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Check eligibility →BA (Hons) Law with Criminology Bachelor's degree at Northampton
BA (Hons) Law with Criminology at Northampton. The University of Northampton is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, and this degree is nationally recognised.
About this course
On our Law with Criminology BA, you study crime, social order and social control, three key elements of Criminology. Apply now! From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) Law with Criminology is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at Northampton, based in Waterside Campus, University of Northampton. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Sociology graduates from this provider, 75% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 30% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £23,500. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Law, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Moderate evidence Published sample: 30; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 75% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 71% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 6 modules
- Crime and SocietyCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to explore a range of theories relating to crime and criminality and to locate these within the broader contexts of social divisions and structural inequalities.
- The Science of Crime and CriminalsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to explore the scientific evidence used in relation to questions of crime. A combination of perspectives from positivist, biological, anthropological all the way to forensics will be explored in order to understand of the roots and motivation of criminal behaviour.
- Learning the LawCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The module provides a basic introduction to the legal system and key skills to encourage criticality and reflection. Specifically the module will introduce students to the nature of law, how it is made and applied (both statute and case law) and the courts and legal professionals involved in those processes.
- Criminal LawCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to enable students to develop an understanding of the general principles which underpin criminal liability before progressing to consider specific crimal offences and defences. The module will benefit students working towards the Solicitors Qualifying Exam.
- Ethics, Discrimination and Human RightsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to give students an understanding of basic principles relating to human rights, discrimination and ethical behaviour. This will be of benefit to all students as these principles are pervasive throughout their legal studies.
- Current Legal Issues and JurisprudenceCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module provides students with an accessible introduction to jurisprudence and legal theory. It aims to develop a theoretically informed introduction to some of the key theories that inform the development and application of law from classical theories such as Natural Law Theory to more mdern, critical approaches such as critical legal theory and feminism.
Year 2 10 modules
- Crime and JusticeCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module is designed to develop an understanding of the criminal justice system in England and Wales. Perceived breaches of criminal law evoke responses from multiple agencies which in turn dispute the notion of 'justice'. The emergent gaps between the principles and practices of criminal justice will be explored in-depth.
- Criminal LitigationCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to enable students to develop an understanding of the rules and processes that govern the conduct of criminal litigation in England and Wales. The module will equip students with the necessary knowledge that can be applied to situations encountered in criminal practice. The module will benefit students who are working towards the SQE.
- Organised Transnational CrimeCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to enable students to develop an understanding of the nature and impact of organised transnational criminal behaviour and their interrelationship with law enforcement investigation and prosecution.
- International PolicingOptional20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to enable students gain an in-depth knowledge of the roles, functions and practices of the police in societies. From Europe to Africa and from Asia to America, this module will adopt a comparative approach to appreciate and appraise police operations, cases and models from other jurisdictions at the international level, while critiquing what works and ways forward.
- Outsiders: Journeys in DevianceOptional20 credits
Module details
This module offers an interdisciplinary perspective on theories of labeling with an emphasis on sociological, political and criminological perspectives. There is reference to 'deviant' subcultures and marginalised groups, and this module aims to explore the way these groups perceive themselves, and are perceived by others away from conventional stereotypes.
- Crime, Policing and Punishment in England, 1700-1900Optional20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is explore the fundamental changes that occurred in attitudes to, and policies towards crime, policing and punishment in Britain during a period of fundamental economic and social change.
- Practical Placement Preparation (WBL)Optional20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to equip learners with the knowledge and understanding of the placement year labour market, and the knowledge and skills of recruitment and selection processes, so that learners can become effective in the placement year search and recruitment process.
- Child and Family LawOptional20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to provide an understanding of the socio-cultural context for child and family law, and to analyse current legal issues impacting on child and family relationships. The module will consider the changing nature of children and families and proposals for law reform.
- Green CrimeOptional20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to allow students to develop an awareness and understanding of the scope and nature of environmental crimes, the reasons why they are committed, and the legal and societal measures of controlling them.
- Human Rights, the State and AccountabilityOptional20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to assess the extent to which State law effectively recognises and protects everyone's human rights and civil liberties in practice. The module will focus on current human rights issues and the extent of recognition and protection of rights during a time of 'public emergency'.
Year 3 11 modules
- Crime and PunishmentCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Paradigms of punishment have evolved in the context of broader strategies of 'care' and 'control'. These contribute to and occur within the broader study of criminal justice and social regulation. The module is concerned to examine and evaluate the fundamental features of the system of penalties that operates in Britain.
- Practice Improvement PlanCompulsory40 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to enable students to investigate an aspect or legal or criminology practice of policy in need of improvement. This allows students to work independently to develop their research skills in a real world setting and to reflect on their skills development needs and take appropriate action to address them.
- CybercrimeOptional20 credits
Module details
This module deals with the legal and procedural complexities surrounding cyber crime. Students explore technology-related offences, cyber security and strategies and digital investigations. The module examines the challenges of transnational cyber crime and the legal context in multiple jurisdictions.
- ViolenceOptional20 credits
Module details
Violence is a social phenomenon that attracts public interest and attention. This module explores the manifestation of different forms of violence both within the domestic and institutional spheres. The module amalgamates theoretical approaches from criminological and zemiological perspectives to explore recent developments in the understanding of violence.
- Critiquing CriminalisticsOptional20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to provide students with an overview of criminalistics, the theoretical critiques, the practical issues encountered and the various public and private agencies involved. The module also offers a critical examination of criminalistic approaches and examines the aetiology of miscarriages of justice against a backdrop of organisational and political motivations.
- Global Perspectives of CrimeOptional20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to engage students in the critical analysis of local, national, and international issues in criminology. Spanning multiple international jurisdictions and cases from across the world, this module will adopt a comparative approach in scrutinising contemporary debates of crime, harm, security and human rights.
- Jack the Ripper's London: Crime & Popular Culture in the Late Victorian CityOptional20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to explore the nature of late Victorian urban society through a number of social and cultural historical themes.
- Mental Health LawOptional20 credits
Module details
This module explores Mental Health Law in England and Wales and allows students to develop theoretically informed and practice-based knowledge of essential concepts and principles around Mental Health Law. It gives insight on the legal and human rights requirements for mandatory hospitalisation of the mentally ill.
- Sentencing and Penal PolicyOptional20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to explore sentencing procedure and different aspects of imprisonment. Throughout the module students are encouraged to consider the realities of life inside our prisons and how sentencing and penal policy can be influenced by political, financial and social factors.
- Contemporary Issues in Human RightsOptional20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to develop a critical understanding of current issues in relation to human rights, and to evaluate the role and effectiveness of national, regional and international law in the recognition and protection of human rights.
- Global CounterterrorismOptional20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to allow students to develop a detailed understanding of the nature, types and and impact of terrorism, and their interrelationship with the wide range of counter-terrrism measures deployed by law enforcement and military bodies.
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This course centres on crime, social order and social control, the three core pillars of criminology study. You'll explore law and its criminal justice context side by side. Year 1 typically covers foundational legal subjects: Contract Law, Public Law (including human rights and judicial review) and Criminal Law (offences, defences and liability). Year 2 extends into Tort Law, Land Law, and broader frameworks such as EU and International Law. In Year 3, you'll choose specialist options such as Commercial law, Human rights, Criminal justice, Family law, Employment law, or Legal practice (SQE), and undertake independent legal research or supervised work in a law clinic. This structure is indicative of law degrees at this level and will develop both theoretical understanding and critical legal thinking.
Who it's for
This course suits those interested in law, criminal justice and how legal systems address crime and harm. Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent qualifications; accepted students typically came in with a UCAS tariff of 80–95 points.
University & format
This is a full-time, 3-year BA (Hons) degree taught at Waterside Campus, University of Northampton, a UK university founded in 1975. Instruction is in English. The University is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, so your degree is nationally recognised. The course holds Silver in the Office for Students' Teaching Excellence Framework (2023). Check the university's funding pages for bursaries and scholarships.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Optional placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 87% |
| another higher-education qualification | 5% |
| a previous degree | 4% |
| an Access course | 4% |
| Other | 1% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications and UCAS points. If you're worried about grades, this course has historically taken a wide range, and contextual offers may apply.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at Northampton →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Law graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £23,500 | £22,000 – £26,000 | 30 |
| 3 years after | £22,500 | £18,500 – £25,500 | 90 |
| 5 years after | £26,500 | £21,000 – £32,000 | 100 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 30; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Paralegal / TraineeTraining contract or pupillage route · 0–2 yrs
- 2Solicitor / BarristerQualified practitioner · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior AssociateLeading matters and clients · 5–9 yrs
- 4Partner / In-house CounselPartnership or heading legal · 9+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Law nationally
National figures for Law graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 30; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Law courses at the same study level.
Compared with 1,352 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Administrative occupationsSOC 2020 41 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,006
- Sales occupationsSOC 2020 71 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £15,975
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
- Teaching ProfessionalsSOC 2020 231 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £42,660
- Caring personal servicesSOC 2020 613 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £23,668
- Customer service occupationsDiscover Uni category · 10% of published destinations
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 75; response rate: 50%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Is BA (Hons) Law with Criminology worth it?
Weigh it carefully. On these figures graduates of BA (Hons) Law with Criminology earn close to non-graduate pay, so on cost alone the course is slow to pay off.
Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 3 years of wages given up while studying. The model remains below break even after 30 years. This is a simplified gross-earnings comparison, not a forecast of cash loan repayments.
Model: this course’s own median graduate earnings (Graduate Outcomes / LEO) above the £24,000 non-graduate baseline (ONS), net of £9,790/yr over 3 years (published course home fee). Eligible England-domiciled students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan; repayments are 9% only on income above the threshold, with anything left written off after 40 years. That makes the cash flow different from conventional commercial debt. Opportunity cost assumes £18,000 gross earnings forgone in each study year; figures are nominal and exclude tax, living costs, investment returns and loan interest. A simplified estimate. Earnings and actual fees vary by graduate, provider, fee status and UK nation.
Job market & outlook
How Law graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- First-pass document review
- Standard contract drafting
- Legal research summaries
- Routine due diligence
More human than ever
- Advocacy and negotiation
- Judgement on ambiguous facts
- Client trust and ethics
- Strategy in disputes and deals
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Law graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Law firms
- Barristers' chambers
- In-house legal teams
- Government Legal Service
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Law graduates.
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
75% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £23,500. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 7.5 out of 10: NSS 79.1% · in work or study 75% · continued 71%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Northampton
Law across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Waterside Campus, University of Northampton
2,220 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Law right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to Northampton from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £17,000 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Northampton’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Northampton and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Northampton
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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