Criminology and Criminal Justice (with Foundation Year)

What is criminology? Criminology takes a social sciences approach by studying crime and exploring theories around criminal behaviour.

If you're interested in the problem of crime in contemporary societies, our criminology and criminal justice course is for you.

With this criminology and criminal justice degree you will explore the nature of crime and criminality, studying society's response through the criminal justice system.

You will:

enhance your theoretical and practical understanding of crime.

learn how societies try to control and punish crime and disorder

learn how society deals with criminal behaviour by studying institutions and roles such as the police, courts, prisons, and probation service.

A foundation year at the University of East London (UEL) is more than just an extra year—it’s your pathway to success. It helps you adjust to university life, build confidence, and develop essential skills for levels 4-6 of your chosen degree. With dedicated support, you’ll gain the knowledge needed to thrive in your studies and future career while becoming part of a supportive community.

Foundation Year:
Mental Wealth and Professional Fitness, Skills for Business Innovation and Enterprise, Business, Innovation and Enterprise Analytical Skills, Media and Communication Skills, Law and Criminal Justice in Practice.

Year 1:
Introduction to Crime and Punishment, Developing Skills for Justice (MW), Research Skills in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Contemporary Issues in Criminology, Criminal Justice Process.

Year 2:
Theoretical Criminology, Crime and Social History, Essential Skills for Justice (MW), Crime Policy into Practice, Policing and Society: Critical Perspectives, Optional Placement.

Year 3:
Leadership Skills for Justice (MW), Cybercrime, Race, Ethnicity, Crime and Justice, Youth Crime and Gangs Policy, Work-based Learning in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Policing and Criminal Investigation, Mentally Disordered Suspects, Defendants and Offenders, Psychological Criminology.

For more information about individual modules, please visit our course pages via the link below.

We'll assess you with a mixture of coursework and exams. Coursework includes essays, reflective reports and group and seminar presentations. You'll be given plenty of feedback to help you improve. You will also have the chance to complete a work-based learning module, where you'll be assessed on your practical work. In your final year, you'll complete a project based on your own independent research.

More details will be included in the student handbook and module guides. You will always receive detailed feedback outlining your strengths and how you can improve. We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 15 working days, although you will receive immediate feedback following many of our face-to-face assessments.