Law with Criminology with Foundation Year
Full-time
With placement
Four year
September 2025
In a nutshell
Prepare for a rewarding career in law and justice with our Law with Criminology with Foundation Year programme. This course combines academic study with practical experience, giving you the tools and skills you need to succeed in the legal field.
- Explore crime and justice from a sociological perspective
- Benefit from close links with the legal sector including mini pupillage and judicial shadowing opportunities
- Practice your professional skills through a range of out-of-classroom schemes and activities
BECOME INDUSTRY READY
Our goal is to equip you with the skills you'll need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. You'll learn what employers and the legal professional need right now, and how to build your confidence, adaptability and resilience to meet these challenges.
We place industry focus at the heart of our teaching. You will have the opportunity to shadow working lawyers and judges, practise your learning during a year’s work placement or study abroad and develop your client care skills by helping people looking for support from our legal advice schemes.
A COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM
This programme covers the foundational legal knowledge required by the Bar Standards Board and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). You’ll also gain essential digitals skills through platforms like LinkedIn Learning, where you'll learn:
- WestLaw for legal research
- Microsoft PowerPoint, Word and Generative AI
- Microsoft 365 Fundamentals
YOUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE
Ready to take the next step? Discover more by attending an Open Day, or speak to our dedicated course enquiries team for further information.
options available
Course accreditations
This is for you if...
You want to earn a qualifying law degree to help prepare for a career in law and justice
You are interested in exploring the societal causes and implications of crime
You want to develop highly transferable skills to set you apart from the competition
All about the course
Our programmes are designed with your future in mind. The modules in this course are tailored to meet the current needs of employers and professional bodies, ensuring you're ready to step into the industry with confidence.
ENHANCE YOUR EXPERIENCE
Studying a Law programme at Salford Business School offers numerous opportunities to gain additional practical experience and practice your skills in a real-world setting. Discover our extracurricular and out-of-classroom opportunities to see how you can take your studies further.
Introduction to English Law
The purpose of this module is to give you a fundamental understanding of the key areas of English law, which you will build on in future modules. We introduce you to the core areas of law studied on the LLB course and the basic skills needed to advance to level 4. You will explore the essence of foundation legal principles, together with basic systems of law and sources of law.
English Legal Systems
This introduction to the English legal system covers
- the functions of the law in society
- the court system within England and Wales
- the manner in which law is made in England and Wales
- the individuals working within the legal profession.
The purpose of the module is to provide you with a fundamental understanding of the English legal system, which you will then build upon in future modules on the law degree.
Academic and Personal Skills
Academic and Personal Skills is delivered with your future in mind. This module takes you through how to get to grips with the technology you need to succeed, as well as using the library, how to reference and how to produce the different styles of academic writing.
It also helps you to develop yourself; you will create a CV, learn how to write a cover letter and find out what your learning style is. The module has guest speakers who share their expert knowledge and experience with you. All the skills covered in this module will help you to succeed in your chosen degree.
Further Legal Knowledge
An introduction to further areas of legal knowledge beyond the core modules on the law degree, covering cyber law, family law, medical law, human rights law, and public international law. The purpose of the module is to provide you with a fundamental understanding of non-core modules on the law degree, which you may then build on in future modules.
Introduction to Legal Skills and Attributes
This module introduces you to core academic and legal skills. The initial focus is to help you demonstrate the core legal research skills introduced in the first term of the law foundation year, so you become practised at reading and analysing primary and secondary sources of law, and applying these to solve legal problems (using Issue/Rule/Apply/Conclude “IRAC”). You will learn to plan and produce a well-referenced and argued legal essay using OSCOLA (Oxford University Standard for Citation of Legal Authorities).
In addition, ILSAA introduces you to activities involving oral discourse, legal arguments, professional presentation skills and the use of technology to solve legal problems.
Foundations of Human Resource Management
Foundations of HRM provides you with a basic introduction to Human Resource Management. You will learn about the five key areas of the HRM discipline: employee resourcing, employee reward, performance management, employee relations and employee training and development.
Contract Law
A contract is a legally binding agreement between two or more parties which, if it contains the elements of a valid legal agreement, is enforceable by law. The contract law module concerns itself with the rules governing such agreements. You will be acquainted with the role contract law performs in business and economic activity. The course also aims to teach the principles that underlie the common law of contract and explain the effect of legislative intervention on the common law principles of contract law. You will learn both the common law rules and legislation affecting contract law, as well as the ability to avoid contractual disputes and/or solve them
Legal Systems and Digital Legal Skills
This module will introduce you to the English legal system and its role within society. You will look at the court system and learn how the law is integrated within society, and the importance of legal principles, concepts, structures, citations and practices within English law. You will develop your skills in interpreting primary and secondary sources of law, including how to use Oxford Standard for Citation of Legal Authorities (OSCOLA).
This module also looks at the importance of digital skills within the law. You will be supported and assessed through an eLearning legal training course in conjunction with completing the Westlaw UK Research Basic Certificate.
Crime, Conflict and Society
This module provides an introduction to the key foundational issues, ideas, and ways of thinking within criminology. You will explore the various relationships between crime and society drawing upon contemporary, historical and comparative evidence and demonstrate links between particular theories and concepts and their implications for research methodology and social policy.
Tort Law
Tort law is an area that remains very central to all aspects of society. This essential module has been designed to ensure that you are well versed in the core areas of Tort, with emphasis on its role in day-to-day life.
We will cover the core areas of Negligence, Breach of Duty, Causation, Vicarious Liability, Psychiatric Harm, Occupiers Liability, and the land tort of Nuisance will be studied in depth.
Criminal Law
In this diverse module, we will explore the criminal law system in England and Wales, focussing on substantive criminal law. We start by looking at how offences such as theft and murder are defined. During this process, you will analyse what the defendant did, what circumstances he/she did it in and what effect it had on the victim. Questions like these lead us to identify the correct category of possible offences. Following this, we will also explore potential defences to criminal liability.
Criminal Justice and Human Rights
You will be introduced to the form, key features and purpose of the institutions of the contemporary criminal justice system in England and Wales and begin an exploration of the issues relating to justice and civil liberties.
Public Law
This module will allow you to analyse the nature and structure of the UK constitutional arrangements post-Brexit. After introducing the idea of constitutionalism in general, we explore the peculiar uncodified nature of the UK Constitution, and how this is reflected in its sources and basic principles.
We will discuss two recent 'constitutional revolutions': the Human Rights Act 1998 and the devolution settlement. Then we will look at the theory and practice of judicial review of administrative action. Finally, we will look at the issue of police powers and their legitimate use
Theoretical Criminology
You will develop an understanding of the range of theories of crime and criminal justice and locate the key issues of criminology within their socio-political and historical context. You will gain a knowledge of the most important theories, and their relevance for understanding crime matters in contemporary society.
European Union (EU) Law and the UK
This module gives you a general introduction to European Union law, dealing with the structures and institutions of the EU, the obligations imposed upon the EU Member States and the rights conferred upon EU citizens.
Land Law
Land Law in England and Wales is a bit of an anomaly! While the subject of Land Law has long had a reputation for being difficult, technical and archaic, this simply is not accurate. Land Law is in fact a rich, fascinating and modern subject.
On this module, we will break down difficult legal concepts, such as: ownership versus possession; the legal ‘stealing’ of land known as adverse possession; and the various rights and interests which exist in Land.
You will apply your learning to practical scenarios which you will likely come across after you graduate as most of us encounter the peculiarities of land law at some point of our lives!
Optional modules
You will choose two of the following 20 credit module options.
Media Law
This module will introduce you to the key aspects of Media Law. You will develop a range of skills that are important not only for your law degree but also to take forward and develop after your graduation.
We will consider some of the legal, moral, social and political debates which exist in this area of law. We will examine issues such as the freedom of the press, reporting restrictions and pretrial publicity as well as defamation, privacy and harassment.
Commercial and Consumer Law
On this module, we will examine the law relating to the sale and supply of goods and services, agency, product safety, insurance and consumer credit. Building on the general principles of contract law, we will focus specifically on contracts of sale and supply of goods and services as well as addressing the rights and protections afforded to consumers.
While the academic knowledge is important, you will also see how the law works in practice in the commercial and retail sectors. The module includes an international dimension, looking at international consumer protection issues and how they apply in the UK jurisdiction.
This module is a base for further vocational study with SQE, ILEX or BTC or further post-graduate study. You will develop skills to help your employability, growing your knowledge of the workings of the commercial and consumer processes in contemporary legal society.
Human Rights, Genocide and Resistance
This module addresses the complex and often paradoxical relationships between human rights, extreme human rights abuses, particularly genocide, and resistance to such abuses. Its distinctiveness lies in providing students with interdisciplinary, theoretically informed approaches to human rights, genocide and resistance.
Violence in Society
An overview of the conceptualisation of “violence”. You will examine debates concerning violence in various aspects of life, consider the contemporary debates surrounding violence in a range of contexts, trace the development of theorisations of violence and consider ethical, methodological and practical issues involved in the researching of violence.
Critical Perspectives on Policing
Critical Perspectives on Policing will introduce you to issues surrounding policing and social control, situating contemporary issues and debates within the broader theoretical, social, political and historical context. Whilst focused primarily on policing in England and Wales, the module considers policing across a range of jurisdictions as appropriate.
Critical Victimology
This module offers students an opportunity to develop and apply knowledge on victimology, including causes, processing and responses to victimisation at individual, community and criminal justice levels. The criminological approaches (including theory) and (national and international) policy responses to victims and their needs are examined from a critical criminological approach.
Environmental Justice
We live in a globally responsible world where decisions taken at a local level inevitably have a global impact. Addressing issues of environmental concern through a lens of social justice, this module invites you to think critically about the most pressing issue of our life – the Climate Crisis and you will examine this through both a Sociological and Criminological lens, emphasising the ‘Local to Global’ policy-making across subjects as interconnected as, climate change and activism, environmental ideology and Eco-Fascism, human rights, and the rural/urban divide. During this module, you will become equipped with the knowledge, skills, and tools to analyse the complex interactions between environmental and social systems, and to advocate for a more sustainable and equitable future.
Internet, Risk and Security
On this module, you will critically engage with ideas concerning social and cultural issues associated with risk and security regarding the uses of the internet.
You have the option to do a professional placement year, taking a year in industry to learn in a real-life environment whilst earning a salary and paying no tuition fees. For more information, please visit the placement and internships page.
Criminal Justice
You will be introduced to the form, key features and purpose of the institutions of the contemporary criminal justice system in England and Wales and begin an exploration of the issues relating to justice and civil liberties.
Equity and Trusts
Equity and Trusts is a wonderful subject which is rooted in morality and the history of ‘conscience’. It is utterly unique and occurred entirely accidentally as a result of the flaws in common law. The purpose of this module is to provide an introduction to an invisible system of justice which runs alongside the common law known as Equity. Equity ‘glosses’ over the harsh results sometimes incurred by the rigidness of common law and it’s development is fascinating. For anyone who feels that the legal system is sometime unjust, Equity will restore your faith. The second purpose of this module is to introduce you to the concept of a trust. This is often referred to as Equity’s greatest achievement. The trust is used in almost all financial aspects of your life probably without you even realising and thus its exploration is vital and eye-opening."
Optional modules in Law
You will choose one of the following 20 credit modules in semester one and one option in semester two.
AI and Law
Emerging technologies are having a major impact on society and transforming the way lawyers provide legal solutions to clients. This module introduces key technologies that have the potential to change how lawyers operate in practice, with a particular focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI). You will look at topics such as data mining, data protection, how robotics interacts with the law and the legal implications of present-day issues such as driverless cars, military applications, and care robots.
With an understanding of the interaction of the legal, technical, ethical and business issues around artificial intelligence and law, you will gain a grounding in the technical aspects of autonomous technologies that will enable you to perform better in your future roles.
Employment Law
This module looks at complex issues relating to employment law. We will consider how the law defines ‘employment’ and the impact that this legal definition has on how the area is regulated. We will explore the current law on discrimination, termination of employment, the employment contract, the impact of reform and how this affects the employee and employer. We will also cover redundancy, occupational stress and employability status.
On this extremely emotive module, we consider interesting and relevant case law, as well as analysing the current legal frameworks and the socio-legal research available in this area.
Medical Law and Ethics
Medical ethics is moral decision making, made by an individual based on guidance and shared values. One way in which medical ethics operates is regulatory in nature, bearing in mind the medical profession is a self-regulating one.
The module looks at the interplay between the ethical, practical and moral dimensions which affect the healthcare professionals’ decision-making process.
We will focus on ethical discussions on pertinent issues and the corresponding legal and practical considerations. We will consider whether decision-making is ultimately controlled by ethics, morals or the law.
Law in Action
You will develop hands-on legal skills, working under supervision in the University’s SILKS Law Clinic on housing, employment and family law cases.
In the Clinic you will work with real clients, observing interviews, writing advice notes, undertaking research and drafting documents.
There will be some lectures and seminars to introduce key topics, module expectations and assessment. This is supplemented by small group fortnightly supervision discussions.
There are limited places and you will apply for this module in your second year.
Family Law
You will start this module by looking at how the law defines ‘family’, and the impact that this legal definition has on how the area is regulated. We will consider the current law on divorce, proposals for reform and how this affects the division of property and finances when marriage and co-habitation comes to an end. We will study abusive relationships, and the family law remedies available to address domestic violence; the impact that assisted reproductive technologies have on parenthood and parental responsibilities; and finally, children’s rights and the protection measures available in law to keep children safe. This module is extremely emotive. We will look at specific examples and consider relevant case law, as well as analysing the current legal frameworks and the socio-legal research available in this area. |
International Law
An introduction to international law, covering the nature and history of international law, the way in which public and private international law is made, and distinct issues such as statehood and state immunity, and enforcement. It also introduces distinct areas of public international law, including international human rights law, the law of armed conflict, and international criminal law
Caring for Clients in the Working Environment
Although this module will be taught from a practitioner lawyer perspective, much of the material dealt with is important whatever area of industry that you enter. Client care is clearly relevant whatever career that you ultimately pursue. We begin by considering the first contact with a client in some detail in both the lecture and seminar. It will be very important that you get this right and make the best possible impression on a new client/customer. They will need to believe in you. There are specific regulations that we will assess for lawyers in this regard.
Civil and Criminal Litigation
The module builds on the fundamental principles of law during the Contract Law, Tort Law, and Criminal Law modules from Level Four, by enabling the students to gain knowledge and skills to understand how civil and criminal litigation is applied in practical situations governed by rules of civil and criminal procedure and practice.
Company Law
This module covers the law relating to the formation, financing and management of companies, and related corporate activity.
Competition Law and the Digital Economy
This module introduces you to the approach to competition law and policy. The module will enable you to critically analyse and discuss contemporary issues of competition law and policy. Students will also learn about the digital economy and its implications for competition law outside the EU and UK borders. The module will discuss digital dominance and the behaviour of the powerful tech companies.
Environmental Law
Industrial Law
Industrial Law in England and Wales is a rich and fascinating subject which embraces industrial safety law including corporate manslaughter and the law relating to industrial relations.
On this module, we will break down some difficult legal concepts, such as corporate criminal liability and corporate manslaughter and the various statutory duties and obligations which exist in health and safety law. We will also look at the impact of strikes and trade unions in a post-Brexit working environment.
You will apply your knowledge to practical scenarios through an individual video presentation and will complete a research essay.
Optional modules in Criminology
You will choose one of the following 20 credit modules in semester one and one option in semester two.
Crime, Society and Racialisation
You will gain an understanding of the construction of deviant labels based on variables of ethnicity, gender and youth, and the relationship between these labels and crime. You will engage with issues surrounding experiences of crime and encounters with the criminal justice system. You will also compare crime policies on a national and international scale and look at a number of historical and contemporary case-studies.
Critical Approaches to Counter Terrorism
Terrorism has become the issue of our times and it has been at the heart of a reordering of society and the world at large. Key to this reordering has been the notion of ‘new terrorism’: that post 9/11 terrorism is of a ‘new’ form. This module provides students with a systematic understanding of terrorism and counterterrorism in the twenty first century. It interrogates the ‘new terrorism’ thesis, charts the development & expansion of counterterrorism with ‘soft-power’ techniques, and analyses UK counter-terrorism policing practice and policy. Finally, the module analyses the way in which UK counterterrorism has influenced and shaped national security policies across the world.
Migration and Socio-Legal Dynamics
This module explores the complex interconnections within the field of migration studies and human rights, as related to various identities, i.e. gender, sexuality, religion, race and ethnicity. Students will be introduced to a range of theoretical approaches and critically examine the socio-legal frameworks, policies, and ethical dilemmas surrounding the rights of migrants, refugees, and displaced communities. By employing an intersectional and multi-layered analytical approach, students will gain an understanding of the interconnectedness of various social identities and their impact on the migration process. Here, we will focus on particular case studies such as children and young people, women and queer migrants, and their experiences in hostile migration environments (such as the UK and EU).
When exploring case studies and contemporary issues relating to migration, links will be made to historical contexts and processes of racialisation that shape discourses of migration. The lecturers will draw on their own experiences and research, and there will be guest lectures by other experts by experience. A mixed teaching approach will be used, with lectures, workshops and tutorials all delivered interactively
Probation and Rehabilitation
You will gain an understanding of rehabilitation and personal change, developing a critical appreciation of how dominant theoretical approaches underpin professional practice in criminal justice. You will consider the development of probation services and related interventions (including substance misuse) in their historical, cultural, political and conceptual contexts and develop an understanding of the relationship between rehabilitation and diversity. You will be encouraged to take a critical, reflexive approach and consider the purposes and challenges of delivering rehabilitation in the penal system, substance misuse services and related industry.
Gender, Crime and Criminal Justice
This module offers a broad introduction to the gendered dimensions of crime/criminality, criminal victimisation, criminal justice, and penology, and of the gendered theorising which attempts to account for this. It looks at the significance of gender to our understandings of and responses to crime and deviant behaviour.
Prisons and Punishment
You will develop an understanding of the evolution of the modern prison and of the relationship between prisons, probation, the courts and the media and the economic and social environment in which they operate. You will gain an understanding of the impacts of punishment with regard to age, gender and ethnicity and consider criminal justice institutions, policies, and practices in their contexts.
The Criminal Justice Process - Criminology
You will gain an overview of the philosophy, nature, significance, outcomes and consequences of the criminal justice process and explore how it functions. You will think critically about key aspects of the criminal justice process and examine the interaction between different actors and agencies involved, and between the criminal justice process and politics, the community and the media. You will also have the opportunity to engage with professionals from each stage of the criminal justice process.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
Frequently asked questions
What A levels do you need for criminology?
You do not need to have studied any specific A Levels, BTECs or equivalent to study our LLB Law with Criminology programme. Our requirements only specify that you need to achieve or exceed the required UCAS points and have GCSE level 4/grade C or above in Maths and English Language. For full details of the requirements, please refer to the requirements section.
Is a criminology degree worth it?
A criminology degree is worth studying if you are interested in careers related to criminal justice, law enforcement or social services. This degree provides insights into the causes of crime, criminal behaviour and the functioning of the criminal justice system.
What jobs can you get with a criminology degree?
Our LLB Law with Criminology degree can help you to pursue various career paths and become a criminologist, lawyer, forensic analyst, probation officer, law enforcement officer, crime scene investigator or social worker. You may also wish to pursue a position in research and community outreach programmes.
Become part of our community
Our goal is to prepare you for a fulfilling life and professional career. Throughout your student journey, you’ll learn to be curious, adaptable and confident, ready to meet the digital, ethical and sustainability challenges of the 21st century.
We want you to enjoy your time studying here, but we also understand that there may be times you need a little extra support to help you. Our dedicated student progression and support teams are here to help you when you need them.
Where will I learn?
Salford Business School is located at the heart of the University’s Peel Park campus, just minutes from Manchester city centre. Throughout campus, there is a choice of individual study areas, communal learning and breakout spaces, a range of excellent facilities to support your work, plus a selection of food outlets.
If you’re planning on commuting, our campuses are perfectly placed. Whether by bus, rail, bike or car, we’re easily accessed from all over Greater Manchester, Lancashire and beyond.
SILKS
SILKS law clinic offers free legal advice to members of the public in housing and family law. Working under the supervision of professional lawyers, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your legal knowledge and client-facing skills.
The clinic provides an innovative and immersive learning experience with exposure to real-life and simulated client meetings and first-hand experience of key professional legal skills.
What about after uni?
EMPLOYMENT
Studying Law opens up opportunities in a wide variety of career paths both within and outside the legal profession. Because of their rigorous intellectual training and highly developed skills in research, analysis and communication, law graduates are in high-demand by employers.
Our graduates have gone on to have successful careers with organisations across the globe, including Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, Keoghs, Reeds Solicitors, Simpson Millar, Slater & Gordon and many more.
FURTHER STUDY
A postgraduate degree is a great option if you want to take your knowledge and skills to the next level. Salford graduates and alumni also receive a significant fees discount.
Career Links
We have strong relationships with legal firms from across the North West, which opens up excellent opportunities for you to learn and network with solicitors and barristers.
What You Need To Know
This course isn’t suitable for international students. If you are an international student and interested in studying a foundation year, please visit our International Foundation Year course page.
APPLICANT PROFILE
If you are looking to study any law degree, you need to be prepared to work consistently to meet the standards and deadlines required by the academic and professional strands of a qualifying law degree.
Law with Criminology involves a high level of self-directed study and research outside of the classroom; you will be required to read each week, and digest and critically analyse complex source materials. You will be expected to be up-to-date with news and enjoy reading, debating and developing your own arguments. Although hard work and dedication is essential, the programme will open the doors to an exciting and rewarding career.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
Applicants will be required to show a proficiency in English, with an IELTS score of 6.0 (with no element below 5.5).
GCSE
Maths and English at grade C / grade 4 or above. Applicants who do not have the equivalent of grade C or above in these areas will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
UCAS Tariff points
64 UCAS Tariff points
Scottish Highers
64 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of one Advanced Higher.
Irish Leaving Certificate
64 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of one Higher Level subject.
Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.
There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.
How Much?
Type of study | Year | Fees |
---|---|---|
Full-time home | 2025/26 | £8,250.00 for Foundation Year and £9,250.00 for subsequent years. |
Additional costs
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
All Set? Let's Apply!
Still have some questions? Register for one of our Undergraduate Open Days or contact us:
By email: enquiries@salford.ac.uk
By phone: +44 (0)161 295 4545
Enrolment dates
UCAS information
Course ID M1M8
Institution S03