BA(Hons) Law and Criminology

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of the West of England

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Law and Criminology at UWE blends the study of legal systems with a deep understanding of crime, justice, and society — perfect if you’re interested in how the law shapes communities and how criminal behaviour is understood and addressed. It’s a great fit for students who want a well-rounded degree that opens doors to careers in criminal justice, legal services, public policy, and social research.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
Your first year introduces you to the foundations of both law and criminology, helping you build confidence as you step into university-level study. You’ll explore core subjects such as Criminal Law, Legal Methods and Skills, and Understanding Crime, which give you a clear picture of how criminal justice works in practice. This year sets the groundwork for your analytical thinking and your understanding of how laws develop and apply to real-life issues.

Year 2
In your second year, you go deeper into the realities of crime and justice by studying modules like Criminological Research Methods and Land Law. You’ll also explore areas such as Crime, Media and Culture or Gender, Sexuality and the Law, depending on your interests. This is where you start shaping your academic direction — whether you lean more toward legal study, criminological theory, or the balance of both.

Year 3 (Final Year)
Your final year focuses on applying everything you’ve learned to real-world contexts. You’ll study modules like Criminal Justice, Human Rights, or Contemporary Issues in Law and Society, and you’ll also complete an independent research project where you investigate a topic that genuinely motivates you. This year allows you to refine your skills, build specialist knowledge, and prepare confidently for graduate roles or further professional training.

Focus areas: “Criminal Law, Criminology Theory, Legal Methods, Understanding Crime, Land Law, Criminal Justice, Human Rights, Social Policy, Legal Research, Crime & Society”

Learning outcomes: “Develop strong legal and criminological knowledge; understand how law interacts with society; analyse and interpret criminal behaviour; evaluate justice systems; carry out legal and criminological research; strengthen communication, critical thinking, and applied analytical skills.”

Professional alignment (accreditation): This degree provides a strong academic foundation for roles across criminal justice, social policy, legal support, and public service, and offers a route toward further legal or postgraduate criminology training.

Reputation (employability & recognition): UWE Bristol is well known for its practical, career-focused teaching, highly regarded by employers across legal, public service, and justice-sector professions, with graduates progressing into roles in policing, probation, legal support, and social research.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At UWE, the Law and Criminology degree is designed to feel real, practical, and genuinely connected to the world you’ll one day work in. Instead of only studying theories, you’ll actively apply what you learn through hands-on activities, simulations, and real-life experiences that build confidence and professional skills from early on. By the time you graduate, you’ll have a strong understanding of how both the legal and criminal-justice systems work in practice — not just on paper.

Here’s how practical learning is built into the course:

Mock courtrooms and virtual law offices: You’ll practise advocacy, take part in moots, and experience mock trials inside fully equipped courtroom environments, helping you build courtroom confidence and understand real legal procedures.
Pro bono and legal-clinic opportunities: Students can get involved in supervised legal-support projects, where you’ll work on genuine cases, assist clients, and gain valuable insight into the realities of legal practice and community-focused work.
Criminology lab sessions and research simulations: You’ll explore crime data, justice patterns, and research techniques using modern tools and structured sessions that bring criminological theory to life.
Specialist library and research resources: With access to a dedicated law library and extensive legal and criminology databases, you’ll have everything you need for in-depth research, case preparation, and academic projects.
Fieldwork, visits, and real-world exposure: The degree includes opportunities to visit courts, justice institutions, and organisations linked to law and criminology, giving you first-hand insight into how the systems you study function day to day.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from UWE’s BA (Hons) Law and Criminology step into the job market with a powerful mix of legal knowledge, criminological insight, and practical experience. Your degree opens doors to roles across the justice system, public sector, social policy, security, and community-focused organisations, giving you the flexibility to shape a career that truly matches your interests. Many students go on to work with police services, youth justice teams, legal advisory bodies, or crime-prevention organisations, while others choose to progress into specialist legal or criminology-related training.

You’ll be prepared for roles such as:
Criminal justice officer, probation and rehabilitation worker, crime analyst, policing and investigative roles, legal support officer, community safety advisor, and a wide range of positions across government and non-profit sectors.

And to support your future journey, UWE makes sure you have every advantage through opportunities like:

Dedicated career support through UWE’s award-winning careers service, offering one-to-one guidance, employer networking events, CV development, and interview coaching specifically tailored to law and criminology students.
Strong employer links, with partnerships across justice organisations, police forces, local councils, victim support services, and charities that give students access to placements, volunteering roles, and graduate pathways.
Real graduate outcomes, with many alumni progressing into criminal justice agencies, government departments, social research roles, and postgraduate legal training.
Professional relevance, as the degree combines both academic depth and applied learning, giving you long-term value whether you choose professional employment or further study.
Practical experience, supported by options such as community engagement, legal-adjacent projects, work-based learning modules, and opportunities through the Law School and Department of Social Sciences.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing this degree, many students choose to continue their studies through pathways such as postgraduate law training, criminology master’s programs, social policy, international relations, forensic studies, or specialist professional qualifications such as policing and investigative certifications. Some graduates also pursue conversion routes into legal training, research-focused postgraduate degrees, or preparation for roles in governmental and public service sectors.