criminal law, criminology, public policy, justice systems, human rights, and social order.

Learning Outcomes: Strong understanding of legal frameworks, ability to analyse criminal justice processes, practical experience in legal and policy contexts, advanced research and communication skills, and professional readiness for law or criminology careers.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): This program is a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD), meeting the academic requirements for those aiming to pursue the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) or the Bar pathway in England and Wales.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): Lancaster University is consistently ranked among the UK’s top 15 universities, with its Law School recognised for excellent graduate employability and strong employer connections. The placement year further enhances career readiness by giving students meaningful professional experience before graduation.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Lancaster University, the Law with Criminology LLB (Hons) with Placement Year is designed to ensure students don’t just learn about the law and crime—they experience how these systems work in real-world contexts. The program blends academic theory with hands-on professional engagement, preparing students to confidently navigate legal, policy, and justice environments. Throughout the degree, students gain practical legal experience, research expertise, and analytical skills that are directly relevant to careers in both law and criminology. The placement year is a standout feature, allowing students to apply their knowledge in practice and build meaningful professional connections.

Students have access to exceptional facilities, professional opportunities, and digital tools that bring learning to life:

Law Clinic and the Innocence Project: Work on real cases under academic supervision, helping clients seek justice and developing advocacy and client-interviewing skills.
Placement Year Experience: Spend up to 12 months working with a law firm, government department, charity, or justice organisation to gain professional insight and strengthen employability.
Mock Courtrooms and Mooting Exercises: Practice legal argumentation and case presentation in simulated court environments, refining public speaking and reasoning skills.
Criminology Fieldwork and Research: Engage in data collection, crime pattern analysis, and community-based research using modern criminological tools.
Digital Learning Tools: Use online legal databases and software such as Westlaw and LexisNexis to conduct legal research with professional-level precision.
Specialist Library Resources: Access one of the UK’s leading law libraries and digital archives for in-depth research in both legal and criminological studies.
Guest Lectures and Employer Workshops: Learn directly from practicing solicitors, barristers, criminologists, and policy experts who share current industry insights.

This strong focus on experiential learning ensures graduates not only understand the complexities of law and criminology but also have the professional experience and confidence to succeed in a competitive global field.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from Lancaster University’s Law with Criminology LLB (Hons) with Placement Year are exceptionally well-prepared for careers that combine legal knowledge with a strong understanding of criminal behaviour and justice systems. The combination of academic depth, professional placement experience, and analytical skill development positions students for success in roles such as solicitor, barrister, policy advisor, probation officer, or criminal justice researcher. The degree’s practical placement year also gives students the confidence, network, and work experience that many employers actively seek.

Lancaster’s career support and professional connections ensure that every student is guided toward achieving their career goals:

Careers and Internship Service: Offers one-to-one career guidance, employer networking events, and placement support throughout your degree.
Placement Year Advantage: Provides up to a full year of relevant industry experience, enhancing employability and professional insight.
Employer Partnerships: Strong collaborations with local law firms, criminal justice agencies, and policy institutions give students access to real-world opportunities.
Accreditation Value: The degree is a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD), meaning it meets the academic requirements for progressing to the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) or Bar training in England and Wales.
Graduate Success: Lancaster Law graduates consistently report high employability rates and enter diverse professions within law, government, business, and social justice sectors.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this program, students can advance to postgraduate study through a Master of Laws (LLM) in areas like Criminal Justice, International Law, or Human Rights. Others may pursue the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) or Bar Course to qualify professionally, or continue with academic research through a PhD in Law or Criminology.