Criminology and Law, BA (Hons)

This course explores crime as a dynamic process, connecting foundational principles with emerging trends to assess its impact on everyday life. After a shared first year with related programs in criminology and psychology, students can specialize in areas like victimology, criminal justice, and law, while developing transferable skills for global employment. Opportunities include applying theoretical perspectives to real-world issues, critically analyzing crime trends in local and global contexts, and proposing innovative solutions to systemic challenges.Key benefits feature an applied approach for career preparation, insights from expert speakers, international perspectives, and field trips to destinations like South Africa and the USA. The curriculum spans modules on criminal behavior, victimology, and organized crime, with assessments including essays, presentations, and problem-solving exercises to foster analytical and practical skills.

This course has a common first year. 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. If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements). Common first year courses: Criminology BA (Hons) Criminology and Law BA (Hons) Criminology and Psychology BA (Hons) Year One Year one aims to give you a thorough grounding in the study of crime, criminal behaviour, justice and the law in a global context. Working with students from Criminology, and Criminology and Psychology, you will not only develop the knowledge you need to progress in your degree, but also be encouraged to think critically about the issues, see crime from legal and moral viewpoints, and be creative in finding solutions to problems. Modules Investigative Practice - 20 credits Criminal Behaviour - 20 credits Criminal Justice - 20 credits Crime Typologies - 20 credits Forensic Mental Health - 20 credits Legal Approaches to Crime - 20 credits Year Two In year two you will continue to build on your knowledge and understanding of crime and criminal justice by looking deeper at key institutions such as criminal law, policing, and systems of punishment. You will also be introduced to the concept of victimology and develop practical legal skills. Finally, you will begin preparing for your final year research project by exploring methods and processes for researching crime. Modules Researching Crime - 20 credits Victims and Victimology - 20 credits Criminal Law - 20 credits Practical Legal Skills - 20 credits Policing and Society - 20 credits Punishment and Control - 20 credits 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, you will pay a reduced tuition fee of £1,250. *For further information please check the course page on the Coventry University website. 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. Final Year In the final year you will apply the knowledge from your first two years in the more specialised areas of violence and exploitation, organised crime, criminal advocacy, and law of evidence. You will also have the opportunity to develop specific interests and expertise to suit your career plans through your research project in which you will produce a research paper on your own contribution to knowledge. Modules Global Organised Crime - 20 credits Rehabilitation and Criminal Justice - 20 credits Criminal Advocacy - 20 credits Law of Evidence - 20 credits Research Project in Criminology - 40 credits We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated. Before accepting any offers, please check the website for the most up to date course content. For full module details please check the course page on the Coventry University website.