Program Overview

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Sociology and Criminology with a Foundation Year - BA (Hons)

Overview

This course has been specifically designed to allow home and EU students, who do not initially meet the Birmingham City University entry requirements for our standard Sociology or Criminology degrees, to undertake additional level 3 study designed to ensure they are successful on their chosen degree course.

What's covered in this course?

Our BA (Hons) Sociology and Criminology degree is a radical and practical course; theoretically driven and empirically informed, as well as locally situated and globally focused.

Why Choose Us?

• We aim to infuse learning with exposure to real-world experiences. Through participation in the Social Impact Hub, we give students the chance to work on real-life projects.
• We pride ourselves on being the University for Birmingham and our commitment to contribute to the city and local community.
• We have strong links with West Midlands Police and regularly welcome serving officers and experts to give guest lectures and provide opportunities for exposure to real-world activities.
• We have a strong focus on employability and through placement opportunities and our links with local businesses, we aim to ensure you graduate not only with your degree but also with the skills and knowledge needed to embark on your chosen career.
• The STEAMhouse offers amazing opportunities for entrepreneurial students to kick start and build a business or organisation.

Entry Requirements

Essential requirements

• 80 UCAS Tariff points.
• GCSE and other level 2 requirements: This course does not require evidence of GCSE qualifications.
• A Level, BTEC and other level 3 requirements:
  • A Level: 80 UCAS Tariff points / CDD (or equivalent)
  • AS Level: Must be in a different subject to A Levels
  • A maximum of four subjects will be considered
  • Pearson BTEC (Diploma / Extended Diploma/ Extended Certificate): 80 UCAS Tariff points
  • Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications
  • Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications
  • T Level: Pass overall (C or above on the core)
  • All subjects considered
  • Access to HE Diploma: Pass with 60 credits, 45 credits at Level 3
  • OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications: 80 UCAS Tariff points
  • NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications: 80 UCAS Tariff points
  • WJEC Level 3 qualifications: 80 UCAS Tariff points
  • Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s)
  • Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers): Minimum of 80 UCAS Tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects
  • Scottish Higher / Advanced Higher: 80 UCAS Tariff points from three Advanced Highers (DDD) or two Advanced Highers (DD) plus two Highers (DD)
  • Welsh Baccalaureate: 80 UCAS Tariff points. Considered with three A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications

International qualifications

• International Baccalaureate Diploma: Obtain a minimum of 24 points overall.
• EU / International students: Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept. In addition to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require IELTS 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in each band.

Fees & How to Apply

UK students

• Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study, which is a foundation year. If you progress to the degree upon completion of your foundation year, the standard undergraduate tuition fee for 2026/27 will apply.
• Fees for 2025/26 can be found on the relevant course page, but please note that University reserves the right to increase fees in subsequent years in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament.
• Award: BA (Hons)
• Starting: Sep 2025
• Mode: Full Time
• Duration: 4 Years
• Fees: £5,760 in 2025/26
• Apply via UCAS

International students

• Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study, which is a foundation year. If you progress to the degree upon completion of your foundation year, the standard undergraduate tuition fee for 2026/27 will apply.
• Fees for 2025/26 can be found on the relevant course page, but please note that University reserves the right to increase fees in subsequent years in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament.
• Award: BA (Hons)
• Starting: Sep 2025
• Mode: Full Time
• Duration: 4 Years
• Fees: £17,690 in 2025/26
• Apply Online

Course in Depth

Foundation Year

• In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
• Sociology: The Foundations (20 credits)
• Criminology: The Foundations (20 credits)
• Skills for Social Scientists (20 credits)
• Sociology and Criminology in Practice (20 credits)
• Criminality, Crime Control and Society (20 credits)
• Independent Research Project (20 credits)

First Year

• In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
• Sociological Perspectives (20 credits)
• City, Community and Culture (20 credits)
• Crime, Punishment and Society (20 credits)
• Sociological Imagination (20 credits)
• Politics and Society (20 credits)
• Becoming a Social Researcher (20 credits)

Second Year

• In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 80 credits).
• Crime in the City (20 credits)
• Applied Sociological Research (20 credits)
• Contemporary Social Theory (20 credits)
• Race and Crime (20 credits)
• In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete at least 40 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules.
• Issues in Criminal Investigation (20 credits)
• Experiencing Harm (20 credits)
• Youth Crime and Justice (20 credits)
• Media and Popular Culture (20 credits)

Final Year

• In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 80 credits).
• Globalisation, Migration and Borders (20 credits)
• Gender and Crime (20 credits)
• Integrated Research Project (40 credits)
• In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete at least 40 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules.
• Hate Crime (20 credits)
• Emotions in Crime & Criminal Justice (20 credits)
• Cybercrime (20 credits)
• Deviant Leisure (20 credits)
• Harms of the Powerful (20 credits)
• Local to Global Organised Crime (20 credits)
• Music & Society (20 credits)
• Activism, Social Movements & Social Change (20 credits)
• Black Arts Movement (20 credits)
• Global Cities (20 credits)
• Postcolionality (20 credits)
• Visual Cultures (20 credits)

Employability

• We recommend you get involved in the research seminars held by our research centres (such as the Centre for Critical Social Research and the Centre for Applied Criminology and the Centre for Critical Social Research), as well as encourage you to participate in the research these centres carry out.
• Our Graduate+ scheme will not only develop your broader employability skills, but will also enhance your work opportunities, your lifelong learning skills and a sense of belonging.

Facilities & Staff

• We are constantly investing in our estate and have spent over £400 million on new learning facilities.
• The Curzon Building is home to our social sciences, law and business students.
• The £63m building offers students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub incorporating student support services, in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside development.
• Realistic, simulated environments include two mock court rooms, a Magistrates' and Crown Court, and an interviewing suite.
• We’re also exploring the use of virtual environments as a way to develop case study analysis.
• For those studying on the BSc (Hons) Professional Policing or BA (Hons) Criminology, Policing and Investigation degrees, you’ll experience simulations of police interviewing environments for both suspects and witnesses, with access to tape recording and video playback analysis.
• You’ll also be able to utilise our unique mobile crime scene to simulate true-to-life and interactive situational simulations.
• Crime investigation files are prepared using computer-based technology, and the crime data analysis requirements of the degree are supported by appropriate statistical and analytical software.
• Psychology students can look forward to using state-of-the-art equipment as well, including the latest in eye-tracking software, and our new EEG machine, all geared towards giving you true hands-on experience with tools you’ll be using in your later career.
• You will also benefit from facilities across the wider campus including the Parkside and Millennium Point buildings.

Our Staff

• Andrew Dixon: Senior Lecturer/Course Director in Sociology
• Dr Gary Hazeldine: Associate Professor of Sociology
• Professor Imran Awan: Professor of Criminology

Student Statistics

• 77% say staff value students views and opinions about the course
• 85% of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well
• 87% in work or doing further study 15 months after the course

Download course specification

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Transfer Options

• You have the flexibility to transfer to any standard undergraduate Sociology or Criminology course offered at BCU after successful completion of your foundation year, including the option to transfer to the specialist Sociology or Criminology pathways when you successfully complete your second year if you choose to stay on this course.

Specialist Pathways

• BA (Hons) Sociology / BA (Hons) Sociology and Criminology
• BA (Hons) Criminology
• BA (Hons) Criminology, Policing and Investigation
• BSc (Hons) Professional Policing