Everything you need to know...
International/EU: £16,385 for the course
Course summary
- Approach criminology from an academic and professional perspective.
- Engage with the criminal justice profession at home and abroad.
- Choose between a traditional dissertation or work related project in your third semester — preparing for employment or doctoral study.
- Study in the prestigious Helena Kennedy Centre of International Justice.
- Draw on contemporary and future developments in criminal justice.
On this rewarding, varied course, you’ll develop advanced knowledge and understanding of criminology. You’ll study in the internationally-recognised Helena Kennedy centre, and gain useful contacts through study opportunities in the UK and internationally. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared for a range of exciting positions, and possess excellent transferable skills.

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How you learn
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.
The course provides a supportive learning environment, which balances subject knowledge, intellectual skills and employability training.
You’ll apply your skills through real-world experiences and active engagement with academics, volunteers and criminal justice practitioners. You’ll also have the opportunity to challenge, be challenged and collaborate in an academically stimulating environment.
You’ll tackle subjects including criminal justice leadership and reform, research methods and global threats. You'll gain a high-level knowledge and understanding of criminology, and a range of personal skills.
You learn through
- lectures
- workshops on campus
- online support through the University's virtual learning environment
- teaching input from industry experts
- virtual lectures
- peer support
- reflection
- guided reading
- student presentations
- individual student reflection on learning
Course leaders and tutors

Paula Hamilton
Senior Lecturer in CriminologyAs senior lecturer I am responsible for the development and delivery of range of Criminology undergraduate and postgraduate modules
Applied learning
Work placements
The course will offer a variety of work-related experiences, including case studies and collaborations with criminal justice partners both UK and abroad.
Live projects
We have a good relationship with local criminal justice stakeholders in Sheffield and the surrounding region, as well as nationally and internationally. These professional links enable us to provide you with opportunities to undertake a range of live research projects.
Networking opportunities
We have a good relationship with local criminal justice stakeholders who support learning and knowledge generation in the region, as well as nationally and internationally, through our professional networks. You’ll have the opportunity to network with professionals through seminars, internal and external speaker programmes and guest lectures.
Competitions
You will be offered the opportunity to engage with a range of award-based competitions such as The Hallam Award.
Future careers
The course prepares you for a career in
- the police service
- probation service
- victim support organisations
- prison service
- social work (*although a dedicated social work qualification is needed for social work registration)
- youth justice
- Various inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations
- Third Sector organisations with an interest in victim support, criminal justice and offender management and support roles
- further studies and academia
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 moreEntry requirements
All students
Typically a degree in a relevant subject from a UK university or international equivalent or at least three years relevant professional experience. Applicants with a degree of less than a 2:2 (or equivalent) classification may be required to attend interview as part of the application process and make a commitment to engaging with study skills support as necessary as advised by the module team.
If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS 6.5 score with a minimum of 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in all other skill areas or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.5 or equivalent we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
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.
Module | Credits | Assessment |
---|---|---|
Module: Criminal Justice Leadership And Reform | Credits: 30 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Module: Critical Inquiry In Criminology And Criminal Justice | Credits: 30 |
Assessment:
Practical |
Module: Dissertation | Credits: 60 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Module: Global Threats And Penal Policy | Credits: 30 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Module | Credits | Assessment |
---|---|---|
Module: Leadership, Innovation And Change Within Criminal Justice | Credits: 30 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Module: Social Research Methods | Credits: 30 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2023/24 is £9,910 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time.
† 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 £16,385 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time.

Postgraduate student loans
Up to £11,222 available for Home students on most masters courses.
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.