Skip to main content
KBS_Icon_questionmark link-ico

Criminal Law

Key information

  • Module code:

    4FFLK903

  • Level:

    4

  • Semester:

      Full Year

  • Credit value:

    30

Module description

We study not only what the criminal law is, but what it ought to be. We will look at the General Part of the Criminal and a number of offences found in the special part of the criminal law. We will also consider the harm and offence principles to determine what ought to be a crime and other selected topics.

Module content
The general nature of criminal law; the various actus reus and mens rea requirements; the principal offences against the person; the principal property offences; the inchoate offences; the liability of accomplices; the defences

In addition, formative coursework is set during the academic year and midsessional exam takes place in January. These are for practice purposes and do not count towards your final mark of the module.  

Assessment details

Written examination/s;coursework

TBC

Written examination (70 %) - 1 summative essay (30%)

Teaching pattern

Lectures; Tutorials and Seminars (2 x 1 hour lecture per week; 1 x 1 hour tutorial per week; 2 x 2 hour research seminar per term).

Suggested reading list

You are not expected to know any law before you begin at King's, however, should you wish to do some pre-reading the following texts are recommended for this module. Please do not purchase textbooks for your modules until you have begun your studies as they are subject to change.

  • P. Simester et al, Simester and Sullivan’s Criminal Law: Theory and Doctrine (6th edition, Hart: 2016)
  • Horder, Ashworth’s Principles of Criminal Law (8th edition, OUP: 2016)

Subject areas

Department

Module description disclaimer

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.