Course summary
This degree takes a critical and analytical view of the role and functions of the legal system, and examines its relationship with crime, harm, and criminal justice. With an appreciation of criminological theorising and evidence, you’ll develop the skills to comment on crime, victimisation, and responses to crime and deviance, including policy questions, from national to global levels. You'll gain the ability to critically assess everyday understandings of crime, harm and criminal justice, the social, political, economic, historical and ethical dimensions of law, as well as knowledge of the key institutions in the criminal justice and legal systems. Key features of the course
- Explore the complex issues behind today’s crime, law and justice headlines
- Understand, interpret and apply concepts about crime and law to 'real world' problems
- Identify where criminal justice and law is failing to provide social justice, fairness and equal opportunities in society.
- Develop transferable employability skills to support career progression
Modules
This degree has three stages,. At Stage 1, you’ll begin with a broad introduction to criminology, thinking about the ways in which the study of crime has been informed by a variety of disciplines. You'll also be introduced to key social problems and criminal justice responses. Next, you'll explore criminal law and the courts, looking at how the criminal law operates in real-life scenarios and how the English criminal justice system operates within the wider legal system. At Stage 2, you'll begin by developing your knowledge and understanding of criminological concepts and theories, with a focus on how these concepts and theories can help you to understand, interpret and reinterpret the social world in new and exciting ways. Next, you'll explore the relationship between the state and the individual in the UK by considering the UK constitution and some areas of administrative law. You'll then go on to learn about the law of evidence, which determines what evidence the courts can consider within court proceedings. At Stage 3, you'll explore some of the fundamental distinctions between crime and social harm, with a particular focus on the role of the state. You'll also study trusts law and select your final law module. Within these options, you can either gain an intensive knowledge of different areas of European Union law, explore the relationships between law, society and culture, land law, or research a legal topic of your own choice.
How to apply
To apply for this course you will be taken to the provider's website, where you can find out more information and make an application.
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
There are no qualification requirements for this course.
Student Outcomes
There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
Open University
Student Recruitment Team
PO Box 197
Milton Keynes
MK7 6BJ
