Course overview
This course explores the mechanisms underpinning criminal law, domestically and internationally, whilst encouraging you to challenge the legitimacy of the State’s power and its interference with individual autonomy and freedom.
This course 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.
The January start for this course is condensed in Year 1. Please see the ‘How you’ll learn’ section below for more details.
Why you should study this course
The course aims to give you opportunities to:
- immerse yourself in criminal law by following a criminal case from the commission of an offence through preparation for trial and finally sentencing, through an authentic case simulation.
- hone your criminal advocacy skills in our mock courtroom, known as the ‘moot room’4.
- apply to volunteer in the Employment Law Clinic, Advocacy Clinic or Business Law and Enterprise Clinic at the Coventry Law Centre. Selected students can gain practical legal experience under the supervision of trained solicitors and lawyers2.
- engage with students at other international universities and industry experts2,through initiatives like our Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects2.
- grow your networks by getting to know members of the legal industry through our 'Raising the Bar' scheme.
If you choose to start this course in January you will study exactly the same course but over a slightly shorter timescale in Year 1. This is ideal if you missed the September start, want to transfer from a different university or course or just need a bit more time to prepare for life at university.