Law and Criminology (LLB)
- Subject areas: Law, Social sciences
- UCAS code: M190
- Next intake: September 2025
- Duration: 3 years
- Mode: Full time
Why study this course
Placement opportunities
Gain valuable graduate-level experience as a paralegal including: case management, legal research and legal writing.
Organisational connections
Learn from leading institutions through links to police, probation and prisons, as well as government at local and national levels.
Professional accreditation
Course accredited by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
Law in context
Explore contemporary issues in environmental law, human rights law and discrimination and law.
Complement your academic studies
We offer a range of pioneering pro-bono projects where you can work with clients under professional supervision.
Subject area: Law
Subject area: Social sciences
Entry requirements
We accept a combination of A-levels and other qualifications, as well as equivalent international qualifications subject to entry requirements. Typical offers are as follows:
A level
AAA-AAB
Extended/International Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ/IPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.
Our grade range covers our standard offer and contextual offer. We carefully consider the circumstances in which you've been studying (your contextual data) upon application.
- Eligible students will be given an offer at the lower end of the advertised grade range.
- Where there is no grade range advertised and/or where there are selection processes in place (like an interview) you may receive additional points in the selection process or be guaranteed interview/consideration.
Learn about eligible courses and how contextual data is applied.
International Baccalaureate
36-34 overall or 666 in 3 HL subjects.
Baccalaureate Wales
From September 2023, there will be a new qualification called the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales (level 3). This qualification will replace the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (Welsh Baccalaureate). The qualification will continue to be accepted in lieu of one A-Level (at the grades listed above), excluding any specified subjects.
Other essential requirements
You must have or be working towards:
- English language or Welsh language at GCSE grade B/6 or an equivalent (such as A-levels). If you require a Student visa, you must ensure your language qualification complies with UKVI requirements.
If you’d like to progress to either the Legal Practice Course or the Bar Training Course after you graduate, we urge you to first read the fitness to practise requirements of the relevant professional body to make sure you’d be eligible to register with them:
- Bar Standards Board handbook
- Solicitors Regulation Authority period of recognised training
We do not accept Critical Thinking, General Studies, Citizenship Studies, or other similar equivalent subjects.
We will accept a combination of BTEC subjects, A-levels, and other qualifications, subject to the course specific grade and subject requirements.
English language requirements
GCSE
Grade B or grade 6 in GCSE English Language.
IELTS (academic)
At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in writing and a minimum of 6.0 in all other subskills.
TOEFL iBT
At least 90 overall with a minimum of 22 for writing and 20 in all other subskills.
PTE Academic
At least 69 overall with a minimum of 69 in writing and a minimum of 62 in all other communicative skills.
Trinity ISE II/III
II: a Distinction in Writing and at least one Distinction and two Merits in other components.
III: at least a Pass in all components.
Other accepted qualifications
Please visit our English Language requirements page for more information on our other accepted language qualifications.
Criminal convictions
You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course.
If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:
- access to computers or devices that can store images
- use of internet and communication tools/devices
- curfews
- freedom of movement
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Other qualifications from inside the UK
BTEC
DDD in a BTEC Extended Diploma in any subject.
T level
Acceptance of T Levels for this programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Academic School. Consideration will be given to the T Level grade/subject and grades/subjects achieved at GCSE/Level 2.
Please see our admissions policies for more information about the application process.
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
We are currently awaiting confirmation on tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year.
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in the second and subsequent years of a course as permitted by law or Welsh Government policy. Where applicable we will notify you of any change in tuition fee by the end of June in the academic year before the one in which the fee will increase.
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
We are currently awaiting confirmation on tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year.
Fees for island status
Learn more about the undergraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Fees for overseas status
We are currently awaiting confirmation on tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year.
Additional costs
Course specific equipment
What the student should provide:
You do not need any specific equipment to study on this programme. Access to a laptop computer would be advantageous as many readings are available electronically and most assessments are prepared using standard word processing software.
What the University will provide:
Networked computers with appropriate file space and all necessary software. Access to essential and background reading for each module plus a wide range of journals and other online resources. All course documents will be available online (via the VLE) and hard copies of essential documents will be provided if requested.
Accommodation
We have a range of residences to suit your needs and budget. Find out more on our accommodation pages.
Living costs
We're based in one of the UK's most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Course structure
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2025/2026 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2025.
Year one
You will study four compulsory 20 credit Law modules and two compulsory 20 credit modules in Criminology in year one.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Contract [20] | CL4201 | 20 credits |
| Criminal [20] | CL4202 | 20 credits |
| Legal Foundations [20] | CL4203 | 20 credits |
| Public Law [20] | CL4204 | 20 credits |
| Foundations of Contemporary Criminology | SI0284 | 20 credits |
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Key Ideas In Social Science | SI0422 | 20 credits |
| Theories of Crime and Punishment | SI0801 | 20 credits |
Year two
You will study modules amounting to 120 credits in total, 80 of which are to be chosen from the list of optional Law modules available. Remaining modules will be taken from the list of options in Criminology.
If you wish to obtain a qualifying Law degree, you will notice that our QLD modules (Tort and Land Law) are offered with a range of credit weightings. This provides you with flexibility in your module choices but also allows you to study the modules needed for a qualifying law degree.
The list of optional modules is kept under review on an annual basis in light of factors such as staff resources and student demand. The final honours classification is based on the assessments taken in years two and three
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Responses to Crime | SI0202 | 20 credits |
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Land Law [20] | CL5201 | 20 credits |
| Tort [20] | CL5202 | 20 credits |
| Discrimination and Law [20] | CL5205 | 20 credits |
| Cyfraith Tir [20] | CL5221 | 20 credits |
| CAMWEDD [20] | CL5222 | 20 credits |
| Welsh Devolution | CL5223 | 20 credits |
| Datganoli yng Nghymru | CL5224 | 20 credits |
| French Law I | CL5255 | 20 credits |
| French Law II | CL5256 | 20 credits |
| Land Law [30] | CL5301 | 30 credits |
| Tort [30] | CL5302 | 30 credits |
| Discrimination and Law [30] | CL5305 | 30 credits |
| Sociology of Law | CL5312 | 30 credits |
| Sociology of Law | CL5312 | 30 credits |
| Crime, Law and Society | CL5313 | 30 credits |
| Media Law [30] | CL5318 | 30 credits |
| Cyfraith Tir [30] | CL5321 | 30 credits |
| CAMWEDD [30] | CL5322 | 30 credits |
| Welsh Devolution [30] | CL5323 | 30 credits |
| Datganoli yng Nghymru [30] | CL5324 | 30 credits |
| Legal Practice: Foundation Skills | CL5327 | 30 credits |
| Miscarriages of Justice: The Cardiff Innocence Project | CL5328 | 30 credits |
| Public International Law | CL5329 | 30 credits |
| Law and Poverty | CL5332 | 30 credits |
| Offending and Victimisation | SI0201 | 20 credits |
| Crimes of the Powerful | SI0314 | 20 credits |
Year three
In year three, you will choose between 60- 80 credits from Law modules and the remaining 40-60 credits will be chosen from Criminology options.
If you wish to obtain a qualifying Law degree, you will notice that our QLD modules (Law of the European Union and Equity and Trusts) are offered with a range of credit weightings. This provides you with flexibility in your module choices but also allows you to study the modules needed for a qualifying law degree.
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
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.
Careers
Career prospects
School of Law and Politics
Students who have chosen to work immediately following their degree have obtained roles as negotiators, paralegals, mortgage handlers and lawyers with law firms such as Hugh James Solicitors, Admiral Law, Eversheds LLP and NHS Wales Legal and Risk Services.
A law degree doesn’t restrict graduates to careers within the legal profession. Each year a number of law graduates enter professions as diverse as finance, sales and marketing, digital communications and recruitment.
You will have access to a dedicated Careers Consultant at the School of Law and Politics. They arrange practical employability workshops throughout the year which cover topics including writing CVs and covering letters, preparing for employer selection days and interviews, job search strategies and sourcing work.
School of Social Sciences
Turning theory into practical application and providing experience of the working world are important facets of preparing our graduates for life outside of education.
We encourage our students to think about life beyond University from day one, offering modules and support to give you a competitive advantage on graduating.
Studying in Welsh
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How to apply
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HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.
