Program Overview

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BSc (Hons) Criminology

Overview

Studying a degree in Criminology will develop your critical thinking skills and challenge you to seek answers to questions such as: What is crime? Why do people commit crime? Why and how should we punish offenders? Are we all equal before the law? How do the police, prisons and courts fit together to form a Criminal Justice System and does it work? How do we prevent crime?

The Criminology programme at the University of Suffolk has strong disciplinary foundations in Sociology, Psychology, Law, Social Policy and Philosophy, and will enable you to engage with the contemporary ideas and debates about crime. You will explore these questions with inspirational lecturers and in discussion with your fellow students. Our small class sizes and excellent tutor support help you maximise your achievement and employability skills.

The degree tackles controversial public issues and encourages open debate. Throughout the programme you are introduced to a range of research methods and their ethical considerations which are essential to be able to understand and challenge the limitations and ambiguities of research. The skills you develop in handling information will provide key employment relevant skills for a wide range of graduate careers.

The programme has excellent links with Suffolk Constabulary, local magistrates and courts, the Crown Prosecution Service, probation services and the prison service. We also have regular guest speakers who work in the field with victims and offenders.

The University of Suffolk has an international profile while being committed to our region. We are proudly modern and innovative and we believe in transformative education. We are on the rise with a focus on student satisfaction, graduate prospects, spending on academic services and student facilities.

Course Modules

Our undergraduate programmes are delivered as 'block and blend' - more information can be found on Why Suffolk? You can also watch our Block and Blend video.

For this course all modules are assessed and a range of assessment methods are used, including essays, reports, case studies, videos, portfolios, critiques, presentations, reviews and examinations.

Full downloadable information regarding all University of Suffolk courses, including Key Facts, Course Aims, Course Structure and Assessment, is available in the Definitive Course Record.

Select course year Year 1, Year 2, Year 3

Year 1

• Social Science Skills
• Introduction to Criminology
• Principles of Psychology for Criminology
• Policy and Politics
• Sociological Imagination
• History of Crime & Punishment
• Understanding Research

Year 2

• Criminological Theory
• Youth Crime and Justice
• Policing
• Criminal Justice
• Law for Criminologists
• Contemporary Issues in Criminology
• Social Theory

Year 3

• The World of Work
• Independent Project
• Penology
• Victimology
• Drugs, Crime and Society
• Forensic Psychology
• Rehabilitation of Offenders
• Data Analysis and Visualisation for Social Scientists

Entry Requirements

UK Academic Requirements

• 112 UCAS Points (or above)
• BBC (A-Level)
• DMM (BTEC)
• Merit (T Level)
• Pass in Access to HE Diploma

International Requirements

• IELTS 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components) where English is not the student's first language.

Transferring Credit

• If you have previously studied at higher education level before you may be able to transfer credits to a related course at the University of Suffolk and reduce the period of study time necessary to achieve your degree.

Mature Applicants

• Students aged 21 or over at the start of their course are regarded as mature students. The University of Suffolk offers a flexible admissions policy for mature students, which takes into account life and work experience.

Career Opportunities

Around 60% of graduate jobs are open to graduates of any discipline and Criminology graduates are well equipped with the advanced skills and confidence to thrive in many occupations. Criminology graduates are good at problem solving, have good analytical and research skills, and have excellent information and data management skills. Employability is taken very seriously at University of Suffolk and employers are directly involved in taught and additional sessions over the course of the degree. Potential roles include:

• Civil servant
• Community development worker
• Crime scene investigator
• Detective
• Police officer
• Prison officer
• Probation officer
• Social worker
• Youth worker
• Intelligence officer
• Charity worker

Fees and Funding

2025/26

• UK Full-time Tuition Fee: £9,535 per year
• UK Part-time Tuition Fees: £1,589 per 20 credit module
• International Full-time Tuition Fee: £15,090 per year

2026/27

• UK Full-time Tuition Fee: £9,535 per year
• UK Part-time Tuition Fees: £1,589 per 20 credit module
• International Full-time Tuition Fee: £15,090 per year

Facilities and Resources

Whatever you choose to study, you will learn in state-of-the-art surroundings. We have invested across the University to create an environment showcasing the latest teaching facilities enabling you to achieve great things.

Every teaching room has state-of-the-art AV equipment enhancing students learning experience and spread across the open study areas there are approximately 50 iMacs. The dual function technology allows students to choose between Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac software, allowing students to utilise the technology that best supports their chosen field of study.

The Waterfront Building supports flexible learning with open study on all floors, where students can access networked computers.