Criminology & Criminal Justice/Criminology & Criminal Justice (Policing)

OVERVIEW
BA Criminal Justice / Criminal Justice (Policing) – the only one of its kind in Scotland – will help you develop expertise in criminology and criminal justice, social science, research methods, law and policy so that you’re ready to work in related areas in policing, prisons and the third sector.

After Year 2, you’ll have the option to continue to study criminal justice or to specialise in policing through our policing specialism options.

We work closely with experts and practitioners in criminal justice to provide a firm understanding of criminology and criminal justice in Scotland, the UK, Europe and internationally. Our exciting degree includes topics such as: prisons and policing, forensics, terrorism, youth justice, victimology and exploring the journeys of those who come into contact with the justice system.

PRACTICAL FOCUS
Guest speakers form part of this degree to further deepen your understanding of the subject. We run an annual Criminal Justice Employment Information Day which has in the past been attended by the Scottish Prison Service, Police Scotland, SACRO, Victim Support and Turning Point Scotland amongst other relevant organisations and institutions.

CAREER PROSPECTS
Jobs
The BA Criminal Justice will prepare you for employment in the police and prison services, criminal courts and third sector criminal justice services in roles such as general administration and management.

Graduates will also find opportunities in restorative justice and mediation, community safety, and working with offenders, victims and witnesses.

As well as other major organisations linked with criminal justice in Scotland and the UK, Criminal Justice graduates have gone on to work for:

// Police Scotland // The Scottish Prison Service // The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner // Sacro // Turning Point Scotland // The National Crime Agency // The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service

Further Study
Graduates from this courses may be able to undertake further study at master's and research level in areas relating to criminology.

You will study the concepts, theories, structures, organisations, processes and practices involved with the prevention, investigation and prosecution of crime, the workings of the criminal law and criminal court system and the treatment of offenders.

In Year 1 you will be introduced to the historical, legal and philosophical context of criminal justice. You will also begin to develop an understanding of the criminal justice and wider social science approaches to research and inquiry that underpin good quality research linked with the discipline.

In Year 2 you will deepen your understanding of the theoretical debates within criminal justice through in-depth analysis of criminology, and begin to learn about criminal investigation through an introduction to policing. You will learn in more detail about the research process and begin thinking about how research should be conducted in an ethical and valid way.

In Year 3 you will develop an applied and critical approach to criminal justice issues through modules that examine prisons, youth justice, and the ability for students to choose topics from a range of contemporary issues to focus on. You have the opportunity to apply to focus your studies in the area of Policing through the policing specialism. Note that this is a competitive stream and places are restricted. If you apply and are successful though, this will result in you studying BA (Hons) Criminal Justice (Policing).

In Year 4 (Honours) you will carry out a research dissertation on a criminal justice topic (or policing topic for students on the bracketed award), as well as deepening your knowledge of contemporary issues and debates through specialist optional modules including Victimology, Security in a Global Age and Crime as Social Harm. You also have the choice to learn more about justice processes around the world through comparative justice, or to gain credit for voluntary work or paid employment they are engaged in through the Working in Criminal Justice module.

You are taught and assessed through a wide and varied selection of approaches. In addition to standard essays and reports in assessment there are a number of experiential learning and assessment activities implemented throughout the programme including mock children’s hearings and criminal trials. There are opportunities to showcase student work through organised poster presentation exhibitions, and further engagement with criminal justice professionals from organisations including Police Scotland, the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner, Victim Support Scotland and many more through guest lectures and workshops.

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

• Course does not award QTS