Criminology BA (Hons)

<strong>To reduce crime, we need to try and understand why it happens, how people feel about it, and the impact it has on individuals and society as a whole.</strong><br/><br/><strong>This degree introduces the fascinating and evolving world of criminology, including the criminal justice system and foundations of law, sociology and psychology, including an emphasis on research methods. Next we move on to more advanced topics such as criminological theories, white collar and corporate crime, and cybercrime. It also covers contemporary issues in criminology, such as gender, race, and crime, the treatment and rehabilitation of offenders; victimology, miscarriages of justice, crime prevention and community safety.</strong> <br/><br/><strong>An exciting feature is the opportunity to study aspects of forensic science at our purpose-built forensics laboratory and crime scene house.</strong><br/><br/><strong>This award is validated by The Open University.</strong><br/><br/><strong>About the course:</strong><br/><br/>From September 2025, this degree programme will be based in the new HE Hub at our Basford campus. This combines ultra-modern teaching and learning facilities with a purpose-built Crime Scene House for practical forensic investigations. <br/><br/>The course is also offered on a part-time basis over 6 academic years, with 60 credits being studied per year.<br/><br/><strong>Year 1 (Level 4) modules:</strong><br/><br/>• Powers of the Police <br/><br/>• Offender Profiling <br/><br/>• Theories of Crime<br/><br/>• Introduction to Forensic Crime Scene Investigation and Photography<br/><br/>• Study Skills <br/><br/><br/><strong>Year 2 (Level 5) modules:</strong><br/><br/>• The Criminal Justice System<br/><br/>• Youth Justice<br/><br/>• Sociological Perspectives of Crime<br/><br/>• Victimology <br/><br/>• Crime and Deviance <br/><br/><br/><strong>Year 3 (Level 6) modules:</strong><br/><br/>• Dissertation (60 credits)<br/><br/>• Prison and Punishment <br/><br/>• Miscarriages of Justice<br/><br/>• Criminal Justice and Inequality <br/><br/><br/>The final-year dissertation allows students to complete an independent body of research on a related topic of their choice. This will require students to demonstrate their ability to conduct original research, analyse data, and present their findings in a clear and concise manner. Students will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the programme to a real-world issue in the field of criminology. <br/><br/><strong>Assessments:</strong><br/><br/>A variety of traditional and innovative methods will be used, designed to provide authentic experiences for students to demonstrate the real-world competencies they will be required to use in a professional context. These include individual and group presentations, discussions, essays, reports, case studies, research and project work, examinations, reflective journals and work-based projects.<br/><br/><strong>Qualification awarded:</strong><br/><br/>Level 6 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Criminology - awarded by The Open University.<br/><br/><strong>What does a criminologist do?</strong><br/><br/>Criminologists are social scientists who study crime, criminal behaviour, and the criminal justice system. They analyse crime statistics, conduct research to determine the causes of crime, and develop theories around criminal behaviour. They also study how effectively the criminal justice system responds to crime; including law enforcement, courts, and prisons.<br/><br/><strong>Careers and progression:</strong><br/><br/>With vital transferable skills that many potential employers are looking for, Criminology graduates will be well-placed to progress to postgraduate education or employment in the criminal justice sector and beyond. <br/><br/>Traditional destinations might include the police, probation, prison and courts services and similar roles in HM Revenue and Customs, UK Border Force, social services, victim support, youth services and offender management. Also a wide range of social welfare roles, such as mental health support and drug rehabilitation, housing, homelessness officers, and in refugee and victim support/counselling. <br/><br/>Graduates could also consider a career in broadcast media, journalism or teaching.