Law with Criminology (Distance Learning)

Practice with purpose as you examine why people break the law. Enhance your law degree with elements of criminology study to explore crime, justice, and change.

Why study law with criminology?
Law governs how society functions. Crime challenges it. LLB Law with Criminology combines two complementary subjects into one degree, with a sharper focus on crime, criminality, and the criminal justice system.

You’ll begin by developing your core legal knowledge, learning to interpret legislation and navigate court processes like a lawyer, through modules like criminal law, public law, contract law, and more.

Criminology builds on this foundation, exploring why people offend, how society responds, and what happens beyond the courtroom. You’ll cover diverse topics that encourage you to question complex and topical issues, like policing, miscarriages of justice, victims, domestic abuse, and punishment of crime.

The course brings your learning to life through a mix of projects, client-focused pro bono opportunities, and applied research. You won’t just study cases - you’ll analyse them, argue, investigate, and challenge assumptions.

As part of this course, you’ll:


• Study the foundations of English law alongside distinctive criminology modules



• Apply your legal knowledge to authentic criminal justice scenarios



• Gain key transferable analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills



• Develop core legal competencies – in advocacy, research, and client-focused skills - via projects and real experience



By graduation, you’ll be adept in understanding key legal concept and will possess valuable criminological insight, ready to make a difference across the criminal justice sector and beyond.

Find out more

Build connections that count
We work closely with law firms, chambers, and public sector organisations to connect you with industry while you study. Through guest lectures, networking events, and employer engagement, you’ll gain insight into real legal careers and start building valuable professional connections.

Our links include organisations like Leeds Building Society, Crawford Legal Services, the Government Legal Department, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, HM Treasury, St Paul’s Chambers, and New Park Court – spanning commercial and public law pathways.

Gain real legal experience
Leeds Law School provides countless pro bono opportunities. Through our Law Clinic, you’ll support members of the public with free legal advice, building confidence and hands-on experience that makes your CV stand out.

By volunteering with charity organisation, Support Through Court, you’ll support litigants in person to navigate legal forms, statements, and hearings. You can even do a short placement before you start your studies with us. In addition, you can take part in our Street Law programme, where you’ll teach members of the public about important legal rights and issues.

Learn from active legal professionals
Our Law in Practice guest lecture series brings prominent legal figures into the room - from human rights campaigners to senior lawyers. Criminology talks tackle real issues too, from child criminal exploitation to major civil unrest. These events provide insight into the profession, along with inspiration for your own career.

Resources to support your success
Access Law Trove, a digital library of Oxford University Press law textbooks, worth over £200.

Mentor guarantee
With our mentor guarantee, you’ll be matched with a professional from the Leeds’ legal community. They’ll help you think through your goals, build confidence, and make connections.

Join a community that helps you thrive
Get involved in a student society like the Law Society or Legal Ladies. From social events, networking sessions, and career talks, to competitions; you can connect with peers and professionals and develop your skills.

Curiosity needs thinkers, makers, and dreamers. It needs you!

Leeds Beckett believes that when unlike minds come together, incredible things happen. That’s why they don’t just teach; they collaborate, challenge and inspire.

Their courses are meticulously designed, combining practical experience through work placements with a vibrant location at the heart of one of the UK’s largest student communities. Boasting a top 10 UK ranking for both course quality and student life (Unicompare 2026) and a prestigious five-star QS rating, LBU sets the standard for excellence.

The university prioritises student wellbeing and stands among just seven universities nationwide to earn the University Mental Health Charter Award - proof of their unwavering commitment to advancing mental health and wellbeing.

All of this is why 98% of Leeds Beckett students and graduates would recommend studying at the university to a friend (Unicompare, 2024 reviews).