Law and Criminal Justice at University of Staffordshire

At University of Staffordshire, we have the expertise, hands-on facilities and professional networks to give you the competitive edge when you graduate.

At University of Staffordshire, we offer industry-relevant courses in the areas of criminology, forensics, law and policing. Our degrees are designed and delivered by the experts to build your skills and knowledge for your future career.

We also have strong industry links to bring you the latest insights and knowledge from the sector, as well as connecting you with placement and work experience opportunities. Our state-of-the-art facilities provide the practise you need to grow the skills and confidence employers are looking for.  

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Courses

Criminology courses

Combine theory and hands-on learning on our Criminology degree. Understand the causes, reactions and solutions to crime. You can study Criminology more broadly or specialise on one of our pathways.

Forensics courses

From using our £2.2m simulation facilities to delving into DNA profiling, gain the practical skills and knowledge employers are looking for on our forensics degrees.

Law courses

Studying law with us gives you the opportunity to enter in to a huge range of career paths. With us, you’ll gain the real-world skills and experience for success. Work with real clients through our Legal Advice Service. Make legal submissions and take part in mooting competitions in our simulated courtrooms.

Policing and investigation courses

Learn how to investigate crimes and gather crucial evidence with our policing degrees. Choose from our two course options which will focus on preparing you for a career in a varied role within the policing and investigation sector.

Why University of Staffordshire?

£2.2m simulation facilities

Mirror real-life experiences in our brand-new facilities, from living spaces to our prison cell.

Partnerships and professional links

Including the Staffordshire Forensic Partnership, the Crime and Society Research Group, and more.

Real world experiences

Our Legal Advice Service offers law students the opportunity to advise real clients.

What our students say

Hear from our students and alumni all about thier experiences and see where you could be in just a few years time...

Law Course Introduction

Criminology students get hands-on experience in our immersive learning facilities

Video

Our Criminology students talk about using our £2.2m simulation and immersive facilities at our Stoke-on-Trent campus.

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Law Course Introduction

Student support - Mike and Liv

Video

Law students Mike talks about his journey to being a student, his doubts about coping with degree study and the support that has helped him flourish as students.

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The course was so interesting; superbly combining theory and practice to ensure a solid foundation of knowledge regarding contemporary policing. One of the most memorable aspects of studying policing at Staffordshire University was the amazing support and dedication maintained by every single staff member.

Jay Franklin

Policing and Criminal Investigation graduate

Simulation and Immersive facilities

We continually invest in our facilities to ensure you are prepared for your future. From our mock environments where we can set up crime scenes and mirror real life scenarios, through to our specialist laboratories where you'll use equipment found in working labs, our facilities help you build your skills in safe environments so you can be confident you have the practical capabilities employers are looking for. 

Lifelike living space

The lifellike living space in Ashley 2 lets you practice your skills in a variety of non-clinical settings, including bedroom, bathroom, lounge and bedsit. Read more

Bedrooms:

The bedroom has an en-suite bathroom and is used for simulated crime scenes where students can practise investigative skills or social work and healthcare can use the space for urgent situations and interviews.

Lounges:

The lounges have a homely feel, with comfy furniture and framed photos. Students can use these spaces for policing or forensic investigations. Social work and healthcare can also use the space for realistic interviews and clinical emergencies.

Bathroom:

The bathroom provides a lifelike backdrop for students to practise their skills. It can be used a range of simulation scenarios, such as domestic crime scenes or clinical emergencies.

Bedsit:

With a kitchen diner, bedroom and bathroom, the bedsit provides a lifelike backdrop for students to practise their skills. Scenarios can range from gathering evidence at simulated crime scenes to dealing with clinical emergencies.
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Prison cell

With its single bed and toilet, this space can be arranged as a holding cell for detainees. It’s where students can practise offender management techniques. The room can also be turned into a more long-term prison cell.

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Mock Courtrooms

One room is designed as a crown courtroom and the other for cases at magistrates’ court. Read more

Students can present legal arguments, act as expert witnesses, or take part in mooting.

Our digitally enabled mock court rooms are designed to create simulated scenarios for students to put theory in to practice and gain confidence, skills and knowledge to take forward in to their career. 

One room is designed as a crown courtroom and the other for cases at magistrates’ court. Students can present legal arguments, act as expert witnesses, or take part in mooting. Each space includes a dock, lawyers’ area and a bench for the judge or magistrates.

The courtrooms are used by a wide range of students from different perspectives including law students, policing, forensics, international relations and more, to give practice with not only mooting but also in presenting evidence and various other aspects of trials.

In our video, learn about simulation in our Mock Court Room, used by students to practice their skills to prepare them for their future career.
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Shop simulation space

The is ideal for simulated commercial crime scenes, where students can collect evidence and speak to witnesses or victims. Read more

They can also learn about retail law and deal with medical emergencies that occur to customers in the retail space. The space includes shelves, a counter and a small café. It’s ideal for simulated commercial crime scenes, where students can collect evidence and speak to witnesses or victims. They can also learn about retail law and deal with medical emergencies that occur to customers in the retail space.
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Custody suite

There is a front desk where suspects are booked in after arrest. Read more

Other features include equipment for measuring height and taking fingerprints and custody photos, along with evidence bags and lockers for personal belongings.
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Criminalistics Facilities

The equipment housed in our Criminalistics Laboratories enable our students to analyse a wide range of physical evidence including fingerprints, footwear marks, glass, paint, documents, tool marks and firearms evidence. Read more

We also have a DCS5 Fingerprint Imaging Workstation, Comparison Macro- and Microscope, a SuperFume Room, Visual Spectral Comparators and an Evidence Store, which equips our Forensic graduates with the skills and knowledge needed for future employment.
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Blood Room

Simulate blood spatter in our Trauma Analysis facility. There are two wet rooms with resources to help you recreate a crime scene and see what kind of blood spatter occurs from different scenarios with different weapons.  Read more

Simulate blood spatter in our Trauma Analysis facility. There are two wet rooms with resources to help you recreate a crime scene and see what kind of blood spatter occurs from different scenarios with different weapons. Resources include rails to hang materials on, paper rolls to place on the walls to record the spatter for analysis (or you can use the walls themselves), and a range of weapons and materials to simulate a physical body.
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Analytical Laboratory

Our Analytical Methods Laboratory has a comprehensive range of instrumentation for chemical analysis including chromatography, electrochemistry, molecular and atomic spectroscopy.

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Outdoor simulation space

This area is used for forensic investigations, such as examining vehicles after crashes or collecting evidence from a crime scene. It can also double up as a clinical simulation area, with space for our training ambulance.

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for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025

Top 5 for Social Inclusion

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

for First Generation Students

The Mail University Guide 2025

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021