School of Society and Culture

BSc (Hons) Law with Criminology and Criminal Justice

Are you ready to make your mark? If you’ve studied a foundation course in law with criminology and criminal justice (CCJ) at one of our partner colleges and want to obtain a law degree, BSc (Hons) Law with CCJ will prepare you for a career in the legal or criminal justice professions and beyond. Develop a breadth of transferable skills, and benefit from our focus on teaching law in the ‘real’ world.

*Please note: the first two years of the degree are only available through the University’s partner colleges which provide you with a foundation degree in law, enabling you to join the third year of our law, criminology and criminal justice programmes to obtain the BSc law degree.

Careers with this subject

Undertaking a degree study in law will develop a number of skills valued by employers: communication and interpersonal skills, time keeping, problem solving and make ethical judgements, and an attention to detail throughout planning and interpreting information, among others, will make you stand out to employers across a number of fields.

What can you do with a law degree?

Key features

  • Choose from a range of relevant third year law and CCJS options from the LLB (Hons) Law programmes and BSc (Hons) Law with Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies.
  • Benefit from working with a faculty of highly qualified law and CCJS staff who provide a great mix of research-informed and practice-led teaching.
  • Pursue further criminological study – we offer an MSc in Criminology at Plymouth Law School
  • Take part in relevant work experience and research in areas such as criminal justice, employment and family law via our Law Clinic.

*Please note: the first two years of the degree are only available through the University’s partner colleges which provide you with a foundation degree in law, enabling you to join the third year of our law, criminology and criminal justice programmes to obtain the BSc law degree.

Course details
  • Year 1

  • You will develop the appropriate analytical and research techniques required to examine the fields of law and criminal justice, and can choose from optional modules including criminal law, comparative youth justice and professional knowledge of policing. You will also complete a module focussing on career planning and employability, and have the option to produce a substantial dissertation on a legal or legally related area, which may be set in the context of criminology and criminal justice.

    Core modules

    • Dissertation (LAW601)

      The production of a substantial dissertation on a legal or legally related area with content and form determined by the student. For the LLB (Hons) Law with CCJ programme, the dissertation will be set in context.

    Optional modules

    • Systemic Violence (CCJ606)

      The module will present the issue of systemic violence. Students will consider the social, political and economic forces that shape structures of oppression and harm, critically examining particular topics in depth. Examples include ‘hate’ crimes, workplace violence and gendered violence. The module will also examine legislation, policy and practice in relation to these topics.

    • Global (In)security and the State (CCJ607)

      This module explores the issue of global (in)security in the context of state and non-state conflict. Theoretical and conceptual understandings of crime, violence, victimisation and justice will be used to interrogate acts such as war crimes and terrorism. The module will address the history of such crimes and will critically explore State and international responses.

    • Social Change and Justice (CCJ608)

      This module examines how attitudes towards crime and justice have changed and developed over time. It will demonstrate the importance of historically and socially contextualising specific crimes in order to increase the understanding of their contemporary relevance, alongside examining the political and economic context.

    • Green Criminology (CCJ610)

      This module will address theoretical perspectives, methodological issues, and empirical research related to the field of green criminology, including applied concerns, such as policy and social/political praxis, through a range of concepts, topics, and themes that are central to green criminology.

    • Leisure, Consumerism and Harm (CCJ611)

      This module explores contemporary developments within the study of leisure and consumerism, offering a theoretically informed understanding of key issues at the forefront of the discipline. Students will have the opportunity to study the changing nature of criminology’s engagement with leisure against a backdrop of global consumer capitalism.

    • Criminal Law and Practice (LAW603)

      This module will build on the principles taught in Criminal Law, and introduces students to the practical/professional application of criminal litigation; it will look at the criminal justice process from investigation and the decision to charge; detention and interrogation, and introduce the substantive law and rules around criminal evidence; funding criminal legal services; through to the criminal litigation process; and sentencing and appeals.

    • Environmental Law (LAW604)

      The module provides an examination of key themes in environmental law, with a focus on the generation, application and enforcement of this law within a critical and applied context.

    • Family Law (LAW605)

      This module will examine the principles of family law from both theoretical and practical perspectives.

    • Human Rights Law (LAW606)

      This module provides an in-depth analysis of the law relating to human rights with reference to national, regional and international law principles. It examines the development and scope of fundamental rights in both theory and practice, and the legitimate limits and restrictions on rights in the interests of balancing conflicting interests in democratic societies.

    • Public International Law (LAW607)

      A module that focuses on the primary legal principles of the public international legal order, before supporting the development of in-depth understanding of a chosen international legal area of a contemporary nature.

    • Business Law and Practice (LAW610)

      This module considers the "life" of business organisations, how they operate and how they are governed. It critically assesses the concepts and principles of corporate law as well as key elements of practice and procedure in how they operate and are governed. The module builds upon elements of contract law and applies them in a commercial setting.

    • Employment Law (LAW612)

      This module provides students with knowledge of a specialist area of law, namely Employment Law, whilst also continuing to offer development of transferable and practical legal skills.

    • Immigration Law (LAW614)

      This module focuses on the key and topical issues in Immigration, Nationality and Refugee law in the UK. The UK's system of immigration control is fully considered and there is some emphasis on the application of decision making to those entering the UK both for immigration purposes and as refugees. There is consideration of the global and European context and of the influence of policy, politics and the media in the field.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

BSc Law with CCJ top up programme specification 6935

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

In light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the changeable nature of the situation and any updates to government guidance, we may need to make further, last minute adjustments to how we deliver our teaching and learning on some or all of our programmes, at any time during the academic year. We want to reassure you that even if we do have to adjust the way in which we teach our programmes, we will be working to maintain the quality of the student learning experience and learning outcomes at all times.
Entry requirements

In order to join this course, you'll need the successful completion of a foundation degree in law or an equivalent two-year higher-education qualification.

English language requirements

We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.

Please contact the Admissions Team for further information.

Fees, costs and funding
Student 2022-2023 2023-2024
Home £9,250 £9,250
International £14,600 £15,600
Part time (Home) £770 £770
Full time fees shown are per annum. Part time fees shown are per 10 credits. Please note that fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them shown in the prospectus are correct at the time of going to print. Fees shown on the web are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about fees and funding.

Undergraduate scholarships for international students

To reward outstanding achievement the University of Plymouth offers scholarship schemes to help towards funding your studies.

Additional costs

This course is delivered by the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business and more details of any additional costs associated with the faculty's courses are listed on the following page: Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business additional costs.

How to apply

For further information and to apply to this course, please contact the institution's admissions team directly.

Progression routes

International progression routes

The University of Plymouth International College (UPIC) offers foundation, first-year and pre-masters programmes that lead to University of Plymouth degrees. Courses are specially designed for EU and international students who are missing the grades for direct entry to the University, and include full duration visa sponsorship. You can start in January, May or September, benefitting from small class sizes, top-quality tuition and 24/7 student support.


Find out more at plymouth.ac.uk/upic or contact our team at info@upic.plymouth.ac.uk

For further information and to apply to this course, please contact the institution's admissions team directly using the contact details below. 

Plymouth Law Clinic

The Law School is committed to giving you the opportunity to put the law into practice.
The Law Clinic offers advice and representation to real clients and in many cases, makes a tangible difference to their lives.
Life Buoy attached to a Wooden Paneled Wall

University of Plymouth Law Society

As well as benefitting from excellent teaching and unrivalled opportunities to learn in the workplace, becoming a Plymouth law student also means you can join one of the most active societies of its kind in the country.
UPLS also hosts different competitions, such as mooting, negotiation, advocacy and client interviewing.
Student success stories

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