A group of students sitting in a lecture room, looking at laptop screens. A group of students sitting in a lecture room, looking at laptop screens.

Available with:

  • Foundation Year


Course Summary

Gain a rich understanding of the key components and fundamentals of law as well as the essentials of criminology. Chester Law School maintains strong links with local legal professionals and the wider community to enhance our degree and to ensure you make the most out of your time at University. Specialist opportunities such as guest lecturers and an array of co-curricular outreach and pro bono (free legal advice) opportunities can enhance your skillset and transform you into a Law graduate that stands out from the crowd.

Studying our Law with Criminology degree allows you to tailor your studies to your interests. Gain a rich understanding of key concepts in your first year of study and experience our Work Based Learning module in second year. Final year students have the opportunity to focus their studies on areas of Law that particularly interest them, developing their skills within their chosen specialist modules before they graduate.

Outside of your studies, join our Law Society which hosts a variety of events throughout the year, gain an insight into law in the real world by volunteering with the department’s Legal Advice Clinic, or get involved with Chester Community Law Project, the Law School’s student-led outreach programme which enables volunteers to use their legal knowledge to benefit our local community.

Our team is made up of former practitioners and nationally recognised academic lawyers, committed to helping our students make their career aspirations a reality. 

Why you'll Love it


What you'll Study

Module content:

  • Reading and writing critically.
  • Constructing and evaluating an argument.
  • Note-taking techniques for reading and listening.
  • Understanding plagiarism and academic integrity.
  • Introduction to reflective practice.
  • Preparing for, and delivering, powerpoint presentations.
  • Referencing and citation.
  • Summarising and paraphrasing written sources.
  • Literature searching.
  • Report writing.
  • The culture and expectations of higher education.
  • The assessment process including the role of assessment criteria and feedback.
  • The nature of research journal publishing.

Whilst much of the content above is generic, students will be encouraged to situate skills within the context of the undergraduate discipline they are entering, which leads to some variation in emphasis for certain skills.


Module aims:

1.To raise awareness of the range of study skills required for successful higher education studies, including the process of academic writing, reading strategies, seminar skills, organisation of time and materials, planning for and meeting deadlines, understanding and responding to feedback.

2. To introduce students to concepts such as plagiarism, academic integrity and appropriate use of artificial intelligence tools.

3. To facilitate an effective transition into higher education by exploring, and providing guidance in, the key elements of successful undergraduate studentship including students' understanding of taking responsibility for their own learning.

4. To teach students how to undertake a literature, visual or data review for their discipline and be able to differentiate between a valid, reliable source and an unsubstantiated or irrelevant source.  

Module content:

  • Research and planning skills.
  • Becoming familiar with topics that comprise their undergraduate degree subject.
  • Developing a knowledge base for a discipline of study.
  • Identifying areas of interest.
  • Application and development of critical analytical skills.
  • Development of self-directed study.
  • Use of learning resources.

Module aims:

1. To develop students' skills in planning and writing an essay.

2. To familiarise students with the process of tutor supervision for a written piece of work.

3. To give students an opportunity to focus on a topic within their undergraduate degree subject.

4. To write a piece of work that allows the student to broaden and deepen knowledge on a topic of their choice.

5. To prepare and deliver an academic poster presentation outlining the student's research topic.

Module content:

  • Society, social structures and socialisation 
  • Social scientific ideas, theories and ‘lenses’ on society 
  • Social scientific research and basic research methods  
  • Digitalisation of society, smartphone technology and social media platforms 
  • Consumerism and consumer culture – definitions, impacts and debates 
  • Inequalities related to gender, social class, ‘race’ and ethnicity, and LGBTQ+ communities 
  • Social issues and problems related to knife crime, riots and uprisings, prostitution and sex work   
  • Social justice, power and movements for social change

Module aims:

1. To examine contemporary society from some key perspectives of social science.

2. To introduce students to research in the social sciences.

3. To introduce students to contemporary themes and issues in the social sciences.

 

Module content:

 

  • Introduction to fundamental principles and basic structure of the English Legal System
  • Sources of law
  • Key legal personnel
  • Concepts of criminal law and the Criminal Justice System
  • Principles of the Tort of negligence and bringing an action in a civil court

Module aims:

 

  1. To introduce students to the fundamental principles and basic structure of the English Legal System
  2. To enable students to develop awareness of key principles, legal institutions and areas of law in the English Legal System
  3. To gain an understanding of the role of legal personnel
  4. To develop basic knowledge of areas of legal learning, namely criminal law and the law of negligence
  5. To begin to develop key skills in the context of legal research, critical evaluation and legal problem solving

Module content:

How do we define a crime? How do we understand what causes crime? How does criminal behaviour affect individuals and society as a whole and how does society respond to criminal behaviour?

This module introduces students to fundamental debates surrounding the questions above, and more. Indicative content includes: 

  • The meaning and scope of criminology
  • Defining and measuring crime
  • The effects of crime
  • Explanations for and causes of crime
  • Responses to crime and the role and functions of the Criminal Justice System

Module aims:

This module has been designed with the specific aim of enabling students to understand criminology in a realistic and contextualised manner.  By the end of the module students will be able to answer key questions about what is meant by crime and will appreciate trends in criminal behaviour and who criminals are.   Students will have an overview of the criminological theories and the question of why people commit crime. Students will understand criminology to be a scientific form of study which cuts across the disciplines of sociology, psychology and law.  Students will be able to analyse social, philosophical and legal issues relating to crime, criminal justice and social policies.

Module content:

  • An introduction to creative and critical thinking concepts
  • Considering credibility; belief and truth
  • Identifying how language is used for persuasion
  • Identifying how image is used for persuasion
  • Recognising how media is used for manipulation
  • An introduction to advertising and marketing techniques
  • Representation and misrepresentation of data
  • Applying critical thinking skills to contemporary media and technology

 


Module aims:

1. To introduce approaches to analytical and critical thinking.

2. To develop an understanding of critical thinking when applied to language, image, traditional and online media.

 

Our course covers the basic building blocks of English Law, such as Constitutional Law and Legal Systems, Criminal Law, Property Law, the Law of Obligations and key foundational Criminology/Criminal Justice modules.

Module content:

Academic Concepts Covered

  • Introduction of obligations: Classification of obligations and introduction to contract and tort law.
  • Formation of contract: Offer and acceptance; consideration, exercise of common law and equitable jurisdiction by the courts - promissory estoppel; capacity to contract and intention to create legal relations.
  • Obligations arising from contract: Ascertaining the parties' intentions; types of terms, terms implied by the common law and by statute.
  • Performance and enforcement: Performance and breach. Remedies for breach, damages and remedies in equity and through restitution.
  • Contracts that are void, voidable or the parties are discharged from performance: Mistake, duress and undue influence, misrepresentation, frustration and issues of illegality.

Key Skills Developed

  • Legal writing and drafting: producing different types of documents
  • Practical legal research: retrieving and using information from primary and secondary sources
  • Application of knowledge and understanding
  • Communication skills: explaining and discussing contractual concepts orally and in writing
  • Time and task management: working effectively in order to meet a series of deadlines across the module and produce answers under examination conditions.

 


Module aims:

  • To introduce students to contractual obligations under the common law as affected by statute.
  • To explore contract formation, resulting obligations, vitiating factors, performance, breach and remedies.
  • To enable students to have some appreciation of the operation of contract law in practice and the factors that have influenced its development and that may affect its future development.
  • To enable students to recognise the importance and role of tortious liability and the law of restitution.
  • To reinforce key legal and academic skills.
  • To provide students with a foundation for study in other law modules with a commercial basis.

Module content:

• Principles of the UK constitution: the meaning of democratic governance; sources of the Constitution in the UK; theories and concepts underpinning the Constitution in the UK; arguments for and against codification.
• Parliamentary sovereignty
• The Rule of Law and the Separation of Powers; judicial regulation of governmental behaviour; the importance of an independent judiciary
• Political accountability: ministerial responsibility; mechanisms of Parliamentary accountability; freedom of information
• Legal mechanisms of accountability: judicial review
• Introduction to The Human Rights Act 1998: consequences for the relationship between Parliament and the Judiciary


Module aims:

  • To introduce students to the concept and theories of Public Law and place them in a political and historical context.
  • To provide a knowledge and understanding of the main United Kingdom institutions of constitutional law.
  • To explore the relationship between legislative and executive bodies.
  • To provide a knowledge and understanding of how public bodies may be challenged
  • To introduce the concept of reform and to engage students in a critical approach to reform.
  • To develop skills relating to: legal research, academic writing, referencing, evaluation.

Module content:

Indicative Content:

  1. Introduction to conceptions of Property
  2. Introduction to the nature of Equity
  3. The nature and classifications of Property within the English Legal System
  4. The various rights, estates and interests which may exist in relation to land
  5. The system of registration of title (and its contrast with unregistered land)
  6. Formal methods and mechanisms for acquiring, protecting and transferring estates/interests in Land
  7. Informal methods of acquiring estates/interests in Land, including adverse possession
  8. Interests in and over land, including, for example, leases, licences, covenants, and mortgages.

Key Skills:

  • Application of knowledge and understanding
  • Critical thinking and evaluation
  • Producing an argument
  • Communication skills

Module aims:

  1. To introduce students to the concepts of property, land, and ownership. 
  2. To introduce students to the ways in which the law of England and Wales classifies property rights. 
  3. To enable students to understand the principles relevant to the acquisition, use and transfer of interests in land. 
  4. To examine and understand the rights, estates and interests over land and the ways in which these may be created, protected and transferred. 
  5. To introduce students to the importance of the use of land in relation to mortgages and leases. 
  6. To introduce students to the acquisition of rights and interests over land otherwise than by acts of the parties.

Module content:

The key concepts covered by the module:

  1. Sources of law and the structure of the English Legal System;
  2. Domestic and external sources of law;
  3. The doctrines of judicial precedent and statutory interpretation;
  4. Personnel in the legal system.

Embedded within the delivery of this content, contact sessions will introduce students to general academic and law specific skills such as:

  1. Notetaking
  2. Legal referencing
  3. Legal and academic databases
  4. Writing skills
  5. Using information technology
  6. Time management
  7. Group work
  8. Undertaking time constrained multiple choice examination

These key areas of skills development will be undertaken through the module’s blended learning activities and within seminar activities.


Module aims:

  1. To introduce students to the sources and classifications of law and structure of the English legal system and those that work within it;
  2. To provide knowledge of the various sources of law, both domestic and external, and the principles that underpin them;
  3. To embed and develop a variety of generic academic skills;
  4. To introduce and explore a variety of subject specific legal skills.

Module content:

The content of this module fulfils two functions. First, to introduce students to the breadth of criminological scholarship, providing a pathway into the discipline by identifying and exploring key debates and ideas. These will include such issues as the nature of 'crime', its distribution and patterning, major conceptual paradigms, the effects of crime as well as a range of criminal justice challenges such as victimisation. 

In addition, the module also places an emphasis on developing academic and transferable skills, encouraging students to develop beyond the preceding sections of the education system by placing an emphasis on the requirements of independent learning and practical means of getting the most out of higher education. In so doing, it also encourages students to reflect upon how their developing academic skills might transfer over into purposeful and rewarding forms of employment. 


Module aims:

Foundations in Criminology and Criminal Justice is a core module on the level 4 programme in criminology. It is intended to give students a comprehensive introduction to the key issues and debates in criminology that they will develop in levels 5 and 6 of their degree. Students will consider how crime is constructed, perceived and responded to within society. They will explore the interrelationships between crime, social problems and their context. The module is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of subject knowledge and to develop a range of key skills, including research, scholarship and academic practices, thus enabling students to identify, summarise and comment upon a variety of subject matters in a criminological manner, and to organise and articulate ideas and arguments. This module also requires students to consider their own academic and professional skills, and how (and in what ways) this will/can be developed.

Module content:

Underlying the module is an exploration of the role of policing within liberal democratic society. It will critically analyse the developments in policing and the police and detail the complex policy environment, theories and research on police and policing. This analysis will continue and evaluate policing institutions and operations in the UK and elsewhere with reference to their legal, political, social and cultural implications.


Module aims:

The study of policing has become one of the most contested and debated areas of criminology This module evaluates the historical, comparative, and contemporary development and nature of policing within a broader understanding of the socioeconomic, cultural, and political changes of the last half-century. It provides an assessment of historical and comparative perspectives; dissects and reflects upon the politics of the police, critically reviews areas of doing policing, and explores contemporary debates. 

Within the module, students explore the role of the police and contemporary policing in society and its impacts. This will be reviewed within the context of the emergence, development, and contemporary transformation of policing in regional, national and international settings. We will evaluate the aims, functions, models, and cultures of contemporary policing, the marketisation of policing services, police powers, and accountability. The relationship between law, governance/regulation, and social order will also be explored. Major developments in contemporary policing will be appraised and students will evaluate future prospects for policing modern society. 

As the course progresses, there are opportunities to study a range of specialist optional modules in both the Law School and the Department of Social and Political Science, enabling you to tailor your final year to support your future career goals.

Module content:

It is anticipated that the module will focus upon the following areas depending upon their relevance in any particular academic session:

  • The functions of the criminal law and the aims of the criminal justice system
  • Principles of liability and the nature of criminal offences
  • Defences
  • Offences against the person (fatal, non-fatal and sexual)
  • Property Offences
  • Any other criminal offences of specific relevance in a given academic session.

Module aims:

The aims of the module are 

  • To enable students to identify and comprehend the key concepts and principles of Criminal Law in England and Wales including when criminal responsibility and liability arises in law and may be defended.
  • To introduce the major criminal offences and ways of committing offences including, for example, homicide (murder and manslaughter) , offences against the person (the different levels of assaults and battery), sexual offences (rape/ sexual assault and other non-consensual sexual offences) and property offences / offences of dishonesty (theft / burglary / robbery / fraud).
  • To explore the acts or omissions (actus reus) and mindset (mens rea) necessary for an offence/ offences to be committed, and any defences which may apply.
  • To consider definitions of offences from statute and the common law, and how definitions have been interpreted and applied in cases in the Court of Appeal and House of Lords / Supreme Court

Module content:

The intended principal areas of study will cover:

  1. The evolution and development of the European Community and European Union.
  2. The nature and sources of European Union law.
  3. The functions of the main institutional bodies of the European Union.
  4. The nature of the UK’s (changing) relationship with the EU.
  5. The enforcement of European Union Law in its member states and as relevant to the UK,
  6. The European single market and the UK’s relationship to that market.
  7. Free movement of goods within the EU and as relevant to the UK’s relationship with the EU.

Module aims:

  1. To enable students to identify and comprehend the key concepts and principles of European Union Law including the legal, economic and social factors which led to the development of the European Community and Union.
  2. To introduce students to the basic legal framework within which the European Union operates. Students will explore in some depth the actions that can be taken against both Member States and the institutions for infringement of Union law. Students will be encouraged to identify and evaluate the key actors in the formulation, implementation and enforcement of Union Law at both national and European levels and the impact of EU law on UK law as relevant to its changing relationship.
  3. To enable students to comprehend the core principles underpinning the regulation of the European single market, particularly in relation to the free movement of goods.  Students will be taught to apply these principles and evaluate their effectiveness.

Module content:

Indicative Content:-

1. Principles of Tort law

2. Specific areas of Tort Law – these may include Negligence, Occupier’s Liability, Private Nuisance, Defamation, Vicarious liability, Product liability , Employer’s Liability and intentional torts such as those involving Trespass to the Person

3. Defences and Remedies in in Tort Law. 


Module aims:

1. To enable students to develop an understanding of the historical development of the law of tort.

2. To enable students to develop a critical understanding of the contemporary law of tort within its social and political contexts. 

3. To encourage a critical approach to legal concepts within the law of tort.

4. To enable students to understand and evaluate the impact of public policy upon the law of tort.  

5. To develop existing academic writing skills and to analyse a range of primary and secondary sources. 

 

 

 

Module content:

  • Classical & Positivist Criminology 
  • Biological  Criminology 
  • Chicago School and Environmental Theory 
  • Anomie and Strain Theory 
  • Subcultural Theory 
  • Labelling Theory 
  • Realist Perspectives 
  • Gendered Criminology 
  • Cultural Criminology
  • Peace-making Criminology 
  • Public Criminology 
  • Zemiology and Social Harm 
  • Contemporary Developments in Criminology

Module aims:

This core module is designed to develop discipline-specific abilities in the competent use of criminological theory and concepts to understand crime, victimisation and responses to crime and deviance.  It is intended to:

  • Provide students with a comprehensive grounding in the varieties of criminological theory.
  • Familiarise them with the different assumptions, explanations and proposed solutions embedded within these theories.
  • Sensitise students to the importance of the social contexts in which theories are produced.

The module is also designed to develop students learning about 'crime' and 'criminal justice', in that they are not fixed and settled entities but complex and shifting processes whose different characteristics are revealed (and concealed) when viewed through the lenses of different theories. 

Module content:

This module develops students’ abilities to critically analyse state crime and mechanisms for the resistance of state crime through engagement with leading criminological and sociological theoretical ideas in this field and historical and contemporary case studies. Drawing on theories from agnotology, cultural studies, and studies of survivor testimonies, the module gives attention to strategies for informing public sense-making to motivate active consent, acquiescence and resistance. It gives focus to mechanisms for the resistance of state crime including international responses such as humanitarian law and mechanisms of transitional justice, activism by non-government organisations, public social science and civil activism. Students will be supported with the application of theories to a range historic and contemporary state crime resistance movements. Academic skill development will be embedded throughout the module with activities focussed upon skills such as effective reading and note taking, developing an argument, group working and creative thinking.


Module aims:

To examine definitions of state crime, and the various forms of state crime 

To explore the extent to which the prevalence of state crime can be captured 

To utilise relevant studies from a range of disciplines to understand sense making in relation to conflict through a criminological lens 

To develop an understanding of a range of key mechanisms for resisting state crime and evaluate their abilities to achieve justice and change. 

To study a range of historical and contemporary cases utilising key theories 

Module content:

Pre-placement:

  • Structured approaches to researching, selecting and securing a suitable work placement relevant to the student’s interests and career aspirations*.
  • Writing an effective CV. Constructing a letter of application.*
  • Interview skills.*

 *Note: Students are required to undertake these pre-placement tasks during term 1 level 5, as part of the placement acquisition process and will be supported by the Work Based Learning team and the Careers and Employability department.

 Induction Programme and Placement:

  • The organisational context: research-informed analysis of the placement organisation’s aims, structure, culture.
  • Self- assessment of needs: identification of the range of transferable skills, competencies and attitudes employees need and employers expect graduates to possess. (Employability Skills: e.g. verbal and written communication, analytical / problem solving capabilities; self-management; team working behaviours; negotiation skills; influencing people; positive attitude, resilience, building rapport).
  • Devising a strategy for integrating into the workplace and work based teams
  • Completion of online assignment tasks covering sourcing and obtaining placement; health and safety procedures in general; general workplace integrity; placement requirements. 

During and post-placement: Learning effectively in and from the workplace:- 

  • Devising and implementing strategies to improve own approach and performance
  • Critical analysis/evaluation of approach to skill development and performance in the workplace;
  • Influencing the Placement Provider’s appraisal;
  • Devising an action plan to develop gaps in transferable skills based on the placement experiences;

Module aims:

This module aims to enhance students’ prospects of gaining graduate level employment through engagement with a University approved work placement**, which will enable them to:

  • Develop their understanding of workplace practice and lifelong learning;
  • Enhance their work readiness and employability prospects through development of transferable skills;
  • Take responsibility for their own learning and acquisition of workplace employability skills;
  • Articulate, in writing, their employability skills.

Module content:

  • The organisational context: research-informed analysis of the sector’s role, development opportunities or career paths.
  • Self- assessment of needs: identification of the range of transferable skills, competencies and attitudes employees need and employers expect graduates to possess. (Employability Skills: e.g. verbal and written communication, analytical / problem solving capabilities; self-management; team working behaviours; negotiation skills; influencing people; developing a positive work attitude, resilience, building rapport with co-workers).
  • Devising strategies to improve one’s own career.
  • Critical analysis/evaluation of skills already acquired.
  • Devising an action plan to address gaps in transferable skills based on organisational analysis and sector opportunities.

Module aims:

This module aims to enhance students’ prospects of gaining graduate level employment, which will enable them to:-

  • Enhance their work readiness and employability prospects through identifying relevant transferable skills for their chosen career path,
  • Clearly articulate their career plans and take steps to prepare for their first graduate role,
  • Take responsibility for their own learning and acquisition of workplace employability skills,
  • Articulate, in writing, their employability skills.

Module content:

Students’ independent study in the module is underpinned by two types of teaching and support. Firstly, the lecture-workshops will typically include didactically taught and interactive session activities on: constructing a research question in the chosen topic area, legal research methodologies, planning and structuring the dissertation, carrying out legal research, literature searching and the utility of legal databases, synthesising primary and secondary source materials into student work, writing and presenting the dissertation in an appropriate format. These will take place in the first 5 weeks of the academic year, with an additional session held in the second term. 

Secondly, there will be sustained subject-specific supervisory support for the remainder of the academic year. This includes one-to-one tutorials and both oral and written formative feedback on submissions of drafted parts of the dissertation. 

Students are expected to build on previous teaching in both subject-specific areas related to their research and legal and academic skills as taught at Levels 4 and 5. 


Module aims:

The Undergraduate Law Dissertation is designed to provide an opportunity for sustained and independent study in the final year of the Law programmes. It intends to develop knowledge of, and critical insight into, a topic of the student's choice within the subject area under study. Students are encouraged to develop an analytical approach to the subject identified for study. The module aims to encourage the articulation of a critically informed perspective on the subject being studied. It also intends to enable the production of a coherent document of rigorous academic standards. 

The taught workshop sessions are designed to provide students with the skills needed to pursue an in-depth study of a law-related topic. These sessions, combined with the individual supervision provided, will enable students to undertake an extended piece of legal research and writing that is both critically analytical in nature and discusses issues at the forefront of contemporary academic debate in Law.  

Module content:

Aspects of

  1. Parentage and parenthood; rights and responsibilities 
  2. Private law decision-making; children’s welfare and autonomy 
  3. Public law: role of the Local Authority; child protection, care and supervision, adoption and special guardianship 
  4. International law affecting children of relevance at the time of study.

 


Module aims:

Development of the students' understanding and critical enquiry of the law and procedure relating to arrangements for children's family life in England and Wales.

Development of real word research and presentation skills on the subject of need (or not) for law reform.

Module content:

  1. The historical development of the laws of marriage and ending marriage. 
  2. The relationships of marriage, civil partnership and cohabitation. 
  3. Nullity, divorce and other decrees 
  4. Ancillary relief: financial and property orders and the basis on which they are made, financial provision for children, pre-nuptial and separation agreements. 
  5. Rights and duties of cohabitants on death and separation. 
  6. Property ownership of the family home  
  7. Domestic abuse and legal remedies
  8. Comparisons with law in some other jurisdictions
  9. Family legal responsibility to the elderly and the vulnerable 

Module aims:

 This module complements LA6004 Child Law, but may be studied independently of that module.

  1. To give students a good grounding in the present law of adult, personal relationships.
  2. To analyse the policies that lie behind the law of personal relationships.
  3. To identify the legal rules relating to marriage and civil partnership and relationship breakdown and assess their consequences and apply them to hypothetical scenarios.
  4. To compare the rules for married couples and civil partners with those of unmarried partners, whether same sex or opposite sex and apply those rules.
  5. To develop the ability to think in a legal and rational manner as to the present parameters of family law.
  6. To consider criticisms and proposals for reform and contrast the law in England and Wales with the law in other jurisdictions.

Module content:

  • The relationship between law, medicine and ethics: paternalism and autonomy
  • Medical negligence
  • Consent to treatment and capacity
  • Abortion and related issues
  • Artificial reproduction
  • End of life areas, such as euthanasia, assisted suicide and organ transplantation
  • Topical areas of medical law, such as Female Genital Mutilation 

Module aims:

  • To develop an understanding of substantive and ethical issues in medical law
  • To discuss the socio-legal concepts of medical law in both academic and legal discourse
  • To critically consider conflicting ethical arguments about medical treatment
  • To examine the current regulation of the law on key topics, such as abortion
  • To understand the issues surrounding the refusal of withdrawal of medical treatment, euthanasia, and other end-of-life issues
  • To understand and evaluate the current legal issues involving particular medical technological advances

Module content:

  • Introduction to the history and concepts of Human Rights and of Human Rights Law.
  • Introduction to the European Convention on Human Rights.
  • The European Convention on Human Rights and the UK: The Human Rights Act 1998.
  • The Human Rights Act 1998: Framework, Mechanisms and Remedies.
  • The Human Rights Act 1998: The Protection of Convention Rights.
  • The Effectiveness of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998: a critical assessment.
  • Freedom of Speech.
  • Freedom of Assembly and Association.
  • Open Government: The Right to Know.

Module aims:

  • To draw upon and develop the understanding gathered from Public Law at level 4.
  • To outline the history and sources of UK and European Human Rights Law.
  • To develop the students’ ability to describe and evaluate the relevance and impact of this law in protecting human rights.
  • To develop the students’ critical awareness of the merits and shortcomings of the UK and European system of Human Rights law.
  • To engender a general awareness and interest in these matters and a willingness to look beyond the law to social, political and economic factors.
  • To develop a critical review of the law and consider possible reform.

Module content:

In delivering any module on legal history it is important to make clear the general remit of study. In this module it is the medieval period up until 1914, and the main area for considering social control is that of the poor, though where appropriate reference will be made to criminals, the insane
etc. 

  • Sources: An exploration of the sources available for study and the approaches that can be taken in undertaking such study
  • The control of the poor in the medieval period
  • The Tudor developments in control of the poor
  • The control of the poor in the 17th and 18th centuries
  • The emergence of direct state responsibility, the 19th century.
  • Institutional control- workhouses, schools, asylums, hospitals and prisons
  • The impact of the liberal welfare reforms of the early twentieth century

Module aims:

The provision of a module in legal history provides a different challenge to students but one that can then be developed and transferred to other areas of the law. The content of this module is designed to provide students with opportunities to add depth to their analysis of the law in other areas of the syllabus such as human rights, family law and even criminal justice; whilst being self-contained enough for study independent of modules in such areas. In particular this module aims: 

  • To engage students in an analysis of law in a more social context
  • To explore issues in a historical setting but which still have resonance today
  • To enable students to evaluate the laws dynamism and evolution
  • To provide a further context for critical analysis of the law in other areas

Module content:

  • Introduction to the institutions and sources of Discrimination Law and its historical development at domestic and EU level.
  • The concept of discrimination: direct, indirect, victimisation, harassment,
    etc; affirmative action.
  • Sex discrimination and equal pay.
  • Race Discrimination.
  • Disability Discrimination.
  • Discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, religion or belief, age and transgender.
  • Positive action.
  • Employment Tribunal procedure.
  • The development of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights.

Module aims:

  • To outline the law relating to discrimination in the UK in the light of EU membership.
  • To develop a critical understanding of the policy behind anti-discrimination law.
  • To develop the students’ critical awareness of the merits and shortcomings of the UK system of anti-discrimination legislation

Module content:

  1. Employment status
  2. The contract of employment: express terms and implied terms
  3. Termination of the contract of employment
  4. Collective rights
  5. Employment Tribunal procedure

Module aims:

  • To equip students with a broad working knowledge of the legal aspects of employment.
  • To enable students to acquire an understanding of the principles underpinning the relationships between employers and workers
  • To enable students to develop an awareness of the conflicts which exist between employers and workers
  • To critically examine the nature, content and context of the law regulating employer/employee relations and to make informed judgements about their merits
  • To enable students to understand the influences of European law on UK employment law
  • To develop further common economic and philosophical concepts learned in foundation subjects, such as laissez-faire, equality of bargaining power and fairness. 
  • To enable students to apply knowledge and understanding to solve problems - actual or hypothetical
  • To enable students to develop their practical skills such as for example identifying and retrieving legal information using paper and electronic sources or planning and undertaking research in areas of law not previously studied.
  • To equip students with enhanced key skills such as for example understanding and using proficiently the English Language both orally and in writing or constructing a consistent and sustained argument.

Module content:

  • The registered company contrasted with other business models
  • Formation of the company
  • Separate legal liability and the corporate veil
  • The corporate constitution
  • Shareholders’ agreements
  • Roles of, and division of power between, directors and shareholders
  • Equity Finance
  • Debt Finance
  • Types of director, directors’ statutory duties and transactions with directors
  • Minority shareholders’ remedies 
  • Corporate governance
  • Types of insolvency procedure
  • Statutory order of priority on winding up
  • Wrongful and fraudulent trading
  • Voidable transactions 

Module aims:

  • To explore the legal regulation of the formation and administration of companies.
  • To develop a critical view of the law and consider possible reform.
  • To place Company Law in the context of other areas of law, notably, contract, commercial equity and crime.
  • To enable students to apply knowledge and understanding to solve problems - actual or hypothetical
  • To enable students to develop their practical skills such as handling and interpreting business documentation.

Module content:

  1. The purpose of the law of evidence and how evidence is classified and the terminology used.
  2. The Burden and standard of proof
  3. Competence and compellability of witnesses, especially children, the accused and the spouse of the accused including inferences to be drawn from silence of the accused at trial.
  4. Examination-in-chief and cross examination
  5. Corroboration
  6. Identification evidence
  7. Expert Evidence
  8. Hearsay in criminal proceedings.
  9. Character Evidence
  10. Confessions

Module aims:

  • To explore and learn the sources of evidence and the rules relating to the admissibility of such evidence in criminal and civil trials.
  • To examine the historical development and the principles underlying the law of evidence in criminal and civil cases.
  • To critically analyse the different evidential frameworks in existence in the civil justice system and the criminal justice system.
  • To consider with particular emphasis recent legislation and case law on the rules of evidence
  • To criticially analyse the present law and consider and propose whether law relating to evidence is 'fit for purpose' or whether it requires further reform.

Module content:

The role of Equity in the English legal system and the nature, classification and characteristics of trusts, including: 

  • Legal and equitable interests in property 
  • The creation of express trusts, the administration of express trusts and aspects of breach of trust and equitable remedies
  • Implied trusts, including Trusts of the family home, and principles of Co-ownership 
  • Charitable trusts 

Module aims:

  • To enable students to examine the reasons for creating trusts 
  • To develop students’ ability to explain and apply to factual situations the equitable principles relating to the creation and administration of express private and public trusts, the fiduciary nature of trusteeship and aspects of breach of trust 
  • To develop students’ ability to explain and apply the equitable principles relating to the creation of implied trusts, the role of trusts in commercial contexts and in relation to private and family property 
  • To develop students’ ability to critically evaluate the principles of the law of trusts and the role of equity in developing that law 

Module content:

Key concepts covered by the module:

  • Professionalism and professional ethics in the context of the legal profession
  • Professional legal skills
  • Reflective practice in the context of professional development

Key skills developed by the module:

  • Professional legal skills drawn from the following range:
  1. interviewing
  2. advocacy
  3. case matter analysis
  4. legal research
  5. legal writing
  6. legal drafting
  7. Negotiation
  • Reflective writing: keeping a reflective journal, writing a reflective essay and articulating specific goals for professional development

Module aims:

1. To introduce students to concepts of professionalism, integrity and ethical conduct.

2. To enable students to develop skills appropriate to professional practice.

3. To provide opportunities for students to work both independently and collaboratively with peers and to reflect on their skills.

4. To provide opportunities for students to receive, reflect on and act on feedback in a formal and structured manner.

Module content:

This module will provide an overview of the law of sport in the UK. It will focus on the domestic and international regulatory systems and laws which affect the governance, commercialisation, participation and safety in sport in the UK. Sports law is a very topical area of law and this module will look to cover current issues arising from a wide range of topics and therefore the detail covered in topics covered may vary each year. The broad topics which will be covered include: 

  • Regulation and Governance of Sport 
  • Commercialisation of Sport 
  • Sport and Participants 
  • Safety and Sport 
  • Integrity of Sport 

Module aims:

  • To introduce students to legal and regulatory framework affecting sports in the context of the topics covered
  • To enable students to acquire an understanding of the challenges and controversies facing sport and the law when the two interact
  • To enable students to acquire an understanding of the broader social implications of sport and the law
  • To provide students with the skills to analyse the law and regulations to solve actual or hypothetical problems affecting sport and the law; 
  • To provide students with opportunities to work collaboratively with their peers, and develop practical skills in teamwork, written and verbal communication skills. 

Module content:

It is anticipated that the module will focus upon the following areas depending upon their relevance in any particular academic session:

  • The purpose of specific criminal trial processes
  • Advocacy skills and administrative requirements for a no case to answer submission
  • Theft
  • Robbery
  • Burglary
  • Inchoate offences

Any other criminal offences of specific relevance in a given academic session.


Module aims:

The aims of the module are 

  • To introduce students to the major criminal offences and ways of committing offences including, for example, property offences / offences of dishonesty (theft / burglary / robbery / fraud and the inchoate offences)/ hate crime / firearms / knife crime / serious sexual offences
  • To consider and apply definitions of offences from statute and the common law, and how definitions have been interpreted and applied in cases in the Court of Appeal and House of Lords / Supreme Court.
  • To enable students to understand the core criminal procedural requirements of applications in the criminal courts
  • To enable student to acquire the necessary advocacy and administrative skills in preparing and delivering submissions in a criminal court.
  • To provide students with opportunities to work collaboratively with their peers, and develop practical skills in teamwork, written and verbal communication skills.

Module content:

This module builds on material in first year Principles of Property Law and will allow students to explore in more depth content such as black letter law as well as historical, contextual and socio-legal approaches to property.

It is anticipated that content may vary from year to year in order to allow students to pursue current issues and evolving legal trends. The following areas may be covered: easements, freehold covenants, land registration, adverse possession, human rights and property issues, comparative and/or historical examination of property law in different jurisdictions, and socio-legal debates in a range of substantive areas.


Module aims:

The aim of the module is to advance the study of Property Law already gained through studying LA4008, Principles of Property Law, and to deepen insight into the Law of Property through a theoretical lens.

To enable students to examine the debates around property law in a contextual and historical manner.

  • To enable students to acquire an understanding of the scope of property law in areas such as, though not limited to: easements, freehold covenants, land registration, adverse possession, the intersection of property and human rights issues, and socio-legal debates about property.
  • To provide students with opportunities to develop analytical and evaluative skills in completing assessment, taking part in group discussions and interactive sessions (whether in person or online).

Module content:

This module is intended for students with an interest in death penalty in particular and  international justice and injustice more broadly. Accordingly, it is organised around two related areas.

The first half of the module explores the philosophical, political, legal and cultural contexts within which the death penalty either survives or is abolished. This exploration is organised around three themes: 1) The place of the death penalty in the philosophy and sociology of punishment. 2) The current state of play on the death penalty worldwide and the rise of abolitionist politics (especially in the European context). 3) Current debates/controversies surrounding the application of the death penalty in the United States through relevant criminological/legal literature and cases of established or suspected miscarriages of justice.

The second half of the module explores the relationship between criminalisation, marginalisation and state-sanctioned ‘social death’ in an international context. Lectures will be organised as a series of case studies focused on differential disavowed and rightless populations, exploring barriers to legal compliance and civic life. Students will be encouraged to develop a critical understanding of related issues in their historical, geographical and political contexts.

 


Module aims:

This module aims to explore international justice and injustice in general, and the death penalty as a form of injustice in particular. Focus is given to understanding the social, political, and historical processes behind such injustice. The module provides an overview of the current scope and use of capital punishment around the law and the influence of international law and the human rights movement. It provides a framework for a comparative study of the policies of abolition in national and transnational penal policies. Attention is given to a range of key issues including arbitrariness, discrimination, and marginalisation of miscarriages of justice. Students will develop a critical understanding of the concept of social death and critically explore processes of marginalisation and criminalisation in an international context.

Module content:

This module supports students to explore and examine the contemporary Criminological landscape and its political and social context. Through studying a range of relevant topics, students examine existing policy and legislation responses to key criminological issues and identify and apply relevant theories. Students of this module critically assess how contemporary criminological issues and debates emerge and develop. A key area of focus is the power and control of some social groups to dominate narratives and debates on contemporary criminological issues. In turn attention is given to claim makers influence over what becomes defined as desirable and undesirable, legitimate and illegitimate responses to issues of key social and political importance.

Within the module, students will also engage with discussion regarding the challenges associated with a move towards a more ‘public criminology’ and will consider how criminology can be more accessible to those outside of the discipline. They explore perspectives on Criminologists’ social and political responsibilities to move beyond the boundaries of academia and seek to engage with, co-learn and educate wider communities. They critically consider their roles and responsibilities as potentially informed advocates for progressive change on key social and political issues and on behalf of marginalised groups. Through formative activities and summative assessments they enhance their skills on communicating knowledge and alternative ideas to a range of audiences in an accessible way.

The module is designed to develop students’ key skills as they assess contemporary and future aspects of criminology. The module will also help to develop students' critical thinking as it will encourage them to consider the complex and nuanced backdrop of these issues and the criminal justice responses. Communication skills are also integral to the module as students will be required to present academic literature in a way that is accessible to a public audience.


Module aims:

To critically consider the social and political context of what constitutes criminological study and criminological knowledge.

To develop a critical understanding of the interrelationships between contemporary and emerging crime and social issues.

Examine societal responses and debates concerned with contemporary and emerging crime and social issues and how they change over time within media narratives, policy and legislation.

Develop understanding of experiences of marginalised groups and critically reflect on discourses around these within media and policy.

Explore the future of ‘public criminology’ and the role that criminology can have in engaging with wider audiences to inform and promote criminal justice narratives.

Module content:

This module is a critical course concerned with risk behaviours and characteristics in addition to harm reduction strategies. Local, national and international case studies are used to illustrate the conceptual, legal and practical issues surrounding harm reduction approaches. Additionally, the critical discourse surrounding the impact of stigma and marginalisation is discussed throughout the module and students are encouraged to consider how interdisciplinary approaches can be used to improve wellbeing outcomes and reduce risk and vulnerability. The module draws upon criminological, zemiological and public health literature as well as examples of policy and legislation which are applied to debates surrounding harm reduction.


Module aims:

  • To critically consider the social, political and legal context of harm reduction.
  • To develop a critical understanding of the interrelationships between social harm and injustice, well-being and stigma.
  • Examine societal responses and debates concerned with a range of harm reduction and risk case studies.
  • Develop an understanding of experiences of marginalised and vulnerable groups and critically reflect on broader social and political discourses that link to risk.
Study Law at the University of Chester

Study Law at the University of Chester

Who you'll Learn from

Dr Niel Gillard

Lecturer
Dr Niel Gillard

How you'll Learn

The University of Chester Law School has its own building, which includes a moot room, seminar rooms and a student study suite with desktop computers.

Beyond the Classroom

As part of your studies you may take our Work Based Learning module, where you will be fully supported in securing a work placement of at least 150 hours, which you may be able to use in trying out a future career.

Entry Requirements

120 UCAS Points

UCAS Tariff

120 points

GCE A Level

Typical offer – BBC-BBB

BTEC

BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM

International Baccalaureate

28 points

Irish / Scottish Highers

Irish Highers: H3 H3 H3 H3 H3

Scottish Highers: BBBB

Access requirements

Access to HE Diploma, to include 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above

T Level

T Level - Merit

OCR Cambridge Technicals

OCR Extended Diploma: DDM

Extra Information

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.

We accept a wide range of qualifications and consider all applications individually on merit. We may also consider appropriate work experience.

English Language Requirements

  • IELTS Academic: Undergraduate: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each band)
  • Postgraduate: 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each band)

For those who do not have IELTS or an acceptable in-country English language qualification, the University of Chester has developed its own online English language test which applicants can take for just £50.

For more information on our English Language requirements, please visit our International Entry requirements page.

72 UCAS points

UCAS Tariff

72 points

GCE A level

72 UCAS points from GCE A Levels to include grade D in at least one subject

BTEC

BTEC Extended Diploma: MMP

International Baccalaureate

24 points

Irish / Scottish Highers

Irish Highers: H4 H4 H4 H4 H4

Scottish Highers: CCDD

Access requirements

Access to HE Diploma – Pass overall

T Level

T Level: Pass (D or E on the core)

OCR Cambridge Technicals

OCR Extended Diploma: MMP

Extra Information

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.  If you are a mature student (21 or over) and have been out of education for a while or do not have experience or qualifications at Level 3 (equivalent to A Levels), then our Foundation Year courses will help you to develop the skills and knowledge you will need to succeed in your chosen degree. 

 

Where you'll study Wheeler, Chester

Fees and Funding

£9,250 per year (2024/25)

Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2024/25 are £9,250 a year, or £1,540 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

The University may increase these fees at the start of each subsequent year of your course in line with inflation at that time, as measured by the Retail Price Index. These fee levels and increases are subject to any necessary government, and other regulatory, approvals.

Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.

Students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU starting in or after the 2021/22 academic year will pay International Tuition Fees.

Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.

Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.

£13,950 per year (2024/25)

The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2024/25 are £13,950. 

This fee is set for each year of study. All undergraduate students are eligible for international and merit-based scholarships which are applicable to each year of study.  

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes. 

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees. 

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills. 

 

The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships. 

Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the Fees & Finance section of our website.

 

Your future Career

Job prosects

The range of teaching and assessment methods used on the course, as well as the excellent opportunities for self-development offered via our Work Based Learning module, assist students in demonstrating, on graduation, an extensive range of skills that are transferable to a variety of professions.

Progression options

Our graduates have gone on to successful careers as solicitors and barristers as well as other professional roles and further study.

Careers service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.