Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

LLB Law with Criminology

Preparing you for a range of careers in the legal and criminal justice professions.

  • Duration: 3 Years Full-Time
  • Year of entry: 2026
  • UCAS course code: M1M9 / Institution code: M20

Full entry requirementsHow to apply

Overview

Course overview

  • Study a joint honours degree which combines research-informed academic study of law and criminology with practice-led approaches to law and its relationship with crime, criminal behaviour and social problems.
  • Gain hands-on experience by volunteering alongside professionals in our Justice Hub, Legal Advice Centre, and by taking our applied law options.
  • Our degree supports you in entering the legal profession as a barrister through an award recognised by the Bar Standards Board, or in taking your first steps towards qualification as a solicitor through our collaboration with BARBRI to prepare you for the Solicitors Qualifying Exam after you graduate.
  • Ranked among the UK’s Top 10 for Law and Legal Studies (QS World Rankings by Subject 2024).
  • The University of Manchester has an excellent reputation for employability. For the past 5 years, we have been in the UK's Top Two most targeted universities by the UK's top 100 employers (High Fliers Graduate Market Report, 2020-2024).

Open days

We are pleased to announce that we are returning to hosting on-campus open days in the summer and autumn.

Please see open days for the dates, registration, and other information.

If you're a prospective student, you can also find out more about student life by chatting with our student ambassadors at a time that suits you, and ask any questions you may have about life at Manchester. 

Please check our Coronavirus FAQs for the most up to date information regarding events. 

You can also look at our virtual open day content to help you learn more about the University.

Contact details

School/Faculty
School of Social Sciences
Telephone
+44 (0) 161 306 0100
School/Faculty overview

Courses in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.

Entry requirements

A-level

A*AA, including at least one of the following A-Level subjects (preference will be given to applicants studying two of these subjects):

Accounting; Economics; Finance; Business Studies; Development Studies; Government and Politics; Economic and Social History; Mathematics; Anthropology; Sociology; Philosophy; Religious Studies; English Language; English Literature; Geography; Psychology; Classical Civilisation; History; Archaeology; Communication Studies; Environmental Studies; World Development; Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Modern Languages.

We accept native language A Levels providing they are taken in the same sitting as your other subjects. We will not accept thecombination of Mathematics, Further Mathematics and a native language.

We accept the WJEC Level 3 Diploma in Criminology as equivalent to an A-level if taken alongside 2 full A-Levels (one of which must be grade A*) from the list of acceptable subjects above.

Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken.

Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.

A-level contextual offer

AAB, including at least one of the following A-Level subjects (preference will be given to applicants studying two of these subjects):

Accounting; Economics; Finance; Business Studies; Development Studies; Government and Politics; Economic and Social History; Mathematics; Anthropology; Sociology; Philosophy; Religious Studies; English Language; English Literature; Geography; Psychology; Classical Civilisation; History; Archaeology; Communication Studies; Environmental Studies; World Development; Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Modern Languages.

We accept native language A Levels providing they are taken in the same sitting as your other subjects. We will not accept thecombination of Mathematics, Further Mathematics and a native language.

Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken.

Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.

Contextual offers are available for applicants who:

  • live in the UK and will be under the age of 21 on 1 September of the year they will start their course; and
  • live in an area of disadvantage or with low progression into higher education; and
  • have attended a UK school or college for their GCSEs or A-levels (or equivalent qualifications) that has performed below the national average over multiple years.

See our contextual admissions page for full details and to check your eligibility.

UK refugee/care-experienced offer

ABB, including at least one of the following A-Level subjects (preference will be given to applicants studying two of these subjects):

Accounting; Economics; Finance; Business Studies; Development Studies; Government and Politics; Economic and Social History; Mathematics; Anthropology; Sociology; Philosophy; Religious Studies; English Language; English Literature; Geography; Psychology; Classical Civilisation; History; Archaeology; Communication Studies; Environmental Studies; World Development; Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Modern Languages.

We accept native language A Levels providing they are taken in the same sitting as your other subjects. We will not accept thecombination of Mathematics, Further Mathematics and a native language.

Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken.

Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.

UK refugee/care-experienced offers are available for applicants who:

  • have been looked after in care for more than three months; or
  • have been granted refugee status by the UK government or have been issued a UK visa under one of the Ukrainian schemes (Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Family Scheme or Ukraine Extension Scheme).

See our contextual admissions page for full details and to check your eligibility.

International Baccalaureate

37 points overall. 7,6,6 in Higher Level subjects

Applicants studying the International Baccalaureate Career Related Programme (IBCP) should contact the admissions team prior to applying so that their academic profile can be considered.

GCSE/IGCSE

Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade 4 or C in GCSE/IGCSE English Language and Mathematics. GCSE/IGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/IGCSE English Language.

Please note that if you hold English as a second language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of  our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications  or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the admissions team in your academic School for clarification.

Other entry requirements

Other entry requirements exist for this course. You may view these by selecting from the list below.

Country-specific entry requirements

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries.For detailed information please refer to our country-specific requirements and requirements for foundation years .

For general requirementsnot listed abovesee Accepted entry qualifications from your country .

Still need help? Email us at ug-law@manchester.ac.uk .

English language requirements

All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either:

  • IELTS 7 with a minimum 6.5 in each subtest or equivalent
  • An acceptable equivalent qualification.

Please note that if you hold English as a second language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of  our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications  or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School for clarification.

If you need to improve your English language skills to meet the entry requirements for your academic course, the University Centre for Academic English (UCAE) summer pre-sessional courses can help. Check if your academic course offers the option of taking a pre-sessional course on the UCAE page .

The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student requiring a visa to study in the UK must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language (common European Framework (CEFR B2 level) to be granted a Student Route visa (previously known as a Tier 4 visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level.

In addition, our academic Schools/Departments may require applicants to demonstrate English proficiency above the B2 level. Further information about our English Language policy, including a list of some of the English Language qualifications we accept, can be found  here .

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Fees and funding

Fees

Fees for entry in 2026 have not yet been set. For entry in 2025 the tuition fees were £9,535 per annum for home students, and are expected to increase slightly for 2026 entry.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

Scholarships and bursaries, including the Manchester Bursary , are available to eligible home/EU students.

Some undergraduate UK students will receive bursaries of up to £2,000 per year, in addition to the government package of maintenance grants.

You can get information and advice on student finance to help you manage your money.

Application and selection

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

Advice to applicants

Any exceptional circumstances (eg illness prior, ongoing or at the time of your exams) surrounding your application should be included in your personal statement and supported in your academic reference or the Law School should be informed in writing prior to your examination results.

Home-schooled applicants

If you have followed a non-standard educational route and have been, for example, educated at home, your application will be considered against the standard entry criteria of the course to which you applied. You will be required to demonstrate that you meet the academic entry requirements as specified for the course. We will also require a reference which should be written by somebody who knows you well enough, in an official capacity, to write about you and your suitability for higher education. Please refer to UCAS for further information: UCAS reference guidelines .

Non-standard educational routes

Mature students are some of our most well-equipped learners, bringing skills and attributes gained from work, family and other life experiences. Students come from a whole array of backgrounds, study every kind of course, undertake full-time and part-time learning and are motivated by career intentions as well as personal interest. There is no such thing as a typical mature student at Manchester.

The application process is the same as for other prospective undergraduates. If you require further clarification about the acceptability of the qualifications you hold please contact the academic School(s) you plan to apply to. Further information for mature students can be found here .

How your application is considered

Your UCAS application is always considered as a whole; taking into account your qualifications, personal statement and reference.

We consider the Widening Participation status of applicants while assessing applications; borderline candidates holding a WP or WP Plus flag are given further consideration.

Deferrals

Applications for deferred entry are normally considered. The admissions tutor will be looking for valid reasons for deferral (eg financial, relevant work experience, charity work).

Policy for applicants who resit their qualifications

If you have re-sat individual modules to improve your grades, we will consider your application according to the standard selection process. If you are planning to re-sit the final Year 13 examinations, or have already done so, the University will consider your application, but we may require further information in order to make an informed judgment on your application.

Re-applications

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry.

In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved.

We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.If you are applying for a place for the same year of entry through UCAS Extra, you should provide additional evidence of your suitability for the course. If you are applying through clearing you are required to meet the clearing requirements. In both UCAS Extra and clearing the places will be subject to availability.

Transfers

We do not consider applications for the second or third year of the course.
No credit will be given for prior learning.

Course details

Course description

LLB Law with Criminology combines a distinctive approach to legal education from a globally recognised institution, bringing together research-informed academic study and practice-led approaches to law, with study in a pioneering Criminology department focused on pedagogical innovation.

You will study the foundations of law in the England and Wales and gain a deeper understanding of crime and the societal responses to crime.

You will learn how to contextualise crime in its wider social and political setting and evaluate new policy developments in law and justice. You will be able to understand and evaluate the nature and complexity of the criminal justice system in the UK, as well as international legal and criminal justice systems, and their relevance and influence in a global society.

You will tailor your degree to your specific interests by choosing from a range of optional units offered by our diverse team of experienced academics and practitioners.

The course will help you develop the skills and attributes attractive to employers in law or criminal justice, including the police, prisons, offender management, youth justice and victimisation. As well as building your legal skills, you will analyse a range of sources from both disciplines and assess complex data related to experiences of criminality.

Our award-winning Justice Hub is a centre for excellence in clinical legal education and offers free legal advice to members of the public. Volunteering here gives you the opportunity to contribute to our partnerships with the public, charitable and private sectors and play your part in our commitment to social responsibility. By learning through reflection and collaboration, and applying your studies in practice, you can help access to justice for some of the most vulnerable, marginalised and disadvantaged in society.

Studying at one of the UK's most globally connected universities means you have opportunities to gain a cutting-edge perspective on law and criminology reflected in our teaching and from your experience as a member of our academic community.

Special features

Launch yourself into law and criminology

Study our Introduction to Law and Legal Skills and Foundational Criminology courses, designed to inspire your learning.

Volunteer at our Justice Hub

Get involved with our Justice Hub comprising of the Legal Advice Centre, Manchester Free Legal Help, the Manchester Innocence Project and the Dementia Law Clinic.

Itis a centre for excellence in clinical legal education and offers free legal advice to the public.

Shape the future through LegalTech

Engage with LegalTech throughout your studies, exploring cutting-edge digital futures to gain a greater understanding of this new area of legal practice.

Placement opportunity

You can apply for a paid Q-Step internship during the summer between Years 2 and 3.

Gain a global perspective

Experience different legal cultures and perspectives, broaden your studies and discover different styles of education through Study Abroad .

Community beyond the classroom

Make the most of your time at Manchester with our student-led societies . They are a great way to meet students, connect with prospective employers and enhance your CV through organised events.

Teaching and learning

Our teaching is driven by active and innovative approaches to learning, aimed at inspiring and supporting you as you develop throughout your degree.

You will be challenged to reflect on what you are taught to develop intellectual independence and graduate skills.  

Contact time of lectures, seminars, and workshops amount to a minimum of 10 hours per week.

In total, you will spend about 40 hours per week studying, comprised of taught sessions and guided independent learning.  

Lectures are delivered to a large cohort of students, covering an overview of a particular subject.  

Workshops and seminars are integral to our active learning and research-oriented approach.

In small groups, you discuss, present, and apply the law based on what you have learnt.  

Our teaching is enhanced by our virtual learning environment which enables you to engage with peers, academics and interactive content to further your studies.  

You will develop independent and teamworking skills, furthering your knowledge through research and learning to communicate complex concepts to a range of audiences.  

You will be encouraged to respond to feedback from peers and staff to apply your understanding of the law in your academic work.  

Your experience and wellbeing are an integral aspect of our teaching and learning.

To ensure that you feel supported, we provide you with an Academic Advisor, a Peer Mentor, and a student representative to present student views and experiences in regular staff and student committee meetings.  

Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning

Coursework and assessment

Through your assessments, you will demonstrate graduate skills that prepare you for a range of careers. Methods of assessments include:

  • exams;
  • coursework;
  • short exercises or written pieces such as case reports and reflective diaries;
  • problem-based multiple choice questions;
  • oral presentations;
  • portfolios and project work.

We will support you through detailed feedback to help you improve and progress in your studies.

Course content for year 1

Year 1 provides you with the foundation to your studies of Law and Criminology.

You will study three 30-credit full-year Law courses:

  • Introduction to Law and Legal Skills;
  • Law of Obligations (Contract and Torts);
  • Criminal Law.

Plus, the following Criminology courses:

  • Crime and Society (10 credits);
  • Criminological Research Methods (20 credits).

Course units for year 1

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
CRIM10071 20 Mandatory
CRIM10122 10 Mandatory
LAWS10160 30 Mandatory
LAWS10320 30 Mandatory
LAWS10640 30 Mandatory

Course content for year 2

In Year 2, you will study two full-year foundational subjects:

  • Land Law (30 credits);
  • Public Law (30 credits).

You will select a 20-credit full-year subject from a range of specially designed units which develop your foundational studies. The units currently offered are:

  • Human Rights
  • Law in a Global Context
  • Principles and Practice of Commercial Law
  • Law in Practice (simulated)

You will also select two 20-credit Criminology subjects which extend your understanding of criminological theory and your knowledge of the practices and techniques used in contemporary criminal justice systems. The units currently offered are:

  • Understanding Punishment
  • Modelling Criminological Data
  • Explaining Crime and Deviance

These are designed by leading researchers in their fields and will develop your knowledge of specific patterns of crime and criminality, as well as your understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Course units for year 2

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
CRIM20051 20 Mandatory
LAWS20250 30 Mandatory
LAWS20530 30 Mandatory
CRIM20412 20 Optional
CRIM20452 20 Optional
CRIM20692 20 Optional
LAWS20880 20 Optional
LAWS21020 20 Optional
LAWS22040 20 Optional
LAWS23050 20 Optional

Course content for year 3

In your final year, you will select four 20-credit Law and two 20-credit Criminology subjects which consider specialised and in-depth areas of law and criminology.

Our optional subjects give you the opportunity to engage with our world-leading research specialisms.

You also have a choice to write a dissertation in place of one of these courses.

Please note that course units available are subject to change annually.

Students wishing to satisfy the professional requirements for the academic stage of training for the Bar Standards Board must take certain course units.

Course units for year 3

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
CRIM30601 20 Optional
CRIM30620 20 Optional
CRIM30642 20 Optional
CRIM30661 20 Optional
CRIM30811 20 Optional
CRIM31101 20 Optional
CRIM31152 20 Optional
CRIM31172 20 Optional
LAWS30001 20 Optional
LAWS30012 20 Optional
LAWS30081 20 Optional
LAWS30121 20 Optional
LAWS30201 20 Optional
LAWS30252 20 Optional
LAWS30272 20 Optional
LAWS30292 20 Optional
LAWS30322 20 Optional
LAWS30382 20 Optional
LAWS30451 20 Optional
LAWS30471 20 Optional
LAWS30492 20 Optional
LAWS30702 20 Optional
LAWS30731 20 Optional
LAWS31062 20 Optional
LAWS31072 20 Optional
LAWS31122 20 Optional
LAWS31192 20 Optional
LAWS31201 20 Optional
LAWS31202 20 Optional
LAWS31301 20 Optional
LAWS32401 20 Optional
LAWS32502 20 Optional
Displaying 10 of 32 course units for year 3

Facilities

You will have access to first-class facilities to learn and practice your skills, both independently and with other students.

Moot court

Our moot court allows you to enhance your practical application of the law in a simulated court environment alongside your peers and legal experts.

Library

You can access our specialist law library, in addition to one of the best-resourced academic libraries in the UK

Justice Hub

Get the best possible start to your legal career with our Justice Hub network. Develop your values, ethics and civic engagement in:

  • the Legal Advice Centre ;
  • the Dementia Law Clinic;
  • the Manchester Innocence Project;
  • Manchester Free Legal Help.

You can also choose to study Law in Practice and Law in Action, and apply take part in the Justice Hub Vacation Scheme.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk

Careers

Career opportunities

We are a top 10 university for Criminology in the UK (The Guardian league table for Best UK universities for criminology, 2022).

The University of Manchester also has an excellent reputation for employability, and we are one of the most targeted universities by the nation's top employers (The Graduate Market in 2021, High Fliers Research).

The Law School embeds employability across its courses and has excellent links with legal professions, the criminal justice sector, business, and the public sector.
Our graduates have an impressive record of securing employment, in areas such as:
police and offender management (for example Probation Service);

  • community justice;
  • national intelligence and security agencies;
  • charity and voluntary sector organisations;
  • government;
  • teaching.

The award-winning Justice Hub provides opportunities for you to volunteer, putting your legal knowledge into practice by undertaking legal advice work.

Our students have achieved success in national and international mooting and client interviewing competitions and are encouraged and supported by staff and peers.

We run employability sessions giving you the opportunity to meet employers and offer workshops delivered by in-house specialists. You will benefit from unique training, networking and skills development opportunities.

Careers Service

The University has its own dedicated and award-winning Careers Service that works closely with Law and Criminology to provide specialist advice tailored to you, offering insights into careers in the legal and criminal justice sectors.

You will have full access to the Careers Service as a student and for two years after you graduate, providing opportunities to help boost your employability .

Solicitors Qualifying Exam preparation

The Law School has collaborated with a global legal education provider BARBRI to offer our students and alumni a comprehensive preparation programme for the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE). This collaboration creates a pathway to qualify as a solicitor, learning from BARBRI's industry-leading legal education to prepare for the SQE.

BARBRI offer the prep courses at The University of Manchester at least twice per year on a full-time and part-time basis to support those working alongside their studies.

Recognition by the Bar Standards Board

You will have the opportunity to study courses that cover the foundations of legal knowledge, which are necessary to satisfy the academic component of training to become a barrister in England and Wales.

Regulated by the Office for Students

The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website.

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website.