Program Overview

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BA (Hons) Criminology and Social Policy

Overview

This degree program focuses on the issues surrounding crime and social policy. Students will learn about the latest developments in social research and how to assess the issues surrounding crime and social problems.

Key Facts

• Award: BA (Hons)
• Start date: September 2025, January 2026
• Duration: 48 months
• Mode of study: full time
• Delivery: on campus
• UCAS Code: LL64
• Study abroad opportunities: available

Top Reasons to Study with Us

• Ranked 1st in Scotland and top 15 in the UK for Criminology (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)
• Top 5 in Scotland and top 15 in the UK for Social Policy (The Complete University Guide 2025)
• Benefit from on-campus organisations such as the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research

Entry Requirements

Year 1 Entry – Four-year Honours

• SQA Higher: ABBB
• GCE A-level: BBB
• IB Diploma: 28 points
• BTEC (Level 3): DDM
• Widening access students: may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry
• Care-experienced applicants: will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements

Year 2 Entry – Three-year Honours

• SQA Advanced Highers: ABB
• GCE A-levels: ABB
• IB Diploma: 32 points
• Essential subjects: Sociology

Other Scottish Qualifications

• Scottish HNC/HND: Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units
• Access courses: University of Stirling access course - for mature students only
• Foundation Apprenticeships: considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B

Other Qualifications

• English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND: Merits and Distinctions
• English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses: Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above

International Entry Requirements

• View the entry requirements for your country

Advanced Entry

• Year 2 and Year 3 entry: may be possible depending on your HNC/HND course
• Other qualifications: advanced entry may be possible depending on your qualifications

English Language Requirements

• If English is not your first language, you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
  • IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill
  • IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing

Course Details

Teaching

• Teaching is delivered through lectures, workshops, and small discussion groups
• These may be a mix of campus-based and online

Assessment

• Assessment for each module is normally based on a combination of coursework and examinations
• The final-year dissertation counts for three modules

Classroom Hours

• Typically, each module consists of two lectures plus one workshop per week

Study Abroad

• As a University of Stirling student, you’ll have the opportunity to broaden your horizons and study abroad through our well-established connections with several international universities

Fees and Funding

Fees and Costs

• Scottish students: this fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change
• Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland: this tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government
• International students (including EU): eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course

Funding

• See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs
• Students from Scotland: find funding opportunities for Scottish students
• Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland: eligible students will automatically receive our Undergraduate Welcome Scholarship, Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, and our Honours Year Scholarship, which are worth between £1,000 and £9,250
• International students: eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course

After You Graduate

• Our Criminology and Social Policy graduates are in demand for a wide range of roles throughout the private, public, and voluntary sectors
• The skills you’ll learn in critical thinking, analysis, and problem-solving are highly valued by employers and will give you the edge in the job market

Companies We Work With

• You’ll benefit from our strong links with other organisations situated on the University of Stirling campus
• These include the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research, The Scottish Institute for Policing Research, and the Salvation Army Centre for Addiction Services and Research

Flexible Study

• Criminology and Social Policy is just one of the course combinations available to study at Stirling
• You can also study Criminology or Social Policy in any of these combinations:
  • Criminology and Law
  • Criminology and Philosophy
  • Criminology and Politics
  • Criminology and Sociology
  • Social Policy and Politics
  • Social Policy and Sociology

Related Courses

• BA (Hons) Criminology and Sociology
• BA (Hons) Social Work
• BA (Hons) Sociology and Social Policy