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LLB (Hons) Law and Criminology

Combine law and criminology to address social injustice and inequality

Year of entry: 2024/25

UCAS code

M1L6

Institution code

Y50

Length

3 years full-time

UK (home) fees

£9,250 per year

International and EU fees

£23,700 per year

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Discover York

Tackle social injustice and inequality to bring about positive societal change through legal and criminological approaches.

On this course, you'll engage with issues of social justice through a distinctive approach combining law, policy and the study of the social construction of crime. You'll work collaboratively to analyse real-world problems, as well as undertake individual legal research, all while drawing on the expertise of criminologists and world-leading legal researchers. 

Our graduates are skilled written and oral communicators, coordinators and team players. You'll be well-placed to contribute to society as a creative, ethical and robust problem-solver within a range of roles in the social and criminal justice system, in the wider legal profession and beyond.

Accreditation

This degree is a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD)*, accredited by the Bar Standards Board and Solicitors Regulation Authority.

*The Solicitors Regulation Authority is making changes to the system of qualification in England and Wales. These may affect the status of 'Qualifying Law Degrees' for all Law Schools.

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What is problem-based learning? Find out more about our innovative approach to teaching, which gives you the chance to tackle complex cases head-on.

12th in the UK

for Law, according to Complete University Guide (CUG) 2024

Course content

Throughout the course, you'll learn about inequalities and discrimination in society and the criminal justice system, and evaluate how these can be challenged. You'll choose from a range of modules across Sociology, Law and Social Policy, drawing on expertise from each subject to enhance your knowledge and skills. You may also have the opportunity to gain practical experience of the impact of law and criminology on particular sectors of society.

In your final year you'll apply your skills to a major group project by collaborating with individuals within criminal justice institutions on a legal and criminological issue of your choice. Together, you will develop a means of effectively communicating the critical aspects of that issue to a wider and more diverse audience.

Study abroad

For this programme, we offer the opportunity to spend an additional year abroad, studying at one of our partner universities in Europe and Asia. This will usually be in year 3 of your degree, after which you will return to complete your final fourth year with us.

Placements

There are opportunities to spend time in industry as part of this course.

Year 1

Core modules

Academic integrity module

In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.

Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.

Learning by design

Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.

Students who complete this course will be able to:

  • Research, interpret, explain and analyse fundamental principles and theories of English and EU law, and sociologically informed theories of crime and deviance, and the roles, policies and practices of relevant institutions and agencies within the legal and criminal justice systems.
  • Address confidently, creatively and in a structured manner, new and unfamiliar real-world legal, social and crime-related problems by applying problem-solving skills - analysing facts, stakeholder interests and objectives, and identifying relevant legal, social and criminological issues.
  • Develop, evaluate and refine complex and critical arguments on issues of law, crime, social injustice and inequality, drawing upon legal and criminological theories and approaches.
  • Effectively communicate information and well-reasoned arguments on issues of law, crime, social injustice and inequality to a range of audiences, using appropriate oral and written formats, and media and digital technologies.
  • Apply legal, criminological and interpersonal knowledge and skills in engaging with peers, clients, stakeholders, and professionals within the legal and criminal justice system.
  • Analyse and evaluate legal and criminological problems and arguments by drawing upon an awareness of diverse social and cultural perspectives and stakeholder interests.
  • Work efficiently, effectively and creatively, both independently and as part of a team, in a manner which is respectful of diverse views, values and the cultural position of others.
  • Identify and plan future learning requirements by recording, reflecting on and evaluating personal learning and development, towards a range of roles in the social and criminal justice system, and wider legal profession.

Fees and funding

Annual tuition fees

UK (home) International and EU
£9,250 £23,700

UK (home) or international fees?

The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.

Fees for subsequent years

  • UK (home) fees may increase within the government fee cap in subsequent academic years. We will notify you of any increase as soon as we can.
  • International fees are subject to increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).

More information

For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.

Additional costs

You may choose to buy books or textbooks, but this is not required. You may also incur some minor costs through occasional printing or photocopying as part of your learning and assessment.

Funding

We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2024/25 throughout the year.

Living costs

You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.

Teaching Excellence Framework Gold Award

Gold-standard education

Our teaching, learning and student experience is outstanding, recognised by a Gold rating from the Office for Students in the 2023 national assessment (Teaching Excellence Framework).

Why we’re gold-rated

Teaching and assessment

You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.

Teaching format

Our teaching is designed to help you develop yourself as a critical thinker and researcher. You'll take part in sociological debates and develop your ability to craft arguments and express complex ideas.

Across a large part of your course you'll be taught through lectures that will introduce you to the main themes of each module, and small seminar groups, working with a member of staff who's an expert in the topic you're studying.

The law elements of your course are delivered through problem-based learning (PBL). This method will develop your skills of analysis, reasoning and judgement. Through this approach you'll also develop communication and project management skills that will enhance your effectiveness in the world of work. This learning will be supported through large group plenary sessions to embed your understanding and develop your critique of legal concepts.

Our staff are ready to offer support and guidance throughout your studies; you'll also be allocated a personal supervisor who's there to make sure you're making the most of your time at York. We also run a regular Sociology and Criminology Hour - an informal session that covers topics relating to your skills and future career, as well as events for you to engage with our academic community, alumni and partners from outside the University.

Timetabled activities

In your first year, you can expect:

Lectures and plenary sessions7-8 hours per week
Seminars and workshops6.5 hours per week

These figures are representative of a typical week. Your contact hours will vary throughout the year due to your module choices, non-compulsory classes, exam periods and changes to scheduled activities.

Outside your timetabled hours, you'll study independently. This may include preparation for classes, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.

In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.

Teaching location

York Law School is located on Campus East, the Department of Sociology will be on Campus East from 2020. The School of Business & Society is on Campus West. Your teaching will take place mostly on Campus East, there may be some additional teaching on Campus West.

About our campus

Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.

Assessment and feedback

As you progress through your course, you'll complete a range of assessments designed to help you develop the skills you need to be an effective scholar. Most of your assessments will be essays, with a few open and closed exams or presentations depending on what modules you take. You will also be expected to show the development of your legal learning through a reflective portfolio.

You will have two main forms of assessment, formative and summative.

  • Formative assessment provides feedback on coursework tasks as well as your general contribution in PBL. This does not count towards your final module grades.
  • Summative assessment consists of formal skills-based coursework tasks, examinations and formal assessment of individual contribution in PBL. These assessments will count towards your final module grades.

You will sit all examinations (and assignments generally) as an individual. However the law modules have been specially designed to reflect the PBL learning process and so facilitate group work as a means of preparation.

Careers and skills

Our Careers and Development programme, dedicated Employability Tutor for Law and Placements Coordinator for Sociology, will help to ensure you are ready to pursue your chosen career path. Created through collaboration with leading local, national and international firms and key vocational providers, the programme includes professional skills workshops, personal development, mentoring schemes and link days, with practical, work-based learning opportunities.

Career opportunities

Typical career paths in crime and criminal justice systems include: police, probation officer, prison service, courts service, youth offending teams, and government departments and agencies.

Qualifying as a solicitor or a barrister

If you wish to qualify as a solicitor or a barrister (in England and Wales) your Qualifying Law Degree* from YLS is recognised by the Bar Standards Board and the Solicitors Regulation Authority as fulfilling the academic stage of training. Many of our graduates build careers as solicitors or barristers undertaking the LPC or BPTC.

Qualifying as a lawyer in another jurisdiction

If you want to qualify as a lawyer in another jurisdiction your Qualifying Law Degree* from YLS may be recognised as contributing to the entry requirements of the professional stage of legal training.

Transferable skills

  • Analysis and problem-solving
  • Evaluating evidence
  • Forming reasoned arguments
  • Thinking creatively
  • Considering different viewpoints
  • Communication and presentation 
  • Collaboration and negotiation
  • Project management

Entry requirements

Typical offer
A levels

AAA

Access to Higher Education Diploma 39 credits achieved from units awarded Distinction and 6 awarded Merit or higher. Please note that all Access Diploma and Foundation Degree applications are considered in light of all academic achievement.
BTEC National Extended Diploma D*DD
Cambridge Pre-U D3, D3, D3
European Baccalaureate 85% overall
International Baccalaureate 36 points
T levels We will consider a range of T Level qualifications for entry. Please visit our dedicated T Levels page for a full list of accepted T Levels.
Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers Scottish Highers - AAABB

Advanced Highers - not required for entry

We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications.
International foundation programme Foundation Certificate from our International Pathway College or an appropriate alternative.
Other international qualifications Equivalent qualifications from your country

Alternative offers

Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.

Criteria Adjustment
Widening participation If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to three A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities, YESS, YorWay to York. More about widening participation.
Contextual offers If you have experience of local authority care or live in an area with low progression to university, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer. More about contextual offers.
EPQ We recognise the value of this qualification although it will not be included as a condition of entry. It may be taken into consideration when you receive your results.

English language

If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:

Minimum requirement
IELTS (Academic) 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
Cambridge CEFR 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component
Oxford ELLT 7, with a minimum of 6 in each component
Duolingo 120, minimum 105 in each component
GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) Grade C / Grade 4
LanguageCert SELT B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
LanguageCert Academic B2 Communicator with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
KITE 459 Main Flight score with 426 in each component
Skills for English B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component
PTE Academic 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component
TOEFL 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component
Trinity ISE III Merit in all components

For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.

If you haven't met our English language requirements

You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.

The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.

After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.

Applying

To apply to York, you will need to complete an online application via UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).

Self-assessment

Our problem-based learning approach is very different to other law schools, so it's important to discover whether or not it's right for you. If we're thinking of making you an offer, we'll ask you to complete an online self-assessment. This will help you understand what life is like as a law student at York, and decide if you want to move forward with your application.

Next steps

Contact us

Get in touch if you have any questions

Learn more

Department of Sociology, School for Business and Society, York Law School

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