LLB Law with Criminology

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Reading

Program Overview

The LLB Law with Criminology at the University of Reading combines a qualifying law degree with an in-depth understanding of crime, justice, and social order. It’s ideal for students who want to explore how the legal system interacts with real-world criminal behaviour, preparing them for both traditional legal careers and roles within the wider justice system.

Curriculum Structure
In your first year, you’ll build a strong foundation in core legal subjects such as Contract Law, Criminal Law, and Public Law. Alongside this, you’ll explore the fundamentals of criminology—studying topics like the causes of crime and how justice is delivered within society.

During your second year, the program deepens your legal expertise through modules like Tort Law, Land Law, and EU Law. You’ll also investigate advanced criminological themes such as crime and punishment, policing, and criminal justice policy, developing a critical understanding of how laws are shaped by social and political forces.

In your final year, you’ll have the flexibility to specialise through optional modules such as Human Rights Law, Family Law, Criminological Theory, or Cybercrime. You’ll also undertake a research project or dissertation, where you can explore a legal or criminological issue that aligns with your career ambitions.

Focus Areas: Criminal Law, Justice Systems, Human Rights, Policing, Crime and Society

Learning Outcomes: Graduates gain a solid foundation in both legal reasoning and criminological analysis, strong research and critical thinking skills, and the ability to apply law within social and ethical contexts.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): This degree is a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD), recognised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Bar Standards Board—meaning it provides the academic foundation required to progress to professional legal training.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): The University of Reading School of Law is consistently ranked among the UK’s top institutions for student satisfaction and graduate prospects, with excellent employer connections across the legal and criminal justice sectors.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At the University of Reading, the LLB Law with Criminology degree is designed to blend academic knowledge with hands-on, practical experience. Students not only study the foundations of legal systems and criminal behavior but also gain exposure to real-world legal settings, developing critical thinking, analytical, and advocacy skills that employers value. The program’s teaching approach encourages active engagement through case analysis, group discussions, mock trials, and professional simulations, ensuring students are well-prepared for the demands of the legal and criminal justice sectors.

To support this, Reading provides outstanding facilities and immersive opportunities for students to apply their learning in practical contexts, such as:

Moot Court and Legal Simulation Rooms – purpose-built spaces where students can practice advocacy, present legal arguments, and experience realistic courtroom settings.
University of Reading Law Clinic – a real working environment where students collaborate with qualified solicitors to provide free legal advice to members of the community, gaining genuine client experience.
Criminology Field Research Opportunities – students explore the real-world impact of crime and justice through fieldwork and community-based projects, linking theory with current social challenges.
Specialized Legal and Criminological Databases – access to major platforms such as Westlaw, LexisNexis, and HeinOnline to develop advanced research and case analysis skills.
The Library and Study Spaces – home to extensive law and criminology collections, digital archives, and quiet study zones for focused academic work.
Guest Lectures and Employer Events – regular sessions with practicing lawyers, judges, criminologists, and law enforcement professionals offering insights into career paths and industry trends.

Through this experiential foundation, students graduate not only with a strong academic understanding of law and criminology but also with the professional confidence and applied expertise needed to thrive in legal, justice, and public service careers.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the LLB Law with Criminology at the University of Reading are well-prepared for a range of professional and academic careers. This program opens doors not only to traditional legal professions such as solicitor or barrister, but also to roles in law enforcement, public policy, human rights, and criminological research. The blend of legal theory and criminal justice insight gives graduates a distinctive edge in understanding how law operates within society and real-world justice systems.

Career possibilities include: solicitor, barrister, legal advisor, probation officer, policy analyst, or criminal investigator.

To help students achieve their goals, the University provides extensive career-focused support and strong professional links:

Careers and Employability Service offers personalised coaching, networking sessions, and employer-led workshops to guide students toward their chosen field.
Students gain access to pro bono legal clinics and the Reading Legal Advice Clinic, offering practical legal experience under supervision.
Law firms, government bodies, and NGOs actively engage with Reading graduates through recruitment fairs and internships.
Law programs at Reading hold long-standing professional recognition by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), ensuring graduates meet the academic stage of legal training.
The university consistently reports strong employability outcomes, with the majority of graduates in professional employment or postgraduate study within six months of graduation.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates can pursue advanced study through LLM (Master of Laws) programs, criminology or criminal justice master’s degrees, or progress to doctoral research in law, policy, or criminology. Many also choose professional qualifications such as the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) or Bar Practice Course (BPC) to qualify as practising lawyers.