BSc (Hons)
Crime and Criminology
A modern study of crime, justice and punishment
Course Overview
Why take this course?
This is a broad based degree concerned with criminology, criminal justice, crime and deviance, allowing you to learn about, and better understand, issues relating to crime, justice and punishment. Those who have completed an appropriate Foundation degree can do the final year of this course and gain a full honours degree.
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.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Explore the issues, debates and arguments associated with crime, control and punishment
- Follow the course in your own time and own home with the support of interactive online learning materials
- Gain credit for your relevant prior learning and experience
What opportunities might it lead to?
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, and work related to the courts and legal system.
How do I apply?
Complete the University's online application form (not a UCAS form)
It is a comfort to know that we are taught by subject experts who are academic 'heavy hitters'.
Steven Barrett, BSc (Hons) Crime and Criminology student
Key Facts
- Duration
- 4.5 years part time
- Entry
Access to this course is open to all individuals subject to the approval of the course leader.
Other qualifications- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands/Isle of Man and International students
Year 1 £3,000 and £3,000 plus inflation in subsequent years. Fee Year 5 £1,500- Contact
- icjsapplications@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 3928 - Department
- Institute of Criminal Justice Studies
Course:
BSc (Hons) Crime and Criminology
Find out from current students what this degree involves and how they’ve found studying with us.
Structure & Teaching
Stage one
- 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
- Issues in Criminology
- Issues in Criminal Justice
- Research Methods
- Penology
Two options from:
- Police, Law and Community (counts as both options)
- Investigation, Psychology and Law
- Policing Styles and Principles
- Youth Crime, Youth Justice
- Substance Misuse and Mental Health
- Hate Crime
- The Fraud Problem
Stage three
- Dissertation
- Criminal Justice and Minority Groups
- Victimology and Victimisation
Two options from:
- Interviewing and Evidence
- Dangerousness and Dangerous Offenders
- Private Policing and Punishment
- Internet Risk and Security
- Gambling and Crime: Fact, Fiction and Recreation
- Organised Crime
- Corporate Security
Teaching and Assessment
This course is delivered by supported distance learning. You will receive high-quality course materials via our online learning environment, which will also enable you to communicate with the tutors and other students on the course, as well as discuss and present your work. Induction material received at the beginning of the course will introduce you to the online learning environment and the distance learning facilities offered by the University Library.
You will be invited to two annual events in Portsmouth: a two-day induction each September and a study conference each January. These allow you to meet staff and other students, as well as sample more traditional forms of learning, such as lectures and tutorials
How are you assessed?
All the units in this course are assessed by essays, except for the Police, Law and Community unit, where an exam is set. Essay titles are provided at the beginning of the academic year. Unit materials often contain interactive exercises to encourage you to think and write about the issues being discussed, to test and encourage your learning.
You will receive feedback on your assessed essays, which will indicate what you need to do to obtain better marks in your next essay, alongside the criteria against which your essay was marked. As marks obtained in the first year do not count towards the classification of the degree, you will have time to hone your essay writing skills.
Facilities & Features
ICJS
One of the UK's leading centres for research and course provision in criminology, criminal justice and police studies
Professional Links
Links with the criminal justice sector: local, national and international
Distance Learning
Pioneering distance learning programmes for professionals
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information
ICJS
The Institute of Criminal Justice Studies was founded in 1992 and has since grown to comprise 50 academic staff and more than 1,800 students. Now an internationally-renowned focal point for the study of crime and criminal justice processes, it draws together expertise in criminological analysis, applied psychology, police governance and management, victimology, penology, risk and security.
Professional Links
Our extensive experience and close professional relationships with the police service and criminal justice agencies ensure that our courses reflect the changing needs of the profession. You may benefit from these links by hearing guest speakers, listening to leading-edge research and being helped to find professional work placements.
Distance Learning
Our distinctive approach to supported distance learning, robust procedures for the accreditation of prior learning and modular award framework not only help facilitate access to higher education but also offer flexible and transferable platforms for life-long learning.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
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 University’s Careers Service can offer further advice for those seeking new employment challenges.
Work experience
You will have the opportunity to choose an option called Police, Law and Community, which covers part of the national framework for initial police training syllabus. This includes 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 this unit as a 'pre-join' qualification for those wishing to join the police service. Therefore if you successfully complete it, it can be used as a basis of application to become a police officer (please note that forces normally require a minimum performance level in examinations).
Career planning
6.04 minutes
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.