Criminology

This dynamic, transdisciplinary course will prepare you to enter the real world of criminology and criminal justice.

You will look at national and international case studies to help you gain an understanding of a range of perspectives on society's key challenges, such as social inequality, crime, harm and justice.

There is a clear social justice focus throughout this course, which critically reviews media landscapes and their impact on society. You will critically reflect upon marginalised communities, including how stereotypes and representations can lead to the disproportionality that exists within criminal justice settings.

Throughout the course, you will study criminological theories, and criminal justice policies and practices, while being encouraged to identify and develop solutions to promote social change.

You will learn to communicate with a range of stakeholders across communities; this will enable you to apply acquired knowledge to varying specialist and non-specialist audiences, to progress and/or challenge social issues by professional, ethical and collaborative means.

Experiences during your studies will encourage curiosity, debate and problem-solving throughout, and will develop your criminological imagination and values of citizenship. You will be encouraged to engage in independent learning and thought, and will be equipped with the skills needed to find, retrieve and analyse an array of materials, such as expert-led research, public and voluntary sector reports, personal testimonies and documentaries.

Our Criminology course lecturers have wide-ranging backgrounds. You will be taught by experienced, dedicated researchers and educators with sector experience, ensuring you learn criminology from an interdisciplinary and international perspective. Through our links with criminal justice agencies, including Youth Justice Service and local constabularies, local authorities, and community and voluntary sector groups, your learning will be underpinned by real-world knowledge and experience, and you will have access to specialist placements and voluntary experience.

Check out "visit our course page link" underneath the provider information section at the bottom of this page for the most up-to-date information about what you will be studying.

This course is delivered in three terms of ten weeks each. In each term you will study 40 credits comprised of either one or two modules. Scheduled contact hours range between approximately six and ten hours per week depending upon level of study and the complexity of the material being taught. This course is delivered through a mix of in person and online learning. You can expect to take part in lectures, workshops and peer-led seminars.

You should expect to spend an average of 30 – 34 hours per week on independent study which might include following asynchronous learning material, tutorial time with staff, using the University’s library, working with peers and preparing work for assessment. Teaching will be delivered by experience academics and practitioners in the subject. This will be supplemented by occasional guest lecturers and speakers.

There will be a broad range of assessment methods so you are exposed to the different types of tasks that you might encounter in the workplace. These will include coursework in the form of essays (long and short form), portfolios and presentations. Assessment support is provided throughout the modules. We continuously review the assessment methods used in order that they adequately prepare students for graduate level employment.