Law and Criminology (LLB)

In each year of the programme, students are required to take modules to the value of 120 credits, which will be made up of 80 credits in Law and 40 credits in Criminology. Modules are taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials and seminars, amounting to approximately ten to twelve hours a week of formal teaching.  This, of course, will be supplemented by independent research and study through which students will acquire more advanced knowledge and understanding. 

Students take four compulsory 20 credit Law modules and two compulsory 20 credit modules in Criminology in Year 1, none of which count towards the final degree classification.  In Years 2 and 3, modules are chosen from a range of options, including those required for legal practice in the UK.

How will I be supported?

All modules within the programme make extensive use of Cardiff University’s Virtual Learning Environment, Learning Central, on which students can access discussion forums and find course materials including recordings of lectures, links to related materials, multiple-choice tests, past exam papers and examples of student work from previous years.  We provide students with frequent feedback on their work. This comes in an array of formats (including oral tutor feedback during tutorials, personalised feedback on written work, feedback lectures, generic written feedback and feedback on tutorial performance). This feedback is intended to help students reflect on their performance and identify things they can do in order to improve.

All students will be allocated a personal tutor in both the Law School and the School of Social Sciences. Personal tutors will not only assist with reflection on performance on the course but also advise on study techniques, module selection and career planning (in conjunction with the University’s Career Service) and provide a first point of contact when difficulties are experienced.

An extensive programme of careers lectures and workshops is delivered within the Law School and an in-house Law Careers Consultant is available.

A range of staff are available to provide further support, including an academic support tutor, a pro-bono scheme co-ordinator and specialist law librarians. A member of academic staff acts as a designated Disability and Diversity Officer and ensures that reasonable adjustments are made for students with disabilities.

How will I be assessed?

Modules are assessed in a variety of ways, as detailed in the module descriptions. Social Science modules usually include a mixture of exam and coursework, whilst Law modules are typically assessed by examinations held place during the summer examination period.  Coursework is submitted on designated dates during the academic session. 

During the academic year, students will be required to complete various pieces of formative work which are designed to assist them in achieving the learning outcomes for individual modules and improve their ability to perform well in summative assessment. Formative work might be written or oral and may be submitted formally to a tutor or presented during tutorials or seminars. Preparation for formative work will normally be done during students’ independent study time. Feedback on formative work is given frequently and in a wide variety of formats and is intended to help students identify strengths and weaknesses in their learning, as well as giving indications of how they might improve in their performance in summative assessments.

Alternative provision may be made for students with disabilities.

What skills will I practise and develop?

Knowledge & Understanding:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:

• Describe the main principles, values, institutions and processes of the legal systems in England and Wales and the European Union
• Where appropriate, demonstrate awareness of the impact of relevant international law on the laws of England and Wales and outline alternative models of legal regulation with reference to the laws of other jurisdictions
• Describe and explain the main principles, values and rules of the primary areas of substantive law of the legal system of England and Wales
• Explain the relationship between an existing body of law and relevant political, economic, social and cultural issues and outline how these factors contribute to contemporary legal debates
• Explain the political, legal, social and/or philosophical context of the evolution of a particular body of law
• Give an explanation of the meaning of complex legislation and identify its doctrinal implications
• Provide a summary of a complex body of case law and identify the legal principles arising from it
• Explain the meaning and significance of a range of primary and secondary legal materials, academic research and commentary.
• Explain key concepts and theoretical approaches in Criminology.

Intellectual Skills:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:

• Apply knowledge of legal rules and principles to propose solutions to doctrinal problems of varying complexity
• Evaluate the doctrinal coherence and significance of a body of statutes and/or case law
• Evaluate the success and/or shortcomings of an area of law in relation to policy perspectives and wider social/contextual issues and identify areas where law reform might be needed
• Evaluate law reform proposals in a way which demonstrates sound understanding of current legal problems, sensitivity to law’s social, cultural and political context and awareness of international legal obligations
• Relate a piece of academic writing or research to a contemporary legal debate and evaluate its strengths and weaknesses with reference to other supportive materials
• Use official publications, academic research and commentaries presented in a variety of formats in the construction of an argument relevant to a contemporary legal debate
• Discriminate between primary and secondary materials, with reference to their authority, relevance and objectivity
• Through independent research, identify appropriate primary and secondary legal sources, research and commentary and apply them in written work or an oral presentation
• Evaluate the principles that underlie criminal justice policy and crime control strategies

Professional Practical Skills:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:

• Locate a variety of primary and secondary materials in both paper and electronic format
• Identify and access up-to-date legislation and case law on a legal issue
• Use appropriate databases to find academic research and commentary of relevance to a topic for the purposes of supplementing reading lists and taught materials
• Produce written work, in a variety of formats, which is accurately informed, coherently written and structured, and appropriately referenced in accordance with OSCOLA guidance
• Give a clear, confident and informed oral presentation or oral response to a question on a taught or independently researched legal topic in a manner that would be appropriate for a professional environment.
• With support, propose appropriate discussion questions for a tutorial or seminar group study of a topic and manage a short group discussion of those questions
• Evaluate and critically appraise criminological research

Transferable/Key Skills:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:

• Effectively communicate information and ideas, both orally and in writing, at a level which demonstrates accurate and clear use of the English language
• Prepare and give an oral presentation and provide clear and accurate supporting materials in an appropriate format.
• Take responsibility for structuring, managing and reporting, orally and/or in writing, a small research project
• Contribute constructively and reliably to a group task
• Effectively manage time and conduct self-directed study in the context of a structured timetable, prescribed learning activities and task deadlines
• Reflect on their own learning, identify gaps in their knowledge and plan strategies for closing those gaps
• Make use of both oral and written feedback, including feedback obtained through tutor assessment, self assessment and peer assessment
• Use subject specific electronic sources and Virtual Learning Environments
• Use electronic methods for research and demonstrate general competency in IT skills when preparing and presenting written material

As students progress through the three years of the degree the depth and breadth of their studies will increase. Our overall objective is to encourage students to become independent learners, with a commitment to continuing learning and development.

Other information

School of Law and Politics

We offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities, some unique to Cardiff University, which equip our students with a competitive edge over other law graduates.

Mooting

Our students are encouraged to enter annual mooting competitions. These competitions give you an opportunity to present legal issues before a judge, against an opposing counsel.

Mooting is a great skill to be able to add to your CV and provides an invaluable experience of public speaking in a formal court setting.

Client interviewing competition

Our students are encouraged to take part in an annual client interviewing competition, which has Sir Geoffrey Bindman QC as its President. You will gain crucial experience interviewing in a simulated setting and will be assessed against specific criteria that include interpersonal skills and your ability to handle legal problems.

School of Social Sciences

The School of Social Sciences has a dedicated Placements Manager who can offer advice on available work placements, internships, work experience and opportunities to enhance your CV and broaden your horizons. Support with job applications and interview techniques is also available.