Criminology

Criminology is a fascinating, inspiring, and often provocative, discipline. What is crime? Why do people offend? How do we manage offenders, some of whom might be dangerous? How do we protect our online environments and the people who use them? These are just some of the questions we explore on BA (Hons) Criminology.

Solent's BA (Hons) Criminology degree is industry-led, with learning activities and assessments geared towards preparing you for your future career in the criminal justice and policing sectors. An interactive learning style encourages participation, enabling students to practice the skills required for success in the modern criminal justice system. The academic team have years of experience in professional practice, academia, and research to share with you and our support will guide you through the many areas involved in the study of crime.

Designed with input from industry experts, this course aims to deliver an immersive and transformative learning experience through a focused block teaching model. Through dedicated attention on individual criminological themes, students will engage deeply with critical criminological theories and the complexities of the criminal justice and policing systems, without the distraction of competing deadlines.

At Solent, we provide a space where your interests, ideas and insights are encouraged, so you can excel both academically and professionally. Membership of the British Society of Criminology ensures that you also benefit from a wider professional network.

Central to the course is a distinct commitment to employability, bridging the gap between academic rigour and professional practice. The curriculum is innovative and forward-thinking, with a focus on the expanding impact of technology, internationalisation, research-informed content, and contemporary contexts. It is designed to cultivate essential transferable skills - such as data analysis, critical reasoning, and effective communication - alongside subject-specific expertise, to develop agile, confident, and professionally resilient students, who are fully prepared to succeed in the diverse landscape of the criminal justice sector and beyond.

If you’re looking to study our criminology degree but don’t have the relevant qualifications or experience, the social sciences foundation year will help you develop the core skills and knowledge to progress. Find out more about the social sciences foundation year.

This course also offers the option of a placement year. A placement year allows you to put what you've learned in your first and second years into practice in the workplace, gaining valuable real-world work experience before you graduate. Our course and placements teams will help you find the perfect industry placement in your chosen field.

Who is this course for?
If you’re looking for a career path in criminology or a similar professional/voluntary capacity, this is the course for you.

You will develop analytical and research skills that can be transferred to a broad range of careers, not only in criminology-related fields but also within the wider justice and voluntary sector. And you will also be able to make valuable industry connections through site visits, guest speakers and the range of lecturing staff, who remain credible in their research and practitioner status with industry.

What does this course lead to?
Solent criminology graduates will be well placed for a huge range of careers in criminology and criminal justice, from probation and policing services to charity and social service work with offenders and young people.

YEAR ONE
CORE MODULES

Criminal Justice Process
Police and Social Control
The Criminal Mind: Understanding and Applying Theory
Future Criminology: AI, Crime, and Career

YEAR TWO
CORE MODULES

Criminological Fieldwork: Methods and Practice
Global Crime and Justice
Digital Justice: AI, Crime, and Analytics

OPTIONAL MODULES - Please note: Not all optional modules are guaranteed to run each year.

Punishment, Resistance and Desistance
True Crime in the Information Age

FINAL YEAR
CORE MODULES

Professional Practice, Ethics, and Leadership
Dangerous Offenders
Applied Criminology: Final Project

OPTIONAL MODULES - Please note: Not all optional modules are guaranteed to run each year.

Radicalisation to Terror: Ideology, Threat and Political Violence
Working with Gender and Sexuality in Criminal Justice

You may be assessed by a combination of:
Written assessments
Written exams
Portfolios
Workshops
Individual presentations
Group presentations
Fieldwork
As part of this course, you will study one module at a time, giving you the chance to build a deeper understanding and see the results of your hard work more quickly. With regular assessments and feedback, rather than exams all at once, you’ll also benefit from improved focus, and a more manageable workload.