LLB (Hons) Law with Criminology course preparation

Suggested reading

This section relates to reading specifically for your programme. For suggested reading and other materials to read or watch now, please view the other sections on this page.

During your first week you’ll 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. You’ll also be provided with a module handbook that 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, module attendance requirements and 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 when tutors and other relevant staff will provide you with guidance on how use our hard copy and online law library, access and use our virtual learning platform, Blackboard, and have explained the rationale for how we teach and assess on the programme and each module, the skills you’ll need to develop to get the most out of lectures and seminars/workshops, and be introduced to the assessment criteria for the assessed tasks on each of the modules you take.

You’ll also have explained the roles of various colleagues in the Department and who you should go and see if you require assistance. We’ll also provide you with a detailed introduction and overview of each of your modules.

You’ll also be provided with access and training on Law Trove which is a resource that gives you access to all your year one core texts plus additional reading.

Useful websites

• Law in Action – As BBC Radio 4’s long running legal podcast, this show features reports and discussion on all matters relating to law, from questioning whether new technologies affect human rights, to interviews with guest such as Lord Chief Justice, Sir Ian Burnett. As an easy to follow podcast, this is an interesting listen, whether you are considering a direct career in Law on not.
• Serial (Series 1) – This investigative podcast follows the murder of 18 year old Hae Min Lee in 1999. Involving interviews with convicted ex-boyfriend Adnan Syed, who maintains his innocence, the series questions whether the justice system failed Hae and Adnan, and explores how complex cases such as this can be.
• Netflix – Cold Case Files (Series).
• Watch the Judge Rinder Highlight on YouTube.
• Discover the Supreme Court in the UK on their YouTube Channel.
• Search for and watch the Crown Court TV Series on YouTube.
• Search for and watch the Crime Watch TV Series on YouTube.
• If you’d like to organise your tasks and create a to-do list visit Trello here.
• If you’d like to explore careers within the Legal sector or law enforcement visit the Prospects website here.
• To find out more about the Law, Criminology & Policing Courses at Edge Hill visit our website here.

Coronavirus and Law

During such unprecedented times there are many opportunities to take advantage of live and current research, especially in the field of law, criminal justice and law enforcement. By having the opportunity to research during this time, you may be able to expand your knowledge, which will prove crucial throughout your degree, and maybe even at points within your future career!

Below are some questions to consider that will help you feel more prepared for your next step into Higher Education.

• How has the pandemic affected laws & law enforcement? Research how laws, legislation & policing have been changed in response to the Coronavirus outbreak.

• Consider the following questions:
  1) How long has it taken for different types of laws to be passed in the UK? How about further afield?
  2) What measures are police forces putting in place to enforce these laws?
  3) How should the police approach the enforcement of these new laws?
  4) How has the government defined ‘lockdown’ from country to country?

Things to do now

There are several things you can do to start to prepare for your studies over the summer. We recommend that you:

• Read a seminal law text book such as Glanville Williams’ ‘Learning the Law’ (2016) 16th (Sweet & Maxwell)
• Get into the habit of reading a good quality, broadsheet newspaper on a daily basis; The Times, The Guardian and The Independent (now online) are all good choices
• Listen to the news programmes on BBC Radio 4 and watch the extended news programmes on television which provide more analysis, such as Newsnight and Channel 4 News; and good quality documentaries e.g. Dispatches, Panorama and Unreported World.
• If you are able to, as the summer progresses, you could get a feel for the Law in action by visiting your local Magistrates’ Court, County Court and Crown Court, and watching court proceedings from the public gallery. Doing this will bring to life some of the elements of Law that you will be studying from September. You can also follow the proceedings of the Supreme Court of the UK.

As a Law with Criminology student, you will need to have good knowledge and understanding of current events – 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.

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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.

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