Course overview

The BSc (Hons) Crime and Criminology is broad based degree concerned with criminology, criminal justice, crime and deviance. It will be of interest to anyone who has a wish to learn about, and better understand, issues relating to crime, justice and punishment.

Whilst studying this exciting and engaging course you will encounter various fields such as law, sociology and psychology which have contributed to making criminology, crime and justice a multi-disciplinary subject. You will encounter issues, debates and arguments that regularly occupy people’s concerns and that of the media and politicians with regard to social problems associated with crime, control and punishment. 

The course is offered part time by distance learning from the UK’s largest provider of courses in criminology, criminal justice and police studies. You are able to study the course flexibly in your own time and own home with the support of interactive online learning materials. Additionally you are able to take advantage of tutorial support which is provided online as well as through email and telephone.

Students are also invited to Portsmouth to attend study schools. These provide students the opportunity to meet one another and academics. You have the chance to attend lectures on the academic material and wider issues as well as participate in sessions on study skills (all of which complement online teaching and learning resources).  

Although the majority of students complete the entire course and graduate with a BSc (hons) degree in Crime and Criminology you can exit the course after successfully completing either the first or second stage (see ‘course content’ for details) with, either a certificate or diploma in Crime and Criminology.

You have the opportunity to cover part of the Initial Police Training framework with an option called Police, Law and Community (PLC). Successful completion of this unit can contribute to careers within the police service or the wider criminal justice sector. See ‘career prospects’ above for full details.

The BSc (Hons) Crime and Criminology 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.

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

How much does the course cost, what funding options are available and how can I pay for the course?

The course fees page offers full information about:

• how much the course currently costs
• payment options
• funding and loans that are available 

How do I apply?

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

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 latest we can receive an 'on time' application (with all associated documentation)is: 6 September 2013 (16 August 2013 for non-EU students). Applications received after this date may be processed, but your course induction and start to studies may well be disrupted.

Frequently asked questions

Many of our applicants face the same concerns about embarking on a distance learning course - is it the right degree for me? Can I use my prior learning? You will find the answers you need in our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Course content

This course is divided into three 120-credit stages, each equivalent to a year of full-time study.  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.

Stage one

(All compulsory)

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

Stage two

(Four compulsory (c) and two options (o) - unless you choose Police, Law and Community, in which case only this one option can be chosen.)

• 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)
• Substance Misuse and Mental Health (o)
• Hate Crime (o)
• The Fraud Problem (o)

Stage three

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

• 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)

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 Moodle 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 Moodle 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 written assignment, except for the Police, Law and Community unit, where an exam is set. 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 stage 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

Your study will lead to a broad range of academic skills that are valuable in many professions both in and beyond the criminal justice sector. 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.

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

You also have the opportunity to choose an option called Police, Law and Community (PLC). This unit covers part of the syllabus of national framework for Initial Police Training. Dealing with the 'knowledge' elements of Initial Training it covers police and criminal law, police powers and police procedures. A number of police forces in the South of England (and in the future probably more elsewhere) now recognise PLC as a 'pre-join' qualification for those wishing to join the police service. Successful completion of PLC can be used as a basis of application to become a police officer (note: forces normally require a minimum performance level in examinations).  

This unit is assessed by way of a portfolio and an examination which will be held in Portsmouth and possibly other locations.  Availability to attend and travel to the venue will be required. 

PLC is a Unit which would be of interest to anyone interested in or working within criminal justice.  

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.

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 service, Moodle

Moodle is an 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 2013/14 (opens in new window).