BA (Honours) Criminology and Sociology

UCAS code

ML93

Attendance

Full-time

Three years full-time

At a glance

Study the issues of crime and how it impacts on society. Gain a foundation in both criminology and sociology then develop your knowledge in specialist areas such as crime prevention and policing. Other opportunities such as work-based learning and overseas exchange options offer you ways to build your CV before you graduate giving you the edge when you enter the job market.

Key points
• Gain an in depth understanding of criminology as it relates to sociological studies.
• Benefit from the research and expertise from two key subject centres.
• Maximise your career prospects with work-based learning and overseas exchanges.
• Learn important general skills to give you the option to work in many different areas.

What is criminology and sociology?
Criminology is the study of the many causes and effects of crime.
Sociology is the scientific study of the nature, structure and workings of human society.

About this course

Study crime and its relationship to society on this joint degree. You learn the many types, causes and consequences of crime and the criminal justice institutions and the processes that seek to reduce offending, alongside studies of human society, social groups and social structures.
Your studies can help you find a career in areas like criminal and community justice, education, personnel work, the civil service, or other options in the community or public sector.

You benefit from teaching staff who are active in two research centres – Hallam Centre for Community Justice and our Centre for Education and Inclusion Research. Thanks to this involvement with research we can offer course content that is up to date and teaching perspectives that are of a very high standard.

To maximise your career prospects in the area, you can take advantage of a range of opportunities during the course, such as • work-based learning • career management sessions • the opportunity to gain an international outlook with overseas study exchange options.

In the second and third year all students can take a credited placement module or a simulation module, where you are taught by practitioners. In previous years, placement students have worked with organisations such as South Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Probation Trust and SOVA.
International academic exchanges take place in the second semester of your second year.

As well as being prepared for a career in criminology, criminal and community justice areas, you also gain skills that make you attractive to all employers. These skills include • information gathering and analysis • problem solving • presentation skills • organisational and time management skills • critical thinking and analysis • report writing • the ability to construct an argument based on sound evidence • equality and diversity awareness.

Key areas of study
In your first year you study to gain a foundation in key areas from both subject areas including • crime • society • social behaviour • offending behaviour • criminal justice.

You then use this core understanding to develop your specialist criminological knowledge with a range of optional modules such as • crime prevention • gender • hate and bias crime • health • high risk and serious offenders • media • policing and prisons • religion • sexual and violent crime • drugs and crime.

Associated careers

You can find careers in areas such as • the police service • the probation service • the prison service • youth work • victim support work • citizen advice work • community liaison work.

Examples of roles students have gone on to include • charity fundraiser • residential social worker • support worker (learning difficulties) • project worker (Housing Association) • police community support officer.

Course content

Year one modules

• the sociological imagination • shaping societies • social thinking and reflection • researching society • criminological foundations • criminal justice

Year two modules

• changing societies • diversity and equality • criminological theory in a contemporary world • crime and punishment • researching criminology • critical thinking and career management • modernity and its futures • identity and representation

Year two options

There is a range of modules for you to choose from based around • debates within criminal justice • types of crime (such as cyber crime, violent crime, drug related crime) • crime from different viewpoints (youth, gender, race) • education • families • health • religion • the media.

Year three core modules

• dissertation

Year three options

There is a range of modules for you to choose from based around • critiquing criminal justice policy • appreciating justice (human rights for example) • the impact of crime • types of crime • criminal justice agencies (such as the police or prisons) • cultural debates • global issues • notions of power.

Assessment

• essays • projects • research reports • work portfolios • dissertation in year three

Entry requirements

2014 entry requirements

GCSE mathematics and English language at grade C or above. We do not accept GCSE equivalents. Plus one of the following

• 280 points from at least two GCE/VCE A levels or BTEC National qualifications. We accept up to two AS levels and we accept general studies. We do not accept Key Skills.

• Access – at least 45 credits at level 3 from a relevant Open College Network accredited course

If English is not your first language you need an IELTS average score of 6.5 with at least 6.5 in reading and writing and a minimum score of 5.5 in all other skills

We consider other qualifications from the UCAS tariff. Applicants with alternative qualifications or a combination of qualifications and work experience are also considered. We welcome applications from people of any age. Please contact us for further advice.

Meeting the qualifications on the entry criteria does not guarantee you a place. You should ensure that you submit a personal statement and reference as these are considered as part of the selection process. Guidelines on personal statements and references can be found on the UCAS website.

2013 entry requirements

GCSE mathematics and English language at grade C or above. We do not accept GCSE equivalents. Plus one of the following

• 280 points from at least two GCE/VCE A levels or BTEC National qualifications. We accept up to two AS levels and we accept general studies. We do not accept Key Skills.

Fees

International students

2013/14 academic year

Typically £10,680 a year

2014/15 academic year

Typically £11,250 a year

How to apply

You apply for this course through UCAS.

Contact details

For more information or to check the progress of your application phone +44 (0)114 225 5555, fax +44 (0)114 225 2167, e-mail admissions@shu.ac.uk