BA (Honours) Criminology
UCAS code
M931Attendance
Full-time
Three years full-timeAt a glance
Study the causes and effects of crime and pursue a career in the criminal justice sector. You specialise in areas of criminology such as crime prevention and policing. Work-based learning and overseas exchange opportunities offer you ways to build your CV and gain the edge in the job market.
Key points
Gain an in depth understanding of criminology and then specialise.
Learn from lecturers who are active practitioners in the criminal justice sector.
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?
Criminology explores crime, criminality and criminal justice institutions and processes.
About this course
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 the expertise of lecturers who are active in the Hallam Centre for Community Justice and have a wealth of academic and practical experience. We also have strong links with local, regional and national agencies in the criminal justice sector. For example, the criminology team train all the probation officers across the Yorkshire and Humberside region on behalf of the Ministry of Justice. This means they can offer you practical up-to-date perspectives on your studies.
To maximise your career prospects in the area, you have a range of industry opportunities during the course such as work-based learning with organisations including South Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Probation Trust and SOVA. There are also career management sessions, and the opportunity to gain an international outlook with overseas study exchange options.
International academic exchanges take place in the second semester of your second year. Previous exchanges have taken place with universities in Australia, Canada and the United States.
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, including information gathering and analysis problem solving presentation skills organisational and time management skills critical thinking and analysis equality and diversity awareness.
Key areas of study
Gain a foundation in key areas of criminology and criminal justice in your first year then specialise with optional modules such as crime prevention gender hate and bias crime high risk and serious offenders media policing and prisons 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.
Roles include Police Community Support Officer Support Worker (Employment of Offenders) Support Worker (Victims of Sexual Abuse) Humanitarian Aid Worker Security Services.
Course content
Year one modules
deviance, order and protest social thinking and reflection researching society forms of crime criminological foundations criminal justice
Year two core modules
critical thinking and career management researching criminology international crime and justice exploring diversity in criminology criminological theory in a contemporary world crime and punishment
Year two options
There are a range of optional modules for you to choose from based around debates in criminal justice types of crime (such as cyber crime, violent crime, drug-related crime) crime from different viewpoints (such as youth, gender, race).
Year three core module
dissertation
Year three options
There are a range of optional modules for you to choose from based around critiquing criminal justice policy appreciating justice (such as human rights) the impact of crime types of crime criminal justice agencies (such as prisons, the police).
Assessment
examinations coursework case studies presentations 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 consider 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 will need an IELTS average score of 6.5 with at least 6.5 in reading and writing with 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 consider 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