Criminal Law and Justice, LLB (Hons)

Course summary

Criminal law is of fundamental social importance. It provides the State with the greatest opportunity to inhibit an individual’s freedom and liberty and this course scrutinises the mechanisms for doing so. The LLB Criminal Law and Justice (Hons) course explores the mechanisms underpinning the criminal law, domestically and internationally, whilst encouraging students to challenge the legitimacy of the State’s power and its interference with individual autonomy and freedom. Acquire knowledge and understanding of legal doctrines, concepts, principles, rules and values in the core areas of law and in the specialist area of criminal law and justice. Develop an appreciation of the context in which law operates, and an understanding of the dynamic nature of law, its uncertainty, the need for reform and proposals for such reform in the furtherance of securing justice for all. Develop the ability to apply the legal knowledge and skills acquired to both the theory and practice of law, particularly in a criminal law setting.Key Benefits

• Immerse yourself in the criminal law by following a criminal case from commission of an offence through preparation for trial and finally sentencing, through an authentic case simulation.

• Hone your criminal advocacy skills in our mock court room, known as the ‘moot room’4.

• Volunteer in a law clinic. You will have the opportunity to apply to volunteer in the Advocacy Clinic, Employment Law Clinic, or Business Law and Enterprise Clinic which are operated by students under the guidance of qualified legal practitioners, offering legal advice to the public2.

• Engage with students at other international universities and industry experts. Develop your intercultural competencies and digital skills through our Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects1.

• Build your legal networks - by applying to participate in the Grow Mentoring scheme, a charity with diversity, inclusion and social mobility at its core.

Modules

During your first year, you will work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge of the law and develop the fundamental legal skills necessary to undertake the remainder of your course. You will also be exposed to a range of contemporary issues in the law that relate to each of the LLB courses on offer. If you discover that you have an interest in a particular area of law that you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degree courses to one of the other LLB courses listed above (subject to meeting progression requirements). As you move through your second and final year, you will study further core legal modules whilst also exploring more specialist commercial law subjects and enhancing your practical legal skills. The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.  Common first year courses 

• Commercial Law LLB (Hons)

• International Law LLB (Hons)

• Law LLB (Hons)

Modules

• English Legal System

• Public Law

• Contract Law

• Tort Law

• Applied Law Study

• Contemporary Issues in the Law

Year TwoIn your second year, you will continue to build your understanding of core legal subjects, whilst exploring criminal law and justice in detail. You will also begin to develop your practical legal skills to provide you with an insight into life in legal practice. Placement YearThere’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement* can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.If you choose to do a work placement year or study abroad year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee* of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement*.Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our placement/study abroad offering here, it is often tailored for each course every year and depends on the length of placement or study abroad opportunities that are secured. Therefore, the placement and study abroad arrangements vary per course and per student. Request further information about going on a placement or study abroad year. Final YearYear three aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by immersing you in the criminal trial process to develop your professional legal skills. You can choose from a variety of optional modules to tailor your degree to your interests and/or future ambitions, as well as work on a large final project in a criminal law area of your interest or participate in one of the law school’s pro- bono clinics (subject to securing a place at the Coventry Law Centre).For further information and full module details please visit the course page on the Coventry University website.

• For full placement information please visit the course page on the website.

Assessment method

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.Assessment methods include:Formal examinationsPhase testsEssaysGroup workPresentationsReportsProjectsCourseworkExamsIndividual AssignmentsThe Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

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During your first year, you will work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge of the law and develop the fundamental legal skills necessary to undertake the remainder of your course. You will also be exposed to a range of contemporary issues in the law that relate to each of the LLB courses on offer. If you discover that you have an interest in a particular area of law that you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degree courses to one of the other LLB courses listed above (subject to meeting progression requirements). As you move through your second and final year, you will study further core legal modules whilst also exploring more specialist commercial law subjects and enhancing your practical legal skills. The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.   Common first year courses 

• Commercial Law LLB (Hons)

• International Law LLB (Hons)

• Law LLB (Hons)

Modules

• English Legal System

• Public Law

• Contract Law

• Tort Law

• Applied Law Study

• Contemporary Issues in the Law

Year Two In your second year, you will continue to build your understanding of core legal subjects, whilst exploring criminal law and justice in detail. You will also begin to develop your practical legal skills to provide you with an insight into life in legal practice. Placement Year There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement* can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future. If you choose to do a work placement year or study abroad year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee* of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement*. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our placement/study abroad offering here, it is often tailored for each course every year and depends on the length of placement or study abroad opportunities that are secured. Therefore, the placement and study abroad arrangements vary per course and per student. Request further information about going on a placement or study abroad year. Final Year Year three aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by immersing you in the criminal trial process to develop your professional legal skills. You can choose from a variety of optional modules to tailor your degree to your interests and/or future ambitions, as well as work on a large final project in a criminal law area of your interest or participate in one of the law school’s pro- bono clinics (subject to securing a place at the Coventry Law Centre). For further information and full module details please visit the course page on the Coventry University website.

• For full placement information please visit the course page on the website.