Course summary

The LLB Law and Criminology programme is challenging and stimulating, enabling you to build the skills required for a career in law or a wide range of professions. In addition to the foundation modules constituting the academic stage of training that is necessary to become a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales, known as the ‘Qualifying Law Degree’, we offer a wide selection of optional study areas which cover traditional and contemporary legal subjects. It is taught collaboratively by the Schools of Social Sciences, and Law and Politics, thus providing you with the opportunity for in-depth study in both disciplines. Our degree enables you to complete the academic stage of training to become a barrister or solicitor and to proceed directly to the vocational stages of training for the legal profession in England and Wales: the Bar Professional Training Course or Legal Practice Course. We are the only Russell Group University to offer both of these courses, meaning that you have the option to stay with us in Cardiff to complete your entire legal education. The Legal Practice Course has consistently received the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority/Law Society’s highest rating. Criminology is the field of study which focuses on criminalisation, victimisation, and social responses to crime and disorder. We draw on a range of social science perspectives and offer you the chance to explore sociological, psychological and political approaches to crime and its control. You will examine how to approach problems of crime, justice and control as a social scientist before applying your new research-driven skills to real world issues and debates. As a joint honours student, you will find that often there are complementary issues and perspectives that link subjects, be they critical analysis, historical contexts or recent research. Distinctive features We are committed to developing your employability, with our dedicated Careers Consultant on hand two days a week in the Law building. 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. Pro Bono Schemes We work in partnership with lawyers, charities and voluntary organisations to give our students the opportunity to practise and extend their skills. Our two most established schemes are our Innocence Project (the first in the UK to have a conviction overturned by the Court of Appeal) and our NHS Continuing Healthcare Scheme, which is unique to Cardiff.Both initiatives have won or been shortlisted for prestigious national awards and help by assisting members of the community and vulnerable groups with matters for which there is in reality no legal aid. You can also apply for a place on our scheme with the Welsh Rugby Union, where we advise amateur rugby clubs on legal issues. The application process for each of our schemes is different and we cannot guarantee that students will secure a place on the scheme of their choice, or on any of our schemes. Our portfolio is regularly reviewed and what we offer is subject to change. Mooting Our students are encouraged to enter annual mooting competitions. 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. School of Social Sciences •The opportunity to learn from leading criminologists with strong links to police, probation and prisons, as well as local authorities, and Welsh and UK government institutions •The opportunity for you to learn in a School that was ranked 3rd in the UK for research quality in sociology and 5th for education in the 2014 Research Excellent Framework (REF) •The involvement of research-active staff in teaching •The emphasis on independent learning in a research-led environment •The variety of modules on offer in a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary School •The opportunity to study abroad.