Program Overview

---

Introduction to Sociology with Criminology

The Sociology with Criminology programme offers students the opportunity to combine two closely related and complementary disciplines, tackling some of the most interesting and important social issues of our times.

About this Course

Our Sociology with Criminology programme involves the study of the ways in which societies are organised and how they function. The programme also explores crime as a particular aspect of all societies, including what crime is, who commits it, who are the victims, and how societies deal with crime.

Course Content

The course content includes:

• Qualitative and quantitative research methods
• Collecting, analysing, and interpreting data
• Report writing
• Critical thinking
• Presentation
• Appreciating the complexity and diversity of social situations
• Applying sociological theory to society's organisations
• Researching, judging, and evaluating complex information
• Making reasoned arguments and ethical judgements
• Developing opinions and new ideas on social issues
• The ability to understand, scrutinise, and re-assess common perceptions of the social world
• Relating sociological knowledge to social, public, and civic policy

Course Structure

The programme is divided into three years, with each year building on the previous one.

Year One

Modules in year one provide a broad introduction to the two subject areas and disciplines via a series of mandatory modules. This includes an introduction to sociological theories and thinking, an introduction to criminological thinking and ideas, as well as an introduction to related social policy issues and debates.

Modules

• SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY (SOCI101) - 30 credits
• BECOMING A SOCIAL RESEARCHER (SOCI106) - 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
• INTRODUCTION TO CRIME AND SOCIETY (SOCI107) - 15 credits
• CONTROLLING CRIME - AN INTRODUCTION (SOCI108) - 15 credits

Year Two

Mandatory modules in year two build on the foundations by introducing more advanced and contemporary sociological and criminological theorising, as well as more advanced social science research methods.

Modules

• THINKING SOCIOLOGICALLY: APPROACHES TO SOCIAL INQUIRY (SOCI242) - 30 credits
• QUANTITATIVE SOCIAL RESEARCH METHODS (SOCI247) - 15 credits
• QUALITATIVE SOCIAL RESEARCH METHODS (SOCI248) - 15 credits
• CRIMINOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES AND THEIR APPLICATIONS (SOCI244) - 30 credits

Optional Modules

• CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON SOCIAL POLICY IN THE UK (SOCI205) - 15 credits
• THE BLACK PRESENCE - MIGRATION AND SETTLEMENT IN BRITAIN (SOCI223) - 15 credits
• THE CITY: AN URBAN SOCIOLOGY OF LIVERPOOL (SOCI236) - 15 credits
• CULTURE, POWER AND SOCIAL CHANGE (SOCI256) - 15 credits
• CRITICAL EDUCATION STUDIES (SOCI257) - 15 credits
• COMPARING WELFARE STATES (SOCI207) - 15 credits
• UNDERSTANDING VIOLENCE (SOCI296) - 15 credits

Year Three

In year three, students undertake a substantive piece of supervised but original research, either in the form of a dissertation or an applied Interchange Portfolio project.

Dissertation Routes

Students must choose one of the following:

• 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
• 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
• DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY AS SOCIAL RESEARCH (SOCI348) - 15 credits
• CRIME, JUSTICE AND THE SEX INDUSTRY (SOCI349) - 15 credits
• THE RISK SOCIETY: CRIME, SECURITY AND PUBLIC POLICY (SOCI320) - 15 credits
• YOUTH CRIME, YOUTH CULTURE AND SOCIAL CONTROL (SOCI323) - 15 credits
• CULTURE, ECONOMY AND CITIES (SOCI327) - 15 credits
• GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES AND JUSTICE (SOCI344) - 15 credits
• 'RACE', COMMUNITY AND IDENTITY (SOCI346) - 15 credits
• DEATH, SPIRITS AND SPIRITUALITY (SOCI352) - 15 credits
• COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN CRIME AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE (SOCI369) - 15 credits
• ARCHITECTURE AND POWER: PARLIAMENTS, PRISONS AND COURTS (SOCI372) - 15 credits

Teaching and Assessment

Students are 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

Learning is delivered in a variety of formats including lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, guided independent study, group work, and 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. Here's what is available on this course:

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.

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. While teaching takes place across campus, this is your home for departmental support and student life.

Careers and Employability

We will enable you to develop a range of social scientific, analytical, and communication skills, as well as a variety of transferable skills valued by many employers in a range of industries.

Recent Employers

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

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.

The Liverpool Bursary

If you're a UK student joining an undergraduate degree and have a household income below £35,000, you could be eligible for a Liverpool Bursary worth up to £2,000 for each year of undergraduate study.

Entry Requirements

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

Qualification Requirements

• 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, H2, 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 Science) 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.

Accepted English Language Tests

• 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