Investigate crimes and challenge injustice with our hands-on Law and Criminology degree
Construct arguments, evaluate ethical dilemmas, and make life-changing decisions with our Law and Criminology degree. You will learn to solve and prevent crimes through:
- analysing criminals and their motives
- assessing current trends
- understanding the impacts of crime
- evaluating punishment and rehabilitation methods.
You will also build detailed and analytical knowledge of the law, covering areas such as:
- criminality
- human rights
- business
- the healthcare sector.
Our law programmes are Qualifying Law Degrees (QLD). After successfully completing this course, you can become a barrister through the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) or a solicitor through the Solicitor’s Qualification Exam route (SQE).
96% of St Mary's students are in employment, vocation, or further study within 15 months of graduation (HESA, 2024).
Hands-on experiences
With our undergraduate law and criminology course, you will learn through diverse hands-on experiences, such as:
- simulated negotiation exercises
- moot court
- pro bono initiatives.
Learn in Legal London
St Mary’s is only a 30-minute train ride to London’s legal district. Therefore, you will have numerous opportunities to visit:
- the Supreme Court
- Old Bailey
- Royal Courts of Justice
- The Law Society
- Parliament
- the Inns of Court.
Hands-on, real-world experience
You can be part of an active law clinic, where you'll help our local community and:
- deal with real cases, building practical experience
- work with large law firms, charities, and other partners
- enter the legal field as a competent, experienced professional.
You can complete a work placement in the local or wider London area.
Previous LLB Law students have worked at:
- private and sole practitioner solicitor firms
- barristers' chambers
- charities
- the Youth Justice Board
- Kingston Crown Court.
Devoted and experienced lecturers
You will learn from experienced and enthusiastic staff here to support your personal and professional growth. Our student, Sebastian, tells us that our “outstanding lecturers […] go the extra mile to help students accomplish their goals”.
Another student, Sophie, explains that St Mary's is "passionate about students being a name not a number" and she "feels as though [she] can speak to the lecturers at any time".
Our dedication to our students meant we climbed 15 places in the Complete University Guide (2023).
About the Placement Year
A placement year enables you to undertake a year of experience in an organisation between your second and final year.
It will enable you to:
- apply the knowledge and skills you gain from your course in a work setting
- build your commercial awareness and insights into organisations and industries you might want to work in
- develop your professional skills through company training, networking skills and confidence in the workplace
- get some great experience for future job applications or even land a graduate job.
Support from St Mary’s every step of the way
Securing a placement can really help you develop your job search skills and the Employability Service placement and Careers Teams can support you to find and apply for available opportunities.
Please note: in the event that you cannot secure a placement you will be able to transfer onto the three year version of your degree programme.
Please note: this course is subject to validation.
Tracy McManus
Lecturer - Subject Lead Law
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Course content
Modules
The optional modules listed below are the modules that were available to students in the 2021/22 academic year and are illustrative of what may be offered for 2022/23.
Please note: it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our course information disclaimer.
Entry requirements
96 - 112
Inclusiveness is one of our core values and we are committed to widening participation. We actively encourage applications from all students as we firmly believe that helping more people from a wide mix of backgrounds to access education contributes positively to individuals and society.
We understand that sometimes barriers you can't control get in the way of academic achievement. You are more than just your grades. We'll consider your application as a whole, taking into account things like:
- subjects studied at Level 3
- your GCSEs (or equivalent) profile
- non-academic achievements you mention in your personal statement
- your references and motivation.
GCSE
GCSE grade 4/C or above in English and Maths, or an equivalent qualification, is required.
We offer GCSE equivalency tests for those who need to improve their GCSE grades.
UCAS Personal statement support
Create your UCAS personal statement through our online builder and we'll email you a copy of your completed version at the end.
Further Information
For more information about entry requirements please email apply@stmarys.ac.uk.
Fees & funding
Tuition fees
Home
£9,250
International
£17,100
(£1200 during placement year)
*Please note: these fees are annual and may increase in line with inflation each year subject to the Government's review of Higher Education Funding.
Information about tuition fees, student loans, and funding your studies can be found within our fees and funding section.
Additional costs
Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your programme.
Additional costs could be incurred depending on optional modules chosen and other projects undertaken.
For further information about additional costs please see our additional costs webpage.
Scholarships
Find out more about our range of scholarships and bursaries available to undergraduate students .
Living costs
A guide to your living costs has been created by our Student Funding Team.
Accommodation costs vary depending on whether you opt for an en suite room and on-site catering. Take a look at our accommodation options and the prices you can expect to pay.
How the degree is taught
Teaching methods
You'll be taught on our beautiful and historic campus located in Twickenham, London.
The degree makes use of a wide range of learning and teaching strategies. Law is predominantly taught in a classroom environment through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials.
Lectures are held weekly and provide a guide to a topic, highlighting important areas and providing information on matters that may not be readily available from other sources.
Seminars are normally held once a week for each module. The seminars provide opportunities for you to consolidate your learning.
Tutorials are provided for weekly and allow you to discuss a piece of prepared work, for example, a single problem question on a one-to-one basis. Tutorials will also be used as a way of providing feedback to draft plans and also completed assignments.
In addition to these formal sessions, you will be expected to organise meetings with other students in the form of study groups and to prepare for group assessments.
You will also have an opportunity to take part in field trips to the local courts.
We make extensive use of Moodle, the University’s virtual learning environment. It's used as a to share important information and resources and for encouraging learning engagement.
In the first year there is an emphasis on tutor-led learning, moving towards a greater degree of self-directed learning in the second year, culminating in a self-managed research project in the third year.
Assessment methods
Assessment types and criteria are clearly linked to the learning outcomes of course. Assessment criteria are used to ensure that you understand the knowledge and skills each assessment is seeking to develop.
You will encounter a variety of different assessment methods, each used to test your subject knowledge, skills and understanding:
- Written examinations
- Reports
- Essays
- Oral assessments
- Log
- Work placement supervisor assessment
- Poster presentation
- Portfolio
- Practical legal skills
- Multiple-choice question exams (MCQs)
Feedback
We adhere to the university’s policy of providing feedback on assessments within 15 working days.
Career opportunities
With our Law and Criminology degree, you will develop crucial transferrable skills, including critical thinking, communication, and leadership.
96% of St Mary's students are in employment, vocation, or further study within 15 months of graduation (HESA, 2024).
We offer lifetime career support. Contact our Career Services at careers@stmarys.ac.uk for further information on work and postgraduate opportunities.
Some examples of job roles and areas of work for graduates of undefined include:
More from St Mary's
Thinking about whether St Mary's is the right place for you? Come and visit it us on campus.
Find out more about the extensive support system available to you at St Mary’s.
Discover the many areas in which our academies are currently researching.
Discover what life is like on our London campus.