BA in Criminology

Looking to study a criminology degree at university? Our BA (Hons) Criminology course is supported by our close links with local criminal justice organisations in the voluntary, public, and private sectors, including West Midlands Police Force.

Make sense of the world of criminal justice by getting the big-picture perspective on crime, punishment and victimisation.

This course aims to develop knowledge and understanding of the core schools of criminological thought, their historical and political foundations and practical application.

What's covered in this course?

Our curriculum offers you a variety of subjects, through which you will be able to develop your interests before focusing on specialised fields within criminology, such as homicide and the harms of the powerful. This is an exciting and dynamic course that explores real-world problems, focusing on cutting-edge and topical issues relating to crime and social justice.

The course uses research-informed teaching and learning to develop a range of transferable academic and practical skills which will be attractive to employers. The course also uses external visits, as well as unique assessments to enhance your understanding of the discipline.

The course's real-world applications are supported by its close links with local and national agencies, including police forces, charities, criminal justice agencies, probation services and prisons. You will have opportunities to gain work experience with relevant organisations, and there is an option for you to undertake the international study.

You will be taught by expert staff in the fields of criminology, policing, and security, and you will also enjoy regular guest lectures from highly influential voices in the discipline.

Professional placement year

This course offers a professional placement year. This allows you to spend a whole year with an employer, between the second and third years of your degree and is a great way to find out more about your chosen career. Some students even return to the same employers after completing their studies.

The University will draw on its extensive network of local, regional and national employers to support you in finding a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. If you do not find a suitable placement, you will be automatically transferred back to the standard, non-placement version of the course.

Please note that fees are payable during your placement year, equivalent to 20% of the total full-time course fee for that year (£1,850 for UK students).

Why choose us?

1. We have a strong relationship with the British Society of Criminology. We hosted the 2018 British Society of Criminology Conference at our City Centre Campus.
2. In all of our courses, you will gain a professional focus and real-world experience, ensuring you are equipped to make an immediate impact in your career. You have the opportunity to embark on a year-long professional placement as part of your degree course.
3. The course’s professional relevance is supported by our close links with local criminal justice organisations, including West Midlands Police Force and Birmingham Community Safety Partnership.
4. All our courses have an international focus. This is embedded throughout the curriculum, giving you the opportunity to transform your experience with us into a global one. There are a variety of exciting possibilities open to you, including our many overseas study exchange programmes.
5. As a student on one of our undergraduate degrees, you will be able to benefit from our Graduate+ initiative. This three-year award course enables you to gain award levels for all the extra-curricular activities you undertake so that you can stand out from the crowd at graduation.
6. You will be taught by industry-leading experts, including Dr Imran Awan, who was recently appointed as a UK Government advisor and whose work focuses on the impact of Islamophobia and the effects of counterterrorism.

Year One

In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following core modules (totalling 120 credits).

• Key Debates in Criminological Theory
• Crime and the Media
• Crime, Punishment and Society
• The Criminal Justice System
• Policing and Investigation
• Security, Conflict and Justice

Year Two

In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following core modules (totalling 80 credits).

• Understanding Crime and Criminal Behaviour
• Experiencing Harm
• Prisons and Punishment
• Research Proposal

In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete at least 40 credits from the following indicative list of optional modules.

• Crime in the City
• Youth Crime and Justice
• Issues in Criminal Investigation
• Race and Crime
• Making Sense of Homicide
• Substance Use, Crime and Deviance

All core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.

Professional Placement Year (Optional)

In order to qualify for the award of BA (Hons) Criminology with Professional Placement Year a student must successfully complete the following module.

• Professional Placement Year

Final Year

In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following core modules (totalling 80 credits).

• Human Rights: Theory and Practice
• Rehabilitation and Desistance
• The Extended Project

In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete at least 40 credits from the following indicative list of optional modules.

• Emotions in Crime and Criminal Justice
• Everyday Surveillance
• Local to Global Organised Crime
• Deviant Leisure
• Gender and Crime
• Cybercrime
• Hate Crime
• Harms of the Powerful

All core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.

Enhancing employability skills

This course is suitable if you wish to embark on a criminal justice-related career, including jobs in the police, revenue and customs, probation, youth justice, community safety and the Prison Service as well as the voluntary sector. It’s also suitable for serving police officers and civilian support staff, customs officers, prison officers and those working in the Immigration and Nationality Service.

Part-time study in Criminology is often followed by people who are already employed within the Criminal Justice System and who are intending to improve their career prospects.

You’ll also develop transferable skills such as analysis and decision-making, commercial awareness, accessing information, problem-solving, and cultural and political awareness.

These skills are appropriate to a range of careers from teaching to retail management.

We have partnered with the national charity New Bridge to offer undergraduate students the unique opportunity to gain experience in a variety of voluntary roles. You’ll be given an insight into prison systems and how the realities of life in prison at the same time enhancing your skills and experience ready for future employment.

You’ll also gain valuable experience through our Employability Challenge Weeks, as well as our Leadership Challenge programme. Both give you the chance to apply your skills to innovative and exciting projects, industry talks and workshops. You’ll also receive guidance on how to complete application forms and how to write effective CVs.

Placements

You’ll have the opportunity throughout your study to work with a number of organisations such as Centro Safetravel, Citizens Advice Bureau and Victim Support.

Criminology student Leonie Folan is currently working on The Priority and Prolific Offender (PPO) Scheme, which is available to students who choose to take the third-year Working in Criminal Justice module.