Everything you need to know...
International/EU: £15,860 per year (£1,200 for placement year)
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Course summary
- Study in a department that has received the British Society of Criminology award for teaching excellence.
- Improve your employability by working on real-life work placements and case studies
- Build your knowledge of the criminal justice system, including human rights and social justice values.
- Gain personal and transferable skills for enhancing employability and graduate attributes, through embedded academic, personal and professional development.
On this course students will be given a grounded understanding of the theoretical, conceptual and practical application of criminology in the real world. You'll receive an active and student-centered approach to learning, enabling you to tailor your studies to reflect specialist interests. There will be opportunities to undertake work experiences, placements and scholarly research, fully preparing you for a rewarding career in the criminal justice or social justice sector.
Student View
How you learn
Your lecturers view
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.
On this course you will gain the knowledge, skills and attributes required for a professional career in the criminal justice or social justice sector. You will learn from our Criminology staff group who have a breadth and depth of knowledge and skills. Many have come from professional practice (including prisons, probation and police), and others are from academic and research backgrounds, numerous of whom are actively involved in current criminological research.
You learn on this course through:
- lectures
- class-based discussion and debate
- group tasks
- projects
- tasks utilising digital platforms
- simulation activities
- case study analysis
- online learning resources
On this course, you will focus on key foundational areas such as the criminal justice system, human rights and values, and social science research methods, building up to a specialised knowledge of the causes and consequence of crime and deviance within a social, political and international context. Core modules cover the foundational principles of crime, punishment, and the criminal justice system, encouraging critical thinking and a development of your specialised areas of interest.
You will be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate level employment through a number of key areas. These include:
- access to our unique student support triangle, which includes a dedicated academic advisor, a student support advisor and an employability advisor
- access to our Skills Centre with one to ones, webinars and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments
- employability activities where you can get real-world experience such as placement modules, simulation modules, and project management modules. There are also opportunities to study abroad at one of our partner universities with the possibility of funding through the Erasmus+ programme (until 2023) or the Turing Scheme.
Course leaders and tutors
Applied learning
Work Placements
To maximise your career prospects in this area, employability and placement opportunities are embedded across all years of the degree course. These include student placement modules and activities with criminal justice/third sector agencies, project work with external agencies, simulation modules, and voluntary work through our employability fair. You will also have access to degree-specific careers advice and support.
You’ll have the opportunity to arrange a year-long work placement in between your second and third years. This gives you valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career and allows you to graduate with an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV.
International opportunities
You will have the opportunity to study abroad for the second semester of your second year. You will choose modules that you wish to study, and get the chance to learn about different cultures and learning styles, as well as travel to new places and meet new people.
Networking opportunities
This course benefits from its links with the Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice, which ensures that teaching focuses directly and indirectly on ethical and social justice issues related to the social exclusion/inclusion of a range of vulnerable groups, and on promoting social access to all available community resources.
Our teaching is developed to supply a 'real world' curriculum and is designed to embed key transferrable skills that will help students with their search for future graduate employment or further study opportunities. In order to deliver this we work in partnership with employers and other key stakeholders to impact on important issues in the local area which enhances opportunities for student success by offering them the opportunity to work with prospective employers whilst applying their knowledge to the local community in order to positively impact a range of agencies and individuals. This can include opportunities aimed at young people, prison-related organisations, community justice organisations, substance misuse services, women's services, accommodation service, victim services, etc.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in
- the police service
- the probation service
- the prison service
- youth work
- victim support work
- citizens advice work
- community liaison work
- drug and alcohol services
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for
- The police (roles include police officer, hate crime coordinator, investigations officer)
- The Magistrates Court
- The Ministry of Justice
- Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service
- Sheffield Hallam University
Where will I study?
You study at Collegiate Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
Collegiate campus
Collegiate Campus can be found just off Ecclesall Road, a bustling student district.
Collegiate Campus map | Campus facilities | Keeping safe on Campus
Collegiate library
Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
Most of our teaching is conducted in dedicated lecture studios, small teaching rooms and computer labs situated across Collegiate Campus. We will also utilise innovative digital teaching and learning platforms and apps. You will have access to specialist software as required for your studies, such as data analysis packages, and data collection tools.
We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 112
This must include at least two A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. For example:
- BBC at A Level.
- DMM in BTEC Extended Diploma.
- A combination of qualifications, which may include up to two AS Levels, EPQ and general studies.
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
GCSE
- English Language or or English Literature at grade C or 4
- Mathematics at grade C or 4
• Access - at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2 from a relevant Open College Network accredited course
• Grade B from CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma.
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.5 in both reading and writing and 5.5 in all other skills, or equivalent
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.
Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 or over at the point of enrolment.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Applying Criminology | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Criminal Justice | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Criminological Landscapes | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Graduate Research And Development 1 | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Practical |
| Module: Graduate Research And Development 2 | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Human Rights And Crime | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 2
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Controversies Of Punishment | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Deconstructing Research | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Victims Offenders And Vulnerabilities | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Exam |
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Cybercrime And Society | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Education: Theory, Policy And Practice | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Exclusion Rights And Justice | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Experiencing Criminal Justice | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Life Beyond Crime, Substance Use And Offending | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Real World Cutting Edge Research Methods | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Real World Enterprise And Entrepreneurship | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Real World Professional Practice | Credits: 60 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Real World Project Management | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Practical |
| Module: Real World Social Justice And Activism | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Studies Abroad In Criminology | Credits: 60 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 3
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Placement Year | Credits: - |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Final year
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Dissertation | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework Practical |
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: 21St Century Crime: Threats, Responses And Human Rights | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Comparative Criminal Justice | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Crime And Justice In The Information Age | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Crime And The Media | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Criminal Justice Compared | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Criminal Justice Realities | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Drug Use In Context | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Practical |
| Module: Education, Power And Control | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Experiences Of Health, Illness And Disability | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Experiencing Custodial And Community Sentences | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Making Desistance And Recovery A Reality | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Policing And Crime Reduction | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Politics Of The City | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Power, Sex And The Body | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Sex Violence And Extremism | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Simulating Justice Practice | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. These fees are regulated by the UK government and are therefore subject to changes in government policy. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2023/24 is £15,860 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Criminology courses (PDF, 216.3KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
