Program Overview

Overview of the Crime and Criminal Justice BSc(Hons) Course

The Crime and Criminal Justice BSc(Hons) course is designed to prepare students for a fascinating and rewarding career in the criminal justice sector. This course covers key areas of knowledge needed to support students in applying for work within the statutory prison and probation sectors, as well as allied organisations.

Why Study Crime and Criminal Justice BSc(Hons)

This course is designed to develop students' skills and understanding of how the Criminal Justice System works and its effectiveness in managing offenders and supporting victims. Students will have the opportunity to explore important topical problems within the system, such as prison overcrowding, trends in sentencing rates, ethics, and impacts of different punishments and sentencing decisions. They will be able to focus on how we work with different offenders, offences, and victims, such as mentally disordered offenders, high-risk and violent offenders, or in respect to sexual offences.

Throughout the course, students will be supported to develop key employability skills and graduate attributes necessary to work in the criminal justice system. They will gain core professional skills in group work, analysis and assessment of data, critical thinking, report writing, and presentation of recommendations, verbal and written presentation, and digital skills. These culminate in a supported independent piece of research in an area that students are passionate about and which demonstrates their project management and researching skills.

Entry Requirements

To find out if students are eligible to start this course in September 2025, they should see the Clearing pages. If they are interested in studying this course in September 2026, they should view the course information.

Course Detail

The course is structured over three years, with the following modules:

• Year 1:
  • Myths and Realities of Crime
  • Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice
  • Exploring the Social Sciences
  • Human Rights in a Global World
  • Working with Offenders and Victims
  • Exploring Work and Careers
  • Doing Social Research
• Year 2:
  • Criminological Explanations
  • Option modules (choose two from a list which may include):
    • Violent Crime
    • Organised and International Crime
    • Reducing Crime
    • Experiencing Punishment and the Penal System
    • Offenders and Mental Disorder
• Year 3:
  • Final Year Project for the Social Sciences
  • Race; Ethnicity and Difference
  • Think Family and Strength-Based Approaches

Placements

This course includes compulsory work experience in the second year. Students will be expected to undertake at least 30 hours of work experience relevant to their course during that year. The module is designed to enhance their academic and personal development through work experience that shapes their key skills and increases their confidence for future employability.

Facilities

The University of Huddersfield has a range of facilities to support student learning, including a Mock Court Room and access to Virtual Reality technology for crime prevention activities.

Fees and Finance

The maximum fees for UK-based students on undergraduate courses in 2025/26 will be £9,535 per year for full-time students (subject to parliamentary approval). Tuition fees will cover the cost of study at the University, as well as charges for registration, tuition, supervision, and examinations.

Career Support

The University of Huddersfield offers professional help, support, and guidance to students, including industry-supported workshops, careers fairs, and one-to-one guidance sessions. The Careers and Employability Service can help students focus on life after graduation to ensure that their hard work pays off and they achieve their ambition.

Inspiring Graduate

Previous Huddersfield Criminology graduates have gone on to work in a wide range of areas, including organisations such as West Yorkshire Police, His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service, UK Home Office, and Lotus Sanctuary CIC, or have gone on to undertake further study.

Further Study

Progression to a postgraduate course is dependent on successful completion of undergraduate studies, and there may be minimum qualification requirements such as a first-class or higher second (2.1) degree. The University of Huddersfield offers a range of postgraduate courses.

Research Excellence

The University of Huddersfield is in the top 50 UK universities for Research Power, with three-quarters of all research being world-leading and internationally excellent. The University's researchers carry out work that makes a real difference to people's lives.

Student Support

The University of Huddersfield offers support networks and services to help students get ahead in their studies and social life, including a range of support services and resources to help students navigate their personal student journey.