LLB (Hons) Law with Criminology University of Surrey

Key information

• Start date: October 2021
• LLB (Hons) UCAS: M1M9 3 years
• LLB (Hons) UCAS: M1M8 4 years with professional training
• LLB (Hons) UCAS: M1M6 4 years with foundation year
• LLB (Hons) UCAS: M1M7 5 years with foundation year and professional training

Why choose this course

The University of Surrey provides a supportive, single campus environment for you to immerse yourself in the study of law. The School of Law has a close-knit sense of community that Schools on larger campuses struggle to match.

Here you will be taught by a combination of world-renowned and nationally recognised experts, from a wide range of practical and academic backgrounds. Together with our active and enthusiastic student cohort, we have created one of the most vibrant and stimulating law schools in the country.

Graduation from Surrey will stand you in good stead for accessing the postgraduate qualifications necessary to become a solicitor or a barrister. To best ensure this opportunity, we have partnered with the University of Law to facilitate access to the solicitors’ courses offered there.

We were ranked in the top 20 for law in the UK by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021. Surrey is ranked top 10 in the UK for criminology and 15th for employability in law in the Guardian University Guide 2021

What you will study

Our LLB (Hons) Law with Criminology course will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to proceed to professional legal qualifications as a solicitor or barrister and to engage critically with the principles of law. You will also gain an awareness of current issues in criminology – from debates surrounding criminal justice, to social control and the role of the police.

We blend traditional and modern teaching methods to help you gain an extensive understanding of the law and the legal system. This will allow you to tackle the fundamental issues of fairness, justice and equality that are at the heart of every society.

"The academic staff from the School of Law are excellent. The teaching staff consists of high-level academics and professionals, meaning a number of my modules have been taught by barristers and solicitors.” Cameron McCoig, student

Professional recognition

LLB (Hons) - Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) - The qualifying law degree is recognised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for the purposes of satisfying the academic stage of training.

Placements

You have the option to complete a Professional Training placement as part of this course. This will give you the opportunity to develop your professional, academic and personal potential, helping to prepare you for your future career.

A significant proportion of placement students at Surrey are offered graduate-level jobs or go onto postgraduate study.

Law with Criminology placements

You could work for the full year, either in the UK or abroad, or spend half the year on a work placement and the other half studying at one of our partner universities in countries such as the Netherlands, Sweden, France, Singapore and Australia.

Many Professional Training placements are paid, with the opportunity to experience a variety of contexts, including solicitors’ offices, local authority legal departments, non-governmental organisations and corporations.

Some examples of organisations that participate in this scheme include:

• Shoosmiths
• Penningtons Manches
• Citizens Advice Bureau
• 5 Chancery Lane Commercial Barristers
• National Centre for Domestic Violence
• Bail for Immigration Detainees
• Thompson & Co Solicitors

Study and work abroad

We give our students the opportunity to acquire international experience during their studies by taking advantage of our exchange agreements with overseas universities or by completing a Professional Training placement abroad.

Want to study at an overseas institution as part of your degree or work abroad during your Professional Training year? Perhaps you would like to volunteer in India or learn about Brazilian business and culture in São Paulo during your summer holidays? With more than 200 partnerships, from 50 different countries worldwide, there is something for everyone.

Not only is the opportunity to go abroad a hugely enjoyable experience, but you will also develop key skills and knowledge that will strengthen your CV and increase your employability.

Please note: the status of the Erasmus+ scheme is dependent on the outcome of the Brexit negotiations.

We encourage you to add an international experience to your degree by studying overseas for one or two semesters as part of your Professional Training placement programme.

Our international partners include:

• La Trobe University, Australia
• Monash University, Australia
• University of Queensland, Australia
• University of Wollongong, Australia
• Universiteit Gent, Belgium
• Turun Yliopisto, Finland
• Universite Catholique de Lille, France
• Albert-Ludqigs-Universitat Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
• Universiti Malaya, Malaysia
• Rijsuniversiteit Groningen, Netherlands
• Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
• Singapore Management University
• Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Spain
• Stockholm Universitet, Sweden
• California State University, US
• George Mason University, US
• Texas Tech University, US
• University of Central Florida, US
• University of North Carolina, US
• University of Virginia, US

Our partners complement our commitment to excellence in teaching and research and enable students to enhance their international outlook.

In your third year, you have the option of spending your Professional Training placement abroad.

Careers and graduate prospects

We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.

Each year, many of our graduates take up permanent employment with prestigious employers. These have included Electricité de France, Clifford Chance, Eversheds and other firms of solicitors, sets of barristers’ chambers and legal departments of large companies.

We offer a varied programme of careers sessions, which provide advice and guidance on what you should do to develop a suitable career path.

In combination with our Student Law Society, we run a variety of events, competitions and activities, such as mooting and client interviewing. These are not only enjoyable and rewarding but will also enhance your employability and introduce you to local and regional solicitors, barristers and other legal professionals.

The School of Law also has close links with the University of Law in Guildford and co-operates with the university in a number of career-development activities.

Recent graduates have secured roles such as:

• Compliance Associate, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
• HR Case Manager, Ministry of Justice
• Trainee Probation Officer, National Probation Service
• Paralegal, Shoosmiths
• Safer Custody Coordinator, HMP Maidstone
• Police Constable, Metropolitan Police
• Corporate Paralegal, Meade King LLP

"Studying for my postgraduate law degree allowed me to increase my knowledge in terms of international law and delve deeper into pertinent issues within the international forum.” Amrita Naul, graduate