Course overview

This degree offers you an opportunity to study historical and contemporary developments in criminology and criminal justice.

The course develops an interdisciplinary approach to the study of Criminology and Criminal Justice, drawing on the expertise of staff with backgrounds in sociology, social policy, psychology, police studies and theoretical criminology, based in the Institute of Criminal Justice Studies.

You'll study core aspects of the discipline with the additional benefit of a range of highly specialised options. In years 2 and 3, there is a considerable element of student choice, including a dissertation that can be related to any of the research interests of staff or taught units on the programme.

Student support is a major priority for staff and each student has a personal tutor for all three years of their study period. In addition, there are meetings of Staff Student Consultative Committees and Boards of Studies at which student representatives are encouraged to give their views.

The Criminology and Criminal Justice degree has an extremely strong record of student achievement and offers excellent prospects upon graduation. To assist students in their career choices, ICJS runs a careers panel of Criminology and Criminal Justice graduates who return to ICJS to discuss their current employment.

Placements

This course allows you to take the Learning From Experience (LiFE) option, which lets you earn credits toward your degree for work / research placements, volunteer roles or internships undertaken alongside your studies. The option gives you the opportunity to enhance your employability skills, to reflect on the ways in which you've done so, and to learn to express this to potential employers.

Course content

The course facilitates the development of independent study and collaborative work and contains a strong research focus, facilitated by the research interests of the teaching staff. You will be able to make real choices in the balance of your studies through the option units and dissertation. A major strength of the programme is the tremendously wide range of specialised option choices.

Year one

• Introduction to Criminology
• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• Institutions, Processes & Social control
• Introduction to Psychology
• Skills for Criminologists
• Researching Criminology I

Year two

Core units:

• Questioning Criminology
• Key Issues in Criminal Justice
• Researching Criminology 2

Optional themes in year two may include:

• Punishing Offenders
• Police, Law and Community
• Criminal Law and Psychology
• Crime, Media and Culture
• Learning From Experience (Faculty wide option)
• Languages
• Victims of Crime: Key Players in Criminal Justice
• Crimes of the Powerful
• Substance Use and Misuse
• Policing a Diverse Society
• Global, State and Corporate Security
• Contemporary Terrorism and the Global Response
• Youth Crime, Youth Justice
• Crime Reduction, Partnerships and Community Safety

Year three

Core units:

• Dissertation/Major Project (Criminology)
• Contemporary Criminologies

Optional themes in year three may include:

• Safer Communities and Neighbourhood Policing
• Dangerous Offenders and the Criminal Justice System
• Fighting Fraud and Corruption
• Hate Crime
• Crime, Exclusion and Mental Heath
• Forensic Psychology
• Treatment and Rehabilitation of Offenders
• Cyber Crime: Virtual Realities, Control and Mitigation
• Miscarriages of Justice

Please note that whilst a range of options will be offered, there will inevitably be some variation in the availability of individual units at any given time.

Teaching and assessment

Our teaching approach involves lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical workshops and forensic crime scene examinations. Students will be expected to fully participate in group discussions, projects and practicals. They will be given an introduction to software packages and web-based learning materials that increasingly support the educational experience.

The learning experience for undergraduates is different from pre-degree study and we address the issue by teaching the skills necessary for degree level work through study skills tutorials in year one and two. Tutorial support continues in year three focusing on dissertation supervision.

Assessment is through a combination of coursework, practical crime scene assessments and examinations. These include open, pre-seen papers and closed traditional examinations. Coursework involves seminar papers, presentations, group projects and the 10,000-word dissertation. Full support is given to help students develop the techniques necessary for their assessed work.

Career prospects

Given the broad range of issues considered and the skills acquired throughout the degree programme, upon graduating Criminology and Criminal Justice students are well equipped to embark upon a diverse range of career choices. Over the years our graduates have found employment in areas including policing (both as officers and as civilian staff), crime analysis, probation, the courts and prison service, local authorities, academia and research, the third sector, charities and private industry to name just a few.

Facilities and features

The teaching buildings are in close proximity to halls of residence and the city centre and you will have access to the latest facilities in a modern and comfortable environment. The University has added an £11 million extension to the library, making it a modern, light and attractive space for learning. It has ample study spaces, a new café, more spaces for books and journals and open access areas for IT. There is also continuing development of excellent elearning resources.

Entry requirements

View all the entry requirements for BSc (Hons) Criminology and Criminal Justice for the academic year 2013/14 (opens in new window).