Program Overview

Criminology and Sociology BSc (Hons)

Overview

Criminology is the study of crime within society, but, what is crime, why do people offend and what should we do with criminals? Why do we focus on crimes of the powerless, are crimes of the powerful more harmful? What is the role of the police and the criminal justice system? How does the news and media shape our understanding and experience of crime? How do race, gender, age, sexual orientation and class shape experiences of crime and victimisation? How does our more globalised world shape localised experiences of crime?

Course Details

Course Structure

• Year 1 Core Modules
  • Becoming a Social Scientist
    • Develop academic skills, knowledge and understanding to support successful study within a criminology and sociology higher education learning environment.
  • Crime and Society
    • Study the foundational elements and key questions in sociology and criminology.
  • Issues in Criminal Justice
    • Explore the criminal justice system and a range of agencies and institutions that operate within it.
  • Media Representations
    • Critically investigate the role played by media in contemporary society.

Year 2 Core Modules

• Future Directions and Research for Social Scientists
  • Develop an understanding of employment pathways, opportunities, reflective practice, experiential learning, and social research methods in criminology and sociology.
• Identities, Institutions and Society
  • Develop your understanding of the critical perspectives on identities, social policies and institutions within the UK.
• Police and Policing
  • Explore the development, organisation and practice of policing in modern society.
• Social Theory, Policy and Practice
  • Study a range of classical and contemporary social theories to understand the development and progression of various theoretical frameworks.

Final-Year Core Modules

• Criminology and Sociology Dissertation
  • Produce a piece of independent research, with academic supervision.
• Current Issues in Sociology
  • Explore some of the most important contemporary developments in sociology.
• Penology
  • Study the relationship between philosophies of punishment, methods and strategies of penal intervention.

Optional Modules

• Inside Out
  • Undertake a 14-week module within the prison setting, facilitated by academic staff.
• Social Movements
  • Examine key issues and debates in the field of social movements, collective action and activism.
• Understanding Drugs in Society
  • Critically examine the changing status of drug use in the past and present.

How You Learn

• All modules are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and online learning.
• Examples of seminar and workshop activities include case study work, media analysis, poster presentations, discussions and debates.

How You Are Assessed

• Assessment is varied and includes essays, presentations, projects, case studies, examinations and a dissertation.

Entry Requirements

• A typical offer 80-104 tariff points from at least two A levels, T level or equivalent.
• You must have GCSE English at grade 4 (grade C) or equivalent.

Employability

• Your skills will equip you well for the police force, probation service, prison service, youth work and community development.
• There are also opportunities for employment within the public sector and for postgraduate study.

International Applicants

• International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting Your Country.

Tuition Fees

• Full-time
  • UK applicants: £9,535 a year
  • International applicants: £17,000 a year
• Part-time
  • UK applicants: £4,635 (120 credits)

Course Routes

• Foundation Year
  • Study this course with a foundation year if you need additional preparation or if you don't have sufficient grades to join Year 1.
• Part-time
  • Up to 5 years, daytime attendance.