Criminology and Law with foundation year

Explore crime, its causes, societal impact and criminal law, and equip yourself with the knowledge and skills needed for a career within the criminal justice system, both nationally and internationally.

Please note that the foundation year of this Coventry University degree will be delivered from our CU Coventry campus. Course delivery from year 1 of the degree onwards will be from the Coventry University campus.

Our degree with foundation year could be the stepping stone you need to achieve your goals. The foundation year aims to prepare you for degree-level study and is a great way to build the confidence, skills and knowledge needed to succeed on your degree course. Explore crime, its causes, societal impact and criminal law, and equip yourself with the knowledge and skills needed for a career within the criminal justice system, both nationally and internationally.

Foundation year
The foundation year course offers an introduction to your chosen subject and helps you develop the necessary skills for degree-level study. It aims to provide a thorough understanding of legal principles and best practice. With a focus on European, national and local contexts, this course explores the development of legislation and case law with core academic skills.

Degree
Bridge the gap between theory and practice, applying legal and criminological frameworks to real-world challenges. With a focus on rigorous analysis and evaluation, you’ll explore developments within the legal system and learn how to address crime management.

Modern curriculum: promotes the development of forward-thinking strategies to address current challenges such as cybercrime and criminal justice reform, allowing you to gain the analytical skills needed to navigate the rapidly changing landscape of crime and justice.
Industry-focused learning: analyse and evaluate a range of topics and recent developments concerning the legal system in England and Wales and the management of crime at both local and global levels.
Real-world learning: our mock courtroom allows you to take on a range of legal roles during teaching, helping you to develop the practical skills needed for future roles in criminal justice.

Why study this course

Foundation year

• Supports you to gain the academic skills required for degree-level study.

• Provides a grounding in key areas of criminal law and legal practice.

Degree

• Project-based learning: actively engage in real-world, meaningful projects. Work on complex problems, create tangible solutions and develop essential skills such as critical thinking, collaboration and communication. Assessment is designed to replicate the work and tasks carried out by criminology and law graduates, allowing you to showcase your expertise and real-world readiness.

• Contemporary issues: course content covers a range of areas within criminology, such as victimology, criminal justice, law and advocacy.

• Academic and industry insights: You will have the opportunity to attend lectures/events led by expert speakers from agencies involved in criminal justice.2 Their insights should help provide further context on how you can apply the knowledge and skills you gain throughout the course.

• Global perspective: get a global perspective of crime and compare different methods and ideologies regarding crime prevention, management and justice.

• Build your experience: take part in authentic simulations to enhance the study of penal methods of punishment.

Please visit our website for the most up-to-date information.

Course Modules

The foundation year offers an introduction to your chosen subject and supports you to develop the skills required for degree-level study.

Modules:
Introduction to the English Legal System
Contract Law
Criminal Law and Practice
Academic and Professional Skills for Lawyers

Year One
This course has a common first year.

The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Common first year courses:

Criminology BA (Hons)
Criminology and Forensic Investigations BA (Hons)
Criminology and Law BA (Hons)
Criminology and Psychology BA (Hons)
Criminology and Youth Justice BA (Hons)

Modules:
The Psychology of Criminal Behaviour
The Criminal Justice System
Criminal Law and Justice
Principles of Investigation: Theory and Practice

Year Two Modules:
Youth, Crime and Justice
Policing
Understanding Evidence
Criminal Practice and Evidence

Sandwich Year:
There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

Final Year Modules:
Rehabilitation and Criminal Justice
Victimology
Violence and Exploitation
Crime, Advice and Advocacy

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.