STUDY

Undergraduate

LLB (Hons) Law with Criminology

Court wig
Course options: Professional Placement, Study Abroad
Institution code: S82
UCAS code: M101
Start date: September 2026
Duration: Three years full-time, four and a half to nine years part-time.
Location: Ipswich
Typical Offer: 112 UCAS tariff points (or above), BBC (A-Level) DMM (BTEC), Merit (T Level).
Course options: Professional Placement, Study Abroad
Institution code: S82
UCAS code: M101
Start date: September 2026
Duration: Three years full-time, four and a half to nine years part-time.
Location: Ipswich
Typical Offer: 112 UCAS tariff points (or above), BBC (A-Level) DMM (BTEC), Merit (T Level).

Overview

Law at the University of Suffolk provides a dynamic new degree programme for 2026, balancing academic study with opportunities for you to develop legal skills to enhance your employability prospects.  A range of learning and teaching approaches are adopted to provide a flexible yet rigorous degree that maintains high academic standards whilst improving the student experience. 

In particular, the development of new modules and enhanced use of technology to prepare you for legal practice and the employment market more generally are a central feature of the course.  This programme will support you to develop over the course of your degree into an agile and independent learner who can apply your knowledge and skills to your future endeavours.  

As a criminology student at University of Suffolk, you will also be able to critically engage with national and international dimensions of crime and criminal justice policy and develop well informed views on contested public issues. There is a strong emphasis on challenging "common-sense" notions of criminal and deviant behaviours by critically examining academic research and making informed decisions based on available evidence. To this end, you will be introduced to a variety of research methods and ethical considerations, so that you can challenge and understand the limitations and ambiguities of empirical research, whilst assessing its value. This will provide an excellent theoretical and practical platform for the completion of a third-year independent project in an area of personal or career interest.

 

Why study law with us?

  • Focus on employability and development of advanced digital and technological skills, including ethical use of AI 
  • Work experiences through our Legal Placement module and/or the Legal Advice Centre 
  • Interdisciplinarity – opportunities to collaborate with and learn alongside students from cognate subjects such as sociology, business management, social work, and psychology.
  • Research-driven learning and teaching – each of our teaching staff design and teach two optional modules in their areas of research and expertise, not only capitalising on our wide range of fields of interest, but giving students phenomenal choice to learn in a research-driven environment 
  • A commitment to sustainability through (where possible) a two-day teaching week, significantly cutting down on the environmental costs of commuting for students and staff, a pledge to use eBooks wherever possible and to facilitate second-hand book sales run by the Student Law Society, and introducing discussions of the responsibility of the legal profession to environmental sustainability where relevant.   

Further information about the university's relationship with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Bar Standards Board (BSB) is available in the PSRB register.

As voted for by students, Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025, winner University of the Year.

Law at the University of Suffolk

Law students in our mock Courtroom

The University of Suffolk has an international profile while being committed to our region. Modern, inclusive, and ready to help you thrive. With world-class facilities and personalised support, you’ll have everything you need to achieve your goals and shape your future.

1st

in the UK for teaching quality for Criminology

(Times Good University Guide 2026)
12th

in the UK for student experience in Criminology

(Times Good University Guide 2026)
1st

for Student Support

(Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025)

Course Modules

Our undergraduate programmes are delivered as 'block and blend' - more information can be found on Why Suffolk? You can also watch our Block and Blend video.

Downloadable information regarding all University of Suffolk courses, including Key Facts, Course Aims, Course Structure and Assessment, is available in the Definitive Course Record.

Old books on a shelf

This module provides an introduction to the essential characteristics of law alongside the foundational skills necessary for effective lawyering, including critical digital skills which you will build over their three year degree. They will develop a comprehensive understanding of the key actors and institutions that shape the modern English legal system, gaining insight into both its practical operation and the ongoing debates and controversies that surround it. 

This module examines the concepts and principles of criminal law in England and Wales. It covers the general principles of criminal law and the substantive law concerning a range of offences. This subject attracts considerable academic discussion and analysis, and this module engages with both classic and emerging debates in criminal law.

This module provides a comprehensive introduction to the process and institution of British policing, alongside the attendant challenges that have animated policing over the last half century. Relevant theories and models, including community safety, crime prevention, intelligence-led policing and evidence-based policing will be addressed, giving you a thorough grounding in this cornerstone of Criminology.

You will examine the principles, policies and practical applications of contract law from a variety of perspectives. They will develop a thorough understanding of how contractual obligations are formed and regulated, how legal principles and concepts are used to identify and resolve legal problems, and the function of contracts in society and the economy.

You will examine the development and function of tort law in society. The module places considerable emphasis on the current applications of legal principles, policy and academic discourses in this branch of the law of obligations.

This module examines the laws relating to equitable interests in property in both domestic and commercial situations. This knowledge and understanding will allow you to examine the social, institutional, national and where relevant global contexts of equity and trusts judgements and how trusts law developed over time.  Additionally, this module provides you with a comprehensive understanding of the legal framework governing charities in England and Wales.

This module examines the law of property in land in England and Wales. You will develop a solid understanding of the historical and theoretical foundations of English land law and of the current legal principles and concepts in use today

You will choose two:

  • Criminal Justice
  • Youth Crime and Justice   
  • Globalisation
  • Green and Southern Criminology   
  • Drugs and Society   
  • Criminal Exploitation   
  • Placement

Optional modules available in any year will be communicated to you prior to your enrolment to facilitate module choice. Some optional modules may not run in every year of study, and the availability of optional modules depends on the level of student demand, the availability of specialist staff and timetabling constraints. In addition, we regularly review our curriculum to ensure it is up-to-date, relevant, draws on the latest research and addresses contemporary issues. As a result, the modules we offer may change over the course of your degree.

This module offers you the opportunity to develop, execute, and write up an independent project in an area of their choice. Example projects include a traditional doctrinal dissertation, an empirical dissertation, an extended placement or project in a law firm, charity, or other provider of legal services, participation in a law clinic, ‘street law’ type projects, or other similar projects of your choosing

This module builds on the Law and the Constitution module by developing knowledge and understanding of public law in context. You will explore judicial review, the Human Rights Act 1988, and public law will also be examined in the context of the effect of our former membership of, and departure from, the EU. 

This module is designed to bridge the gap between academic study and the realities of legal practice, providing you with the opportunity to refine and integrate their legal knowledge through a problem-based learning (PBL) approach, placing you in the role of active participants in their own learning. Rather than passively receiving information, you will engage with scenarios that replicate the uncertainty, ambiguity, and competing interests found in legal practice. They learn how to identify relevant legal issues, conduct targeted research, and produce outputs that meet real-world standards. 

You will choose one from this list:

  • Criminal Evidence
  • Criminal Procedure
  • Company Law
  • Intellectual Property
  • Family Law
  • Civil Procedure
  • International Law and Human Rights
  • Health Law
  • Jurisprudence and Legal Theory
  • Organised and Corporate Crime

And one from this list:

  • Criminal Justice
  • Youth Crime and Justice   
  • Globalisation
  • Green and Southern Criminology   
  • Drugs and Society   
  • Criminal Exploitation   
  • Placement

Optional modules available in any year will be communicated to you prior to your enrolment to facilitate module choice. Some optional modules may not run in every year of study, and the availability of optional modules depends on the level of student demand, the availability of specialist staff and timetabling constraints. In addition, we regularly review our curriculum to ensure it is up-to-date, relevant, draws on the latest research and addresses contemporary issues. As a result, the modules we offer may change over the course of your degree. 

Course Modules

Our undergraduate programmes are delivered as 'block and blend' - more information can be found on Why Suffolk? You can also watch our Block and Blend video.

Downloadable information regarding all University of Suffolk courses, including Key Facts, Course Aims, Course Structure and Assessment, is available in the Definitive Course Record.

Old books on a shelf

This module provides an introduction to the essential characteristics of law alongside the foundational skills necessary for effective lawyering, including critical digital skills which you will build over their three year degree. They will develop a comprehensive understanding of the key actors and institutions that shape the modern English legal system, gaining insight into both its practical operation and the ongoing debates and controversies that surround it. 

This module examines the concepts and principles of criminal law in England and Wales. It covers the general principles of criminal law and the substantive law concerning a range of offences. This subject attracts considerable academic discussion and analysis, and this module engages with both classic and emerging debates in criminal law.

This module provides a comprehensive introduction to the process and institution of British policing, alongside the attendant challenges that have animated policing over the last half century. Relevant theories and models, including community safety, crime prevention, intelligence-led policing and evidence-based policing will be addressed, giving you a thorough grounding in this cornerstone of Criminology.

You will examine the principles, policies and practical applications of contract law from a variety of perspectives. They will develop a thorough understanding of how contractual obligations are formed and regulated, how legal principles and concepts are used to identify and resolve legal problems, and the function of contracts in society and the economy.

You will examine the development and function of tort law in society. The module places considerable emphasis on the current applications of legal principles, policy and academic discourses in this branch of the law of obligations.

This module examines the laws relating to equitable interests in property in both domestic and commercial situations. This knowledge and understanding will allow you to examine the social, institutional, national and where relevant global contexts of equity and trusts judgements and how trusts law developed over time.  Additionally, this module provides you with a comprehensive understanding of the legal framework governing charities in England and Wales.

This module examines the law of property in land in England and Wales. You will develop a solid understanding of the historical and theoretical foundations of English land law and of the current legal principles and concepts in use today

You will choose two:

  • Criminal Justice
  • Youth Crime and Justice   
  • Globalisation
  • Green and Southern Criminology   
  • Drugs and Society   
  • Criminal Exploitation   
  • Placement

Optional modules available in any year will be communicated to you prior to your enrolment to facilitate module choice. Some optional modules may not run in every year of study, and the availability of optional modules depends on the level of student demand, the availability of specialist staff and timetabling constraints. In addition, we regularly review our curriculum to ensure it is up-to-date, relevant, draws on the latest research and addresses contemporary issues. As a result, the modules we offer may change over the course of your degree.

This module offers you the opportunity to develop, execute, and write up an independent project in an area of their choice. Example projects include a traditional doctrinal dissertation, an empirical dissertation, an extended placement or project in a law firm, charity, or other provider of legal services, participation in a law clinic, ‘street law’ type projects, or other similar projects of your choosing

This module builds on the Law and the Constitution module by developing knowledge and understanding of public law in context. You will explore judicial review, the Human Rights Act 1988, and public law will also be examined in the context of the effect of our former membership of, and departure from, the EU. 

This module is designed to bridge the gap between academic study and the realities of legal practice, providing you with the opportunity to refine and integrate their legal knowledge through a problem-based learning (PBL) approach, placing you in the role of active participants in their own learning. Rather than passively receiving information, you will engage with scenarios that replicate the uncertainty, ambiguity, and competing interests found in legal practice. They learn how to identify relevant legal issues, conduct targeted research, and produce outputs that meet real-world standards. 

  • You will choose one from this list:

    • Criminal Evidence
    • Criminal Procedure
    • Company Law
    • Intellectual Property
    • Family Law
    • Civil Procedure
    • International Law and Human Rights
    • Health Law
    • Jurisprudence and Legal Theory
    • Organised and Corporate Crime

    And one from this list:

    • Criminal Justice
    • Youth Crime and Justice   
    • Globalisation
    • Green and Southern Criminology   
    • Drugs and Society   
    • Criminal Exploitation   
    • Placement
     

Optional modules available in any year will be communicated to you prior to your enrolment to facilitate module choice. Some optional modules may not run in every year of study, and the availability of optional modules depends on the level of student demand, the availability of specialist staff and timetabling constraints. In addition, we regularly review our curriculum to ensure it is up-to-date, relevant, draws on the latest research and addresses contemporary issues. As a result, the modules we offer may change over the course of your degree. 

Interior view from inside Waterfront Building foyer, sunlight reflecting on the floor.

WHY SUFFOLK

1st University of the Year

WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2025

2nd Teaching Satisfaction

Guardian University Guide 2026

2nd Student Experience

Good University Guide
His Honour Judge Goodin with Law students
Judge in Residence, His Honour Judge Goodin, with Law students
Student in mock court room
Watch our Law course video
Law students in Mock Court room
Law students in Mock Court room
The Mock Court room at the University of Suffolk
The Mock Court room at the University of Suffolk

Entry Requirements

home-masthead-th

Career Opportunities

Many of our graduates go on to have careers in legal practice or in the criminal justice system. As a result of our conversations with employers, we have enhanced the employability of our graduates by providing exposure to an increased range of legal and ‘soft’ skills involving interacting with clients, advising the public, interviewing and oral presentation skills would all enhance the employability of graduates. 

You will have a number of opportunities to increase your employability whilst study Law with Criminology with us, including:

  • Volunteering as a student legal advisor in the university’s Legal Advice Centre
  • Developing your advocacy skills by participating in the David White Memorial Trust Mooting Competition in our new mock courtroom
  • Gaining a valuable insight into an area of legal practice through our one day per week placement scheme during your second or third year
  • Meeting legal practitioners through your modules and extra-curricular activities
  • Developing your awareness of the legal sector through employability and networking events

Find out more about our Careers, Employability and Enterprise team, who are here to support you, not only whilst you complete your studies, but after you graduate and beyond.

Your Course Team

Dr Stephen Colman

Stephen is the course leader for the postgraduate LLM in Criminal Law and Justice. He is a non-practising solicitor with various areas of expertise.

Stephen Colman staff profile photo

Dr Ruth Flaherty

Dr Ruth Flaherty joined University of Suffolk in September 2019 as a Senior Lecturer in Law.

Ruth Flaherty staff profile photo

Eleanor Scarlett

Eleanor is Senior Lecturer in Law and Director of the Legal Advice Centre.

Eleanor Scarlett staff profile photo

Dr Reilly Anne Willis

Reilly is the Course Leader for LLB Law. She specialises in International Human Rights with a focus on women’s rights, gender equality, and reproductive rights.

Reilly Willis staff profile photo

Liz Jones

Liz is a lecturer in Criminology.

Liz Jones staff profile photo

Laura Polley

Laura is Lecturer in Criminology and previously worked as a Prison Officer.

Laura Polley staff profile photo

Fees and Funding

UK Full-time Tuition Fee

£9,535*

per year
UK Part-time Tuition Fees

£1,589**

per 20 credit module
International Full-time Tuition Fee

£15,090

per year

*Maximum tuition fees chargeable to Home-fee students are set by the UK Government normally in the autumn or early winter in the year prior to the year of entry (e.g. autumn 2025 for entry in 2026/27). The University of Suffolk reserves the right to increase tuition fees for 2026/27 if the UK Government increases the maximum annual fee. **Please contact Student Centre for further information on part-time fees.

The decision to study a degree is an investment into your future, there are various means of support available to you in order to help fund your tuition fees and living costs. You can apply for funding from the Spring before your course starts.

UK Fees and Finance UK Bursaries and Scholarships International Fees and Scholarships

How to Apply

To study this course on a full-time basis, you can apply through UCAS. As well as providing your academic qualifications, you’ll be able to showcase your skills, qualities and passion for the subject.

Apply Now Further Information on Applying
A silhouette of a student in their cap and gown

Harrison French – LLB (Hons) Law Graduate

"In my experience, on the law course, it has been a group of academics who are deeply passionate, not just about their specific field, but about the way in which they deliver teaching and create relationships with their cohorts."

Harrison's story

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