What will I learn on this module?
The content of this module will be in line with the SRA Assessment Specification for SQE 1.
The core principles of criminal liability including actus reus and mens rea, specific and general defences, and participation.
The law, procedure and processes involved in advising a client at the police station.
The law, procedure and processes involved in pre-trial considerations.
The law, procedure and processes involved to meet the client’s objectives.
The law, procedure and processes involved in magistrates’ court and Crown Court trials, including sentencing and appeals.
On completion of this module you will understand and be able to apply the core legal principles and rules to realistic client based and ethical problems and situations in the area of criminal law and practice. The module will include advising clients about the procedures and processes at the police station including the applicable rules of criminal evidence. You will to apply the core principles to realistic scenarios in order to advise relevant parties to criminal proceedings.
The module will take you through the key stages of the criminal litigation process including arrest, detention, interview , procedures in the police station, bail, the first hearing in the magistrates’ court, case management and pre-trial hearings (including disclosure of evidence), evidential principles and procedures, trial procedure in the magistrates’ court and Crown Court, youth court procedure, sentencing and appeals.
This module will therefore support you in preparing for the SQE1 assessment in criminal law and practice.
How will I learn on this module?
The module will be taught through a combination of online lectures and face to face workshops. The lectures will be used to introduce you to the main points of each topic, providing detailed coverage of all the principles and starting to place them in context. The workshops will utilise an experiential teaching and learning strategy using realistic case study materials to contextualise the areas of legal and practical knowledge. The workshops will be interactive sessions in which you will consider the applicable procedures, processes and rules of evidence relevant to criminal litigation, underpinned by the appropriate application of the principles of substantive criminal law.
In addition you will carry out independent learning to build on the areas covered online and in class as well as completing multiple choice questions through our dedicated online learning system on criminal law and practice to support you preparation for the SQE 1 assessment. You will also have access to podcasts, Sway packages and online learning materials through our support packages supporting your learning of the foundation legal knowledge areas such as criminal law, public law and English legal systems.
You will be supported in the module by your workshop tutor who will provide feedback during the workshop sessions enabling you to constantly see where and how you can improve.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
The University will support you in learning and research with an excellent library and teaching facilities; access to on-line databases and resources and appropriate software.
This module is designed by, and managed by, the Module Tutor who will be responsible for guiding you in your engagement and learning on the module. Material will be provided to you through online lectures, workshops and bespoke material on our online learning system. The module has a dedicated online teaching platform, the eLP, Blackboard Ultra, which will include links to resources – such as documentaries and newly published articles – as well as providing you with a central location where you can easily access all the materials for the module as well as links to the legal knowledge that you may need, including in relation to substantive criminal law.
As well as contact with the Module Tutor you will also be taught by your Workshop Tutor. Should you have queries you may speak to the Module Tutor or your Workshop Tutor or e-mail your query to either member of staff. Support will include oral feedback from Tutors during small group Workshops. Your Workshop Tutor will also be available to answer queries by e mail or in person, provided an appointment has been arranged. You are encouraged to make contact with your Tutor if you encounter any difficulties relating to any aspect of the Module.
The Academic Programme Support Teams are responsible for the non-academic administration of the Module, such as recording the marks from your assessment, maintaining student records and dealing with programme-specific student enquiries.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
By the end of this module you will be able to:
Demonstrate an in depth and systematic knowledge and understanding of the rules of criminal law and practice and you will be able to apply your knowledge to professional practice in the context of criminal proceedings.
Understand the areas covered by the Solicitors Qualifying Exam 1
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
On completion of this module you will:
Understand how to systematically apply your in depth knowledge and understanding of criminal law and practice to a range of professional contexts and advise accordingly.
Usea range of sources and data to address how to approach a criminal case and be able to identify where gaps or issues in the information exist and advise relevant parties accordingly
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
At the end of the module you will have:
Developed intellectual independence by being able to independently advise relevant parties on the procedure and practice applicable in criminal proceedings and prepare relevant documents and advise a client whilst considering professional conduct issues in this context.
How will I be assessed?
Formative assessment will be provided by oral feedback in the workshops on the tasks that are required for workshop participation. You will also be provided with feedback for any tasks completed through the online learning system and the multiple choice questions that you undertake. (MLO 1, 3, 4 and 5)
Summative assessment will be through a piece of applied coursework. You will be provided with a realistic scenario and will answer legal and practice based questions on that scenario taking the form of a case and matter analysis and advising relevant parties to the criminal proceedings. The coursework will be 3000 words in total. (MLO 2, 4 and 5)
Assessment criteria will be provided enabling you to understand what is expected of you and how you will be judged on your performance.
You will be provided with appropriate electronic written feedback through Turnitin on your assessment in accordance with the Law School’s feedback policy.
Pre-requisite(s)
None
Co-requisite(s)
None
Module abstract
This module facilitates the study of criminal law and practice in the context of realistic ‘case study’ scenarios, and where possible, simulated clinical and experiential learning to provide you not only with the practical information you need to run a criminal case but also to provide exposure to problem based learning and knowledge as you would experience in practice. You will learn the procedure for dealing with criminal matters in a contextual way which underpins your learning, further building your understanding of substantive criminal law. The module outcomes will be achieved through the use of a variety of learning technologies and simulated case studies introducing you to the rules and procedures for dealing with criminal matters. The module will also guide you through the requirements of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam Part 1 for criminal law and practice, learning these elements in context will provide for engaging and enhanced learning.
Course info
Credits 20
Level of Study Postgraduate
Mode of Study 1 year Full Time
Department Northumbria Law School
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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