About this course
- Entry year: 2012/13
- Course code: M900
- Applications: UCAS
- Level: Undergraduate
- Tariff points: Normally 320 minimum
- Department: Health and Applied Social Sciences
- Campus: Frenchay
- Duration: Three years full-time
- Delivery: Part-time, full-time
- Study Abroad: Yes
- Key fact: This course offers you the opportunity to study abroad for up to a year in the USA at Virginia Commonwealth University
(VCU).
Introduction
Criminology is the study of crime, its impact upon and relationship with both society and the individual. Criminology at UWE is rooted in the social sciences and stresses the subject's multi-disciplinary nature, focusing on its links with Sociology, Law, Psychology, History, Social Policy, Philosophy and Media studies. This is reflected in the teaching and research experience of the academic staff involved in the programme, as well as the range of modules offered.
The content of the criminology course ranges from theories of crime, the practicalities of the criminal justice system and the processes involved in doing research, all of which provide a grounding to examine the psychology of offenders, youth crime, white collar crime, the relationship between drugs and crime, as well as the realities of terrorism, to name a few.
Our criminology course gives students an in-depth understanding of the real world realities of crime and criminal justice, allowing them to apply empirical and theoretical research effectively. We focus on the student experience, equip students with transferable skills and are orientated towards employment related issues, especially in regard to working with criminal justice agencies.
We look at the construction of and impact upon crime in the social world, informed by the teaching, scholarship and research done by our academic staff. Criminology at UWE is applicable to the 'real' and changing world through our areas of interest, broadly defined as:
The construction of crime, offenders and victims in modern society.
How does society construct ideas of crime and deviance? The role of social attitudes, culture, the media and individual differences. Especially in regard to who is constructing these ideas and for what reasons.
The causes of and responses to offenders and offending.
What causes individuals to offend, is it family, nature, peers or individual psychology? As such how should we respond to them, prison, community sentencing, treatment, etc. However, this can also be how do we respond to crime as it happens, so crime control, CCTV, Policing strategies, etc.
Transnational and comparative criminology.
How does crime and deviance translate transnationally? Do different cultural attitudes perceive crime in the same way? Are the same things crimes in different countries? But also how about offenders and crimes that cross borders, therefore being truly international?
Studying criminology at UWE provides you with the opportunity of engaging with some of the leading scholars in their fields. The Criminology team is comprised of experienced, enthusiastic and supportive lecturers, with an international background, who are dedicated to a high quality degree programme offered to students from diverse backgrounds.
UWE guarantees at least 12 contact hours of teaching and related academic activities.
This course incorporates placements, volunteering and other work-place experiences relevant to the real world. Our varied course offers you the opportunity to explore criminology from a multi-disciplinary, social science angle which addresses the victims, offenders, the criminal justice system and cultural forces. We believe that all criminological theory and research can, and should be, applied meaning that the criminology programme is interspersed with knowledge exchange, community engagement, professional engagement and work based learning.
Student's view
"I always found the course tutors helpful whenever I was struggling with understanding a particular theorist or with giving me advice on how to improve my assignments."
Structure
Content
Since we appreciate that we live in a rapidly changing world and career marketplace we keep our course under constant review in order to be current and relevant. We see this as one of the strengths of the education that we offer. Therefore, what is outlined below is indicative of the content that will be covered, but the structure of the programme may change.
Year 1
In the first year you will take four compulsory modules.
- Introduction to criminological theory, which looks at the core criminological theories of crime, the research basis of these and how applicable they are
- Introduction to UK Criminal Justice, which looks at the structure and function of all aspects of the current criminal justice system, including, police, probation, courts, etc.
- The Individual and Society: The Life Course, which considers lived experiences in the real world and how this relates to crime and crime control
- Other People's Lives: Comparative Sociology, in which you learn about the differences between lives in Western and non-Western societies, and how this contributes to ideas around 'deviant' behaviour.
Year 2
In the second year you take one 30 credit compulsory module:
- Criminological research and investigation, which will teach you and give you practical experience of how research is conducted in criminology, as well as how this impacts upon policy and practice.
A further three modules are chosen from a wide range of optional modules which include:
- Criminal psychology
- Youth Crime
- Youth Justice
- Transgression
- Drugs and crime
- Social Psychology of Individual and Group Processes
- Policing and Society
- Psychoanalysis and the Sociology of Racism
- Medicine and Social Control
- Sociology of Madness and Mental Disorders
- Sociology of 'Race' and Ethnicity
- Self, Stigma and Spoilt Identity
Year 3
You take two compulsory modules in the third year:
- Critical Criminology, which looks at advanced and emerging criminological theory.
- Criminology Project, where you design, research and write up their own piece of criminological research.
or
- Criminal justice Placement Module where you carry out and write up a piece of criminological research in conjunction with an criminal justice, or related, agency.
You then select another two modules from a wide range of optional modules which include:
- Comparative and Transnational Crime
- Penology: Prisons and Punishment
- Representations of Crime and Deviance
- Childhood Disorder and Disordered Childhood Family
- Community and Crime
- Protest, Policing and Public Order
- Psychoanalysis and Society
- Social Psychology of Violence and Crime
- Terrorism; Victims and Victimology.
Teaching and learning
Understanding the real world impact of criminology
Throughout year two (criminological research and investigation) and three (criminology project and Criminal justice placement) you will have the opportunity to do small pieces of criminological research allowing you to apply academic coherence to real world issues. As these are generally self led, it means that you can focus on what interests you, meaning that you can orientate your research towards an idea that you are interested in for future employment.
Teaching
We make a difference by offering various ways of learning and their relevance to practical skills. You will experience lectures, seminars, workshops, ICT based learning technologies, media presentations, independent project work and reflective diaries. Teaching is carried out by a team of experienced, enthusiastic and supportive lecturers dedicated to translating aspects of their research into their teaching programmes.
Assessment
Forms of assessment are equally varied and seek to develop numerous academic and practical skills. Assessment includes essays, seminar presentations, timed assignments, group and individual projects, formal unseen and 'seen' examinations, literature reviews, and computer-based conferencing.
Special Features
Placements
If you choose to undertake the placement it will give you the opportunity to combine the experience of work with academic studies and is an alternative to the project module. The placement will entail undertaking a period of work which will total a maximum of fifteen days with a work placement provider in the Bristol area which in the past have included Avon and Somerset Police, Bristol City Countil and Victim Support. There are limited places on the module and therefore there is a selection process and not all students are guaranteed a place. Assessment will be based on the quality of academic work produced rather than the quality of the work placement activity.
Careers/further study
Since the Criminology course entails the study of society in all its forms, the range of applications is extremely wide and this provides a good foundation for many careers. We make a difference by offering a flexible education that is an important asset for our graduates. Criminology graduates are increasingly valued by employers for their research and IT skills, their literacy and numeracy, and their incisive understanding of individuals, social institutions and processes. We are very proud of our graduates and maintain close links with many of them. In recent years our graduates have pursued careers in research, education, social work, charity work, and other careers in the service sector, whilst a number have gone on to become professional sociologists and educators themselves.
Graduate destinations
Find out what our graduates are doing six months after graduating - includes examples of careers, employers and further study. Download a PDF from graduate destinations.
Creating employable students
UWE places strong emphasis on employability and skills development at every level. Through work placements, volunteering, study abroad and UWE initiatives which nurture talent and encourage innovation, students gain valuable real world experience and graduate with diverse career opportunities and a competitive place in the job market.
See great graduate prospects for further information.
Be inspired
Read about Helen's work with Victim Support.
Gurpal is a Graduate Management Trainee with Bristol City Council.
Useful links
UWE - graduate occupations
The UWE careers service provides guidance and support throughout your studies in addition to useful resources, CV checks, career coaching and details of current job vacancies.
Entry
Typical offers
- Tariff points: Normally 320 minimum
- GCSE: English Language and Mathematics at grade C or above.
- Specific subjects: None specified
- Relevant subjects: None specified
- Access: Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma; achievement of 30 level 3 credits at merit or above; achievement of level 2 credits giving GCSE equivalence in English Language and Mathematics.
Advice on typical offers
In addition to the 'typical offer' given here, please read the general information about
entry requirements.
How to apply
Please see the general information about
applications.
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011