Criminology and Criminal Justice (Distance Learning) BSc (Hons)

You'll hone key skills like academic writing, APA referencing and critical source analysis, as well as research skills such as basic data analysis and presentation.

This module will help you feel confident about self-directed study, giving you transferable abilities to analyse complex issues, back claims with evidence, and convey multifaceted criminology topics clearly to diverse audiences.

You'll explore theories of justice and find out exactly how a criminal case makes its way through the legal system, from crime to verdict.

You'll focus initially on the processes in England and Wales before comparing these to alternative systems used globally.

By the end of the module, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of criminal justice principles and will be able to comfortably interpret complex legal terminology and materials.

You'll examine the social and historical contexts behind the emergence of key perspectives in criminology, taking into account psychological and sociological theories.

You'll spend time comparing methodologies, aims and purposes to build a comprehensive understanding of criminology's pioneers and their lasting influence on the modern frameworks and assumptions we still use today.

You'll explore accounts from critical theorists questioning criminology’s role in engineering social order.

You'll identify key commentators and unpack perspectives on the state imposing control through social disciplines.

By evaluating arguments around resistance and dissent, you'll develop your ability to creatively and independently assess criminology's assumptions and purpose from different critical angles.

You'll deepen your practical knowledge by planning and conducting research investigations, before practising how to communicate your findings in various different ways.

You'll work on your research projects both independently and in groups, keeping in mind the ethical dimensions of criminological research and how to uphold integrity.

On this module, you’ll learn how intelligence analysis and data protection principles are applied to inform investigative work, evaluating new technologically-enhanced techniques.

You'll discuss emerging challenges from digital evidence to community partnership approaches.

You’ll also examine examples of miscarriages of justice to spotlight critical failure points across the legal process.

You'll analyse how groups, from religious extremists to eco-activists, turn to violence, evaluating the psychological and social factors that lead to radicalisation.

You’ll look in-depth at the strategies created to address counterterror operations, building a nuanced understanding of challenges balancing security, rights and freedoms.

Through comparative case studies, you’ll appraise the effectiveness of initiatives tackling the root causes of terrorism versus policing tactics targeting threats directly.

You'll think critically about approaches for mitigating the risk of cybercrime, learning how best to respond to attacks and build resilience against constantly advancing threats.

By weighing up organisational policies, key theories and the dynamic technological landscape, you'll gain skills that can be used to help tackle cybercrime and enhance security.

You’ll consider this from a historical and theoretical perspective, and weigh up the efficacy of new innovations in forensic psychology.

You’ll learn how forensic psychology practices and decision-making impact upon the public, and key players within the justice system.

You'll access our crime scene simulations to learn practical forensic and crime science techniques, before learning how to assess the value of physical evidence in the context of criminal investigations.

You'll develop your understanding of key forensic principles so you can appreciate the real-world impact of forensic science across the criminal justice system.

By the end of the module, you'll know which scene processing methods to use in which cases, as well as how to compare analysis techniques and evaluate evidence.

You'll demystify concepts of organised crime while exploring the realities of gang culture through discussion, debate and case studies.

You'll analyse international syndicates trafficking everything from wildlife to weapons.

You'll also examine responses to these threats, from policing tactics to policies tackling the socioeconomic forces that lead to organised crime.

You'll examine the theoretical models that underpin diverse rehabilitation initiatives, from restorative justice to desistance promotion, and look at real-world case studies.

You'll also consider how rehabilitation works for different kinds of offenders - which rehabilitative methods effectively support specific groups and behaviours?

You'll assess the reforms that aim to support victims in the criminal justice system.

Analysing theoretical models, you’ll also gain insight into the factors that make becoming a victim more likely - from domestic abuse to hate crimes.

You’ll examine how crime is controlled by non-state organisations according to modes of governance and delivery of security. You’ll also challenge criminological perspectives to be more inclusive in a global world, especially in relation to understanding harm and criminality.

On this module, you'll learn how intelligence analysis and data protection principles are applied to inform investigative work, evaluating new technologically-enhanced techniques.

You'll discuss emerging challenges from digital evidence to community partnership approaches.

You'll also examine examples of miscarriages of justice to spotlight critical failure points across the legal process.

You’ll explore the nature of terrorism, the underlying root causes, enabling factors and strategic considerations of terrorist organisations, and the policy tools designed to pursue terrorist organisations and to prevent attacks.

Through historical and modern case studies, you’ll discover ways society can counter terrorism despite divergent international approaches.

You'll think critically about approaches for mitigating the risk of cybercrime, learning how best to respond to attacks and build resilience against constantly advancing threats.

By weighing up organisational policies, key theories and the dynamic technological landscape, you'll gain skills that can be used to help tackle cybercrime and enhance security.

From policy to policing, to convictions, learn how behaviour analysis and research solve and prevent crimes. You'll examine case studies to develop your ability to recognise and apply key psychological theories.

You'll learn how forensic science is applied in practice and how it fits into the broader context of criminal investigations and within the criminal justice system both nationally and globally.

You'll discover practical applications of crime science and forensic science techniques and learn the value of different types of physical evidence.

On this module, you'll look behind the stereotypical image of mobsters and gangsters to reveal the complex realities of contemporary organised crime.

Through lively discussions, debates, case studies, and practical exercises alongside your tutors and classmates, you'll gain insight into gang culture and the global forces driving today's adaptable and diverse criminal networks.

Exploring everything from local groups to transnational syndicates, you'll learn how authorities around the world are responding to curb these threats. By the end of the module, you'll understand the factors causing organised crime, and be able to identify international crime groups and evaluate global responses.

You'll examine the theoretical models that underpin diverse rehabilitation initiatives, from restorative justice to desistance promotion, and look at real-world case studies.

You'll also consider how rehabilitation works for different kinds of offenders - which rehabilitative methods effectively support specific groups and behaviours?

You'll trace the historical, social and political forces that have shaped current attitudes and policies that relate to victims of crime.

Weigh up how theoretical ideas on victimisation affect the way crime victims are treated. Through dynamic discussions and reflective writing, you'll evaluate the impact of reforms, legislation and support services on professional practices and victims' experiences.

Debating political issues around emerging victims' rights, you'll develop your own perspectives on the evolving role of victims in criminal justice.

It's up to you what your dissertation is about – this will be your chance to showcase your passion for criminology and its associated disciplines by choosing a subject area or topic that most interests you.

You'll draw on everything you've learned so far to investigate, analyse, craft and refine your dissertation or project, using existing texts, sources and artefacts to support your arguments and give them context.

You'll have the support of a dedicated dissertation tutor to guide you throughout this module.