BA (Honours) in Criminology and Law

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of this degree, you will have demonstrated:

• Systematic and critical understanding of the key concepts, principles, and theories relevant to the study of criminology and law
• Critical awareness of how social interests, positions, and values may impact policies and practices in both areas
• Substantial understanding of the complex ways in which the institutions, policies, and practices relevant to crime and justice interact
• In-depth, critical awareness of the relationships between criminological perspectives, research, and policy
• Understanding of the social, political, economic, historical, and ethical dimensions of law.

Cognitive skills

On completion of this degree, you will be able to:

• Construct and present sophisticated arguments using appropriate concepts, models, theories, and evidence
• Critically select, interpret, and use both quantitative and qualitative evidence, with a clear sense of how different forms of data are constructed
• Synthesise, compare and evaluate different theoretical positions or arguments using both primary and secondary sources
• Demonstrate an ability to apply critically relevant concepts to real-world examples and cases.

Practical and professional skills

On completion of this degree, you will be able to:

• Independently plan, study, and manage a sequence of work to an agreed timetable which includes meeting deadlines
• Recognise and use relevant skills developed through learning in other contexts, such as the workplace
• Engage with feedback received from previous work to reflect on your learning processes
• Work with a group to find agreed solutions to set problems
• Recognise, record, and communicate skills and knowledge to achieve personal/career goals
• Communicate knowledge and findings appropriately for particular audiences
• Employ evidence-based and logical reasoning to examine practical, theoretical, and ethical issues and present arguable and reasoned conclusions.

Key skills

On completion of this degree, you will be able to:

• Identify and ask questions appropriately to explore relevant issues or problems within criminology and law
• Effectively communicate information accurately and appropriately to the subject, purpose and context, including using appropriate legal and social-scientific terminology and methodology
• Select, summarise and synthesise information from different sources, including primary and secondary texts
• Use electronic sources of information and online databases with appropriate discrimination and critical awareness.

This degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.

• At Stage 1 you’ll study introductory modules in criminology and criminal law.
• Next, in Stage 2, you’ll explore public and evidence law and criminology.
• Finally, in Stage 3, you’ll study crime, social harm, trusts law and one other law module of your choice.

Stage 1 (120 credits)

You'll start your degree with:

• Introduction to criminology (DD105)

You'll complete this stage with:

• Criminal law and the courts (W111)

Stage 2 (120 credits)

You'll study the following:

• Understanding Criminology (DD212)
• Public law (W211)
• Evidence law (W250)

Stage 3 (120 credits)

You'll study:

• Crime, harm and the state (DD311)
• Trusts law (W311)

You’ll also choose one from:

• European Union law (W330)
• Exploring legal boundaries (W350)
• Land law (W312)
• Law, society and culture (W340)

Assessment

Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.

Computer-Marked Assignments

• Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.

Tutor-Marked Assignments

• You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
• They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
• Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.

End-of-Module Assessments

• The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
• Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.

Exams

• Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
• You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
• Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or an alternative location.
• If a module requires you to take a face-to-face exam, this will be made clear in the module description, and you will be required to take your exam in person at one of our exam centres.

Skills for career development

As well as the specific knowledge gained from studying this OU degree, you'll develop many transferable and work-related skills that are highly valued by employers. These include:

• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• IT skills
• Search, retrieval, and interpretative skills
• Self-reflection skills
• Responding to feedback skills
• Personal and career development skills.

You will also develop subject-specific skills, such as critically scrutinising and reassessing everyday understandings of crime, law and criminal justice, as well as in-depth knowledge of key concepts in law and criminology, and the key institutions which make up criminal justice and legal systems. You will develop legal research skills as well as skills of comprehension, analysis and presentation. Independently plan, study and manage a sequence of work to an agreed timetable which includes the meeting of deadlines.

Please note that this degree does not cover all seven Foundations of Legal Knowledge. If you want to become a barrister in England and Wales or a solicitor or barrister in Northern Ireland, you will need to complete a conversion course before starting your professional training.

Career relevance

This degree opens up a diverse range of career paths, including:

• Advice work
• Community development
• The Crown Prosecution Service
• Housing services
• Human resources
• Local and central government
• Mental health support and drug rehabilitation
• The police, prison, and probation services
• Refugee and victim support
• Social research and policy analysis
• Social and youth work.

You might use your degree to access a law conversion course, to qualify as a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales. Some students choose to undertake further study, such as a postgraduate course.

Outside of criminal justice and legal professions, typical employers include:

• Banks and insurance companies
• 'Third sector' organisations such as charities
• The NHS
• Educational institutions
• HR departments
• Local and central government.

Some career paths relate directly to criminology and law, others draw upon the graduate skills that you’ll acquire through this qualification. This degree does not provide direct entry to the career fields listed, but it may ease access and increase your employability. It may also enhance your prospects for progression within a chosen field once you are qualified for entry.

With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.

You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.

For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.

Each module you study will have a module website with

• A week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
• Course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
• Module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
• Details of each assignment and their due dates
• A tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
• Online versions of some printed module materials and resources.