The LLB (Hons) Law with Criminology is made up of the following modules and, upon completion, is equal to a total of 360 credits.

Level 4 modules:

• Legal Skills and Context (30 credits)*
• Criminal Law (30 credits)†
• Public Law (30 credits)†
• Introduction to Criminology (15 credits)*
• One optional module:
  • Crime and Society (15 credits)
  • Dealing with Offending Behaviour (15 credits)
  • Justice and Punishment (15 credits)

Level 5 modules:

• Contract Law (30 credits)
• Law of Tort (30 credits)†
• Land Law (30 credits)†
• Criminology (15 credits)*
• One optional module:
  • Forensic and Criminal Psychology (15 credits)
  • Criminal Investigation (15 credits)
  • Youth Crime and Justice (15 credits)
  • Prisons and Penology (15 credits)
  • Probation and Community Justice (15 credits)

Level 6 modules:

• European Union Law (15 credits)†
• Equity and Trusts (15 credits)†
• Wills and the Administration of Estates (15 credits)
• Criminal Behaviour and Deviance (15 credits)*
• Optional modules worth 60 credits:
  • Final Year Research Project (30 credits)
  •  Victimology and Criminal Victimisation (15 credits)
  • Criminal Justice in the Information Age: Cyber Crime and Security (15 credits)
  • The Economics of Crime (15 credits)
  • Policing (15 credits)

* These modules are core and must be passed in order to achieve the award.

† These modules are compulsory and must be passed in order to achieve a Qualifying Law Degree.

Teaching Methods

Studying online gives you the freedom to study when and where it suits you – at home, during your lunch hour or anywhere else you have internet access.

Our courses are delivered through a virtual learning environment (VLE) instead of a traditional campus. This means you will have access to your study materials 24/7, including:

• multimedia lecturecasts made up of written content, short videos, animation, audio recordings, infographics, short tests and mini-assignments
• discussion forums for you to chat about the course content with fellow students
• live Q&A sessions with your tutors
• a comprehensive eLibrary of textbooks and academic journals
• support from academic staff and your personal Student Adviser

To ensure you receive the support you need from your tutor, we cap our class sizes at 20 students.

Assessment Methods

Rather than fretting about exams, you will be assessed exclusively through assignments. This can be by engaging in discussion forums throughout your modules, completing reflective journal entries, or by submitting longer written pieces.

We are committed to providing frequent and transparent feedback through the following ways:

• Our assessment criteria are designed to be simple and transparent.
• You will always be aware of your current provisional grade, right from the start of the programme.
• You will be able to view your marks clearly in your gradebook whenever you log onto the learning platform.
• There is a 7-day turnaround for marking and feedback of assessed work.
• You will have regular contact with your Student Adviser, with whom you can discuss any concerns as soon as they arise.

Study Duration

Our LLB (Hons) Law with Criminology course has an indicative study duration of 4 years, which is a guide to how long your course will take to complete. The actual duration may be longer or shorter depending on your speed of study, study options chosen and module availability.

It’s possible to complete your studies faster than the indicative course duration by doubling up on modules at certain times; however, minimum study durations do apply.

Our academic year is organised into modules, typically with a one- or two-week break between modules and a structured three-week break for the Christmas period. Students will receive a course timetable during the application process.

All of our courses have regular start dates throughout the year.

On successful completion of your degree, you will be invited to attend a graduation ceremony at the University of Essex, Colchester Campus.

Legal knowledge is a highly useful commodity in a range of roles, including management, finance, human resources, education, local and central government and the voluntary sector. Tying in your new criminology knowledge will benefit you when applying to roles within the police, prisons, probation and other criminal justice positions.

As a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD), this course allows you to complete the academic stage of legal education. If this is your objective, you must complete all your degree studies in no more than six years and achieve a minimum of a lower second class honours degree. See more about the path to qualifying as a lawyer here.

We know that many people from non-traditional backgrounds would succeed on our courses! That’s why we offer two different entry routes, taking into account your prior work experience and relevant qualifications. You will also need to meet our English Language Requirements.

Additionally, you will need to pass your first assignment set within the first three weeks of the course in order to continue with your studies.

Academic Entry Route

In order to satisfy the Academic Entry Route requirements for our LLB (Hons) Law with Criminology, you must have the following qualifications as a minimum:

• three A-levels or equivalent

Work Experience Entry Route

In order to satisfy the Work Experience Entry Route requirements for our LLB (Hons) Law with Criminology, you must meet the following criteria:

• GCSE Maths and English at grade C or above, or equivalent
• three years’ relevant work experience

English Language Requirements

As our courses are delivered in English, a high proficiency with English is required. If English is not your first language, your English ability should be equivalent to an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0. Don’t worry if you don’t hold an IELTS or equivalent qualification – we offer a free online English test to assess your proficiency.

You don’t need to prove your English ability if you are a national of, or have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in, any of these countries.

Full tuition fee: £18,500
Monthly tuition fee: £385

• Designated for undergraduate student loans in England.
• Simple monthly payment plan available, enabling you to spread the cost over the duration of your studies.
• Full payment discount of 10% of the tuition fee if you pay upfront.
• International scholarship of 10% of the tuition fee if you are based outside the EU.

Please note that the up-front payment discount can be used in combination with the Alumni discount or international/Executive Scholarships. The Alumni discount cannot be used in combination with the international/Executive Scholarships.

Find out more information about our discounts and scholarships here.

Our course fees are fully inclusive – all teaching materials and required reading are included, and there are no hidden charges for assessments or resits. We also charge the same fee for domestic and international students.

Name: Yakesh Tanna
Programme: LLM International Trade and Commercial Law

Yakesh is currently a Practising Solicitor in Criminal Law, a Professional Ethics Marker for the Bar Standards Board and a Tutor in Criminal Law at Coventry University. He has over 20 years’ experience in the legal field and over 10 years’ experience as a Professional Legal Trainer in Criminal Litigation with Central Law Training. He is also an approved Examiner for the Oxford Cambridge and RSA (OCR) and Cambridge International Examination Boards and a Law Tutor for the Open University. Yakesh is a member of The Law Society, Association of Law Teachers and The British Society of Criminology. He says, “I am extremely passionate about teaching Criminal Law and my aim is to create a supportive learning environment.”

Name: Dr Elina Konstantinidou
Programme: LLB (Hons) Law

Elina received her PhD from Surrey University in 2014 and her research is in corporate crime/white-collar and economic crime, with special emphasis on bribery and corruption. Elina’s research is of socio-legal nature and she is a member of the Socio – Legal Studies Association. Elina has over ten years’ experience of teaching law, particularly Criminal law and Evidence, Corporate law, and English Legal System and Skills.

Name: Tenney Cotton
Programme: LLB (Hons) Law

Tenney was awarded her LLB in 2004 and in 2007 completed an LLM in Criminal Law (receiving a distinction). She is an experienced Senior Law Lecturer, has a PG Cert HE and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Until recently, Tenney taught at Teesside University on both the LLB and the LLM and was the LLM Programme Leader. She has led and taught a number of modules, including the English Legal System, Legal Research Methods, Land Law and the Law of Evidence. She has a particular interest in the Law of Criminal Evidence and Human Rights. Tenney joins Kaplan as an associate tutor teaching on the Research Methods for Legal Studies module.