Criminology

On our course you explore the nature of crime, criminal justice and punishment within wider social contexts. Our BA Criminology (including Foundation Year) could be suitable for you if your academic qualifications do not yet meet our entry requirements for a three-year version of our social sciences courses and you want a programme that improves your skills to support your academic performance. BA Criminology is a three-year degree, or four years with an optional placement or study abroad year.

You’ll explore the nature of crime, criminal justice, and punishment within wider social contexts, examining some of the most pressing issues, decisions, and dilemmas facing societies today. Through contemporary criminological theory, research, and applied analysis, you’ll develop the knowledge and skills to understand crime and its impact on individuals, communities, and institutions. How do we understand crime?

Should crime be punished? These are some of the fundamental questions you’ll investigate throughout your degree. Criminology explores crime and justice within broader social, political, and cultural contexts, helping you understand how societies respond to offending, harm, and social control.