Applied Sociology and Criminology (with Foundation Year) Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

Our sociology courses rank UK 7th in their field for student satisfaction (Complete University Guide, 2027).

Explore the forces that shape society and understand crime in a rapidly changing world while you dive into issues such as media representations of crime; urban and youth violence; forensic mental health; and the power of digital technologies. The course is designed to be both practical and thought-provoking, supporting you to build strong research and data-analysis skills while gaining hands-on experience. As you learn, you develop the knowledge and skills to make a difference in fields such as criminal justice, social policy, victim support and offender rehabilitation, to name just a few paths.

The course culminates in an independent dissertation, giving you the chance to explore a topic you’re passionate about.

Foundation Year\
In the Foundation year, you will study three days per week. The focus will be on academic writing skills and numeracy, plus subject-specific content to fully prepare you for entry to an Undergraduate degree. It provides a balance between content related to your chosen subject and the range of wider skills required for undergraduate study. This is an integrated four-year degree, with the foundation year as a key part of the course. You will be required to pass the foundation year in order to progress to the first year of your degree. This course is ideal for those who do not meet our standard entry requirements or those with a non-standard educational background. It will allow you to graduate with a full undergraduate degree in your chosen subject in four years.

Facilities and specialist equipment

* Four-storey library with an extensive range of physical and digital resources.

* Specialist labs, lecture theatres and bespoke group study spaces.

Career-powered links

We have robust associations with organisations such as HMP Wells, Luton council, Luton's Women's Aid, Luton Women's Centre, local charities and volunteering organisations. These open up opportunities for volunteering and work placements for our students in the community or in practice.

Your student experience

Uncover how social inequalities are formed and challenged; examine how crime impacts communities; and analyse the roles of the police, courts and prisons.

Connect your academic learning with its practical application, tackling contemporary, real-world issues such as education inequality, digital transformation and systemic biases in institutions.

Put theory into practice with opportunities for work-related learning, voluntary work and hands-on simulations of crime scenarios.

Learn from expert staff with diverse social science backgrounds, including forensic psychiatry, policing, offender management, social work, further education teaching and youth justice.

Benefit from staff actively involved in research across key areas such as human rights, safeguarding, social equity/justice, public policy, youth crime and violence, and offender management.

Become workplace ready by developing transferable skills in critical thinking; problem-solving; oral and written communication; IT literacy; and teamwork.

Enhance your learning through subject-relevant field trips to key institutions, including visits to The Old Bailey, Royal Courts of Justice and Luton Magistrates’ Court.

Engage with local charities, policymakers, and community leaders through the #Change Maker initiative, which empowers you to address and raise awareness of critical societal challenges.