Entry requirementsSelected entry requirements English language: Candidates must show a high standard of written and spoken English. We require GCSE English Language or equivalent such as IELTS 7 or TOEFL 625. A level: Grades AAA. Two AS levels are not accepted in place of one A Level. We receive a large number of applications from very well qualified students and seek to ensure that places are offered to those who are best prepared to contribute to and benefit from the programme. As law is a theoretical subject, we will only consider qualifications where theory comprises at least 70% of the curriculum . We prefer to see traditional subjects in your A-Level choices. Furthermore, experience indicates that some subjects are more suited than others for preparing students to undertake the study of law at Manchester. In light of this, and given both the high volume of applications received and our endeavour to assist applicants in their efforts not to opt for courses for which they will not be considered, the School wishes to point out that there are subjects it will not normally include as part of the academic conditions of any offer made. We do not accept the following subjects and they will only be considered as a fourth A-Level and will not therefore be accepted as part of a conditional offer. Critical thinking, General studies, Media Studies, Art & Design (Photography, Textiles, CDT & Design Tech), ICT, IT, Dance, Music Technology, Film Studies, Travel & Tourism, Health & Social Care and Home Economics. The following subjects are less preferred but must still be a minimum of 70% theoretical to be accepted and will only be considered in combination with two traditional academic subjects: Law, Communication Studies, Drama (Theatre Studies & Performing Arts), Business Studies, Sociology, PE and Sports Studies. These lists are not exclusive and if you are unsure whether your AS/A Level (or equivalent) subjects will be considered please contact us. Unit grade information: The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit grade information which, like all other available information, will inform the consideration of applications. Unit grades will not normally form part of offer conditions, except for Mathematics programmes. GCSE: A minimum of five GCSE A grades which must include English Language and Mathematics. Key Skills qualification: The University warmly welcomes applications from students studying the Key Skills qualification. However, as the opportunities to take these modules are not open to all applicants, currently this is not an essential requirement of the University. International baccalaureate: 37 points overall including 7, 6, 6 at Higher Level. Please see A-Level section for information on the subjects we prefer / do not consider at Higher Level. Additional entry requirements Additional entry requirements exist for this course. You may view these by selecting from the list below.
Academic titleLaw with Criminology (3 Years)
Course descriptionCourse description
This is a new Joint Honours degree programme which admitted its first students in September 2006.
This degree builds on the many links between the related disciplines of law and criminology. This University's Law School is an especially good place to study these subjects together. For in September 2004 a large group of criminologists joined a Law School with a tradition going back 130 years and which already incorporated an internationally renowned group of specialists in criminal law and criminal justice. We are now a large School specialising in not just law and criminology, but also in human rights, medical law and ethics, legal theory, and international law with a particular emphasis on developing countries.
An advantage of taking law and criminology in one inter-disciplinary School such as this (as compared to taking a programme run jointly by two different Schools) is that we are able to provide an integrated programme that allows many topics to be approached from the viewpoint of both disciplines. It also means that you will not simply study two subject areas, but will also take courses that bridge those two subject areas. The aim is not to just give you sections of other degrees under a new title; but to provide you with a coherent degree programme. Some subjects are taken by lawyers and criminologists working together. Some teaching staff themselves do research on topics such as sentencing and the treatment of victims of crime that require an understanding of both disciplines.
Like our other LLB programmes, this programme enables graduates to obtain a `qualifying law degree' if they wish to. This provides exemptions from Part 1 of the legal professional examinations, whilst enabling some specialisation in crime-related subjects.
In the first year, students will do two-thirds law and one-third criminology and cover a range of basic issues in those subjects. After that, students have an increasing amount of choice. Students may take one of two tracks:
Track 1: major in `core' law subjects, and graduate with a qualifying law degree.
Track 2: specialise increasingly in Criminology or specialist law subjects of your choice.
Special features
Legal Advice Centre
The School runs a free Legal Advice Centre to the public, university staff and students. The Centre is managed by The Director of External Relations and Clinical Education and is sponsored by 2 major city firms and supported by the College of Law solicitors and barristers. It is quality marked by the Legal Services Commission.
The aims of the Centre are to provide practical experience for the Law School's students. Who are supervised by legal practitioners, and to offer a reliable service to its clients, who seek help with their legal problems and in many circumstances have nowhere else to obtain legal advice. This year we are also setting up an outreach centre with the Chinese community, police complaints and domestic violence unit.
Course content for year 1
As with our other LLB degrees, you study six 20 credit units each year (three in each semester).
In the first year you study four Law units (Legal Method; Contract Law; Criminal Law; Law of Tort) and two Criminology units (Explaining Crime and Deviance; Crime and Criminal Justice). At the end of the first year, you will have to decide whether to go for track 1 or track 2.
Course content for year 2
During the second year you must take at least two Law units (Constitutional Law; Administrative Law) and at least two Criminology units (Sentencing and Penal Policy, Policing and Regulation). The other units will depend upon whether you are in track 1 or 2. On track 1 you will also take Land Law; and Equity and Trusts. On track 2 you will choose from a variety of Law and Criminology options.
Course content for year 3
The third year has three compulsory units for track 1: European Law, Criminal Justice and a dissertation on a subject of your choice. Students must also take one or both of: Crime, Law and Society; and Comparative Studies in Crime and Criminal Justice. The rest of the subjects are optional as long as one of them is a Law subject. For track 2 there is a much freer choice, although students must do a dissertation.
Law options include:
Criminal Evidence; Human Rights Law; Legal Profession and Legal Services; Gender and Law; Jurisprudence (legal theory). Criminology options include Interpersonal Violence; Drugs and Society; Youth Justice and Juvenile Delinquency; and Sentencing and Penal Policy. Despite their classification as `Law' and `Criminology', many units (including compulsory units such as Criminal Law) bridge both disciplines.
Many students will choose a dissertation subject that bridges both disciplines, but this is not essential. Students are assigned a supervisor who will be a specialist in the subject chosen by the student.
Career opportunities
The course allows students to specialise in crime-related subjects that may be useful for a legal career specialising in criminal law and civil liberties. The course also caters for students who may wish to become lawyers but who are simply interested in learning more about crime and justice. In addition, this course provides an excellent foundation for a career in the field of criminal justice (eg police, probation, juvenile justice, prisons service, crime prevention). Like all law and social science degrees at the University of Manchester, the intellectual rigour and training of this course will fit all graduates for almost any non-scientific career of their choice. All Law School students have the opportunity to attend skills training courses that have basic modules aimed at employment in general and more specialist modules aimed at particular careers.
If you want to practise as a solicitor or barrister the course covers all the core subjects required to qualify for exemptions at the next stage in your training. However it will be necessary to do some further vocational training. You will need to do the Legal Practice Course and obtain a training contract to become a solicitor. You will need to do the Bar Vocational Course and obtain a pupillage to become a barrister.
The University of Manchester's School of Law has strong links with the legal professions and public services. Our graduates have a good record of securing employment both in the legal profession and other professional environments. Careers advice is available from a dedicated careers advisor. For those who wish to qualify as a solicitor, every graduate with a 2:2 degree or better is guaranteed a place at one of the branches of the College of Law or BPP to study on the Legal Practice Course.