BA (Hons) Law & Criminology at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Programme overview

A degree exploring the relationship between crime, society and law, combining an understanding of legal systems with the social dynamics of crime. It includes a 15-day criminal justice placement in year 2 and an optional year-long work placement after year 2.

Faculty: Cardiff School of Management | Duration: 3 years full time; 4 years with a foundation year or year-long industry placement; 5 years with both | Intake: 2027 start | Location: Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom

What you will study

Level 4: Introduction to Criminal Justice, Constitutional Law, Introduction to Legal System Method and Ethics, Criminology and the Modern World, Crime Inequality and Social Issues, and Criminal Law. Level 5: Working in the Criminal Justice System, Law of Torts, Cyber Crime Gender and Hate, Researching Crime, Youth Inequality and Crime, plus options. Level 6: Dissertation and Legal Research (40 credits), Crime Drugs and Society, Terrorism Radicalisation and Violence, Policing Punishment and Justice, plus options such as Family Law or Corporate Crime.

Career pathways

Roles including solicitor, probation officer, fraud investigation, community safety, crime prevention, youth offending teams, the Home Office, paralegal, social researcher, customs and immigration.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Typical offer: 112 UCAS tariff points. A levels: minimum three A levels including grades CCC, no specific subjects required (Welsh Advanced Skills Baccalaureate considered as a third subject). BTEC National / Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: DMM. T Level: Merit. Access to Higher Education Diploma: no specific subjects required. International Baccalaureate Diploma: 2 x H5, no specific subjects. Irish Leaving Certificate: 2 x H2 grades (Higher level subjects considered only at minimum grade H4). Scottish Advanced Highers: grades DD, no specific subjects; Scottish Highers also considered, on their own or in combination with Advanced Highers. GCSE: five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above including English Language (or Welsh First Language) and Mathematics (or Mathematics - Numeracy). English language for international applicants: academic IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in all elements, or equivalent. Combinations of the listed qualifications are accepted if they meet minimum requirements; mature applicants and those with relevant experience or RPL are considered by Admissions. Contextual offers are available. A foundation year is available for applicants who do not meet the entry requirements.

Domestic applicants: GBP 9,790 a year (2026/27). Full-time home undergraduate tuition fee; may increase by any level permitted by the Welsh Government. Source

International applicants: GBP 16,000 a year (2026/27). Full-time international undergraduate tuition fee. Source

Intake: 2027 start

Duration: 3 years full time; 4 years with a foundation year or year-long industry placement; 5 years with both

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