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BA (Hons) Criminology and Law course preparation

To help you feel prepared for your university studies, we’ve gathered together a range of course related activities including suggested reading, useful websites and some great things to do right now. Open the links below to find out more:

Suggested reading

During your first week, you’ll be provided with a comprehensive reading list of key texts, and guidance from your tutors on how to make the most of them. In the meantime, you might want to get a head start by reading or purchasing one of the following texts:

  • Croall H (2011) Crime and Society in Britain, 2nd Ed, Pearson
  • Muncie J & McLaughlin E (2013) Sage Dictionary of Criminology, 3rd Ed, Sage
  • Law J (2015) Oxford Dictionary of Law, 8th Ed, OUP
  • Newburn T, (2017) Criminology, 3rd Ed, Routledge

You’ll also be provided with a comprehensive academic programme handbook and an administrative rules and procedures handbook.  The contents of each will be explained during your first formal introductory sessions.

As well as your academic programme handbook, you’ll be given a module handbook. This will include details of the aims and outcomes for each module, details of the teaching and learning methods, assessment methods and weightings, details on coursework submission and feedback dates and procedures, extension procedures, and module attendance requirements. It will also contain details of the title and contents of your weekly module lectures and weekly seminar/ workshop tasks and the supporting reading for each topic.

During your first few weeks of study, you’ll be required to attend a range of hour-long induction/introductory sessions. These are when tutors and other members of staff will provide you with guidance on how to use our hard copy and online law library, access and use our virtual learning platform, Blackboard. Tutors will also explain the rationale for how we teach and assess on the programme and each module, and the skills you’ll need to develop to get the most out of lectures and seminars/workshops. You’ll be introduced to the assessment criteria for the assessed tasks on each of the modules you take. The roles of various colleagues in the Department and who you should go and see if you require assistance will also be explained to you. We’ll also provide you with a detailed introduction and overview of each of your modules.

As a Criminology and Law student at Edge Hill University, you’ll be provided with access to an electronic copy of your law textbooks and some criminology textbooks.  You’ll be able to access the textbook on campus or off-campus through the University’s library catalogue.


Useful materials


What is criminology about?

What is criminology about?

Things to do over summer

Here are some suggestions about what it would be good for you to do before you formally begin your studies. These are just suggestion, you won’t be examined on these. But learning is something that doesn’t just take place in formal settings. In fact, most of what you learn at university should be from what you read, listen to and watch by yourself.

Watch relevant films and TV
Read relevant material
Watch law courts live

As you watch or read, ask yourselves these three questions:

  1. What are the harms that are being described – how are people or planet adversely effected?
  2. Can I identify anything that might be considered to be causal factors in creating this harm?
  3. Do these harms arise because of deviance? Or conformity and obedience?

As a Criminology and Law student, you’ll need to have a good knowledge and understanding of current events (at home and abroad) so getting into the habit of paying attention to news and political events will certainly help you with your studies. You may be doing some of these things already; if so, keep up the good work.


Additional ways to prepare

Preparing to start

This session examines how to make a successful transition to university. From planning your results day, accommodation and commuting tips, extra support available to you and general advice on uni life.

Watch the session

Find out more about who you are

The following information provides an insight into what to expect when coming to university along with some good advice on how to navigate some of the potential challenges you may face.

Start preparing yourself