Criminology with Foundation Year

The BSc (Hons) Criminology is an undergraduate degree designed by expert criminologists with research and professional experience and allows you to delve into the fascinating and diverse world of criminology, exploring areas such as prisons, probation, policing, cybercrime, terrorism, the media and forensic psychology. With this course you’ll be able to develop an understanding of contemporary criminology concepts and theories, looking at how they are viewed from different perspectives. Cutting edge, engaging and employability focused, this degree is ideal if you aspire to become a criminologist, work in the criminal justice sector or progress to further study. You’ll be encouraged to think critically, look further, and imagine alternative perspectives, building a strong foundation for graduate-level employment.

This course is particularly interesting if you’re looking to work in the criminal justice sector or associated fields, and we have modules aligned with the Trainee Probation Officer Programme (PQiP). You’ll benefit from learning in various ways, giving you a well-rounded understanding of both the theory and practice of criminology. This will enable you to develop a comprehensive understanding of criminology and apply this to current national and international socio-economic policies and conditions.

You will learn through a variety of lectures, workshops, digital media and a wide range of learning resources, completing research methods modules in your second year and a dissertation in your final year. There is also the opportunity to choose a work place module in your second year. In addition to your knowledge of criminology, you will gain a wide range of analytical, research, problem solving and communication skills, which are in high demand by employers.

You can choose to take an additional Foundation Year before you start your course. This introductory year focuses on developing the key skills required to study at degree level. You will study six modules and on successful completion progress onto any of our three year degrees.

There are two semesters per academic year. Each semester is 15 weeks long; 11 weeks face-to-face tuition, one week consolidation/revision, one mock assessment week and two weeks to complete the assessments. Students study three modules per semester. The course starts with a one week freshers/induction week.

Foundation Year

In Term 1, students will study:
• Communication Skills (20 credits)
• Digital and Research Skills (20 credits)
• Sustainability and Society (20 credits)

In Term 2, students will study:
• Foundation Year Project (20 credits)
• Core Concepts of Criminology (20 credits)
• One option from the following: Core Concepts of Business, Core Concepts of Computer Science, Core Concepts of Law or Core Concepts of Psychology (20 credits)

Options available are indicative and available subject to numbers and the campus chosen.

Year 1

The first year will consist of six compulsory modules.

Semester One:
• Criminological Theory (20 credits)
• Criminal Justice System (20 credits)
• Academic and Career Success (20 credits)

Semester Two:
• Media, Representation, and Crime (20 credits)
• Contemporary Issues in Criminology (20 credits)
• AI Literacy for the Future Professional (20 credits)

Year 2

Semester One:
• Prisons and Probation (core - 20 credits)
• Qualitative Research Methods (core - 20 credits)
• Identity, Diversity, and Criminology (core - 20 credits)

Semester Two:
• Quantitative Research Methods (core - 20 credits)

Then pick two options from:
• Cybercrime (20 credits)
• Victims and Victimisation (20 credits)
• Workplace module (20 credits)

Year 3

Semester One:
Pick two options from:
• International Criminology (20 credits)
• Policing and the Police (20 credits)
• Society and Punishment (20 credits)

Semester Two:
Pick two options from:
• Forensic and Criminal Psychology (20 credits)
• Evidence, Testimony, and Forensics (20 credits)
• Crimes of the Powerful (20 credits)

Both semesters:
• Dissertation (core - 40 credits)

There is a diverse range of assessments. Including ‘traditional assessments’ such as essays (1 per year min) and presentations (1 per year min) we also have other assessments such as policy briefing papers, a rapid evidence review, an evaluation of an agency, self-reflective diary, and more practice based research methods assessments. The presentations are scaffolded over the 3 years by having a group presentation at level 4, students presenting in pairs at level 5, and an individual presentation at level 6. There is a dissertation at level 6. There are no examinations on the programme. Every module has a formative assessment. Students receive guidance prior to the formative assessment and feedback/feedforward afterwards.