Course summary

Why people commit crimes, and how criminals should be dealt with, are fascinating questions which lie at the heart of a just and safe society. This course is one of very few in the UK to combine specialist teaching in criminal justice with a qualifying law degree. Based in central London, the course can be customised to suit your career ambitions. By choosing from a range of optional specialist modules – which are exclusive to this course – you can learn about topics such as criminal evidence and procedure, countering terrorism, and how effectively the international criminal justice system responds to mass atrocities. Law and justice are about advocacy and communication, and this course is designed to enable you to find your own voice. In line with Westminster’s ethos of diversity and inclusion, you will learn in a supportive environment and be empowered to express your opinions and debate the law. With a strong emphasis on social justice and human rights, you will analyse legal issues in the media such as police powers and race, and the role of victims in the criminal justice system. You’ll also undertake an extended research project which will enable you to focus on a cause that matters to you. You will get the chance to put your skills into practice by working in Westminster’s Legal Advice Clinic – providing legal support to people in the local community while gaining valuable work experience. The course will give you a head start towards a range of fascinating career roles. Not only is it a pathway to jobs in the criminal justice sector – such as a campaigner, researcher or policy officer in an NGO or government– it also meets the Bar’s core qualification standards and prepares you for the Solicitors’ Qualifying Exams (SQEs), providing a route into a legal career.