LLB (Hons) — 2026 entry Law with Criminology
If you’re fascinated by crime and punishment our Law with Criminology degree will let you explore the psychology of criminals and the workings of the justice system. Understanding the reasons why crimes are committed is key to developing better laws and improving policing and courts practice, as well as education.
Available in Clearing
Why choose
this course?
- At the Surrey Law School, you’ll be part of a close, friendly community that bigger law schools just can’t offer. With supportive professors and an enthusiastic student body, you’ll thrive in one of the most vibrant law schools in the UK. You'll make awesome friends and be part of a vibrant, buzzing community.
- We're dedicated to making legal careers accessible for everyone. We partner with prestigious organisations to break down barriers and create opportunities so everyone, regardless of background, gets a fair chance.
- Through our Access to Justice Clinics, you can gain valuable work experience of the law in action before you graduate as well as making a real difference!
- Our award-winning Professional Training placements prepare students for roles in industry.
- You’ll benefit from our close links to Guildford’s courts, local and City law firms, and advice centres, as well as links with Surrey Police, HMP Prisons Service, the Ministry of Justice, the Probation Service, the legal profession and charities supporting victims and communities.
- We offer our own Professional Legal Practice (SQE Pathway) LLM so you can apply to stay at Surrey for your masters and benefit from the familiar teaching environment.
We’re preparing you for the future by integrating AI into every course, building digital skills, confidence and creativity that employers value in tomorrow’s workplace.
Statistics
3rd in the UK
Sociology is ranked 3rd in the UK for overall student satisfaction** in the National Student Survey 2026
8th in the UK
For criminology in the Guardian University Guide 2026
Top 70 in the world
For law by the Times Higher Education World University Subject Rankings 2026*
* Ranking out of over 2,000 institutions from 115 countries.
** Measured by % positivity based on Q1-24 for all institutions listed in the Guardian University Guide league table, Sociology category.
What you will study
Our LLB (Hons) Law with Criminology course will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to proceed to professional legal qualifications as a solicitor or barrister and to engage critically with the principles of law. You will also gain an awareness of current issues in criminology – from debates surrounding criminal justice, to social control and the role of the police.
This degree dives into real crime, how society reacts, and how laws are made (and broken!). It's like a deep dive into the criminal justice system. On our Law with Criminology LLB, we’ll challenge you to look closer. We'll explore why crime happens, how laws deal with it, and what the consequences are. You'll learn how to make a difference in the criminal justice system.
You'll have the opportunity to take a range of optional modules related to contemporary issues in criminology in your second and final years.
All second-year law students are enrolled on a Professional Training Preparation module which enables you to develop key employability skills, complete a law-specific version of the University's Employability Award and hear from a wide variety of voices from practice (both legal and non-legal).
We also provide a series of employability training seminars, digital lawyering and pro bono opportunities and extracurricular activities focusing on client interviewing, negotiation and mooting.
Which criminology undergraduate degree is right for me?
We offer five pathways to study criminology. Let us take you through the differences between all of our courses so you know what makes each of them special.
Professional recognition
LLB (Hons) - Bar Standards Board (BSB)
This programme meets the Bar Standards Board's requirements for the academic component of Bar training.
Law for everyone
We support students from a diverse range of backgrounds and work in partnership with organisations to improve access to, and diversity within, the legal profession. This includes supporting students with successful applications for scholarships and mentoring opportunities, such as the Jules Thorn Bar Scholarship from Middle Temple and the Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholarship.
Bar Standards Board compliance
Our Law with Criminology LLB (Hons) complies with Part 2A of the Bar Standards Board (BSB) Bar Qualification Manual. The BSB's Academic Component of Bar Training requires students wishing to become a barrister to have completed the seven foundations of legal knowledge. All our LLB programmes include compulsory modules which satisfy the standards and content set by the BSB for successful evidence of these seven foundations.
Foundation year
If you don’t meet our entry requirements, you might still be able to apply for this degree with a Foundation Year. This is an extra year of study to develop your skills and makes it easier for you to get started at university. On successful completion of your foundation year, you’ll be ready to progress to the first year of your degree.
To see what modules you’ll be studying, refer to the foundation tab in the 'course structure' section.
Facilities
Our Court of the Future is the perfect venue to run practical workshops to demonstrate legal practice and to give you first-hand experience of advocacy in a court setting. It allows you to have mock trials and moot courts in a real adversarial setting. It is comprised of:
- A raised judicial “bench” and a layout mirroring a typical UK court
- Video-conferencing hardware (telepresence system including multiple screens, cameras, microphones, audio system)
- Video-conferencing software
- Digital court recording system with speech recognition and transcription support
- Digital case file management system
- Court interpreting equipment
- Virtual reality simulation.
Discover more about Surrey Law School facilities.
The academic year is divided into two semesters of 15 weeks each. Each semester consists of a period of teaching, revision/directed learning and assessment.
The structure of our programmes follow clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes.
- Law with Criminology LLB (Hons) with foundation year
- Law with Criminology LLB (Hons) with foundation year and placement
Please note: The full module listing for the optional Professional Training placement part of your course is available in the relevant programme specification.
Modules
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Modules are subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff.
New for 2026 entry: At Surrey, we want you to be a future-ready graduate. That’s why all our courses will offer at least one module that integrates and teaches AI tools in discipline-specific ways. You’ll develop the digital skills that employers are looking for and get comfortable with the tech of the future.
Course options
Teaching and learning
For our core law subjects, teaching consists of weekly lectures and tutorials.
You’ll carry out extensive research into the law in preparation for tutorials and engage in solving complex legal problems through advocacy, mooting and discussion of legal principles and rules.
In our criminology modules, you’ll be taught by Criminology academics from the School of Social Sciences who will develop your practical and analytical skills in addressing contemporary criminological problems.
Teaching will take place through lectures and small-group tutorials, projects and workshops designed to develop your knowledge and skills. Tutorials offer a more intimate discussion space where you can articulate your thoughts and ideas and receive feedback from an expert: perfect opportunities to put in practice skills that are essential for a lawyer.
- AI learning
- Group work
- Independent study
- Lectures
- Practical sessions
- Research work
- Seminars
- Tutorials
Assessment
We assess modules individually and award credits for the successful completion of each one. Assessment takes place through a combination of examination and/or coursework, practical examinations and reports.
Check individual module information to see full details at a module level.
General course information
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Timetable
New students will receive their personalised timetable during Welcome Week. In later semesters, at least one week before the start of the semester.
Scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday), with part-time classes normally scheduled on one or two days. Wednesday afternoons tend to be for sports and cultural activities.
View our code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF) for more information.
Location
This course is based at Stag Hill campus. Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
of Surrey undergraduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes 2026, HESA)
We offer a varied programme of careers sessions, which provide advice and guidance on what you should do to develop a suitable career path.
In combination with our student Law Society, we run a variety of events, competitions and activities, such as mooting and client interviewing. These are not only enjoyable and rewarding but will also enhance your employability and introduce you to local and regional solicitors, barristers and other legal professionals.
Surrey Law School has close links with Guildford courts, law firms and chambers and collaborates with them in a number of career-development activities.
Where do our students go?
Each year, many of our graduates take up permanent employment with prestigious employers. These have included Electricité de France, Clifford Chance, Eversheds and other firms of solicitors, sets of barristers’ chambers and legal departments of large companies.
Recent graduates have secured roles in organisations such as:
- BBC News
- Burke Niazi Solicitors
- Clifford Chance
- Clyde & Co
- European Patent Office
- Guildford Chambers
- Moore Barlow Solicitors.
Full entry requirements for Clearing are available on the Clearing application form. Apply online using our Clearing application form.
LLB (Hons) with foundation year
- A-level guide
- CDD
Other requirements
Applicants will need to meet our GCSE Maths and English requirements in addition to the A-level grades. We are also able to consider applicants with a variety of domestic and international qualifications including BTECs and the International Baccalaureate. Please see our equivalencies guide for more information.
If you have your final grades already, you can apply via our Clearing application form.
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in each other element.
View the other English language qualifications that we accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
International Foundation Year
If you are an international student and you don’t meet the entry requirements for this degree, we offer the International Foundation Year at the Surrey International Study Centre. Upon successful completion, you can progress to this degree course.
Selection process
We normally make offers in terms of grades.
If you are a suitable candidate you will be invited to an offer holder event. During your visit to the University you can find out more about the course and meet staff and students.
Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
View our Code of practice for Recognition of Prior Credit and Prior Learning and further guidance: Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning - Guide for Applicants (PDF) for more information.
We recognise that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning (RPL) process may allow you to join a course without the formal entry requirements or enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience. There are restrictions on RPL for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims.
Contextual offers
Did you know eligible students receive support through their application to Surrey, which could include a grade reduction on offer?
Fees for the 2026-27 academic year
Explore UKCISA’s website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all undergraduate courses.
- Standard year
- £9,790
- Foundation year
- £5,760
- Professional training year
- £1,958
- Standard year
- £22,900
- Foundation year
- £22,900
- Professional training year
- £1,958
Professional training placement year fees are approximately 20% of the full-time UK fees of the academic year in which you undertake your placement.
- Fees will increase for each year of your programme as detailed in our tuition fee increases disclaimer.
Payment schedule
- Students with Tuition Fee Loan: the Student Loans Company pay fees in line with their schedule.
- Students without a Tuition Fee Loan: pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be during October to November of each academic year).
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
- The exact date(s) will be on invoices. Students on part-time programmes where fees are paid on a modular basis cannot pay fees by instalment.
- Sponsored students: must provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of study.
Scholarships and bursaries
Discover what scholarships and bursaries are available to support your studies.
Our award-winning Professional Training placement scheme gives you the chance to spend a year in industry, either in the UK or abroad.
We have thousands of placement providers to choose from, most of which offer pay. So, become one of our many students who have had their lives and career choices transformed.
Statistics
Placement Statistics
92%
of students who did a placement entered into graduate level employment*
80%
of placements are paid, with 60% paying between £18,000 - £30,000
48%
of our students have been offered a graduate role from their placement provider**
*Graduate Outcomes 2025, HESA
**Professional training year returners survey 2024
Law with criminology placements
All students on an LLB Pathway will be eligible to apply to complete a work or study placement as part of the Surrey Law School's Professional Training Year programme.
You could work for the full year, either in the UK or abroad, or spend half the year on a work placement and the other half studying at one of our partner universities in countries such as the Netherlands, Sweden, France, Singapore and Australia.
Many Professional Training placements are paid, with the opportunity to experience a variety of contexts, including solicitors’ offices, local authority legal departments, non-governmental organisations and corporations.
Placement opportunities include positions which count towards 'Qualifying Work Experience' for those wishing to qualify as solicitors, and experience of law in practice for those wishing to become barristers.
Some examples of organisations that participate in this scheme include:
- 5 Chancery Lane Commercial Barristers
- Bail for Immigration Detainees
- Citizens Advice Bureau
- National Centre for Domestic Violence
- Penningtons Manches
- Shoosmiths
- Thompson and Co Solicitors.
Applying for placements
Students are generally not placed by the University. But we offer support and guidance throughout the process, with access to a vacancy site of placement opportunities.
Find out more about the application process.
Study and work abroad
Studying at Surrey opens a world of opportunity. Take advantage of our study and work abroad partnerships, explore the world, and expand your skills for the graduate job market.
The opportunities abroad vary depending on the course, but options include study exchanges, work/research placements, summer programmes, and recent graduate internships. Financial support is available through various grants and bursaries, as well as Student Finance.
Perhaps you would like to volunteer in India or learn about Brazilian business and culture in São Paulo during your summer holidays? With 140+ opportunities in 36+ different countries worldwide, there is something for everyone. Explore your options via our search tool and find out more about our current partner universities and organisations.
Apply for your chosen course online through UCAS, with the following course and institution codes.
About the University of Surrey
Need more information?
Contact our Admissions team or talk to a current University of Surrey student online.
- LLB (Hons) with foundation yearView ULA22F0012U
- LLB (Hons) with foundation year and placementView ULA22S0012U
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.
We provide these terms and conditions at offer stage and are shown again at registration. You will be asked to accept these terms and conditions when you accept the offer made to you.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.
Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.
It is important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.