Introduction to Criminology BA (Hons)

The Criminology degree tackles the problems of crime, deviance, victimisation, and social harm in a high-quality programme that makes the subject exciting and intellectually challenging.

About this Course

Our Criminology degree involves the study of complex issues of crime and criminal justice. Criminologists play an important role in the criminal justice system. You will be taught by experts who influence and develop policy—some of the world's most respected and influential criminologists teach and research within our Department.

What you'll Learn

• Generating and evaluating evidence
• Making reasoned arguments and ethical judgements
• Critical thinking
• Collecting, analysing and interpreting data
• Report writing
• Undertaking and producing research
• Written and oral communication
• Time management and planning

Course Content

Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.

Year One

The first year of your course provides an introduction to exploring 'crime' in its social, historical and political context. Getting to grips with the key concepts in criminology and its wider social scientific roots is dealt with at year one to ensure easy transition to years two and three.

Modules

• CONTROLLING CRIME - AN INTRODUCTION (SOCI108) | 15 credits
• INTRODUCTION TO CRIME AND SOCIETY (SOCI107) | 15 credits
• BECOMING A SOCIAL RESEARCHER (SOCI106) | 30 credits
• SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY (SOCI101) | 30 credits
• SOCIAL CHANGE AND SOCIAL POLICY IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY 1 (SOCI102) | 15 credits
• SOCIAL CHANGE AND SOCIAL POLICY IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY 2: CHANGING INEQUALITIES (SOCI103) | 15 credits

Year Two

In the second year, the core modules provide a deeper coverage of the range of criminological knowledge and particular controversies in criminal justice practice. We also explore the role of the criminologist in the world of policy and activism.

Compulsory Modules

• PUNISHMENT, PENALITY AND PRISONS: CRITICAL DEBATES (SOCI254) | 15 credits
• QUANTITATIVE SOCIAL RESEARCH METHODS (SOCI247) | 15 credits
• QUALITATIVE SOCIAL RESEARCH METHODS (SOCI248) | 15 credits
• CRIMINOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES AND THEIR APPLICATIONS (SOCI244) | 30 credits
• POLICING IN A DIVIDED SOCIETY (SOCI241) | 15 credits

Optional Modules

• DEVIANCE, YOUTH AND CULTURE (SOCI252) | 15 credits
• CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON SOCIAL POLICY IN THE UK (SOCI205) | 15 credits
• THE BLACK PRESENCE - MIGRATION AND SETTLEMENT IN BRITAIN (SOCI223) | 15 credits
• THINKING SOCIOLOGICALLY: APPROACHES TO SOCIAL INQUIRY (SOCI242) | 30 credits
• CRITICAL EDUCATION STUDIES (SOCI257) | 15 credits
• COMPARING WELFARE STATES (SOCI207) | 15 credits
• CLIMATE CHANGE AND SOCIETY (SOCI258) | 15 credits
• UNDERSTANDING VIOLENCE (SOCI296) | 15 credits

Year Three

In year three, you'll have the choice to study specialist subjects in-depth and develop their independent learning. Those who opt for a Dissertation are given freedom to pursue their interest in a topic of their choice, whilst those opting for our Applied Social Research or Social Policy Project module get a chance to combine work experience with academic knowledge.

Dissertation Routes

You must choose one of the following:

• SOCI301: Dissertation
• SOCI303: Interchange Portfolio: Work-Based Learning
• SOCI347: Creative Consultant: Dissertation by Portfolio
• SOCI311 (Semester 1 only): Short Interchange Project

Modules

• DISSERTATION (SOCI301) | 30 credits
• INTERCHANGE PORTFOLIO: WORK-BASED LEARNING (SOCI303) | 30 credits
• CREATIVE CONSULTANT: DISSERTATION BY PORTFOLIO (SOCI347) | 30 credits
• SHORT INTERCHANGE PROJECT (SOCI311) | 15 credits

Optional Modules

• HEALTH, LIFECOURSE & SOCIETY (SOCI307) | 15 credits
• GENDER, THE BODY AND IDENTITY (SOCI315) | 15 credits
• HATE CRIME AND 'THE STIGMATISED OTHER' (SOCI313) | 15 credits
• THE RISK SOCIETY: CRIME, SECURITY AND PUBLIC POLICY (SOCI320) | 15 credits
• THE VIOLENCE OF NEO-IMPERIALISM: STATE-CORPORATE CRIME IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH (SOCI322) | 15 credits
• CULTURE, ECONOMY AND CITIES (SOCI327) | 15 credits
• GENDER AND THE WELFARE STATE (SOCI332) | 15 credits
• SOCIOLOGIES OF CLASS AND INEQUALITY (SOCI335) | 15 credits
• DRUGS, CRIME AND SOCIETY (SOCI339) | 15 credits
• CONTEMPORARY CULTURE AND THE SEDUCTIONS OF CRIME (SOCI340) | 15 credits
• 'RACE', COMMUNITY AND IDENTITY (SOCI346) | 15 credits
• CRIME, JUSTICE AND THE SEX INDUSTRY (SOCI349) | 15 credits
• LOVE, HATE AND ANGER: EMOTIONS AND SOCIETY (SOCI354) | 15 credits
• CYBER CRIME, HARM, AND VICTIMISATION (SOCI362) | 15 credits
• BODIES, POLITICS AND MORALITY (SOCI363) | 15 credits
• COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN CRIME AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE (SOCI369) | 15 credits
• ARCHITECTURE AND POWER: PARLIAMENTS, PRISONS AND COURTS (SOCI372) | 15 credits
• MEN, MASCULINITIES AND SOCIAL CHANGE (SOCI374) | 15 credits
• ENVIRONMENTAL DESTRUCTION: A CRITICAL EXPLORATION (SOCI378) | 15 credits
• LOVE AND MARRIAGE: THE SOCIOLOGY OF INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS (SOCI380) | 15 credits

Teaching and Assessment

You will be taught through a combination of face-to-face teaching in group lectures and small class sessions, tutorials and seminars, which are supplemented by opportunities to get one-to-one guidance from academic staff during their weekly 'open office' hours.

How you'll Learn

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Workshops
• Guided independent study
• Group work
• Reflective and experiential learning

How you're Assessed

Assessment takes many forms, each appropriate to the learning outcomes of the particular module studied. Most modules are assessed by means of a mixture of essays and examinations.

Course Options

Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you.

Global Opportunities

University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide. Choose to spend a year at XJTLU in China or a year or semester at an institution of your choice.

Year in China

Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.

Year Abroad

Broaden your world by spending an additional year of study at a partner university abroad following your second year of study.

Semester Abroad

Take a semester of your second year of study at one of our worldwide partner institutions.

Summer Abroad

Spend a summer abroad on a study placement or research project at one of our worldwide partner institutions.

Language Study

Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree.

Combine this Subject

With a combined degree, you can study two subjects as part of the same degree programme.

Your Experience

The Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology is based in the state-of-the-art School of Law and Social Justice Building.

Careers and Employability

We will help you develop a range of social scientific, analytical and communication skills, along with a variety of transferable skills valued by employers across various industries.

Recent Employers

• Merseyside Police
• HM Prison Service
• National Probation Service
• Legal Services Commission
• IPSOS Mori
• Shell
• British Council
• Mencap

Work Experience Opportunities

We invite you to take part in SLSJ Extra—a series of talks and workshops featuring experts from the legal, criminal and voluntary sectors, along with leading professionals and reform advocates from the UK and beyond.

Fees and Funding

Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.

Tuition Fees

UK Fees

• Full-time place, per year: £9,790
• Year in industry fee: £1,955
• Year abroad fee: £1,465 (applies to year in China)

International Fees

• Full-time place, per year: £27,000
• Year in industry fee: £1,955
• Year abroad fee: £13,500 (applies to year in China)

Scholarships and Bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.

Entry Requirements

The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.

Qualification

• A levels: BBB
• T levels: considered in a relevant subject
• GCSE: 4/C in English and 4/C in Mathematics
• BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: DDD in one of the specified subjects
• International Baccalaureate: 30 points overall with no score less than 4
• Irish Leaving Certificate: H2,H2,H2,H3,H3,H3
• Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher: BBB in Advanced Highers
• Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced: B in the Welsh Baccalaureate, plus BB at A level
• Access: Pass relevant Access to HE Diploma (Humanities/Social Sciences) with 45 Level 3 credits with 30 at Distinction and 15 at Merit

English Language Requirements

You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you're from a majority English speaking country.

Alternative Entry Requirements

If your qualification isn't listed here, or you're taking a combination of qualifications, contact us for advice.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5
• TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 17, writing 17, reading 17 and speaking 19
• Duolingo English Test: 125 overall, with speaking, reading and writing not less than 105, and listening not below 100
• Pearson PTE Academic: 61 overall, with no component below 59
• LanguageCert Academic: 70 overall, with no skill below 60
• Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0500: Grade C overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking and listening
• Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0990: Grade 4 overall, with Merit in speaking and listening
• Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0510/0511: 0510: Grade B overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking; 0511: Grade B overall
• Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0993/0991: 0993: Grade 6 overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking; 0991: Grade 6 overall
• Cambridge ESOL Level 2/3 Advanced: 176 overall, with no paper below 162
• International Baccalaureate English A: Literature or Language & Literature: Grade 5 at Standard Level or grade 5 at Higher Level
• International Baccalaureate English B: Grade 7 at Standard Level or grade 6 at Higher Level

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