Program Overview

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Business and Management and Criminology

BA/BSc (Hons)

Undergraduate degree - combined honours

Overview

Learn how global forces shape society and relate to the causes and consequences of crime in this combined business management and criminology degree.

• Combine creative problem-solving with scientific analysis to investigate contemporary issues.
• Create a degree tailored to your own interests with a range of optional modules covering topics such as crime fiction and cyber security.
• Learn from industry experts and gain real-world experience – for example in regional businesses, charities and prisons.

Why study criminology and business?

Studying Business and Management and Criminology will give you a new perspective on the issues and challenges – such as gender imbalance and sustainability – facing society in the 21st-century.

• You’ll develop valuable, transferable skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking and the ability to apply theory to real-world situations, which will open the doors to a wide variety of careers, from counter-terrorism to consultancy.

Joint #4 in the UK

for Value Added in Criminology (Guardian University Guide 2025)

What you'll learn

Overview

As a student of a Business and Management and Criminology degree at Bath Spa you’ll develop practical and professional skills that you can apply in a variety of careers.

• In your Criminology studies, you’ll look at crime from a variety of angles and perspectives. Core modules focus on the main theories, debates, issues and research problems in criminology and criminal justice.
• Your Business and Management modules will give you a broad understanding of the world of business, and over the course of your studies you’ll have the flexibility to choose optional modules in both Criminology and Business, enabling you to develop your particular areas of interest.

Course structure

Year one Gain a broad understanding of today’s business environments – trends in commercial thinking, audience and consumer research, the importance of data in business, and issues such as gender, diversity and identity.

• Discover the key concepts, theories and issues of criminology, criminal law and criminal justice agencies and institutions.
• You’ll learn to look at the world through a different lens – one which lays the foundation for you to innovate in your second and final years.

Year two In your second year, you’ll focus on the inner workings of businesses, and use business techniques to solve problems.

• You’ll study contemporary debates in criminology and criminal justice, including a specific focus on policing.
• You’ll have the opportunity to choose modules based on your particular areas of interest, and start developing the abilities that employers look for, such as strong presentational skills, effective group working, self-reflection and self-improvement.
• At the end of the year, you can choose to embark on a ten-week summer placement, and/or a ten-month business placement – applying what you’ve learned so far in the real world.

Year three In your final year you’ll have further opportunities to tailor your studies, with more in-depth research and project-work in the areas that interest you.

• During this year, you’ll focus more and more on practical ways to apply your skills, and you’ll be able to confidently demonstrate the abilities you’ve gained during all three years of the course.

How will I be assessed?

We use a mix of traditional and contemporary assessments, including essays, book reviews, exams, portfolios, creative work, projects, group work, computer-based simulations, podcasts and videos.

How will I be taught?

You’ll be taught by a team of experienced industry professionals, researchers and experts in their fields. You’ll participate in a wide variety of activities including lectures, seminars, workshops, and one-to-one tutorials. There's also a good blend of online activities using our Virtual Learning Environment. The majority of your lectures will be recorded, for your future reference. We also invite visiting speakers to talk about their experiences.

Opportunities

Study abroad

As part of your degree, you could study abroad on a placement at one of Bath Spa’s partner universities.

Work placements, industry links and internships

We encourage you to take advantage of placement opportunities in your second and third year, so you can apply your learning in real world contexts.

• We have excellent links with local criminal justice organisations including local police services and prisons, as well as regional and national businesses.

Careers

Our Business and Management and Criminology degree is designed for students with an inquisitive nature, who are keen to gain a deeper understanding of the world around them, and who want to find creative ways to approach the issues affecting society.

• Our course will equip you to think critically, solve problems and work with others - essential skills for a wide variety of careers, and for the flexible approach to the future that we all need to develop.
• Our graduates have been employed in a wide range of careers, including:
  • Crime prevention
  • Security
  • Criminal justice system
  • Police service
  • Prison and probation service
  • Charities
  • Counter-terrorism
  • Civil service
  • Marketing
  • Management
  • Retail (management/merchandising/buying)
  • Finance
  • Consultancy
  • HR

Global Citizenship

If you’re a full-time undergraduate student starting your first year at Bath Spa University, you can apply for the Certificate in Global Citizenship, which you’ll study alongside your degree.

• You’ll gain global awareness and add an international dimension to your student experience, and funding is available. On successful completion of the programme, you’ll be awarded a Certificate in Global Citizenship. This is in addition to your degree; it doesn’t change your degree title or results.

Professional Placement Year

Overview

The Professional Placement Year (PPY) provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for, and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.

By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.

Preparation

Before your PPY, you'll work to identify roles of interest and secure a placement. The Placements Team will support through timetabled sessions and 1:1 appointments.

How will I be assessed?

As well as completing a minimum of 900 placement hours, you will complete two assessments demonstrating your skill development, growth in professional behaviours and how the PPY has impacted your future career aspirations.

Facilities and resources

Where the subject is taught

You'll be taught at our Newton Park campus, which is located on the edge of Bath and offers a blend of modern and eighteenth-century buildings, with good access to the city while being nestled in the countryside. From your lectures, you’ll be able to visit the library, the Students’ Union, and access our student information and support teams, as well as many of our cutting edge facilities.

Resources

• Our Library offers a wealth of learning resources including books, journals, DVDs and an extensive range of electronic services. Our Subject Librarians for Business Management and Criminology provide subject-specific support, including help with research.
• The Writing and Learning Centre provides support for your academic work, including feedback on written drafts and other help with academic writing.
• Our Virtual Learning Environment provides online access to learning materials such as lecture slides, assessment information, discussion boards and other resources.
• The Careers team run networking events and advisory workshops that explore your future options and the essentials of the job application process. They help you get experience by assisting with your search for work placements and paid part-time jobs while you're studying. When you're ready to progress into your chosen career, they can help you secure graduate-level employment, freelance opportunities, and funding for your own business ideas. Career support continues for years after you graduate with the dedicated Grad Support Unit.
• You’ll have free access to thousands of business, design and tech courses online via LinkedIn Learning.
• If English isn't your first language, our English Language Unit can help you improve your English, reach your full potential and boost your confidence.
• Our Student Wellbeing Services are available to support you through your learning.

Interested in applying?

What we look for in potential students

We’re looking for individuals who are inquisitive and creative. You’ll be interested in the world around you, won’t be afraid to ask difficult questions and look at the darker side of society.

• You’ll need to have drive, motivation and the get-up-and-go to achieve in a challenging environment.

Typical offers

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed below:

• A Level – grades BBB-BCC preferred.
• BTEC – Extended Diploma grades from Distinction Distinction Merit (DDM) to Distinction Merit Merit (DMM) accepted in any subject.
• T Levels – grade Merit preferred.
• International Baccalaureate – a minimum of 32 points are required.
• Access to HE courses – typical offers for applicants with Access to HE will be the Access to HE Diploma or Access to HE Certificate (60 credits, 45 of which must be Level 3, at Merit or higher).

English Language Requirements for International and EU Applicants

IELTS 6.0 - for visa nationals, with a minimum score of IELTS 5.5 in each element.

Fees

2025 entry

• Student | Annual tuition fee
  • UK full time | £9,535
  • UK part time | £4,768
  • International full time | £16,460

Professional Placement Year

During the placement year, the fee is reduced to 20% of the full time fee.

• UK: £1,905
• International: £3,292

Additional course costs

You may need to pay additional course costs over and above your tuition fees, for example, for specialist equipment or trips and visits. Please check the course Programme Document for details of any additional costs. You can also read our Additional Course Costs Policy for further information.

Funding opportunities

Please visit our Funding pages for an overview of the funding options that may be available, including scholarships and bursaries.

Key facts

• Award: BA/BSc (Hons) Business and Management and Criminology
• School/s: Bath Business School, School of Sciences
• Campus or location: Newton Park
• Course length: Three years full time, or four years full time with professional placement year. Part time available.
• UCAS codes: Institution Code: B20, Course Code: 7712 or SE38, Campus Code: A,BSU