Law with Criminal Justice

Law with criminal justice is a degree that combines the study of legal doctrine and professional legal skills with a focused examination of the criminal justice system: how crime is defined and detected, how suspects are investigated and prosecuted, how courts function, and how punishment and rehabilitation are organised. Criminal justice raises some of the most fundamental questions about rights, power, and social order that law engages with, making it a natural companion to legal study and a particularly relevant specialism for those drawn to criminal practice or to policy roles in the justice system.

At Birmingham City University, this part-time LLB programme is explicitly designed to provide the first step toward qualifying as a solicitor or barrister, while also preparing graduates for a wide range of other careers. You will cover the foundational subjects of English law alongside a focused examination of criminal law and procedure, the role of the police and Crown Prosecution Service, sentencing, prisons and probation, youth justice, and the theoretical frameworks used to understand crime and punishment. A sandwich year places you in a professional environment for an extended period, and work placement experience is integrated throughout the programme.

The part-time mode allows you to study while managing other commitments, spreading the degree over a longer period than full-time study would require.

Graduates who wish to qualify as solicitors in England and Wales typically complete the Solicitors Qualifying Examination after their LLB, while those pursuing the Bar undertake the Bar Practice Course and pupillage. Beyond professional qualification, graduates also work in probation, victim support, the Crown Prosecution Service, legal charities, the police service, and policy roles concerned with the justice system. Postgraduate study in law, criminology, and criminal justice is a route for those who wish to develop their expertise further.