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An image to illustrate the BA (Honours) Criminology and Law
This degree takes a critical and analytical view of the role and functions of the legal system, and examines its relationship with crime, harm, and criminal justice. With an appreciation of criminological theorising and evidence, you’ll develop the skills to comment on crime, victimisation, and responses to crime and deviance, including policy questions, from national to global levels. You'll gain the ability to critically assess everyday understandings of crime, harm and criminal justice, the social, political, economic, historical and ethical dimensions of law, as well as knowledge of the key institutions in the criminal justice and legal systems.
We also offer a Diploma of Higher Education in Criminology and Law (W52) that is the same in structure as the first two-thirds of this degree.
This criminology and law degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.
Our modular study approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that fits around your life. Whether you prefer a fast track or want to work at a slower rate, you can tailor your study plan to suit your needs.
At Stage 1, you’ll begin with a broad introduction to criminology, thinking about the ways in which the study of crime has been informed by a variety of disciplines. You'll also be introduced to key social problems and criminal justice responses. Next, you'll explore criminal law and the courts, looking at how the criminal law operates in real-life scenarios and how the English criminal justice system operates within the wider legal system.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study the following:
Introduction to criminology (DD105)60Oct | Feb
Criminal law and the courts (W111)60Oct | Feb

At Stage 2, you'll begin by developing your knowledge and understanding of criminological concepts and theories, with a focus on how these concepts and theories can help you to understand, interpret and reinterpret the social world in new and exciting ways. Next, you'll explore the relationship between the state and the individual in the UK by considering the UK constitution and some areas of administrative law. You'll then go on to learn about the law of evidence, which determines what evidence the courts can consider within court proceedings.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study the following:
Understanding criminology (DD212)60Oct | Feb
Public law (W211)30Oct
Evidence law (W250)30Feb

At Stage 3, you'll explore some of the fundamental distinctions between crime and social harm, with a particular focus on the role of the state. You'll also study trusts law and select your final law module. Within these options, you can either gain an intensive knowledge of different areas of European Union law, explore the relationships between law, society and culture, land law, or research a legal topic of your own choice.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study the following:
Crime, harm and the state (DD311)60Oct | Feb
Trusts law (W311)30Oct
You’ll also choose one from:
European Union law (W330)30Oct
Exploring legal boundaries (W350)30Feb
Land law (W312)30Feb
Law, society and culture (W340)30Oct | Feb

You can complete this degree in as little as three years by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s 120 credits per year. To complete in three years, you’ll need to start your degree in October.
Don't worry if your circumstances change. You don’t have to stick to a full-time study pace. You can change the pace of your learning each year depending on what's right for you.

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
You'll study the following:
Introduction to criminology (DD105)60Oct | Feb
Criminal law and the courts (W111)60Oct | Feb
Stage 2 | Year 2
You'll study the following:
Understanding criminology (DD212)60Oct | Feb
Public law (W211)30Oct
Evidence law (W250)30Feb
Stage 3 | Year 3
You'll study the following:
Crime, harm and the state (DD311)60Oct | Feb
Trusts law (W311)30Oct
You'll complete your degree with one from:
European Union law (W330)30Oct
Exploring legal boundaries (W350)30Feb
Land law (W312)30Feb
Law, society and culture (W340)30Oct | Feb

You can complete this degree in six years by studying part-time. That's one 60-credit module or two 30-credit modules each year.

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
You'll study the following:
Introduction to criminology (DD105)60Oct | Feb
Stage 1 | Year 2
You'll study the following:
Criminal law and the courts (W111)60Oct | Feb
Stage 2 | Year 3
You'll study the following:
Understanding criminology (DD212)60Oct | Feb
Stage 2 | Year 4
You'll study the following:
Public law (W211)30Oct
Evidence law (W250)30Feb
Stage 3 | Year 5
You’ll study the following:
Crime, harm and the state (DD311)60Oct | Feb
Stage 3 | Year 6
You'll study the following:
Trusts law (W311)30Oct
You’ll complete your degree with one of the following:
European Union law (W330)30Oct
Exploring legal boundaries (W350)30Feb
Land law (W312)30Feb
Law, society and culture (W340)30Oct | Feb

By studying this degree, you’ll:
You’ll be supported throughout by personal tutors, high-quality study materials, online tutorials, and ongoing feedback.
You’ll be awarded a BA (Honours) Criminology and Law upon successful completion.
Your honours classification (first, upper second, lower second or third class honours) will depend on the grades you gain at Stages 2 and 3. 
You'll also have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our Academic Regulations or contact us.
You can achieve this degree in as little as three years and have a maximum of 16 years to complete it. Our module-by-module approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that works best for you.
You can complete this degree in three years by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s similar to a student at a campus-based university.
You can complete this degree in six years by studying part-time. That’s roughly half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.
At the OU, flexibility and support go hand in hand. You’ll be in control of when and where you study, with clear deadlines to guide your progress. Whether you’re balancing work, family or other commitments, our approach helps you fit learning into your life. Students consistently praise the support we provide, and from the very start, you’ll be part of a vibrant OU learning community.
As you progress through your qualification, you’ll have access to a dedicated online study space, expert tutor guidance, optional live tutorials, and a wide range of resources to help you succeed. The sections below outline what you can expect.
Your module website will be a central hub for your learning, giving you easy access to:
Discover how the OU’s module websites, course materials, and support tools help you study online with confidence.
Each module has a dedicated tutor who will guide you through your studies. They’ll provide feedback, help you find resources, mark your assignments and support your learning journey.
For extra support, you can attend optional live tutorials with your tutor. These are usually conducted online, and most are recorded so you can review them later.
See how OU tutors and tutorials help you build confidence, connect with others, and get the support you need to succeed in your studies.
Our assessments reinforce what you’ve learned and show your understanding. Assessment types vary by module and may include:
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to a wide range of support services and be part of a vibrant learning community. Our subject-specific Student Support Teams can help with general queries and any updates to your OU account. You’ll also benefit from:
Discover the support network and learning tools you'll have access to throughout your studies.
There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.
If you’ve studied at university level before, you may be able to transfer the academic credit you've been awarded towards an OU qualification. This could save you time and money by reducing the modules you need to study.
It’s not just university study that can be considered; you can also transfer study from a wide range of professional or vocational qualifications, such as HNCs and HNDs.
You should apply to transfer credit before registering, at least four weeks before the registration closing date. We will need to know what you studied, where, and when, and you will need to provide evidence of your previous study.
For more details and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.
The fees and funding information shown below relate to the 2025/26 academic year and are provided for guidance only. Updated 2026/27 information will be published on the 18th of March, when this qualification next opens for registration.

6 years
£3,892*
A degree is worth 360 credits. The fee per year is based on studying 60 credits per year for 6 years.
£23,352*
That’s 18% less than the cost of an equivalent qualification offered at most other universities in England.
Compare the cost of studying at the OU with other campus-based universities in England.
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£28,605
£28,605
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£23,352
£23,352
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£5,253 (18%)
£5,253 (18%)
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£19,070
£19,070
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£15,568
£15,568
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£3,502 (18%)
£3,502 (18%)
Certificate of Higher Education
Certificate of Higher Education
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£9,535
£9,535
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£7,784
£7,784
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£1,751 (18%)
£1,751 (18%)
Qualification
Qualification
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
£28,605
£28,605
£23,352
£23,352
£5,253 (18%)
£5,253 (18%)
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
£19,070
£19,070
£15,568
£15,568
£3,502 (18%)
£3,502 (18%)
Certificate of Higher Education
Certificate of Higher Education
£9,535
£9,535
£7,784
£7,784
£1,751 (18%)
£1,751 (18%)
*Based on maximum chargeable fees for the 25/26 academic year.
**The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section 5 of the University's Fee Rules.
Your course fees cover your tuition, assessment and study materials, but there are still a few additional costs that can come with studying. For this qualification, you'll need:
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section 5 of the University's Fee Rules.
Pay nothing upfront – over 85% of our students in England fund their studies with a Part-Time Tuition Fee Loan (sometimes called a student loan), meaning they pay nothing upfront.
Learn more about this and our other funding options below.
Repay in monthly instalments while you study.
Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.
More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.
Combine your payment options to fund your studies the way you want.
If you’re a serving member of the British Armed Forces (or you’ve recently left), you may be eligible to use ELCs to cover up to 100% of your course fees.
You may be eligible for:
As well as the specific knowledge gained from studying this OU degree, you'll develop many transferable and work-related skills that are highly valued by employers. These include:
You will also develop subject-specific skills, such as critically scrutinising and reassessing everyday understandings of crime, law and criminal justice, as well as in-depth knowledge of key concepts in law and criminology, and the key institutions which make up criminal justice and legal systems. You will develop legal research skills as well as skills of comprehension, analysis and presentation. Independently plan, study and manage a sequence of work to an agreed timetable which includes the meeting of deadlines.
Please note that this degree does not cover all seven Foundations of Legal Knowledge. If you want to become a barrister in England and Wales or a solicitor or barrister in Northern Ireland, you will need to complete a conversion course before starting your professional training.
This degree opens up a diverse range of career paths, including:
You might use your degree to access a law conversion course, to qualify as a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales. Some students choose to undertake further study, such as a postgraduate course.
Outside of criminal justice and legal professions, typical employers include:
Some career paths relate directly to criminology and law, others draw upon the graduate skills that you'll acquire through this qualification. This degree does not provide direct entry to the career fields listed, but it may ease access and increase your employability in relation to them. It may also enhance your prospects for progression within a chosen field once you are qualified for entry.
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you'll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice. This includes online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service, as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
In the meantime, if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we've put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree):
This course will next start in the 2026/27 academic year and will open for registration on the 18th of March. If you’d like us to keep you updated, register your interest.
Ask a question
Our prospectus will help you explore your course options, get a feel for life as an OU student, and register for study.
Request a prospectus
This course will next start in the 2026/27 academic year and will open for registration on the 18th of March. If you’d like us to keep you updated, register your interest.
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