BA(Hons) Criminology (with Foundation Year)
This course is open for applications
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 zero (Foundation year)
All foundation year students study together and will take four compulsory modules covering introductions to Sociology, Criminology, Philosophy, Politics and International Relations, Psychology, and university level academic and study skills.
This will ensure that you have the necessary grounding across all the social science disciplines, enabling you to develop a range of perspectives that will enrich your learning at year one and beyond.
You'll study:
- Essentials of Academic Practice
- Exploring the Social World and the Problems of Crime
- From Plato to Nato
- People and Social Science.
You normally need to pass your foundation year before going into year one.
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
- Policing and Crime Prevention
- 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
- 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 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 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.
See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.
Community and public projects
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.
Features
Placements
Students who undertake work experience, tend to graduate with better degrees, and with improved employability skills, making you a sought after graduate.
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.
Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources.
Take a personalised virtual tour of the Psychology, Sociology and Criminology facilities and experience what a typical day could look like here for you.
Watch: UWE Bristol graduate outcomes for Criminology
Life
Accommodation
An excellent range of options for all of the Bristol campuses and the city centre.
Bristol
A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.
Sports, societies and activities
There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.
Health and Wellbeing
We provide support in the way you need it.
Campus and facilities
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
Part time course
Indicative Additional Costs
Supplementary fee information
*The UK Government has set a tuition fee cap for some integral foundation years from 1st August 2025. The tuition fee cap is £5,760 and applies to home students only. The final list of integral foundation courses which will attract the lower fee has yet to be confirmed but is expected soon.
Any tuition fee which is impacted by this change will be updated in due course.
The tuition fee for years of study after the integral foundation year will be charged at a higher level which will also be updated on the course web page (also see below update).
Please see GOV.UK for further information.
*The UK Government recently proposed that tuition fees for Home students will increase by 3.1% to £9,535 from 1st August 2025. This increase is subject to Parliamentary approval and the vote is expected to take place later this year.
Any tuition fee which is impacted by this change will be updated following approval.
Please see GOV.UK for further 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 five 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.
Additional costs
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.
Entry
Typical offers
- Tariff points: 48
- Contextual tariff: See our contextual offers page.
- 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 information on required Guided Learning Hours please see our minimum entry requirements page.
- Access: No specific subjects required.
- Baccalaureate IB: No specific subjects required.
- Irish Highers: No specific subjects required.
- Welsh Baccalaureate: We accept tariff points achieved from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in conjunction with other Level 3 qualifications.
- Cambridge Technical: No specific subjects required.
- T Levels: No specific subjects required.
Entry requirements
If you exceed the entry requirements you may be eligible for BA(Hons) Criminology.
International applicants
If you are an international student your recommended route of study for this degree is through our International College, which upon successful completion to the required level and with good attendance, guarantees entry to year one of the degree.
Read more about entry requirements.
How to apply
Read more about undergraduate applications.
For further information
- Email:
UK applicants
Admissions@uwe.ac.ukInternational/EU applicants
International@uwe.ac.uk - Telephone:
UK applicants
+44 (0)117 32 83333International/EU applicants
+44 (0)117 32 86644