Course overview

All applicants should apply as soon as possible to reserve a place and ensure adequate preparations are made for the start of your studies. The above date and time is the latest we can receive an 'on time' application (with all associated documentation). Applications received after this date may be processed, but your course induction and start to studies may well be disrupted.

A broad, distance learning, honours degree in criminal justice from the UK's largest provider of such higher education courses. Flexible, supported, study in your own time and home with recognition of prior learning. The course is structured to develop your intellectual skills as well as inform you about key, current, issues in criminal justice. There is provision for early exit with a diploma or certificate.

Find out from current students what this degree involves and how they've found studying with us - watch our video here.

This course is also appropriate for, and may be joined by, those who have recently completed an appropriate Foundation degree (generally equivalent to a two-year course with significant employment elements). Thus they can gain an honours degree with the equivalent of one year's further study.

As our course materials are delivered online, being able to access the internet (either at home, work or through public facilities) is essential for the successful completion of this degree.

How do I apply?

Complete a University application form – not a UCAS form – by going to our How to apply page.

Frequently asked questions

Is a distance learning degree for me?

With the increasing costs of not only education but daily living, studying by distance learning not only costs less than a full time degree but allows you to also maintain or begin employment or pursue voluntary work. So whether you are continuing your education from sixth form or college or already employed having not studied for some time the BSc (Hons) Crime and Criminology is designed to allow you to combine study and work.

Am I capable; have I got the right entry qualifications?

There are no formal entry qualifications. Obviously we want to be sure that you will be able to complete the course. We recognise that your current qualifications may have been achieved some time ago, perhaps under adverse circumstances. Much may have changed. Motivation is so important. Please do not assume that university is not for you! Complete your application form and let us know, in detail, about yourself. We are keen to broaden the range of people who study for, and succeed with, this degree.

Am I right for this degree?

The students currently on this course come from a wide range of social, cultural and educational backgrounds. Some students live locally in and around Portsmouth while many others are resident in the UK. In addition we have large numbers of students who live and work overseas. You may be considering this course simply because you have an interest in the topic or you wish to develop your knowledge so that you may develop a new career path or indeed it might enhance your current career as a practitioner in some aspect of the justice system. Many students on this degree are working. Current students work in various areas of the justice and law enforcement such as magistrates, police officers and airport security. Of course many are employed in work which is unrelated to criminology. So the range of occupations students are involved in is very diverse.  Whilst the course will, clearly, assist those in or contemplating a career in a criminal justice occupation, it is not restricted by past experiences. It provides a rigorous study of an exciting topic which is regularly in the news and about which we all have views.

Recognition of prior learning

If you have approved prior learning or experience, so that it would inappropriate to require you to undertake all the units, we can credit you with a number of points. In that case you can complete a year, and therefore the course, in a shorter period. Mention your prior learning and experience in your application and, once you are registered, we will consider whether, and how many, points you can be awarded.

Will I cope?

With distance learning you can feel isolated. But notice how the course is structured and supported! Year one begins with a unit in study skills, called ‘Studying Criminology’. That unit addresses many of the things you will be anxious about, such as how to write and structure an academic essay, where and how to undertake research. And you will not be alone! Provided you can get online you can ‘chat’ with others in the same position as yourself – anxious at the start of the course but noticeably gaining in confidence as they progress.

Support for students is essential to the success of our programmes and this is provided via online resources, and discussion boards, which are available throughout the week. The university also provides help through the Academic Skills Unit and also resources available through the university library. The support uses a range of methods and supplies responsive, proactive online and telephone support. The Institute also holds two annual events in Portsmouth which you are invited to attend. A two day induction and re-induction event takes place in September and a Study Conference in late January. This is an opportunity for you to meet the staff and other students who you have worked with and to sample more traditional forms of learning such as lectures and tutorials.

Even if you should decide to withdraw early you can claim a Certificate in Higher Education on completing year one and a Diploma in Higher Education for completing year two.

Do I need a computer and access to the internet?

You will need to have use of a computer and access to the internet. You do not need to be especially computer literate, although typing skills are obviously useful.

Course materials, discussions and seminars are contained in an online learning environment called Victory. The tools and resources available in Victory are designed to guide and support your learning and study. You can to access the resources in Victory whenever or wherever you are (as long as you have access to the internet).

You will be introduced and shown how to access and make use of the tools and resources in Victory during the induction period though ongoing support and assistance is available throughout your study on the course.

If you don’t have access to the internet you will be at a disadvantage since you won’t be able to make use of the tools and resources available. Victory is designed to be used via a computer. You may be able to access some of the resources through a tablet or smart phone but the functionality will be limited and slower than if you use a computer.

Course content

This course is divided into three years worth 120 credit points each. Due to the dynamic nature of criminal justice the course is kept under constant review, with units regularly updated, revised and new units being introduced to reflect new areas of criminological interest and research.

Year one

(All compulsory)

• Studying Criminology
• Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice
• Introduction to Criminal Law and Legal Studies
• Understanding Society and Social Problems
• Introduction to Research Skills
• Social Context of Policing

Year two

(Four compulsory and one option, c = compulsory and o = optional)

• Issues in Criminology (c)
• Issues in Criminal Justice (c)
• Research Methods (c)
• Penology (c)
• Police, Law and Community (o)
• Investigation, Psychology and Law (o)
• Policing Styles and Principles (o)
• Youth Crime, Youth Justice (o)
• Crime, Disorder and Justice (o)
• Substance Misuse and Mental Health (o)
• Hate Crime (o)
• The Fraud Problem (o)

Year three

(Dissertation is compulsory and worth 40 credits. All other units are worth 20 credits: two compulsory and two options)

• Dissertation (c)
• Criminal Justice and Minority Groups (c)
• Victimology and Victimisation (c)
• Interviewing and Evidence (o)
• Dangerousness and Dangerous Offenders (o)
• Private Policing and Punishment (o)
• Internet Risk and Security (o)
• Gambling and Crime: Fact, Fiction and Recreation (o)
• Organised Crime (o)
• Corporate Security (o)
• Terrorism (o)

Teaching and assessment

The BSc (Hons) Crime and Criminology is delivered by supported distance learning and the Institute has extensive experience in the design, delivery and support of such programmes. You will receive high quality course materials to guide you through each unit of study. We also use the Victory online learning environment, which will enable you to access course materials, communicate with the tutors and other students and to discuss and present your work. You will receive induction material at the beginning of the course, which will guide you through the use of Victory and registering and accessing the distance learning facilities offered by the University Library.

The Institute holds two annual events in Portsmouth which you are invited to attend. A two day induction and re-induction event takes place in September and a Study Conference in late January. This is an opportunity for you to meet the staff and other students who you have worked with and to sample more traditional forms of learning such as lectures and tutorials.

Assessment is by essays; there are no examinations. You receive the list of essay titles in October each year. Unit materials often contain interactive exercises to encourage you to think about the issues being discussed. Often these will invite you to write something before continuing with the course materials. These, and other devices, are designed to test and encourage your learning.

The Institute has a policy on feedback. This is designed to ensure that you receive comments on your assessed essays which indicate what you need to do to obtain better marks in your next essay. The feedback will also provide you with the criteria against which your essay was marked. The marks obtained in year 1 do not count towards the classification of the BSc honours degree. Thus you will have some time to hone your essay writing skills.

Career prospects

This degree is designed to provide you with a broad range of academic skills. Whilst it is clearly going to be valuable in any criminal justice occupation, it is also a broad education that will assist you in any other profession.

The sorts of occupational areas that would be relevant to this degree would be law enforcement such as police, customs and excise, prisons, post-release support to offenders, probation, crime prevention and community safety, youth justice, crime analysts and research, victim support, work related to the courts and legal system.

Completion of the BSc degree will get you admission to an MSc degree. Having undertaken a major research project for your dissertation, you might also be interested in undertaking a research degree.

The University’s Careers Service can also offer advice for those seeking new employment challenges.

Facilities and features

Facilities and features available to Crime and Criminology students include:

• up-to-date research-based course materials
• access to the University’s library catalogue and library services
• clear and professionally presented information and debate
• detailed guidance on study skills, research methods, research project management, and essay writing skills
• professional administrative support
• access to dedicated tutor support, by phone, letter or email
• access to University’s web course tools (Victory) service

Victory is a special, internet-based, electronic learning environment. It will:

• give you access to extra learning resources
• enable you to access to the University’s library catalogue and many other services, such as support in developing learning skills
• provide you with direct access to a wide range of journals i.e. you will be able to download relevant articles and materials to your computer, to read in your own home
• enable you to communicate with fellow students and build a learning community
• allow you to take part in on-line discussions with tutors and lecturers
• enable you to post information about yourself, and start and engage in discussion

Additionally, the University Library offers a tailored service to distance learners including:

• access to a range of electronic books (over 47,000 titles) and journals (17,000 titles)
• access to local UK academic libraries via SCONUL access scheme
• delivery of book chapters and articles from hard copy in stock at no cost
• loan of books by post in the UK for return postage
• help and advice in locating and using information sources from an online advice service in your Virtual Learning Environment
• telephone helpline staffed 8.30am–8.45pm weekdays and 10am–4pm at weekends during term-time
• lectures and hands-on sessions in using University resources at induction days and study schools

Entry requirements

View all the entry requirements for BSc (Hons) Crime and Criminology for the academic year 2012/13 (opens in new window).