Program Overview

BA Sociology and Criminology - 2026 entry

Overview

You’ll investigate the causes of criminal behaviour as well as its consequences for victims and society as a whole. The interdisciplinary nature of the programme will give you sociological, historical, political and psychological perspectives for understanding and responding to crime and deviance. You’ll explore theoretical, empirical and methodological issues associated with sociology and other fields of social research, and develop skill in critical analysis. Our broad range of optional modules in your second and third years gives you the flexibility to tailor your degree to your interests and develop specialist knowledge on a range of topics. Get ready for your future career by developing a range of transferable skills relevant to a wide range of careers from social research to media and culture and development work.

Entry requirements

• Typical offer: A levels: AAB, IB: 34/665, BTEC: DDD
• Contextual offers: A-Level: BBB, IB: 30/555, BTEC: DDM
• Required subjects: None
• GCSE: C or 4 in English Language
• Access to HE: 30 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 15 L3 credits at Merit Grade
• T-Level: Distinction

Course content

Year 1

• Compulsory modules:
  • SOC1000: Contemporary Society: Themes, Perspectives and Case Studies (30 credits)
  • SPA1000: Imagining Social Worlds (30 credits)
  • CRI1003: Social Issues: Part I - Introducing Crime and Deviance (15 credits)
  • CRI1004: Social Issues: Part II - Themes in Criminology (15 credits)
  • SOC1001: Social Analysis (30 credits)
  • SOC1053: Imagining Social Worlds: Social Research Methods (15 credits)
• Optional modules:
  • 30 credits from level 1 SOC options
  • SSI1005: Introduction to Social Data (15 credits)
  • SSI1006: Data Analysis in Social Science 1 (15 credits)
  • SOC1028: Media and Society (15 credits)
  • SOC1053: Imagining Social Worlds: Social Research Methods (15 credits)

Year 2

• Compulsory modules:
  • SPA2000: Knowing the Social World (30 credits)
  • SOC2005: Theoretical Sociology (30 credits)
  • CRI2004: International Criminal Justice: Application of Theory to Transnational and International Crime (15 credits)
• Optional modules:
  • 45 credits from a wide range of Sociology and Criminology options
  • ARC2514: Forensic Anthropology (15 credits)
  • BIO2068: Forensic Science (30 credits)
  • POL2057: Security Studies (15 credits)
  • SOC2024: Power and Domination (15 credits)
  • SPA2018: Addiction (30 credits)
  • CRI2018: Crime Prevention and Control within Contemporary Society (15 credits)
  • CRI2014: Crime Science (15 credits)
  • CRI2012: Deprivation of liberty: Imprisonment and beyond (15 credits)
  • CRI2010: Forensic Science, Conflict and Justice (15 credits)
  • CRI2007: Imprisonment: Key Criminological and Sociological Themes (15 credits)
  • CRI2001: Organised Crime and Criminal Networks (15 credits)
  • CRI2008: Police and Policing (15 credits)
  • CRI2006: Race, Ethnicity and Criminalisation (15 credits)
  • CRI2009: Victimology (15 credits)
  • SPA2015: When Things Fall Apart: Social Infrastructures (15 credits)
  • SPA2029: Data Justice and Surveillance Capitalism (15 credits)

Year 3

• Compulsory modules:
  • SOC3040: Dissertation (30 credits)
• Optional modules:
  • 45 credits Level 3 Sociology options
  • 45 credits approved Level 3 Criminology options
  • ARC3510: Experimental Approaches to Forensic and Archaeological Investigations (15 credits)
  • PSY3411: Psychology and Law (15 credits)
  • CRI3006: Race, Ethnicity and Criminalisation (15 credits)
  • CRI3007: Imprisonment: Key Criminological and Sociological Themes (15 credits)
  • CRI3008: Police and Policing (15 credits)
  • CRI3009: Victimology (15 credits)
  • CRI3010: Forensic Science, Conflict and Justice (15 credits)
  • CRI3012: Deprivation of liberty: Imprisonment and beyond (15 credits)
  • CRI3014: Crime Science (15 credits)
  • CRI3015: Introduction to Terrorism Studies (30 credits)
  • CRI3018: Crime Prevention and Control within Contemporary Society (15 credits)
  • SOC3147: Power and Domination (15 credits)
  • SPA3015: When Things Fall Apart: Social Infrastructures (15 credits)
  • SPA3018: Addiction (30 credits)
  • SPA3025: Data Visualisation (15 credits)

Course variants

BA Sociology and Criminology with Study Abroad

• UCAS code: LMH9
• Duration: 4 years
• Entry year: 2026
• Campus: Streatham Campus
• Discipline: Sociology
• Contact: Web: Enquire online, Phone: +44 (0)

BA Sociology and Criminology with Employment Experience

• UCAS code: LM40
• Duration: 4 years
• Entry year: 2026
• Campus: Streatham Campus
• Discipline: Sociology
• Contact: Web: Enquire online, Phone: +44 (0)

Fees

• Tuition fees for 2025 entry:
  • UK students: £9,535 per year
  • International students: £24,700 per year

Scholarships

• The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships.

Learning and teaching

• We use a wide range of teaching and learning methods and also ensure that you have regular tutorials with your tutor, together with a small group of students to discuss oral and written assignments.
• Teaching includes:
  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Group work
  • Practical exercises
  • Small group tutorials
  • Independent study

Assessment

• Exams
• Essays
• Projects
• Field work notebooks
• Dissertation in your final year

Your future

• As a Sociology graduate you will be well prepared for a number of careers including teaching, the media, business, social research, work in the public and charity sectors, and the legal profession.
• Throughout your studies you will develop a range of professional, academic and personal skills including:
  • Analytical, critical and independent thinking
  • Independent research
  • Problem solving
  • Discussion and group work
  • Collecting, assessing and presenting evidence
  • Written and verbal communication
  • Articulating ideas and constructing arguments
  • Organising, planning and time management

Career paths

• The wealth of transferable skills gained on a Sociology degree enables graduate to pursue further study or employment in a wide range of careers including:
  • Actuaries, economists and statisticians
  • Archivists and curators
  • Information technology professionals
  • Insurance underwriters
  • Legal associate professionals
  • Management consultants and business analysts
  • Police officers
  • Prison service officers
  • Teaching professionals
  • Youth and community workers

Exeter Award and Exeter Leaders Award

• Many of our students participate in the Exeter Award and Exeter Leaders Award.
• These schemes encourage you to participate in employability related workshops, skills events, volunteering and employment which will contribute to your career decision-making skills and success in the employment market.

Developing your skills and career prospects

• We provide a range of support to help you develop skills attractive to employers.
• You will be able to access a range of specific activities such as careers skills sessions and employer-led events, or seek bespoke advice and support from Employability Officers.
• The Career Zone also organises a busy schedule of activities including careers fairs, skills workshops, and training events, and can advise on graduate opportunities and volunteering.