Ayshea O’Brien
Senior Lecturer in Law
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Law with Criminology BA (Hons)
Key Facts
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UCAS Code
BA: M1M9
Foundation: MM19 -
Duration
Full Time: 3 Years
Full Time with Foundation: 4 Years
Part Time: 4 -6 Years
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BCC at A Level
DMM at BTEC
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Full Time: £9,535
Part Time: £1,585 (per 20 credits)
Foundation: £5,760
Updated 31/10/2025
Updated 31/10/2025
Within this popular and well-established BA Law with Criminology degree at the University of Northampton, students undertake a comprehensive study of the law and combine this with the study of crime, social order and social control that is central to the study of Criminology. Law modules are designed with three basic aims: to provide a sound basic legal education, to cater for the teaching of law in its social, economic and political context. Criminology tackles questions such as: What is crime? How are laws enforced? Why is crime concentrated in particular areas? How do you judge and evaluate evidence? How can crime be prevented? Through class discussions and independent study, we explore both theoretical and practical perspectives of law and crime.
Why Study Law and Criminology at UON?
- Flexible pathways to cater for academic interest and different career goals.
- Our Law with Criminology team has strong links with the local legal profession and visiting law firms and barristers provide students with career advice.
- Purpose built Moot Room for the Law with Criminology course.
- Optional placement year.
- HP laptop and software included with this law and criminology course for eligible Law with Criminology students. Eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply.
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Entry Requirements
A typical offer to study Law with Criminology would be:
- BCC at A Level or
- DMM at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or
- Pass (C and above) at T Level
We welcome applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications.
We welcome international applicants and applications from those with a range of non-traditional educational or professional qualifications.
For more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page.
If you are an International student and would like information on making an application, please see our How to Apply page.
The standard entry requirements for the Integrated Foundation Year are:
- DEE at A Level or
- MPP at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or
- Pass (D or E) at T Level
We welcome law and criminology degree applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications.
All International and EU students applying for a Law with Criminology course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:
- IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with minimum of 5.5 in all bands for study at undergraduate level.
For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.
What You'll Learn
With detailed insight into law and criminology, students are able to understand how the law relates and responds to crime and criminal acts in society and conversely how criminal acts and changes in the behaviour, organisation and types of crime have an impact on how the law is enforced and new ones developed.
Our Law and Criminology programme has been developed over many years to provide a contextualised study of both subjects. Students benefit from a varied and imaginative modular scheme, which is designed to offer students a wide range of options in addition to the foundation subjects identified by legal professional bodies. In addition, as the ‘problem’ of crime has increasingly become a matter of public and political concern, so the prevention of crime has been prioritised as a matter of social policy. The combination of Law and Criminology into one programme addresses each of these issues and many others in a systematic and methodical manner.
In the first year you will study six compulsory modules. Four of the modules are Law-based (Learning the Law, Current Legal Issues and Jurisprudence, Criminal Law and Ethics, Discrimination and Human Rights), and two are drawn from Criminology (The Science of Crime and Criminal and Crime and Society). This mix of modules will allow you to start exploring both subject areas, and identify areas where they contrast with and complement each other.
The purpose of this module is to explore a range of theories relating to crime and criminality and to locate these within the broader contexts of social divisions and structural inequalities.
The purpose of this module is to explore the scientific evidence used in relation to questions of crimeA combination of perspectives from positivist, biological, anthropological all the way to forensics will be explored in order to understand of the roots and motivation of criminal behaviour.
The module provides a basic introduction to the legal system and key skills to encourage criticality and reflectionSpecifically the module will introduce students to the nature of law, how it is made and applied (both statute and case law) and the courts and legal professionals involved in those processes.
The purpose of this module is to enable students to develop an understanding of the general principles which underpin criminal liability before progressing to consider specific crimal offences and defencesThe module will benefit students working towards the Solicitors Qualifying Exam.
The purpose of this module is to give students an understanding of basic principles relating to human rights, discrimination and ethical behaviourThis will be of benefit to all students as these principles are pervasive throughout their legal studies.
This module provides students with an accessible introduction to jurisprudence and legal theoryIt aims to develop a theoretically informed introduction to some of the key theories that inform the development and application of law from classical theories such as Natural Law Theory to more mdern, critical approaches such as critical legal theory and feminism.
Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 25/26. The modules relating to the academic year 26/27 will be available from June 2026.
At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.
If you join our full-time BA Law with Criminology degree, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.
Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.
To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.
*UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details).
The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a Law with Criminology degree, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.
If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements for Law with Criminology we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year Law with Criminology programme which includes a Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need, in order to successfully progress to the full award.
Our four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.
Please see our Integrated Foundation Year page for more details.
If you meet the entry criteria and choose to take a placement year, you will find it an invaluable experience that helps you to apply your learning in your final year and prepares you for your career in finance. We offer support in helping you to find a placement, which can be in the UK or overseas
The Faculty of Business and Law have a dedicated Placements team who will support you through the process of taking a placement year. You can follow the Faculty of Business and Law Placements Team to hear more about their services.
Is law and criminology a good degree?
A law and criminology degree is a great pathway into entering the legal profession or the criminal justice system. This course provides a deeper understanding of the impacts of crime and how it relates to the development and implementation of laws.
How will I learn on the Law with Criminology degree?
Our Law with Criminology degree is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and research workshops, student-chaired debates and problem-solving exercises as well as directed private study. Students are also expected to work independently and to actively participate in seminar discussion through individual presentations and small group activities.
How will I be assessed?
We use a mix of formative (practice) and summative (graded) assignments across the module, and these have been designed to enable you develop key academic and employability skills which will be of use to you in your chosen career. The key element across all the assessment is the importance of balancing assessments between those which allow you to demonstrate their understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of the subject, and those in which you will apply your knowledge. The assessments also reflect as far as is possible the types of work to which students will be exposed in employment, and the team is committed to using authentic assessments.
We will use a range of written work, presentations, time-constrained work and examinations, reflective work and the longer Practice Improvement Plan element.
Who are the Student Support Team?
The Student Experience Support Team are a team of previous graduates of the University of Northampton, they are here to support all Faculty of Business and Law students by offering a friendly listening ear and ensuring students are aware of the numerous support systems that the University has to offer. The team provide confidential 1-1 meetings in person and online where they will signpost the students to the relevant support teams to ensure they are aware of the support available for them throughout their studies. You can follow the Student Experience Support Team to see the services they offer.
Fees and Funding
2025/26 Tuition Fees
- UK Full Time: £9,535
- UK Part Time: £1,585 per 20 credit module
- UK Integrated Foundation Year: £5,760 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply
- International Full Time: £15,700
- International Integrated Foundation Year: £15,700 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply
- Optional Work Placement Year: TBC
Fees quoted relate to study Law with Criminology in the Academic Year 2025/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years. UON will adjust UK fees annually in line with Government Policy.
Your reading materials are accessible from our library however, you may choose to purchase your own copy of the textbooks. New law textbooks cost in the region of £30-£40 but you can often buy recent second-hand ones for much less.
For information on the relevant law scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.
For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.
Fees quoted relate to study Law with Criminology in the Academic Year 2024/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
- UK Full Time: £9,250
- UK Part Time: £1,540 per 20 credit module
- UK Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply
- International Full Time: £15,200
- International Integrated Foundation Year: £15,200 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply
- Optional Work Placement Year: £1,100
Staff
Simon Sneddon
Professor of Learning and Teaching Innovation
Dominic Watts
Senior Lecturer in Law
Kelly-Ann Cannon
Senior Lecturer in Law
Dominic Carrington
Senior Lecturer in Law
Jade Brailsford
Senior Lecturer in Law
Sarah Willis
Senior Lecturer in Law
Kate Exall
Senior Lecturer in Law
Ed Johnston
Associate Professor in Criminal Justice & Procedure
Cleo Cameron
Senior Lecturer in Criminal Justice Studies
Careers and Employability
Law with Criminology is a popular degree with excellent career prospects. You will develop a range of analytical and critical skills related to law and criminology that can also be applied to a variety of working environments related to the subjects. The BA degree in Law with Criminology provides you with a broad critical grounding which could be relevant to careers in a legal setting, policing, probation work, the prison service, the Home Office, the criminal courts and postgraduate studies.
The knowledge and skills accumulated by our graduates throughout their studies for a law with criminology degree enables them to become extremely reflective and adaptable. Furthermore, the development of attributes such as empathy, problem solving, ethical awareness, combined with a strong sense of social justice, make our graduates increasingly relevant for a variety of different career paths.
Master’s Opportunities
Our master’s courses are a great way to enhance the skills you have already learnt. Benefit from our 20% alumni discount on master’s fees to give yourself a CV that will catch the eye of employers.
Campus Facilities
By studying our BA Law and Criminology degree, you will be able to use our on-campus facilities, study areas, and services.
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