About This Course
This course provides you with the opportunity to study two main subject areas; Criminology and Criminal Justice. Criminology examines theories and evidence relating to crime, criminals and victims, while Criminal Justice studies explore the various responses to crime and victims, from informal to formal legislative measures of social control and crime prevention; and examine the way in which the criminal justice system works - from policing through to imprisonment and rehabilitation.
The degree is designed to provide students with the practical knowledge and understanding of how criminal justice system works as well as an opportunity to consider the social and cultural factors that influence people’s decision to engage in criminal activity. Within the degree students gain a broad knowledge base of crime and crime control but also have the opportunity to focus on several distinct and complex areas of human behaviour such as drug abuse, interpersonal violence and organised criminality.
Why choose °ÄÃÅ×î¿ì¿ª½±Ö±²¥ for this course?
- During the course you will be taught by staff who combine research careers with a real dedication for teaching which takes place in a friendly and informal environment.
- We have good links with criminal justice agencies (locally, nationally and internationally) and our courses are innovative and reflect the topicality of the subject area.
- A range of visiting speakers adds to the learning experience.
- The structure of the degree allows you to specialise as well as to cover a broad range of options and to rise to the intellectual challenges of the subject area. The first year is designed to build your confidence, whatever your background.
- The degree includes discussion of a diverse range of complex subject and areas within the study of crime and criminality. Including the study of youth offending, victimology and organised crime.
Additional Course Options
This course is available with a Placement YearÌýoption where you will study for 1 additional year. The Placement Year is undertaken at the end of the second year and students are away for the whole of the academic year.
The Placement Year provides you with a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons and develop valuable skills and contacts through working with a self-sourced organisation relevant to your degree subject. The minimum period in placement (at one or more locations) is seven calendar months; more usually you would spend 10-12 months with a placement provider.ÌýYou would normally start sometime in the period June to September of your second year and finish between June and September the following year.ÌýPlacements can be UK-based or overseas and you will work with staff to plan and finalise the placement arrangements.Ìý
You will be expected to find and arrange a suitable placement to complement your degree and will be fully supported throughout by a dedicated member of staff at your academic School and the University’s Careers and Employability Services.
You will have the opportunity to fully consider thisÌýoptionÌýwhen you have started your course at °ÄÃÅ×î¿ì¿ª½±Ö±²¥ and can make an application for a transfer onto thisÌýpathway at the appropriate time. Read more about the work experience opportunities that may be available to you or, if you have any questions, please get in touch. Ìý
This course is available with an International Experience YearÌýoption where you will study or work abroad for 1 additional year.Ìý You will have ‘with International Experience’ added to your degree title on graduating.
Studying abroad is a great opportunity to see a different way of life, learn about new cultures and broaden your horizons.ÌýWith international experience of this kind, you’ll really improve your career prospects. There are a wide variety of destinationsÌýand partner universities to choose from. If you plan to study in a country where English is not spoken natively, there may be language courses available for you at °ÄÃÅ×î¿ì¿ª½±Ö±²¥ and in your host university to improve your language skills.Ìý
You will have the opportunity to fully consider thisÌýoption at any time during your degree at °ÄÃÅ×î¿ì¿ª½±Ö±²¥ and make your application. If you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch.Ìý
Read more about the International Experience Year programme and see the studying or working abroad options on theÌýStudent Exchanges section of our website.
Course Content
Modules on this course utilise a combination of weekly hour-long lectures, seminars and workshop sessions. Criminology focuses on contentious and challenging topics so lively discussion and debate is encouraged as we consider various challenges of crime control and motivations for why people offend.
Students will be directed over the course of the degree to academic studies and reports on crime and crime control using our online learning platform ‘Blackboard’ and °ÄÃÅ×î¿ì¿ª½±Ö±²¥ Library which provides access to a range of resources.
Throughout the degree we include sessions from guest speakers such as representatives from the criminal justice system and visiting academics, to provide students with a dynamic learning experience. We use a mixture of different assessment strategies during the degree from presentation tasks to essay and reports.
What will you study on this course?
In Year 1, students will take the compulsory modules an Introduction to Criminology* and an Introduction to Criminal Justice*. Students will choose a further 80 credits (four modules) from a list of options that includes topics such as: the Principles of Politics, Introducing Human Geographies, Social Divisions*, an Introduction to Sociology*, Social Policy and Society, Britain – Blitz to Brexit, Modern History, and Living the Good Life.
In Year 2 and Year 3, students will take compulsory modules in the following: Crime & Justice in Modern Britain*; Criminological Theory*; Social & Political Research*; Power, Crime and Punishment; Perspectives on Youth Crime.
Across Years 2 and 3, students will also be able to choose further criminology and criminal justice modules from a list of options that may include:ÌýSerial Killers;ÌýOrganised Crime and Counter-terrorism;ÌýCrime and the Media;ÌýDigital Policing and E-Crime. Further optional modules will also be available in a range of closely related subjects, such as:Ìý Forensic Psychology, Criminal Law,ÌýGender Perspectives,ÌýÌýGlobalisation & Social Change,ÌýÌýHousing Policy,ÌýRace Democracy & Political Ideology,ÌýSocial Issues, Addysg yn y Gymru Gyfoes**, Classical Social Theory, Contemporary Social & Political Debates,ÌýÌýPoverty and Inequality,ÌýÌýPwer, Cyfalaf a Chymdeithas**.Ìý
The Year 3 Dissertation also offers students the opportunity to complete an independent research project in a topic of their choosing, under the supervision of an experienced staff member. There is also the opportunity to take a Work Placement module in either Year 2 or 3.
*Welsh-medium equivalent of this module also available.Ìý**Welsh-medium module.
Please note course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.
Facilities
General University Facilities
Library and Archive Services
Our four libraries provide a range of attractive study environments including collaborative work areas, meeting rooms and silent study spaces.
We have an extensive collection of books and journals and many of the journals are available online in full-text format.
We house one of the largest university-based archives not only in Wales, but also the UK. Allied to the Archives is the Special Collections of rare printed books.
Learning Resources
There is a range of learning resources available, supported by experienced staff, to help you in your studies.Ìý
The University’s IT Services provides computing, media and reprographics facilities and services including:
- Over 1,150 computers for students, with some PC rooms open 24 hours a day
- Blackboard, a commercial Virtual Learning Environment, that makes learning materials available on-line.Ìý
Course Costs
General University Costs
Home (UK) students
- The cost of a full-time undergraduate course is £9,000 per year (2021/22 entry and 2022/23 entry).
- The fee for all placement, international, and sandwich years is £1,350 (2021/22 and 2022/23).
- More information on fees and finance for Home (UK) students.
International (including EU) students
Additional Costs
There are also some common additional costs that are likely to arise for students on all courses, for example:
- If you choose to study abroad or take the International Experience Year as part of your course.
- If you attend your Graduation Ceremony, there will be a cost for gown hire (£25-£75) and cost for additional guest tickets (c.£12 each).
Course-specific additional costs
Depending on the course you are studying, there may be additional course-specific costs that you will be required to meet. These fall into three categories:
- Mandatory Costs: these are related to a particular core or compulsory module that you’ll be required to complete to achieve your qualification e.g. compulsory field trips, uniforms for students on placement, DBS Check.
- Necessarily Incurred Costs: these may not be experienced by all students, and will vary depending on the course e.g. professional body membership, travel to placements, specialist software, personal safety equipment.
- Optional Costs: these depend on your choice of modules or activity and they are shown to give you an indication of the optional costs that may arise to make sure your choice is as informed as possible. These can include graduation events for your course, optional field trips, Welcome Week trips.
Entry Requirements
Offers are tariff based, 104 - 128 tariff points from a Level 3 qualification* e.g.:
- A Levels: General Studies and Key Skills not normally accepted.
- BTEC National Extended Diploma: DMM - DDMÌý
- Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: DMM- DDM
- City & Guilds Advanced Technical Extended Diploma (1080): considered on a case-by-case basis
- NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma: accepted
- International Baccalaureate Diploma: accepted
- Access: pass required
- Welsh Baccalaureate:ÌýWe will accept this qualification in conjunction with other level 3 qualifications
- T Levels: T Levels in a relevant subject considered on a case-by-case basis
- Extended Project Qualification:ÌýPoints can include a relevant Extended Project (EPQ) but must include a minimum 2 full A-levels, or equivalent.
We are happy to accept combinations of the qualifications listed above, as well as alternative Level 3 qualifications such as City & Guilds, Access and Cambridge Technical Diplomas.Ìý
We also welcome applications from mature learners.
International Candidates: International Candidates: school leaving qualifications that are equivalent to A levels/Level 3 and/or college diplomas are accepted from countries worldwide (subject to minimum English Language requirements). More information can be found on ourÌýInternational pages.
*For a full list of accepted Level 3 qualifications, go toÌý.
Offers are tariff based, 104 - 128 tariff points from a Level 3 qualification* e.g.:
- A Levels: General Studies and Key Skills not normally accepted.
- BTEC National Extended Diploma: DMM - DDMÌý
- Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: DMM- DDM
- City & Guilds Advanced Technical Extended Diploma (1080): considered on a case-by-case basis
- NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma: accepted
- International Baccalaureate Diploma: accepted
- Access: pass required
- Welsh Baccalaureate:ÌýWe will accept this qualification in conjunction with other level 3 qualifications
- T Levels: T Levels in a relevant subject considered on a case-by-case basis
- Extended Project Qualification:ÌýPoints can include a relevant Extended Project (EPQ) but must include a minimum 2 full A-levels, or equivalent.
We are happy to accept combinations of the qualifications listed above, as well as alternative Level 3 qualifications such as City & Guilds, Access and Cambridge Technical Diplomas.Ìý
We also welcome applications from mature learners.
International Candidates: International Candidates: school leaving qualifications that are equivalent to A levels/Level 3 and/or college diplomas are accepted from countries worldwide (subject to minimum English Language requirements). More information can be found on ourÌýInternational pages.
*For a full list of accepted Level 3 qualifications, go toÌý.
General University Requirements
To study for a degree, you’ll be asked for a minimum of UCAS Tariff points. For a fuller explanation of the UCAS Tariff Points, please see .
We accept students with a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds and consider each application individually.
All students need to have good basic skills and the University also values IT and communication skills.
As part of the University’s policy, we consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same grounds as all other students.
We also consider applications from mature students who can demonstrate the motivation and commitment to study a university programme. Each year we enrol a significant number of mature students. For more information about studying as a mature student, see our Studying at °ÄÃÅ×î¿ì¿ª½±Ö±²¥ section of the website.
EU and International Students' Entry Requirements
For detailed guidance on the entry requirements for EU and International Students, including the minimum English Language entry requirement, please visit the Entry Requirements by Country pages. International applicants can also visit the International Education Centre section of our website for further details.
°ÄÃÅ×î¿ì¿ª½±Ö±²¥ offers International Incorporated Bachelor Degrees for International students whose High School qualification is not equivalent to the UK school leaving qualification. The first year (or Year 0) is studied at °ÄÃÅ×î¿ì¿ª½±Ö±²¥ International College, an embedded College on our University campus and delivered by Oxford International Education Group.
Careers
°ÄÃÅ×î¿ì¿ª½±Ö±²¥ Criminology and Criminal justice graduates have a range of career pathways they can explore. Within the criminal justice system there is work in a number of different areas to consider such as a police officer, prison or probation officer, working in immigration control and youth justice. Along with these routes there are several support roles within these organisations available for graduates to pursue. During the degree students will learn how to conduct social science research which provides them with several transferrable skills useful in a variety of careers. Being able to design and manage research projects as well as highly developed communication skills and skills in critical analysis mean this degree has a great deal of versatility. Graduates can also look for work in local and national government and within the private security sector where their knowledge of policing and criminal justice are useful. Students can also go on to study at postgraduate level on one of our many MA courses.
Opportunities at °ÄÃÅ×î¿ì¿ª½±Ö±²¥
The University’s Careers and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions.Ìý
The °ÄÃÅ×î¿ì¿ª½±Ö±²¥ Employability Award (BEA)
The BEA is a comprehensive online course that you can work through at your own pace, taking you through all the steps you need to take to explore, prepare and apply for your dream career.
Internships
°ÄÃÅ×î¿ì¿ª½±Ö±²¥ runs a paid internship scheme within the university’s academic and service departments.
Student Volunteering
Volunteering widens your experience and improves your employability. Find out more about volunteering on the .
Foundation Year
A ‘with Foundation Year’ option is available for this course. Apply for Sociology (with Foundation Year).Ìý
What is a Foundation Year course?
If you don’t have the required qualifications for the degree-level course or are looking to re-enter education after time away from study, then a Foundation Year Programme might be the right choice for you.
The Foundation Year is an excellent introduction to studying this subject at university and will provide you with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to go on to study this course at degree-level.
When you have successfully completed the Foundation Year, you can progress on to the first year of this degree-level course.