Law with Criminology LLB (Hons)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Portsmouth

Program Overview

This Law with Criminology degree blends rigorous legal training with a deep dive into criminal behaviour, social justice and the workings of criminal justice systems — giving you both a law-degree foundation and an understanding of why crime happens and how societies respond. It’s ideal if you’re interested in law and want to explore criminal justice, human rights, policing, prison systems or social policy — giving you flexibility to go into legal practice, criminal justice roles, or broader social-justice careers.

Curriculum structure

Year 1

In the first year, you’ll build a strong foundation in the essentials of law and criminology. Modules such as the English Legal System, Criminal Law, Contract Law, and Criminal Justice introduce you to core legal concepts and how criminal law operates in the UK, while the “Understanding Criminology” module begins your journey into criminological theories — learning how societies define crime, why crime may occur, and how social, economic and political factors shape justice.

Year 2

In year two you broaden your legal knowledge and deepen criminology insight. You’ll study modules like Equity & Trusts and Land Law (helpful for understanding property and civil law contexts), alongside “Questioning Criminology,” “Tort Law,” and optional criminology-themed modules such as “Policing and Society,” “Penology and Prison,” or “Crimes of the Powerful.” These allow you to explore complex issues — from state crime and human rights abuses to how criminal justice institutions function — and learn how to apply legal reasoning to real-world social problems.

Year 3

In your final year, you bring everything together with advanced law and criminology modules. Core modules include “Contemporary Criminologies” and “Criminal Justice and Human Rights,” giving you a modern, critical view of crime, punishment, justice systems, and human rights protections. On top of that, you’ll choose from a selection of optional modules — such as Commercial Law, Family Law, Environmental Law, or modules that build practical skills like advocacy, legal project work or work in the community — helping you tailor your degree toward the career path you’re most drawn to.

If you opt for the sandwich or foundation-plus-placement track, there’s also the chance to spend a placement year — giving real work experience in a law, justice or social-policy organisation before you graduate.

Focus areas:
"Law (English legal system, criminal law, contract law, tort, equity & trusts, land and property law) + Criminology (theories of crime, criminal justice, human rights, state crime, policing, penology, social justice)"

Learning outcomes:
"You will graduate able to understand and apply UK law, analyse criminal justice and social issues, combine legal reasoning with criminological insight, handle both criminal and civil law contexts, and be prepared for law-related or criminal-justice careers or further specialisation."

Professional alignment (accreditation):
"This LLB is a qualifying law degree — giving you the legal foundation needed to move toward solicitor or barrister training — while the criminology element adds value for careers in criminal justice, policing, probation, social policy or human-rights work."

Reputation:
"The University of Portsmouth’s Law with Criminology degree is well-regarded for combining legal education with criminology, with strong graduate outcomes: a high proportion of graduates go into work or further study soon after finishing, and the criminology subject is ranked among the top programs in the UK for its quality and student satisfaction."

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Portsmouth, studying Law with Criminology isn’t just about lectures and textbooks — you get to step into real-world legal and justice settings from early on. The course is structured so that you learn practical skills alongside theory, giving you a flavour of what a career in law or criminal justice genuinely feels like.

Here’s how practical learning is built into this degree:

Replica courtroom & mooting sessions: The university offers a full replica crown-court setting where you can practise courtroom advocacy, public speaking, legal arguments, and mooting trials — great experience if you aim to become a lawyer or barrister.
Legal Advice Clinic & community-law work: Through modules like “Law in Practice” or “Community Lawyer,” you can work with real clients under supervision, deal with genuine legal issues, draft documents, give advice and see how law affects everyday people — a hands-on use of your criminology and law learning.
Live-scenario and community-justice projects: You get opportunities to apply criminology theory and legal knowledge to real social issues — studying crime, justice, human rights or policy problems and working through practical responses.
Placement opportunities (if you choose sandwich or placement route): There’s the option to take a placement year (or placement module) where you work in a legal, criminal-justice or social-justice organisation — gaining work experience, contacts, and real insight into careers in policing, probation, legal aid or social policy.
Group work, research and projects: From case-studies to legal-criminology research, you’ll often work in teams analysing laws, crimes, social issues — sharpening your analytical, writing, and collaboration skills.
Supportive legal-skills training: Through dedicated modules and guidance, you’ll practise client interviewing, legal writing, advocacy and other professional skills — helping you build confidence for real-world legal or justice work.

This blend of academic study and practical, real-life exposure helps you graduate not only with strong theoretical knowledge, but also with ready-to-use skills and experience that employers value — giving you a head start in legal, policing, social justice or related careers.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this Law with Criminology degree step into the world of work with a strong mix of legal knowledge and an understanding of real-world criminal behaviour. This combination opens doors to careers where analytical thinking, problem-solving and a deep understanding of justice systems are essential. Many students go on to roles where they can make a real impact, such as paralegal, police officer, probation officer, or criminal justice analyst.

And there’s more:

Careers and Employability Service offers one-to-one coaching, CV support, employer events and personalised guidance throughout your degree.
The University’s legal and justice partnerships—including local law firms, courts and public-sector organisations—help students access work experience, placements and mentoring.
Long-term career value is supported by the LLB’s status as a Qualifying Law Degree, meeting the academic stage required for progressing toward solicitor or barrister training.
Portsmouth has a strong record of positive graduate outcomes, with the majority of LLB graduates moving into skilled employment or further study soon after finishing their degree.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing this degree, students often continue into further professional training such as the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) pathway, the Bar course, or postgraduate options like an LLM, MSc in Criminology, MSc in Criminal Psychology, or specialised legal master’s degrees that deepen expertise in specific fields.