Program Overview

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BASS Sociology and Criminology

Overview

The BA in Sociology and Criminology is one of the pathways within the BA Social Sciences degree.

It is ideal if you want to keep your options open or study specific topics such as race, class, crime or religion from different perspectives.

This flexible degree lets you study at least three subjects in Year 1, and then in Years 2 and 3 you deepen your understanding of the subjects you feel passionate about.

Key Features

• Study abroad
• Industrial experience

Duration and Year of Entry

• Duration: 3 or 4 years
• Year of entry: 2026

UCAS Course Code and Institution Code

• UCAS course code: LM39
• Institution code: M20

Entry Requirements

A-level

• ABB, including at least one of the following A-Level subjects (preference will be given to applicants studying two of these subjects):
  • Accounting; Economics; Finance; Business Studies; Development Studies; Government and Politics; Economic and Social History; Mathematics; Anthropology; Sociology; Philosophy; Religious Studies; English Language; English Literature; Geography; Psychology; Classical Civilisation; History; Archaeology; Communication Studies; Environmental Studies; World Development; Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Modern Languages.

A-level Contextual Offer

• BBC, including at least one of the following A-Level subjects (preference will be given to applicants studying two of these subjects):
  • Accounting; Economics; Finance; Business Studies; Development Studies; Government and Politics; Economic and Social History; Mathematics; Anthropology; Sociology; Philosophy; Religious Studies; English Language; English Literature; Geography; Psychology; Classical Civilisation; History; Archaeology; Communication Studies; Environmental Studies; World Development; Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Modern Languages.

UK Refugee/Care-Experienced Offer

• BBC, including at least one of the following A-Level subjects (preference will be given to applicants studying two of these subjects):
  • Accounting; Economics; Finance; Business Studies; Development Studies; Government and Politics; Economic and Social History; Mathematics; Anthropology; Sociology; Philosophy; Religious Studies; English Language; English Literature; Geography; Psychology; Classical Civilisation; History; Archaeology; Communication Studies; Environmental Studies; World Development; Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Modern Languages.

International Baccalaureate

• 34 points overall. 6,5,5 in Higher Level subjects

GCSE/IGCSE

• Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade 4 or C in GCSE/IGCSE English Language and Mathematics.

Other Entry Requirements

• Other entry requirements exist for this course. You may view these by selecting from the list below.
  • Scottish requirements
  • Welsh Baccalaureate
  • Foundation year
  • Pearson BTEC qualifications
  • OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications
  • Access to HE Diploma
  • T Level
  • Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

Fees and Funding

Fees

• Fees for entry in 2026 have not yet been set. For entry in 2025 the tuition fees were £9,535 per annum for home students, and are expected to increase slightly for 2026 entry.

Scholarships/Sponsorships

• Scholarships and bursaries, including the Manchester Bursary, are available to eligible home/EU students.

Application and Selection

How to Apply

• Apply through UCAS.

Advice to Applicants

• Applicants submitting mitigating circumstances: If you are submitting information about mitigating circumstances that have affected, or are likely to affect, your academic performance, you should include this in the referee's report.

Home-Schooled Applicants

• If you are a student who has followed a non-standard educational route, e.g. you have been educated at home; your application will be considered against the standard entry criteria of the course for which you are applying.

Non-Standard Educational Routes

• Mature students are some of our most well-equipped learners, bringing skills and attributes gained from work, family and other life experiences.

Course Details

Course Description

• The BA in Sociology and Criminology is one of the pathways within the BA Social Sciences degree.

Special Features

• Professional Experience Year Opportunity
• Paid placement opportunity
• Study abroad

Teaching and Learning

• Course units feature formal lectures supported by smaller tutorials or seminars, where you explore the contents of lectures and recommended reading in greater depth.

Coursework and Assessment

• The way that you study and are assessed will depend on which course units you choose. Our methods are designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding, including:
  • essays, coursework, and other mid-term evaluations;
  • dissertations;
  • presentations;
  • group projects;
  • exams.

Course Content for Year 1

• Year 1 gives you a broad introduction to the Social Sciences, enabling you to make an informed choice of areas to specialise in for your second and third years.

Course Content for Year 2

• In Year 2 you begin to specialise. If you specialise in one subject you take 60 to 80 credits in it. If you specialise in two subjects you take 40 credits in each.

Course Content for Year 3

• In Year 3 you pick your final areas of specialisation. If you specialise in one subject you take 60 to 80 credits in it. If you specialise in two subjects you take 40 credits in each.

Careers

Career Opportunities

• The University of Manchester has an excellent reputation for employability. For the past 5 years, we have been in the UK's Top Two most targeted universities by the UK's top 100 employers (High Fliers Graduate Market Report, 2020 - 2024).

Recent Graduates

• Recent graduates have gone on to work at:
  • the British Council;
  • the NHS;
  • the Ministry of Justice;
  • Foreign and Commonwealth Office;
  • Royal Bank of Scotland;
  • Palgrave MacMillan;
  • Manchester City Council;
  • TeachFirst.