BA (Hons) Criminology
Your Programme
About the BA (Hons) Criminology programme
If you want to study a criminology course, that will guide you towards employability and/or further study, then this is the one for you!
The Stats...
Current Employment
Annual Salary
Occupations
Entry Requirements
All applicants irrespective of entry qualification(s) will be formally interviewed.
Standard Offer
80 UCAS points from a minimum of two A’ Levels, BTEC Diploma or Extended Diploma or 60 Access to HE credits (of which a minimum of 45 must be at Level 3). Students are also required to hold English & Maths GCSE (or equivalent) grade 4/C or above.
Non-standard Offer
In line with the widening participation brief, the Institute encourages applications from students who lack formal academic qualifications. All such applicants will be set an appropriate piece of work, in the form of an essay question (1500 word essay) that will take into account their academic potential and relevant experience. The students will have access to help them successfully complete this task. For example, they will be able to access the learner services, the library, access to online resources and support via tutors and the Institutes success coaches.
International Admissions
The Institute recognises a wide range of entry qualifications as being equivalent to A’ level standard. International students must evidence they possess a satisfactory command of the English language in terms of reading, writing, listening and are expected to have achieved Level B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Language (CEFR), as defined by the UK Visas and Immigration.
What you will learn
In the first year, the areas of study focus on giving a foundational base of knowledge that is built on throughout the rest of the degree. This focuses on the key theoretical principles in criminology, whilst identifying significant issues that are experiences in the contemporary social world. The modules you will study include;
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Understanding Criminological Theory
- Study Skills for Lifelong Learning
- Introduction to Criminal Law and Policy
- Crime, Deviance and Social Control
- Introduction to Social Science Research
The second year of study gives the opportunity to build criminological knowledge, focusing on refining this knowledge, improving research skills and engaging further into contemporary criminological thought. The modules studied include the following plus one of the optional modules:
- Crime Media and Politics
- Understanding Desistance
- Doing Social Science Research 1
- Victims of Crime
- Doing Social Science Research 2
- Gender, Ethnicity and Disability (Optional)
- Global Crime and Justice (Optional)
The final year gives further opportunity to develop skills, knowledge and active position in specialised topics in Criminology. There are a selection of modules and options available for this academic year, so that the degree can be tailored to the profession or interest of choice. The modules at this level include:
- Green Criminology
- Genocide (Optional)
- Punishment and Society (Optional)
- Serious, Serial and Sexual Crime
- Morality and Evil (Optional)
- Family Violence (Optional)
The choices for the independent project are;
- 5,000 Extended Essay (20 Credits) + an extra optional level 6 module
- 10,000-word Dissertation (40 Credits)
Learning & Teaching Methods
Core knowledge and understanding of criminology is acquired through lectures, seminars, tutorials, group work, research activities, computer assisted learning, case studies and other multi-media presentation.
The use of self-directed study and independent learning will be essential to all levels, with tutors guiding and assisting self-direct learning, dependent on the level of the student.
Transferable skills will be developed through a variety of methods and strategies aimed to challenge students in order to address the needs of different people within society and the criminal justice system.
Programme Benefits
The benefits of completing this degree are numerous. First, you will have been involved in a forward-thinking, contemporary degree that pushes the boundaries of what is known about criminology today. Second, this knowledge will put you ahead of the game in terms of employment and further study. Third, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the local, national and global responses to crime and criminal activity. Finally, you will be working as part of a team who share a common goal and have the drive to learn and self-improve.
What next?
Upon completion of the BA Criminology degree, students will be in a position to take a number of alternative vocational, non-vocational, and academic pathways. Potential opportunities will include employment within the public or private sector – either within or outside of the criminal justice system – as well as other occupational options that can follow from a degree in social science, such as research based positions or working with communities and people. There are also a large number of opportunities for students to continue into postgraduate studies either taught or by research, to further progress knowledge already gained during the BA Criminology programme.