What will you study on the BA Criminology?

This degree provides an in depth exploration of crime, criminals, victims and interaction with the Criminal Justice System. It is aimed at those who have an interest in how society responds to deviant behaviour and challenges the concept of social deviancy.  You will focus on the theoretical concepts of crime and criminality and gain a thorough grounding in the important elements of criminology that will enable you to progress to postgraduate study, or begin your career within a criminal justice setting.

All staff are involved in researching key issues related to crime and justice, and the findings of their research will influence your learning and research skills. As such you will learn to understand the factors that influence criminological research, policy and practice, and learn the fundamental skills of research and analysis.

Throughout the course you will take part in active debates affecting policy, in areas such as the relationship between the police and the public, reform of the prison and probation services, and the working of the criminal courts. You will explore the various theoretical arguments that try to explain why some individuals commit crime, whilst others do not. We also use current events in the media to stimulate theoretical, philosophical and political debates, which will help to sharpen your critical thinking skills.

Our close links with key criminal justice agencies such as the police, the probation service, and youth offending teams means you take part in real life projects from within the system, which can support and inform your thinking and help you produce original and progressive academic work.

What will you gain?

At the end of this course, you will have developed a suite of professional skills to equip you for success in your career journey. You will be able to research a given topic, analyse the data and prepare a critical summary of your findings supported by empirical evidence. You will enhance your skills to communicate verbally through presentations, the written word by essay assignments and electronically utilising the Universities e-learning platforms.

You will develop excellent awareness of how policy is created, interpreted and implemented, and how this informs society. You will also be able to draw on a wide range of criminological theories and concepts in order to develop a debate or discussion and to justify your conclusions. You will gain confidence in your own ability to work as an individual and as a team member in order to produce a final product for scrutiny by your peers. ·

You will develop advanced analytical skills that will enable you to critically evaluate a wide range of materials including theory and policies, strategies, and operational plans.

Modules