Program Overview

BA (Hons) Criminology and Social Policy with Foundation Year

BA (Hons) Part-time 8 years, Full-time 4 years

Criminology and Social Policy combines the study of crime with our new social policy degree which has a focus social change.

Why choose this course?

Criminology and Social Policy combines the study of crime with our new social policy degree which has a focus social change. In society we face critical problems that pose challenges for the health and wellbeing of our society, such as crime, persistent poverty, food insecurity and climate change. How can we create solutions that tackle these problems – and why have we not done so already?

Within Criminology, you will not only study who commits crime and why, how they are punished, and how crime is controlled, but you will also be able to study a range of cutting-edge research-focused specialist modules that particularly interest you or may assist in your future career. These include, for example, working in the criminal justice system, police and society, rehabilitation of offenders, victimology, environmental crime, modern punishment, and youth justice and youth crime.

The Social Policy element of your degree will examine how social problems are identified, talked about and responded to, by politicians, by the media and by us, as citizens. It will further look at the relationships between government and society, and critically review how social policy has failed to address deep-rooted inequalities experienced by certain individuals and communities, relating to age, class, disability, ethnicity, gender, locality, religion and sexuality. Modules will allow you to explore the social divisions in our society and how we, as citizens, can play a role in bringing about the social change needed to enhance social inclusion. Therefore this degree will provide opportunities to engage with organisations and individuals within our community, whether that is through learning activities, applied research or volunteering.

What's unique about this course?

• Criminology and Social Policy combines the study of crime with our new social policy degree which has a focus social change.
• The Social Policy element of your degree will examine how social problems are identified, talked about and responded to, by politicians, by the media and by us, as citizens.
• Modules will allow you to explore the social divisions in our society and how we, as citizens, can play a role in bringing about the social change needed to enhance social inclusion.

What happens on the course?

You will be taught by lecturers who are actively researching in their fields together with those working in the criminal justice system, plus a wide variety of other guest speakers. You will also have opportunities to go on relevant trips including prisons and courts.

Your degree is highly focused upon building your employability profile and transferable skills ready for the workplace. As part of that, completion of your modules will enable you to receive the University of Wolverhampton Employability and Enterprise Award at Silver Level. You will have the opportunity to undertake work placement modules as part of your degree together with gaining further volunteering experience skills should you wish. You will also undertake a research project on an area of your choice which particularly interests you, or that you may wish to work in after graduation.

Course Modules

Year 1

• Contemporary Social Issues
  • Module: 3GK015
  • Credits: 20
  • Period: 1
  • Type: Core
• Preparing for Success at University
  • Module: 3GK012
  • Credits: 40
  • Period: 1
  • Type: Core
• Project-Based Learning
  • Module: 3GK013
  • Credits: 40
  • Period: 1
  • Type: Core
• Wolverhampton and its People
  • Module: 3GK014
  • Credits: 20
  • Period: 1
  • Type: Core

Year 2

• Living with Poverty
  • Module: 4SA012
  • Credits: 20
  • Period: 2
  • Type: Core
• Social Policy Now
  • Module: 4SA008
  • Credits: 20
  • Period: 2
  • Type: Core
• Thinking About Crime
  • Module: 4CJ003
  • Credits: 20
  • Period: 2
  • Type: Core
• Working in the Criminal Justice System
  • Module: 4CJ002
  • Credits: 20
  • Period: 2
  • Type: Core
• Advocacy in Action
  • Module: 4SA014
  • Credits: 20
  • Period: 2
  • Type: Optional
• Human Rights in Criminal Justice
  • Module: 4CJ005
  • Credits: 20
  • Period: 2
  • Type: Optional
• Media, Culture and Society
  • Module: 4SL012
  • Credits: 20
  • Period: 2
  • Type: Optional
• Victimology
  • Module: 4CJ006
  • Credits: 20
  • Period: 2
  • Type: Optional

Year 3

• Community Engagement and Social Change
  • Module: 5SA017
  • Credits: 20
  • Period: 3
  • Type: Core
• Framing the Criminological World
  • Module: 5CJ002
  • Credits: 20
  • Period: 3
  • Type: Core
• Research methods
  • Module: 5SL009
  • Credits: 20
  • Period: 3
  • Type: Core
• The Role of Community in Policymaking
  • Module: 5SA015
  • Credits: 20
  • Period: 3
  • Type: Core
• Environmental Crime
  • Module: 5CJ011
  • Credits: 20
  • Period: 3
  • Type: Optional
• Police and Society
  • Module: 5CJ003
  • Credits: 20
  • Period: 3
  • Type: Optional
• Punishment and Society in England and Wales
  • Module: 5CJ006
  • Credits: 20
  • Period: 3
  • Type: Optional
• Race, Empire and Modernity
  • Module: 5SL001
  • Credits: 20
  • Period: 3
  • Type: Optional
• The Future of Work
  • Module: 5SA016
  • Credits: 20
  • Period: 3
  • Type: Optional
• Volunteering in Action
  • Module: 5SL008
  • Credits: 20
  • Period: 3
  • Type: Optional

Year 4

• Sustaining Welfare
  • Module: 6SA011
  • Credits: 20
  • Period: 4
  • Type: Core
• Contemporary Issues in Criminology
  • Module: 6CJ005
  • Credits: 20
  • Period: 4
  • Type: Optional
• Controlling Crime
  • Module: 6CJ006
  • Credits: 20
  • Period: 4
  • Type: Optional
• Independent Project Module
  • Module: 6CJ018
  • Credits: 40
  • Period: 4
  • Type: Optional
• Independent Project Social Policy
  • Module: 6SA012
  • Credits: 40
  • Period: 4
  • Type: Optional
• International NGO’s, Policymaking and Change
  • Module: 6SA010
  • Credits: 20
  • Period: 4
  • Type: Optional
• Modern Punishment
  • Module: 6CJ017
  • Credits: 20
  • Period: 4
  • Type: Optional
• Rehabilitation of Offenders and Desistance
  • Module: 6CJ015
  • Credits: 20
  • Period: 4
  • Type: Optional
• Serious and Organised Crime
  • Module: 6CJ011
  • Credits: 20
  • Period: 4
  • Type: Optional
• Youth Crime and Youth Justice
  • Module: 6CJ014
  • Credits: 20
  • Period: 4
  • Type: Optional

Potential Career Paths

• Criminal Justice
• Probation officer
• Prison Officer
• Police officer
• Social worker

Course Fees and Finance

• Location: Home
• Mode: Full-time
• Fee: £9250 per year
• Location: Home
• Mode: Part-time
• Fee: £4625 per year
• Location: International
• Mode: Full-time
• Fee: £14950 per year

Entry Requirements

Prepare for Foundation Pathway: We will consider applicants who have not achieved 48 UCAS points (equivalence) from prior level 3 qualifications, if you have a keen interest in this subject area or hold relevant experience. You will be required to attend and pass a compulsory Prepare For Foundation assessment day where you will take part in a variety of activities which will assess your suitability for the course. If you would like more advise and guidance about this admissions pathway, please contact the Gateway team to discuss and support you in making an application to us.