This course allows you to specialise in an important area of legal practice, giving you a deeper understanding of crime, criminal law and the criminal justice system. As well as developing your legal skills, our strong links with the legal profession and industry ensure practical opportunities for ‘real world’ experiences. If you are passionate about criminal justice, this well-rounded degree is the perfect springboard to launch you into your chosen career.
The course is designed to foster your intellectual independence. You’ll be supported to develop the confidence and skills needed to think critically, to ask and answer cogent questions about law and its role in society, and to effectively communicate your reasoned arguments, orally or in writing.
You will acquire new knowledge and understanding of the principles and values of law and justice, and you’ll learn how law can be used to benefit individuals and societies, including the most marginalised in our community.
During the course you will study fundamental areas of legal knowledge. Not only will you study Criminal Law, but you will also examine subjects such as Public Law where you’ll learn about how the country is organised and run; and Contract Law where you’ll learn about how legal agreements are made and operate between people and companies. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to study topics such as Digital Policing and E-Crime, Crime and the Media and Organised Crime and Counterterrorism.
You’ll also have the opportunity to choose from exciting law optional modules such as International Law, Commercial Law, Human Rights, Roman Law & Legal History, Philosophy of Law and Family Law. If you choose our Work Placement module you will get the opportunity to experience legal work in a real-life situation.
You will be an active participant in your learning. It’s not all about sitting and reading. You'll learn the skills of debating, advocating and negotiating through a range of module and extra-curricular opportunities. You’ll also benefit from professional development activities, trips to government and judicial institutions, and from a wide range of guest speakers.
Throughout your studies you’ll acquire the academic knowledge and be introduced to the skills required to pursue a legal career should you wish to go on to qualify as a solicitor or barrister.
Why choose Bangor University for this course?
- Unique opportunities to work with legal practitioners and industry professionals through our pro bono programmes.
- A state-of-the-art replica courtroom, ensuring students gain essential practical experience by taking part in mock legal trials.
- Welsh language provision is offered as part of every compulsory law module, and some optional modules can be studied entirely through the medium of Welsh.
Additional Course Options
This course is available with a Placement Year option where you will study for 1 additional year. The Placement Year is undertaken at the end of the second year and students are away for the whole of the academic year.
The Placement Year provides you with a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons and develop valuable skills and contacts through working with a self-sourced organisation relevant to your degree subject. The minimum period in placement (at one or more locations) is seven calendar months; more usually you would spend 10-12 months with a placement provider. You would normally start sometime in the period June to September of your second year and finish between June and September the following year. Placements can be UK-based or overseas and you will work with staff to plan and finalise the placement arrangements.
You will be expected to find and arrange a suitable placement to complement your degree and will be fully supported throughout by a dedicated member of staff at your academic School and the University’s Careers and Employability Services.
You will have the opportunity to fully consider this option when you have started your course at Bangor and can make an application for a transfer onto this pathway at the appropriate time. Read more about the work experience opportunities that may be available to you or, if you have any questions, please get in touch.
This course is available with an International Experience Year option where you will study or work abroad for 1 additional year. You will have ‘with International Experience’ added to your degree title on graduating.
Studying abroad is a great opportunity to see a different way of life, learn about new cultures and broaden your horizons. With international experience of this kind, you’ll really improve your career prospects. There are a wide variety of destinations and partner universities to choose from. If you plan to study in a country where English is not spoken natively, there may be language courses available for you at Bangor and in your host university to improve your language skills.
You will have the opportunity to fully consider this option at any time during your degree at Bangor and make your application. If you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch.
Read more about the International Experience Year programme and see the studying or working abroad options on the Student Exchanges section of our website.