Course summary

The foundation year of this Coventry University degree will be delivered from our CU Coventry campus. Course delivery from year 1 of the degree onwards will be from our Coventry University campus. Criminal law is of fundamental social importance. It provides the State with the greatest opportunity to inhibit an individual’s freedom and liberty and this course scrutinises the mechanisms for doing so. This course aims to provide you with a solid grounding in developing a potential career in criminal law and justice. The foundation year aims to provide a thorough understanding of legal principles and best practice. With a focus on European, national and local contexts, this programme explores the development of legislation with core academic skills. Students who successfully complete their foundation year will then progress onto the Criminal Law and Justice LLB degree within Coventry University’s Law School. The degree part of the course explores the mechanisms underpinning the criminal law, domestically and internationally, whilst encouraging students to challenge the legitimacy of the State’s power and its interference with individual autonomy and freedom. The degree aims to help you:

• Acquire knowledge and understanding of legal doctrines, concepts, principles, rules and values in the core areas of law and in the specialist area of criminal law and justice

• Develop an appreciation of the context in which law operates, and an understanding of the dynamic nature of law, its uncertainty, the need for reform and proposals for such reform in the furtherance of securing justice for all

• Develop the ability to apply the legal knowledge and skills acquired to both the theory and practice of law, particularly in a criminal law setting

• Immerse yourself in the criminal law by following a criminal case from commission of an offence through preparation for trial and finally sentencing, through an authentic case simulation.

• Hone your criminal advocacy skills in our mock court room, known as the ‘moot room’.

• Volunteer in a law clinic such as the Business Law and Enterprise Clinic, Employment Law Clinic or Advocacy Clinic which are operated by students under the guidance of qualified legal practitioners, offering legal advice to businesses and the public.

• Engage with students at other international universities and industry experts and develop your intercultural competencies and digital skills through our Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects.

• Build your legal networks by applying to participate in the Grow Mentoring scheme, a charity with diversity, inclusion and social mobility at its core.