Program Overview

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BA (Hons) Criminology and Sociology

Overview

Choose our Criminology and Sociology degree and you’ll benefit from studying two closely related disciplines; with training both in criminology and the theory and methods of sociology.

Learn how to ‘think like a criminologist’ and apply criminology to the context of modern life, social diversity and inequalities in society. Criminologists are interested in how activities are defined as criminal, explanations for crime and social reactions to crime.

You’ll explore fascinating questions surrounding the criminal justice system, the social contexts of crime, and the relationship between behaviour and punishment. Why and how do people break the law? How can the criminal justice system define this, and how do we police, prosecute and punish people?

Studying Sociology will help you to understand how society works. You’ll learn about the ways in which society shapes individuals and how individuals create society. And you’ll explore crucial questions about diversity, discrimination and inequality in the 21st century.

Our Criminology and Sociology course reflects the latest developments in social research and is taught by experts in their fields.

Top reasons to study with us

• 1st in Scotland and top 15 in the UK for Criminology, top 5 in Scotland for Sociology (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)
• Ranked top 5 in Scotland for Sociology (The Complete University Guide 2025)
• You’ll have the opportunity to broaden your horizons and study abroad through our well-established connections with several international universities

Entry requirements

Year 1 entry – Four-year honours

• SQA Highers: ABBB
• GCE A-levels: BBB
• IB Diploma: 28 points
• BTEC (Level 3): DDM
• Widening access students: Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
• Care-experienced applicants: 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. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
• SWAP 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: Entry into Year 2 or Year 3 may be possible depending on your HNC/HND course. To find out more go to our articulation pages.
• Other qualifications: Advanced entry may be possible depending on your qualifications. For more information, contact our Admissions Team.

Other routes of entry

If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore University of Stirling International Study Centre to see the routes available.

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

In Semesters 1-4, you’ll take the following core modules:

• Applying a Sociological Lens: showing the power of thinking sociologically about the social order and a range of contemporary social issues.
• Applying a Social Policy Lens: introducing you to an understanding of social policy as a subject of study with a focus on contemporary Britain.
• Social Science Skills and their Applications: developing your understanding of how social science knowledge is produced and how research methods relate to theory.
• The Development of Social Theory: an introduction to classical and contemporary social theory.
• Crime and Criminal Justice: exploring the architecture of the criminal justice system, and evidence and explanations of crime and offending.

You’ll also take additional modules in any subject in semesters 1-4.

In Semesters 5-8, you’ll take three core modules:

• The Research Process: is split into two modules in 3rd year, which explore how to design a research project, and how to collect and analyse different types of data.
• Dissertation: this is your chance to apply all of your learning in the final year of your degree, undertaking a research project on a topic of your own choice.

You'll also choose seven advanced option modules across 3rd and 4th year, which could include:

• Sociology of Childhood
• Crimes of the Powerful
• Punishment and Society
• Social Networks and Social Connections
• Understanding Crime Trends
• Drugs Crime and Society
• Gender, Crime and Justice
• Social Policy on the Ground
• Home, Housing and Community
• Policing and Society
• Disability and Society

Teaching

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

Year 1 modules aim to bridge the gap between school and university study through coursework assessments. You’ll also receive tuition in both qualitative and quantitative research methods, which is invaluable for your Year 4 dissertation.

All students in our Faculty have a named personal tutor to provide general and academic support throughout the four years of their degree.

Assessment

Assessment for each module is usually based on a combination of coursework and examinations, for example, one essay (30 percent) and an examination (70 percent). The final-year dissertation counts for three modules. Your dissertation gives you the opportunity to put research methods you’ve studied into practice and focus on a particular interest.

Classroom hours

Typically, each module involves 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.

Additional costs

There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips.

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

Preparing you for the world of work

As a Criminology and Sociology graduate, you’ll leave with the critical thinking, analytical and communication skills that are valued by many employers throughout the private, public and voluntary sectors.

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 Sociology is just one of the course combinations available to study at Stirling. You can also study Criminology or Sociology in any of these combinations:

• Course combination | UCAS code
• Criminology and Law | MM91
• Criminology and Philosophy | MV95
• Criminology and Politics | ML92
• Criminology and Social Policy | LL64
• Sociology and Film and Media | LP33
• Sociology and History | LV31
• Sociology and History and Professional Education | VXD1
• Sociology and Politics | LL23
• Sociology and Psychology | CL83
• Sociology and Religion | LV36
• Sociology and Social Policy | L431
• Sociology and Spanish | LR34

Related courses

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