Please note there are no vacancies on this course for September 2024
Page last updated 23 September 2024
Introduction
Explore crime from multiple angles, and arm yourself with the specialist knowledge and skills that will get you noticed by employers when you graduate.
Why study criminology?
To tackle crime, we need to understand it why it happens, what people feel about it, and how it impacts on individuals and society.
Exploring these issues from different angles is an essential part of discovering more effective deterrents and better forms of rehabilitation.
Studying this subject will give you the knowledge and skills to play your part in that work whether you choose to move into the criminal justice system itself or a related field.
Why study at UWE Bristol?
BA(Hons) Criminology teaches you about crime and the criminal justice system, drawing on sociology, law, psychology and philosophy, and applying theories, knowledge and research to real, contemporary issues.
Work with inspirational practitioners and researchers to explore the different perspectives of victims, offenders, the criminal justice system and the cultural forces at play.
Learn how to think critically, write reports, interpret data, formulate arguments, and make ethical judgements.
You'll carry out your own research, hear from guest speakers, and take part in work-based learning through our links with organisations such as the Bristol Young Offenders Scheme, the Institute of Psychotherapy and the police.
Activities such as volunteering, placements and internships will deepen your professional skills and knowledge further, to make you highly sought after when you graduate.
Where can it take me?
Criminology studies society in all its forms so it's the ideal platform for many careers.
You could work in government, the police and prison services, the court services, the NHS, educational institutions or non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working with young offenders or victims of crime.
You could also go into social welfare or the private sector, working in private security or law.
Structure
Content
The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.
Year one
You'll study:
Introduction to Criminological Theory
Introduction to Criminal Justice
Understanding Crime
Critical Thinking (Sociology and Criminology)
Social Issues and Social Problems
Researching Crime and Society.
Year two
You'll study:
Contemporary Perspectives in Criminology
Criminology in Action: Engaging in the Real World
Nature and Use of Research (Criminology).
Plus, optional modules from (the number depending on credit requirements):
Criminal Psychology
Angels or Demons? Understanding and Managing Youth Offending
Drugs, Crime and Society
Crime, Media and Culture
'Difference': Race, Ethnicity and Diversity in Contemporary Society
Policing and Crime Prevention
Mental Health, Crime and Criminal Justice.
Placement year (if applicable)
If you study on the four year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work or study placement after year two.
You'll complete a placement learning module.
See the Placements and Fees sections for more information.
Final year
You'll study:
Transnational Crime and Comparative Criminology
Criminology Partnership Project or Criminology Project.
Plus, optional modules from (the number depending on credit requirements):
Victims and Victimology
Terrorism: History, Myths and Policy
Risk and Risk Management
Protest, Policing and Public Order
Hate Crime: Offenders, Victims and the Criminal Justice System
Gender, Sex and Social Control
Green Criminology: Environment, Crime and Justice
Prisons, Punishment and Human Rights
Missing People: Lost Identities and Social Harm
Organised Crime.
This structure is for full-time students only. Part-time students study the same modules but the delivery pattern will be different.
The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we will inform you.
Learning and Teaching
Learn through a balanced mix of lectures, seminars, workshops, online tutorials, media presentations, project work and reflective diaries.
Work with experienced and enthusiastic academics who are leaders in their fields and who incorporate their research into their teaching to give you access to the latest ideas.
Attend regular presentations from visiting practitioners and guest lecturers so you can learn about industry challenges and best practice.
Carry out your own criminological research, focusing on real-world issues that link into your career plans.
You'll learn how to think critically, interpret data and evaluate evidence, as well as developing skills in report writing, argumentation and making balanced judgements.
We offer modules that differ in learning approach, so you can choose those that match your style.
Your tutors will be on hand to support you, and you'll have your own personal academic tutor, as a mentor and guide.
Approximate percentage of time you'll spend in different learning activities*:
Year
Scheduled learning and teaching study
Independent study
Placement study
1
29%
71%
0%
2
24%
73%
3%
3
20%
80%
0%
*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year
Community and public projects
Benefit from our close links with local schools, to take part in education-focused projects, apply your knowledge and engage with the local community.
Get involved in our Social Science in the City series of events, which engage the public in research and ideas being pursued across the University.
Teaching
Studying criminology at UWE Bristol provides you with the opportunity of engaging with some of the leading scholars in their fields. Teaching is carried out by a team of experienced, enthusiastic and supportive lecturers dedicated to translating aspects of their research into their teaching.
Study time
During your degree, you'll have at least 12 hours of teaching and related activities each week.
Assessment
We'll assess your academic and practical skills using essays, seminar presentations, projects, literature reviews, and 'unseen' and 'seen' examinations.
Approximate percentage of marks awarded by each assessment method*:
Year
Written exam assessment
Coursework assessment
Practical exam assessment
1
50%
50%
0%
2
25%
57%
18%
3
37%
63%
0%
*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year
Features
Placements
Students who undertake work experience tend to graduate with better degrees and with improved employability skills, making them sought after graduates.
We have links with lots of organisations. You could work with organisations including Avon and Somerset Police, Bristol City Council or Victim Support. We also have strong links with the Bristol Young Offenders Scheme and Bristol Youth Education Service.
We also offer volunteering and other work-based experiences, to deepen your knowledge and skills.
You'll get help to find a placement and support throughout from staff within the School and our award-winning careers service.
Study facilities
Learn in our modern, well-equipped School facilities, including our University library, open 24 hours a day, which has spaces for silent and group study and rooms you can book.
You'll have use of books, trade press, academic journals, and industry databases both on and off campus.
Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.
Careers
Careers / Further study
This course provides the ideal platform for many careers. Employers will value you for your strong research, IT and communication skills, your ability to think critically, and your in-depth understanding of individuals, social institutions and processes.
Students go into careers in research, education, social work, counselling, charity work, healthcare, prison and court services, the police and the legal sector.
You could also go on to postgraduate study or a research degree
Get inspired
Our award-winning careers service will develop your employment potential through career coaching and find you graduate jobs, placements and global opportunities.
We can also help find local volunteering and community opportunities, provide support for entrepreneurial activity and get you access to employer events.
Visit our employability pages to learn more about careers, employers and what our students are doing six months after graduating.
Fees
Full-time; Sandwich course
Fees
Amount (£)
Home Annual (Per Year) Fee
9250
Home Full Annual Fee Following Placement Year
9250
Home Module Fee (15 Credit)
1156
Home Placement Year Fee
1156
Home Reduced Annual Fee Following Placement Year
8094
International Annual (Per Year) Fee
15850
International Full Annual Fee Following Placement Year
15850
International Module Fee (15 Credit)
1981
International Placement Year Fee
1981
International Reduced Annual Fee Following Placement Year
13869
Offshore Annual (Per Year) Fee
9250
Offshore Full Annual Fee Following Placement Year
9250
Offshore Module Fee (15 Credit)
1156
Offshore Placement Year Fee
1156
Offshore Reduced Annual Fee Following Placement Year
8094
Part time course
Fees
Amount (£)
Home Module Fee (15 Credit)
1156
Offshore Module Fee (15 Credit)
1156
Indicative Additional Costs
Fees
Amount (£)
Additional Course Costs Indicative Maximum Cost Per year
300
Supplementary fee information
Your overall entitlement to funding is based on how long the course is that you're registered on. Standard funding is allocated based on the standard number of years that your course lasts, plus one additional year.
You'll apply for funding each year that you study and Student Finance will take into account how long the course is in each year that you apply. So if you register for the four year course and then transfer to the three year course, the number of years you can apply for funding will change. Student Finance will reassess your funding based on how many years you have been in study, not just those years for which you received student finance.
Always seek advice before taking any action that may have implications for your funding.
This refers to items you could need during your studies that aren't covered by the standard tuition fee. These could be materials, textbooks, travel, clothing, software or printing.
GCSE: Grade C/4 in English and Mathematics, or equivalent.
English Language Requirement:
International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Please visit our English language requirements page.
A-level subjects: No specific subjects required.
EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: No specific subjects required.
For country specific entry requirements please find your country on the country information pages. If you are an international student and do not meet the academic requirements to study this course, you can qualify by completing preparatory study at our International College.
If you are applying to study at UWE Bristol and require additional support to meet our English language requirements, you may be able to attend one of our pre-sessional English courses. Read more about our pre-sessional English programme.