Program Overview

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BA(Hons) Criminology (with Foundation Year)

The BA(Hons) Criminology (with Foundation Year) is a four-year full-time course that explores crime from multiple angles, providing students with specialist knowledge and skills to understand why crime happens, what people feel about it, and how it impacts individuals and society.

About

This course teaches students about crime and the criminal justice system, drawing on sociology, law, psychology, and philosophy. Students will apply theories, knowledge, and research to real, contemporary issues, working with inspirational practitioners and researchers to explore different perspectives of victims, offenders, the criminal justice system, and cultural forces at play.

Why Study Criminology?

Studying criminology will give students the knowledge and skills to play a part in understanding and addressing crime, whether they choose to move into the criminal justice system itself or a related field. This course provides the ideal platform for many careers, including government, police and prison services, court services, NHS, educational institutions, or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working with young offenders or victims of crime.

Why Study at UWE Bristol?

UWE Bristol offers a unique learning experience, with students working with experienced and enthusiastic academics who are leaders in their fields. The course incorporates research into teaching, providing students with access to the latest ideas and developments in the field. Students will learn how to think critically, write reports, interpret data, formulate arguments, and make ethical judgments.

Entry

To apply for this course, students will need to meet the following requirements:

• GCSE: Grade C/4 or above in English, or equivalent
• Tariff points: 48
• Contextual tariff: See the university's contextual offers page
• English Language Requirement: International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent)
• A-level subjects: No specific subjects required
• EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: No specific subjects required
• Access: No specific subjects required
• Baccalaureate IB: No specific subjects required
• Irish Highers: No specific subjects required
• Welsh Baccalaureate: We accept tariff points achieved from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in conjunction with other Level 3 qualifications
• Cambridge Technical: No specific subjects required
• T Levels: No specific subjects required

Structure

The course is structured as follows:

Year Zero (Foundation Year)

• Essentials of Academic Practice
• Exploring the Social World and the Problems of Crime
• From Plato to Nato
• Psychology, Policing and Society

Year One

• Introduction to Criminological Theory
• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• Understanding Crime
• Critical Thinking (Sociology and Criminology)
• Social Issues and Social Problems
• Researching Crime and Society

Year Two

• Contemporary Perspectives in Criminology
• Criminology in Action: Engaging in the Real World
• Policing and Crime Prevention
• Nature and Use of Research (Criminology)
• Optional modules (depending on credit requirements)

Placement Year (if applicable)

If students study on the four-year (sandwich) course, they will spend a year away from the University on a work or study placement after Year Two.

Final Year

• Transnational Crime and Comparative Criminology
• Criminology Project
• Optional modules (depending on credit requirements)

Fees

The fees for this course are as follows:

Full-time; Sandwich course

• Home Annual Fee Foundation Year: Ł5,760
• Home Module Fee (15 Credit) Foundation Year: Ł720
• Home Annual (Per Year) Fee: Ł9,535
• Home Full Annual Fee Following Placement Year: Ł9,535
• Home Module Fee (15 Credit): Ł1,192
• Home Placement Year Fee: Ł1,192
• Home Reduced Annual Fee Following Placement Year: Ł8,343
• International Annual (Per Year) Fee: Ł17,000
• International Full Annual Fee Following Placement Year: Ł17,000
• International Module Fee (15 Credit): Ł2,125
• International Placement Year Fee: Ł2,125
• International Reduced Annual Fee Following Placement Year: Ł14,875

Part-time course

• Home Module Fee (15 Credit) Foundation Year: Ł720
• Home Module Fee (15 Credit): Ł1,192

Indicative Additional Costs

• Additional Course Costs Indicative Maximum Cost Per year: Ł300

Features

This course offers the following features:

Placements

Students who undertake work experience tend to graduate with better degrees and improved employability skills. The university has links with various organizations, including Avon and Somerset Police, Bristol City Council, and Victim Support.

Study Facilities

Students will learn in modern, well-equipped facilities, including the university library, which is open 24 hours a day.

Careers

This course provides the ideal platform for many careers, including:

• Research
• Education
• Social work
• Counselling
• Charity work
• Healthcare
• Prison and court services
• Police and legal sector

Students will also have the opportunity to pursue postgraduate study or a research degree. The university's award-winning careers service will support students in developing their employment potential through career coaching and finding graduate jobs, placements, and global opportunities.