LLB Law and Criminology

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Cardiff University

Program Overview

The LLB Law and Criminology at Cardiff University is perfect for students who want to explore how law and justice shape society while gaining a strong foundation in both legal principles and criminal behaviour. This dual degree blends legal study with criminological insight, preparing you for diverse careers in law, policy, and criminal justice.

Curriculum Structure:
Year 1: You’ll begin with the core foundations of legal study, including Public Law, Contract Law, and Criminal Law, alongside introductory modules in Criminology and the Criminal Justice System. This year helps you understand how laws are made, interpreted, and enforced, while also exploring why people commit crimes and how society responds.

Year 2: In your second year, you’ll deepen your legal expertise through modules like Tort Law, Land Law, and Legal Foundations, while advancing your criminological understanding through courses such as Criminological Theory and Penology. This is where theory meets practice, as you analyse how laws impact policing, sentencing, and rehabilitation.

Year 3: Your final year offers flexibility to focus on your interests, with optional modules such as Human Rights Law, Evidence, or Youth Justice. You’ll also conduct independent research through a dissertation or project that connects your legal and criminological learning to real-world challenges in justice and policy.

Focus Areas: Law, criminology, criminal justice, social policy, human rights, and legal systems.

Learning Outcomes: Develop expertise in legal analysis, critical reasoning, and criminological research, with the ability to evaluate crime, justice, and law from multiple perspectives.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): This degree is recognised as a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD), meeting the academic requirements for progressing to solicitor or barrister training in England and Wales.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): Cardiff University’s School of Law and Politics is highly regarded in the UK, known for producing graduates with strong analytical, ethical, and professional skills that employers in law, government, and public service actively seek.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Cardiff University, the LLB Law and Criminology program combines rigorous academic study with real-world experience to prepare you for a career in law, justice, or public service. From working on live client cases to engaging in field research and using digital legal tools, you’ll gain hands-on skills that bridge theory and professional practice. The School of Law and Politics ensures every student has access to modern facilities, interactive learning environments, and opportunities to apply knowledge in authentic legal and criminological contexts.

Students develop practical experience through a variety of professional and research-based settings, including:

Cardiff Law Clinic: Work on real cases, providing legal advice to clients under expert supervision while developing communication and problem-solving skills.
Mooting and Advocacy Exercises: Practice presenting cases in simulated courtrooms, honing your advocacy and analytical skills in a realistic environment.
Criminology Fieldwork and Research Projects: Explore policing, prisons, and social justice systems through hands-on projects and case investigations guided by experienced researchers.
Legal Practice Suite: Learn in purpose-built mock courtrooms and seminar rooms that replicate professional legal settings.
Access to Legal and Criminological Databases: Use industry-standard resources like Westlaw, LexisNexis, and HeinOnline to develop digital research skills essential for legal and policy work.
Pro Bono and Community Engagement: Volunteer with justice and social organisations across Wales, gaining valuable insights into legal reform and community-based initiatives.
Specialist Libraries and Research Centres: Benefit from one of the largest law and criminology library collections in Wales and access centres like the Centre for Crime, Law and Justice and the Centre for Human Rights and Public Law.
Guest Lectures and Employer Events: Learn directly from practising lawyers, criminologists, and policy experts through seminars and networking events that connect theory with current industry practices.

This blend of practical experience and academic grounding helps you graduate not just with knowledge, but with the confidence and skills to succeed in complex legal and criminal justice environments.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of Cardiff University’s LLB Law and Criminology program leave with a strong mix of legal knowledge, analytical reasoning, and a deep understanding of justice systems — skills that open doors across law, government, and social policy sectors. This degree equips you for both traditional legal careers and roles where critical thinking and policy analysis are key. Typical job roles include: Legal Officer, Criminal Justice Policy Advisor, Compliance Specialist, Research Analyst, and Probation or Court Services Officer.

Cardiff University ensures every student is supported in turning academic success into professional achievement through a wide range of dedicated services and partnerships:

Careers and Employability Service: Offers tailored support through career coaching, CV reviews, and mock interviews specifically designed for law and criminology students.
Professional Partnerships: The School of Law and Politics collaborates with leading law firms, public institutions, and justice organisations in Wales and the UK to provide valuable placement and networking opportunities.
Graduate Employment Success: Cardiff law and criminology graduates enjoy excellent employability, with many progressing directly into legal practice, public sector roles, or postgraduate study within six months of graduation.
Accreditation Value: The program is a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD), fulfilling the academic stage of training for those who wish to pursue the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) or Bar practice.
Long-Term Impact: The combination of criminological insight and legal training enhances graduates’ versatility, making them attractive to employers in law, justice, policy, and international organisations.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the LLB Law and Criminology, students can advance to postgraduate study through the Legal Practice Course (LPC), Bar Training Course (BTC), or LLM in Legal Practice or Human Rights Law. Others may pursue master’s or research degrees in Criminology, Social Policy, or International Law, expanding their expertise for academic or policy-focused careers.