Criminology and Criminal Justice (Top-up) Degree BA (Hons)

Build on your current qualifications and transform these into an undergraduate degree in one year. Our Criminology and Criminal Justice Top-up BA aims to enhance your knowledge of criminal justice systems, policy and theory, equipping you with the skills and confidence to move into postgraduate study or advance your career.

Why choose this course?
• Transform your current qualifications into a ‘top-up’ undergraduate degree



• Keele pioneered the teaching of undergraduate Criminology in the UK



• Benefit from established links with criminal justice practitioners



• Top 15 in the UK for graduate employability (Uni Compare Rankings 2026)



Gain a full honours degree in just one year with our BA (Hons) Criminology and Criminal Justice Top-Up. If you’ve already achieved a relevant UK, international or professionally recognised qualification, and meet our entry requirements, you can top up your existing knowledge and achieve the credits required for a degree.

This programme provides a platform to careers within criminal justice, related public service roles or progression to postgraduate study. Core modules will advance your subject knowledge and professional skills with the option to adapt your studies to specific areas of interest.

You’ll complete an independent research project on a criminology or criminal justice topic of your choice, with supervision and workshops to support your research skills.

Extreme behaviours and beliefs are examined to understand what defines criminality and why some illegal acts are viewed as extreme while others are normalised. Topics include gender-based violence, prejudice, and hate crime.

Emerging challenges and issues in policing are analysed, such as public protection, counter terrorism, digital investigations and response policing, a particularly useful module if you’re considering a career in the police.

You’ll advance your knowledge of how multi-agency partnership working impacts crime prevention and reduction looking at local government, criminal sector, public sector and beyond.

Optional modules further explore key issues in criminology and criminal justice and provide opportunities to build your practical experience and professional skills to support your future career aspirations.

About Keele

Keele University was established in 1949 by the former Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University. Founded to meet the needs of a changing world, Keele has always had a pioneering vision to be a different kind of university.

We excel in both teaching and research, with some of the most satisfied students in England, and research that is changing lives for the better at a regional, national and global level.

Our beautiful 600-acre campus is one of the biggest in Britain – but all the most important services and facilities are on your doorstep, with accommodation, teaching spaces, facilities including a medical centre, sports centre and pharmacy, and a range of shops, eateries and entertainment venues – including the Students’ Union – clustered around the centre.

Career focused courses, a vibrant student community and a beautiful 600-acre campus – this is Keele.

Whether you’re a passionate natural scientist, or eager to explore law, business, humanities or social sciences, our innovative courses are designed with your future in mind. Many of our courses offer a placement opportunity – just one of our initiatives that prepare you for real-world success.

Recognised for outstanding student experience and teaching quality, we were ranked a Top 10 UK university for student satisfaction across 15 subjects (National Student Survey 2025, broad-based English universities) and achieved Double Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (2017 and 2023).

Located in the Staffordshire countryside, but within easy reach of a bustling town, vibrant city and our noisy neighbours of Manchester and Birmingham, Keele truly offers the best of both worlds: a close-knit campus community and an exciting local area to explore.

We’d love to see you on campus soon.