A group of students sitting in a lecture room, looking at laptop screens.

Available with:

  • Foundation Year


Course Summary

Gain a rich understanding of the key components and fundamentals of Law and Criminal Justice through the learning on this degree.

Chester Law School maintains strong links with local legal professionals and the wider community to enhance our course, ensuring that you make the most out of your time at university. Specialist opportunities such as guest lecturers and an array of co-curricular outreach and pro bono (free legal advice) opportunities can enhance your skill set and transform you into a Law graduate who stands out from the crowd.

Studying our Law with Criminal Justice degree allows you to tailor your studies to your interests. Gain a rich understanding of key concepts in your first year of study and experience our Experiential Law module in your second year. In your final year, you will have the opportunity to focus your studies on areas of Law that particularly interest you, developing your skills within your chosen specialist modules before you graduate.

Outside of your studies, join our Law Society which hosts a variety of events throughout the year, gain an insight into law in the real world by volunteering at our Legal Advice Clinic, or get involved with Chester Community Law Project, the Law School’s student-led outreach programme which enables volunteers to use their legal knowledge to benefit our local community.

Our team is made up of former practitioners and nationally recognised academic lawyers, who are committed to helping you make your career aspirations a reality. 

Why You'll Love It

Study Law at the University of Chester

Study Law at the University of Chester

What You'll Study

The Law, Humanities and Social Sciences Foundation Year route offers you an important preparation year as part of your four-year degree.

For Law and Criminal Justice subjects, you will explore legal frameworks, criminal justice systems, wider social contexts and issues, as well as case scenarios, and research and problem solving in law and criminology. 

For Humanities and Social Science subjects, you will explore people and societies and their beliefs, cultures, power structures, stories and narratives, as well as critical inquiry into societal issues and global affairs with contemporary and historical perspectives.

  • Term 1: Introduction to Law & Criminal Justice
  • Term 2: Social Issues and Contexts
  • Term 3: Research in Law & Criminology

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

This course is designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to excel in the areas of law and criminal justice and beyond.

Begin your academic journey with a first year that sets the stage for your future success. Not only will you cover foundational legal principles and explore how law interacts with criminal justice, but you will also begin to prepare you for a legal career by introducing you to practical legal and employability skills. This approach provides a well-rounded education that begins to prepare you for the dynamic world of law and business.

Modules

This module takes a problem focused approach to the key principles that underpin Contract Law in England and Wales. As part of this module you will explore how a contract is formed, identify the contents of the contract whether expressly or impliedly created. You will also consider the enforcement of the contract and some of the vitiating factors that may undermine the apparent creation of a contract.

The module explores the relationship between law and the State, covering elements including:

  • Principles of the UK constitution: the meaning of democratic governance; sources of the Constitution in the UK; theories and concepts underpinning the Constitution in the UK; arguments for and against codification.
  • Parliamentary sovereignty
  • The Rule of Law and the Separation of Powers; judicial regulation of governmental behaviour; the importance of an independent judiciary
  • Political accountability: ministerial responsibility; mechanisms of Parliamentary accountability; freedom of information
  • Legal mechanisms of accountability: judicial review
  • Introduction to The Human Rights Act 1998: consequences for the relationship between Parliament and the Judiciary

This module is designed to introduce you to the sources and classifications of law and the structure of the English Legal System and those who work within it. It includes training on legal and academic skills to help you succeed in your academic studies as well as understand and avoid academic misconduct. You will also begin to explore your entry into the legal profession by participating in professional sessions covering legal careers, entry into them, and the skills needed to succeed in those careers.

This module focuses on the roles of legal, business and criminal justice professionals and will develop your professional skills.

The module examines the legal and ethical theories which underpin the law in a variety of subject-areas, including punishment and sentencing, medical law and ethics, family law ethics and business and professional ethics. It looks at proposed law reform in these areas in response to a change in society's moral values and evaluates these proposals.

This module takes a problem-focused approach to introduce you to the key principles that underpin the law of property in England and Wales. You will examine the various types of estates and the rights and interests in land, including their creation and enforceability against current and future landowners. Additionally, you will explore the relationship between law and environmental sustainability in the context of property law.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

In your second year, you'll build upon your solid foundation in legal studies in Criminal Law and Tort Law.  You'll also engage with criminal justice-focused modules such as Criminological Theory and Injustices in Society. You will also gain deeper insight into your future career through Law: Practice and Profession, and an Experiential Law module, offering opportunities to undertake a placement, experiential learning, or community engagement projects. This hands-on experience is designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Modules

This module takes a practical approach to exploring the key legal principles required to prove criminal liability for a variety of specific offences in the jurisdiction of England and Wales. It will also consider the defences available to individuals accused of a specific offence.

This module develops on the skills obtained from students undertaking both Contract Law and Property Law at Level 4. The module takes a problem-based approach to introduce you to the key principles which underpin the law of tort in England and Wales. The most extensive aspect of the module is the most significant of the torts : the tort of negligence. You will explore key principles of the tort of negligence such as the duty of care, the standard of care, breach of the standard of care and the requirements for causation of damage. You will also explore the principles of other torts such as the torts of trespass to the person: assault, battery and false imprisonment and the tort of private nuisance.

This module builds on the Legal System, Skills and Profession Development module, and centres on developing key academic and professional skills, including academic conduct and legal skills essential for a legal career or related professional career. It promotes critical reflection of existing skills and knowledge to identify strengths and areas that need improvement. Students will participate in skills and professional development sessions to develop strategies to enhance their future career prospects.

This module aims to enhance students’ prospects of gaining graduate level employment through engagement with a range of legal employability events, activities or placement opportunities, which will enable them to:

  • Develop their understanding of workplace practice and lifelong learning;
  • Enhance their work readiness and employability prospects through development of transferable skills;
  • Take responsibility for their own learning and acquisition of employability skills;
  • Articulate, in writing, their employability skills.

This module aims to give students a comprehensive introduction to the key issues and debates in criminological scholarship. These will include such issues as the nature of 'crime', its distribution and patterning, major conceptual paradigms and the effects of crime. Students will learn about how crime, deviance and harm can be argued to be social constructs. We will consider some of the different ways that 'crime' is defined in criminology and the difficulties involved in measuring crime.

This module develops on from LA5103 so that students can use the skills and knowledge gained in LA5103 and apply it to the realities of the administration of Criminal Justice in England and Wales. The module will look at different models of criminal justice, the structure of the Criminal Justice System in England and Wales, Police and policing, Pre-trial processes and the courts, Post-trial processes and punishment. Students will review case studies relating to miscarriages of justice in order to evaluate and critique the functioning and administration of Criminal Justice in England and Wales. 

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

In your final year you will continue to develop and apply the knowledge and skills developed in previous years, but in your area(s) of interest. You'll undertake a major law project, either academic or more practically focused, in an area that ignites your passion. Alongside this, you'll choose a pathway of modules that align with your career aspirations, allowing you to tailor your studies to your interests and goals. This pathway offers focused study in areas such as Advanced Criminal Law and Theory alongside Evidence Law, or in Human Rights and Social Justice.

Modules

This module provides an opportunity for students to undertake a significant project demonstrating individual creativity and the exploration and application of knowledge gained on the course. The substantive content will be determined by the student’s own focus and context, developed initially as a negotiated proposal, but with the ultimate aim of providing a Project Portfolio. The outcomes of this project would either be presented or exhibited as part of the department’s end of year project exhibition.

This module provides an in-depth study of Equity and Trusts, building on the foundational Principles of Property Law. Students will examine the role of equity and trusts within the English legal system. The module covers the nature and characteristics of trusts, including legal and equitable interests in property, express trusts, implied trusts, charitable trusts, aspects of breach of trust, and co-ownership principles.After completing Principles of Property Law and Equity, Trusts and Property Law II students will be well prepared to begin to explore real world legal issues related to the conveyance of land in Conveyancing Law and Practice.

  • Medical Law and Ethics (20 Credits) Optional
    This module follows on from Tort Law at Level 5. The module provides an in depth overview of both clinical negligence, and other aspects of medical law, such as the interface between law and ethics, the historical development of medical law in various areas, and also the potential for reform of the law and regulation in the medical sphere . Aspects covered may include topics such as the regulation of organ donation, the legal position on assisted dying, the regulation of abortion and the regulation of assisted reproduction.
  • Discrimination Law (20 Credits) Optional
    This module explores the development of Discrimination Law in England and Wales and considers this in light of previous EU membership. It introduces the core concepts of Discrimination Law including the protected characteristics and prohibited conduct particularly focusing on the application of the Equality Act 2010 in relation to employment.

And you can choose ONE of the following pathways:

Evidence and Advanced Criminal stream (40 Credits) Optional

Evidence (20 Credits) Optional
Builds on the study of Criminal Law from level 5 to explore the sources and rules of evidence criminal trials. It examines the historical development and principles underlying evidence law, critically analyses the framework in the criminal justice system with a focus on recent legislation and case law. It involves evaluating the current law to determine how it applies to hypothetical scenarios, and whether it is effective or requires further reform.

Advanced Criminal Law & Practice (20 Credits) Optional
This Advanced Criminal Law module builds on previous studies of Level 5 Criminal Law and Level 6 Evidence Law to deepen your understanding of how criminal law is applied in practice and to develop essential advocacy skills. It covers major criminal offences and their legal definitions, explores procedural requirements in criminal courts, and focuses on developing skills in drafting legal documents and advocacy.

Human Rights and Social Justice stream (40 Credits) Optional

Human Rights Law (20 Credits) Optional
This module builds on the study of Public Law at level 4 and examines the law relating to human rights under both national and European systems. Students will be introduced to the history of human rights legislation in the UK and Europe as well as considering how the law applies in relation to particular contexts such as the criminal justice system and prisoners rights.

Social Justice (20 Credits) Optional
This module considers the challenges faced by socially disadvantaged clients, and those who advise and represent them, in seeking access to justice. It examines the work of social justice lawyers in today's legal landscape and will draw on their real life work and experiences. The module will explore Legal Aid generally and access to justice, as well as a range of social justice issues.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

How You'll Learn

The course is delivered through in-person learning in lectures, seminars and workshops. Online learning will also be utilised to support independent study, which will include guided reading and study, group work and completing assessments.

If studied, the Foundation Year, as with the following years of study, will be taught in three 10-week blocks across an academic year. Each block will comprise of a large 40-credit subject-specific module that includes a breadth of topics and subject skills. You will have on average 12-14 hours of contact time per week during the Foundation Year. There may be variations to this where subject practical or specialist space teaching is included.

You will experience the benefits of block teaching with our course. Focus on two subjects at a time for deeper learning and stronger connections with tutors and classmates. The course adopts a student-centred approach and offers tailored support through small seminar groups, fostering social and community learning.

Teaching will be delivered by experienced academics and practitioners in the subject. This will be supplemented by occasional guest lecturers and speakers, where possible and appropriate.

This course is designed to develop highly skilled, confident and independent graduates. By utilising authentic assessments that embed real-world employment skills, the course ensures that you are well-prepared for your future career.

There is a broad range of assessment methods so that you are equipped to respond to the different types of tasks you might encounter in the workplace. These will include:

  • coursework in the form of professional reports
  • problem-based assessments
  • letters of advice
  • and presentations.

The methods of assessment on the course will be continuously reviewed to ensure that they adequately prepare you for graduate-level employment.

All teaching is delivered by experienced academics and practitioners, with the fundamental principles of the Chester Future Skills Curriculum at its core - building your subject competence, confidence and key transferable skills to shape you into a world-ready Chester graduate.

Study a Common First Year

This course shares a common first year with students on the Law and Law, Business and Commerce courses.

This means that you’ll learn alongside students studying a similar discipline, helping to broaden your knowledge and exposure to other concepts, perspectives and professions in the first year of your degree.

As you learn and collaborate with students from other courses, you'll not only widen your social and professional network but also learn new skills that will set you up for success in your industry.

In your second and third years, you will progress to studying more specialist modules within criminal justice, developing your skills to become a World Ready graduate.

law mooting video

Mooting - Law LLB at Chester

Entry Requirements

120UCAS points

UCAS Tariff

120 points

GCE A Level

Typical offer – BBC-BBB

BTEC

BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM

International Baccalaureate

28 points

Irish / Scottish Highers

Irish Highers: H3, H3, H3, H3, H3

Scottish Highers: BBBB

Access requirements

Access to HE Diploma, to include 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above

T Level

T Level - Merit

OCR Cambridge Technicals

OCR Extended Diploma: DDM

Extra Information

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.

We accept a wide range of qualifications and consider all applications individually on merit. We may also consider appropriate work experience.

English Language Requirements

  • IELTS Academic: Undergraduate: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each band)
  • Postgraduate: 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each band)

For more information on our entry requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.

72UCAS points

UCAS Tariff

72 points

GCE A level

72 points overall, including grade D in A level

BTEC

BTEC Extended Diploma: MMP

International Baccalaureate

24 points

Irish / Scottish Highers

Irish Highers: H4 H4 H4 H4 H4

Scottish Highers: CCDD

Access requirements

Access to HE Diploma – Pass overall

T Level

T Level: Pass (D or E on the core)

OCR Cambridge Technicals

OCR Extended Diploma: MMP

Extra Information

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer.  We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

If you are a mature student (21 or over) and have been out of education for a while or do not have experience or qualifications at Level 3 (equivalent to A Levels), then our Foundation Year courses will help you to develop the skills and knowledge you will need to succeed in your chosen degree. 

Fees and Funding

£9,535per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2025/26 are £9,535 a year, or £1,590 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

You can find more information about undergraduate fees on our Fees and Finance pages.

Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.

Students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU will pay International Tuition Fees.

Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.

Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.

£14,450*per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £14,450 per year for a full-time course. This fee is set for each year of study.

The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.

For courses with a Foundation Year, the tuition fees for Year 1 are £10,750 and £14,200 for Years 2-4 in 2025/26.

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes. 

In November 2024, as part of the government’s Autumn Budget, it was confirmed that some foundation years from September 2025 will have a fee of £5,760 for the first foundation year of a four-year course. This is mainly for courses in the Humanities, Business, and Social Sciences disciplines. The following three years of these courses will be the standard fee of £9,535 per annum.

  Foundation (First) Year Second Year onwards per year
Home Students £5,760 for the first foundation year (2025/26) £9,535 per year from the second year onwards (2025/26)
International Students * £10,750 for the first foundation year (2025/26) £14,450 per year from the second year onwards (2025/26)

* For courses which accept applications from International Students

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees. 

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills.

The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships. 

Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the Fees and Finance section of our website.

Who You'll Learn From

Dr Niel Gillard

Senior Lecturer in Law, Programme Leader for Law, Law with Business, and Law with Criminology
Dr Niel Gillard

Dr Erin O'leary

Head of Law
Dr Erin O

Gary Robinson

Senior Lecturer
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Dr Matt Garrett

Senior Lecturer
Dr Matthew Garrett

Dr Sue Lazer

Senior Lecturer
Dr Sue Lazer

Rosie Sinclair

Senior Lecturer
Rosie Sinclair

Kate Mccarthy

Senior Lecturer
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John Morrow

Senior Lecturer, Co-Director of the Forum for Research into Equality and Diversity
Dr John Morrow

Megan Cowan

Lecturer
Megan Cowan

Caroline Chappell

Senior Lecturer in Law
Caroline Chappell

Andy Todd

Associate Professor
Assoc Prof Andy Todd

Professor Chantal Davies

Professor of Law, Equality and Diversity/Director Forum for Research into Equality and Diversity
Prof Chantal Davies

Where You'll Study Wheeler, Chester

Your Future Career

Job Prospects

The range of teaching and assessment methods used on the course, as well as the excellent opportunities for self-development, assists students in demonstrating, on graduation, an extensive range of skills that are transferable to a variety of professions.

Progression Options

Our graduates have gone on to successful careers as solicitors and barristers as well as other professional roles and further study.

Careers Service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.

Enquire about a course