About us

Law has been taught at Aberystwyth since 1901. The Department has a proud tradition of scholarship and research, and has prepared generations of people from all over the world for professional careers and for life in general.

We have educated Ministers of State, politicians and leaders. But we have also educated people who have become solicitors in small, medium and large multi-national firms, barristers, teachers, police officers, university lecturers, journalists, television presenters, social workers, and probation officers - all making their own contribution to changing society for the greater good.

The Department's long history is a testament to its teaching acumen.

A few of our distinguished alumni

Iris de Freitas graduated from the then Department of Law in 1927 and became the first woman to practise Law in the Caribbean. Aberystwyth University has named part of the university after her. The Iris de Freitas Room provides study spaces for students.

Professor Carwyn Jones was the First Minister of the National Assembly for Wales from 2009-2018. He joined the Department of Law and Criminology at Aberystwyth University as Professor of Law in 2020 .

Our undergraduate programmes of study are diverse in the range of subjects offered. You can study law or criminology as a single subject or together, or in combination with other subjects. We also offer specialist degrees such as Human Rights Law and Criminology and Criminal Psychology.

All our undergraduate law degrees offer a good foundation for entry into the legal professions. These degrees as they stand will provide an excellent platform for those wishing to prepare for the new Solicitors’ Qualifying Examination, and we are planning to introduce both undergraduate and postgraduate courses that are aimed at preparing students fully for this new route to qualification as a solicitor.

Our graduates have gone on to pursue careers as solicitors and barristers, police officers, social workers, journalists, investment bankers, teachers, probation officers and many others.

At postgraduate level, we offer degrees in Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, International Business Law, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Youth Justice and also MPhil, LLM and PhD degrees as research opportunities.

The interests and expertise of our staff cover a wide range of subjects. Many participate in debate and policymaking at both domestic and international level. This includes working with the European Union, United Nations, Council of Europe, central and devolved governments and corporations.

Human Rights and diversity are a strong focus, and we offer courses in human rights at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Issues of gender, culture, language, youth, military veterans and their families, ageing, and migration are important themes in the department’s work. Business and commercial law are also strong components of our teaching, including a specialist LLB course in business law.

Our facilities include:

• Hugh Owen Library – containing a large and varied collection of legal materials, books, journals and law reports, with significant holdings in International Law; 200 study spaces, bookable individual and group study rooms, public computer work-stations, wireless internet access, ICT and library inquiry desks and a specialist Law librarian.
• Computing facilities – located in 26 different areas, 13 of which are always available for individual academic work as well as over 40,000 electronic journals for Law and Criminology and specialist legal databases such as Lexis and Westlaw: used commercially in the legal profession throughout the world.
• The National Library of Wales – one of only five copyright libraries in the UK, receiving one copy of every publication printed n Britain and Ireland. The library's collections include film, video, books and newspapers, manuscripts, maps, sound, photographs, art and archives.   

   

Best University in the UK for Teaching Quality and Student Experience The Times & Sunday Times, Good University Guide 2021).

Top 10 in the UK for Student Experience for the subject of Law (The Times & Sunday Times, Good University Guide 2021).

100% overall student satisfaction for our M9C8 Criminology with Applied Psychology course (NSS 2021).

Students are at the heart of what we do – 92% of our students were satisfied with the subject of Law (NSS 2018).

From campus to a career – 77% of our graduates have entered professional level employment or graduate level further study within 6 months of graduating according to the latest results (HESA 2018).

Aberystwyth is a small town with a large personality and kind community feel. As a campus university, whether you choose to live in University or private accommodation, everything is within walking distance.

Our university isn't lacking in entertainment despite its relatively small size. Student events, societies, comedy nights and so much more is what you can expect when you study here. If you have a hobby, there is probably a society. If not, create one - it is easy and such a great way to make friends.

You will also have plenty of opportunity to get involved in societies and projects that will enhance your learning.

Aberystwyth University Law Society is a student led community that is open to any students who are interested in the study and practice of law, improving employability skills, or simply to learn about how the law affects our every day lives. The society prides itself on having a welcoming and inclusive community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about all things legal.

The Mooting Society provides a great opportunity to take part in mock trial competitions called moots. This is not only an opportunity to develop your understanding of the law and presenting legal arguments, but also gives you a chance to develop your research and presentation skills. It is open to all students of the Department of Law and Criminology.

Why not volunteer at our ground-breaking Dewis/Choice research project, which is focused on addressing the increasingly high-profile issue of abuse of elderly people. See Our Projects for further information.