Program Overview

Introduction to BSc (Hons) Criminology and Sociology

The BSc (Hons) Criminology and Sociology program at the University of Plymouth is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the nature of crime and the criminal justice system in modern society. This interdisciplinary course combines criminology and sociology to offer a unique perspective on the causes of crime, the criminal justice process, and the social factors that influence criminal behavior.

Program Structure

The program is structured over three years, with the option to take a placement year in the third year of study. The course is divided into core and optional modules, which cover a range of topics including criminological theory, research methods, and sociology.

Year 1

In the first year, students will explore various perspectives on criminology and examine theories on the causes of crime and deviance. They will also develop an understanding of the criminal justice process in England and Wales and study key sociological concepts and theories.

Core Modules

• Being a Criminologist: This module introduces students to the concept of being a competent criminologist, covering knowledge, skills, and values that inform understandings and debates about crime and crime control.
• Social Identities and Inequalities: This module explores how social inequalities influence lived experience and social identities, focusing on issues such as poverty, social class, health, gender, and ethnicity.
• Introduction to Social Theory: This module introduces students to key features of classical social theory, placed within the context of the Enlightenment, Modernity, and the emergence of modern science and social science.
• Introduction to Criminological Theory: This module critically examines a range of criminological theories and applies criminological thought to practical concerns.
• Forensic Criminology: Criminal Investigations: This module examines police investigation techniques and methods from crime scene to court, including forensic science and the use of evidence.

Year 2

In the second year, students will advance their awareness of criminological theory to understand social processes that underpin crime and criminal justice. They will also extend their critical reasoning skills as they examine processes of social change and explore consumer culture, ethnicity, globalization, and politics.

Core Modules

• Critical Perspectives on Crime Control: This module examines critical social scientific perspectives on crime control, considering contributions of key theorists and applying their ideas to illuminate contemporary features of policy and practice.
• Contemporary Theories of Society and Culture: This module introduces current theoretical disputes within the context of classical and early modern theories of society and culture.
• Theories and Practices of Punishment and Rehabilitation: This module focuses on punishment and rehabilitation in the context of criminal justice, placing a critical emphasis on the experience of learning about crime and justice.
• Designing Research from Questions to Proposals: This module develops students' knowledge and practical skills in qualitative and quantitative social research methodologies.
• Beyond the Mainstream, Critical and Alternative Perspectives: This module analyzes recent developments in criminological theory, encouraging students to think beyond social and legal constructions of crime.

Year 3

In the final year, students have the option to take a placement year or continue with their studies. Those who choose to study will design and implement their own research project to produce a dissertation, working independently with the support of an academic team. They will also study modules that reflect new, emerging trends in criminology, utilizing current local, national, and world issues.

Core Modules

• Dissertation: This module provides students with the opportunity to undertake their own sociological, criminological, or professional policing research project, working independently but under the supervision of an academic member of staff.

Optional Modules

A range of optional modules is available across all years, allowing students to tailor their studies to their interests. These include modules on green criminology, leisure and deviancy, terrorism, radicalization, and extremism, among others.

Personalizing Your Degree

Students have the flexibility to personalize their degree by taking different options, gaining a thorough grounding in areas of interest, whether criminology-related or from other subjects like history, politics, or sociology.

Careers

Criminology graduates gain a broad skill set that appeals to employers, with career opportunities in the public sector, including the criminal justice system and its agencies, local government, policy-making, and police work. Support is provided through an Employability and Community Knowledge Exchange Projects Officer, connecting students to networking events and collaborations with criminal justice agencies.

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for UK students are ｣9,790 per year, with international fees set at ｣18,150 per year. Information on funding options, including tuition fee loans, living cost loans, scholarships, bursaries, and support funds, is available.

Entry Requirements

The typical offer for this course is 104 UCAS points from a minimum of 2 A levels, excluding general studies. Alternative qualifications, such as BTEC Extended Diplomas or Access to HE Diplomas, are also considered.

Conclusion

The BSc (Hons) Criminology and Sociology program at the University of Plymouth offers a unique and comprehensive education in criminology and sociology, providing students with the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking abilities necessary to succeed in a variety of careers related to criminal justice, policy, and social sciences. With its flexible structure, personalized learning pathways, and strong focus on employability, this program is an excellent choice for those interested in understanding the complexities of crime and society.