LLB (Hons) Law and Criminology Bachelor's degree at the University of Sheffield
LLB (Hons) Law and Criminology at University of Sheffield. Studying law and criminology together on this course means examining crime not just through the lens of legal doctrine, but also through the social, behavioural and institutional questions that criminology raises.
About this course
Gain a critical understanding of the Common Law of England and Wales in combination with a thorough study of the principles of criminology. Open doors for legal and criminological careers, as well as a wide range of managerial professions. From the provider’s course page.
LLB (Hons) Law and Criminology is a Bachelor's degree (LLB (Hons)) at the University of Sheffield, based in Main Campus. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Sociology graduates from this provider, 85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 65% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £25,000. (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: 35; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 85% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 95% (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.
First year 6 modules
- Introduction to LawCore20 credits
Module details
This module introduces students to key concepts relating to law. This includes exploring what 'law' is, its role and its impacts within society. It examines how law is categorised and made, including looking at the role of the common law, legislation and equity. It also considers the individuals and organisations involved in making, interpreting and enforcing the law. The module highlights the ways in which the law interacts with ethics and includes case studies, examining the law in practice. I
- Criminal Law and JusticeCore20 credits
Module details
This module is one of the core foundation subjects of the degree which cover the Foundations of Legal Knowledge. This module will introduce students to the concepts, theories and institutions of criminal law and justice, and its place in society. It will develop an understanding of the essential concepts of criminal liability. It will focus on the main institutional and procedural features of the criminal justice system, with the aim of stimulating an enquiring attitude towards the practice of c
- Foundations of CriminologyCore20 credits
Module details
This module introduces students to key areas of criminological definitions, empirical study, theory and the development of criminal justice systems. The module looks at case studies of crime and deviance from contemporary life to help students understand how some of the history and theory of criminology can be brought to bear on social and legal issues. Topics may feature, for example, youth crime, spouse murder, football hooliganism and credit card crime but also other areas if and when interes
- Contract LawCore20 credits
Module details
This module is one of the core foundation subjects of the degree which cover the Foundations of Legal Knowledge. The module will be delivered by a combination of in person lectures and seminars/workshops, where students will be encouraged to participate in discussions and develop their own skills as independent learners. The Contract Law module provides the opportunity for students to explore issues of contract formation and variation including an analysis of the doctrines of estoppel, duress, u
- Constitutional Law in the UK and EUCore20 credits
Module details
This module comprises three sections. In the first theoretical ideas as to the ideal design of constitutions are developed. This is followed in the second section by coverage of the constitutional arrangements of the UK and of the EU, as well as the constitutional relationship between them. In the remainder of the module some of the more significant and controversial aspects of the constitution are studied in more detail, leading to a discussion of the general principles of administrative law.
- Introducing Criminological ResearchCore20 credits
Module details
This module focuses on how crucial criminological topics have been investigated. The module is taught by lectures and workshops and assessed by two 'take-home' exercises. In the workshops students will work in small groups to examine real research studies, and work out how to tackle research problems.
Assessment: Two 'take-home' exercises
Second year 9 modules
- Land LawCore20 credits
Module details
This module is a foundational module for the study of law. It will introduce students to the concepts, theories and institutions of land law and its place in the legal system and society. The module critically examines the nature of property rights, their creation and transfer, and their protection against third parties. Some non land examples will be used to draw comparison with both the unregistered and registered land systems in England and Wales. The module will introduce the role of equity
- Torts LawCore20 credits
Module details
This module is one of the core foundation subjects of the degree, through which students cover the Foundations of Legal Knowledge. It follows on from the introduction to the legal systems of the UK which were covered in Introduction to Law and Legal Systems and the introduction to the general principles of obligations in Contract Law. This module will examine the tort of negligence, concentrating on the principles of duty of care and breach of duty, focusing on the tensions raised by issues such
- Responding to CrimeCore20 credits
Module details
The module looks at key topics in relation to responses to crime and victimisation. It explores policing and prosecution, public responses, crime prevention, restorative justice and victim support. To what extent are policing and public priorities for policing aligned? How does the public view the role of the authorities? How can we support victims? Are there alternative responses to crime instead of prosecution and sentencing? What are we doing to prevent crime? Do certain types of crime requir
- Punishment and Penal PolicyCore20 credits
Module details
This module is concerned with the sentencing and punishment of offenders. It considers, in historical context: the philosophical underpinnings of punishment; sentencing policy and practice; and the forms that punishment takes (including custodial and non-custodial options). It also considers what we know about public attitudes toward punishment. A key issue addressed by this module is the rapid growth of the prison population since the mid-1990s: how can we explain this state of affairs, and can
- Advanced Constitutional LawOptional20 credits
Module details
This module is one of the optional foundation subjects of the degree, which students can take to cover in more detail the Foundations of Legal Knowledge. The module develops in more detail the foundational concepts of constitutional law introduced in the compulsory module 'Public Law in the UK and the EU'. Theories of constitutionalism will be explored, alongside recent developments in British constitutional practice. Various proposals for constitutional reform will be analysed and the extensive
- Advanced EU LawOptional20 credits
Module details
This module is one of the core/optional foundation subjects of the Qualifying Law Degree programmes offered by Sheffield Law School. Building on 'Public Law in the UK and the EU', it explores the institutional structure and legal framework of the EU, as well as its substantive law. The module offers a distinct perspective on the dynamics of the EU, focusing on fundamental rights, the internal market and citizenship. Students will engage with Treaty provisions, EU legislation and cases, and pract
- Advanced Law of ContractOptional20 credits
Module details
This module is one of the optional foundation subjects of the degree, which students can take to cover in more detail the Foundations of Legal Knowledge. Issues of contract formation and variation will be examined in depth, alongside an analysis of the doctrines of estoppel, duress, undue influence, mistake and misrepresentation. The module will also re-evaluate the law relating to the interpretation and construction of the terms of the contract including implied terms, exclusion clauses, the do
- Analysing Crime DataOptional20 credits
Module details
This module covers basic statistical analysis of datasets, especially crime survey data. Using data-bases based on pre-existing surveys, students are taught how to enter, clean and check data, and all commands necessary to analyse survey data (eg frequency, cross-tabulation, correlation, select, count). This module does not assume any prior knowledge of the main data analysis computer package used by criminologists to examine survey data (IBM Statistical Package for Social Scientists - IBM SPSS)
- Race, Gender and CrimeOptional20 credits
Module details
This module examines the relationship
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
Across the three years you'll study the core subjects that make up a Qualifying Law Degree, and layer criminological study on top of that legal foundation, covering how crime is defined, measured, explained and responded to by institutions. As you progress, you'll have the chance to specialise, choosing from options such as Commercial Law, Criminal Law, Human Rights, Corporate law, Family law, Intellectual Property, Criminology and Public Law. This mix lets you tilt your final years towards a practice-focused legal path, a criminology-heavy route into research or policy, or a blend of both, depending on where your interests settle once you've had a taste of the different areas.
Who it's for
This course suits someone who is curious about why people commit crime as much as about what the law says should happen to them afterwards, someone happy to move between close reading of legal principle and engagement with sociological and psychological evidence. You'll need to enjoy constructing an argument, questioning assumptions, and sitting with the fact that criminal justice questions rarely have a single tidy answer. Expect plenty of reading, seminar debate and written argument across both disciplines, so a genuine interest in discussion and in seeing an issue from more than one angle will serve you well. It also suits students who aren't yet certain whether they want to qualify as a barrister, solicitor, or move into criminology, policy or another managerial profession, the combination keeps more than one door open while you work that out. Most students accepted onto the course arrive with A-levels or equivalent, typically within the 128–143 UCAS tariff range, though this reflects what recent entrants held rather than a fixed requirement.
Careers & job market
The Bar Standards Board accreditation means this degree counts as a Qualifying Law Degree, giving graduates a recognised route towards further training for the Bar, alongside the option to pursue solicitor training or other legal routes. The criminology element also opens paths into criminal justice agencies, policy and research roles, and a wide range of managerial professions, as graduates from combined law and criminology backgrounds often carry analytical and communication skills that transfer well beyond legal practice. Looking at national data for Law courses generally rather than figures specific to this course, 85% of graduates were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with 55% of those working graduates in highly skilled roles or further study. Nationally, starting salaries 15 months after graduation for Law graduates ranged from £23,000 to £30,000, with figures after three years spanning £19,550 to £27,600 and after five years £24,225 to £34,200, these are national Graduate Outcomes and LEO figures rather than guaranteed outcomes for any individual or institution. Separately, 85% of students nationally continue past their first year of study, either still enrolled or having completed.
University & format
The University of Sheffield is a public, Russell Group university founded in 1905, meaning it sits among the UK's research-intensive institutions with a recognised degree-awarding status. This LLB is delivered full-time in English over three years at the university's main campus, and the university holds a Silver rating for teaching quality under the Office for Students' TEF 2023.
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.
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
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 | 97% |
| an Access course | 3% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
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 (code M930). 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
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at University of Sheffield →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
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
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 | £25,000 | £23,500 – £30,000 | 35 |
| 3 years after | £23,000 | £20,000 – £27,000 | 85 |
| 5 years after | £29,000 | £24,500 – £36,500 | 90 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 35; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23.
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: 35; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23. 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.
- Legal professionalsSOC 2020 241 · 50% of published destinations · ASHE median £45,000
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
- Teaching and Childcare Support OccupationDiscover Uni category · 10% of published destinations
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupationsSOC 2020 62 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £22,297
- Sales occupationsSOC 2020 71 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £15,975
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: 35; response rate: 55%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
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.
Law Firm Associates of all Practice Areas: Discuss your Overseas Relocation with Duke and Rawson – Australia/Asia/Middle East/Europe/Offshore/UKDuke and RawsonLaw Enforcement Success SpecialistAurorLaw Firm HR & Operations Lead - 12-Month ContractCharalle GroupLaw Firm Finance & Practice Manager, Leadership & OpsMcKinlay LawLaw Internship: Disputes & IBC – In-OfficeCanon SphereLaw Firm Front Desk & Guest Services (Oxford)Owen ReedIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. 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
85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £25,000. 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 8.9 out of 10: NSS 86.7% · in work or study 85% · continued 95%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Sheffield
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 Main Campus
2,964 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 University of Sheffield from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by University of Sheffield; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. 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 University of Sheffield’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 University of Sheffield and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of Sheffield
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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