Criminology and Criminal Justice (Distance Learning)

Overview

Develop your interest in criminology and the justice system to an advanced level or gain the qualification you need to start or advance your career in areas such as policing, probation or security on this BSc (Hons) Criminology and Criminal Justice course.

Studying by distance learning, you'll examine the causes and consequences of crime and how this intersects with related disciplines such as law, sociology and psychology. You'll also develop the knowledge to assist you with a successful career in a criminal justice profession or for organisations that seek to reform and change the justice system and responses to crime.

Don't worry if you're new to University learning or returning to study after a break – you'll get a grounding in the key academic and research skills you need for studying at degree level.

Course highlights

• Debate and question contemporary crime, control and punishment and criminal justice system issues such as investigation methods and forms of policing

• Explore responses to crime from multiple perspectives as you study its relationship with other disciplines including law, sociology, psychology and the history of police science

• Shape your learning to match your interests or career ambitions with modules covering specialist topics like organised crime, forensic psychology, cybercrime and terrorism

• Be taught by leading academics from the University's School of Criminology and Criminal Justice who are experts in fields such as victimisation, policing and surveillance

• Gain a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE ) after 18 months and a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) after 36 months, even if you don't complete the full course

• Have the chance to achieve your degree more quickly if you have relevant prior learning or work experience

• Study modules that allow you to qualify for Probation Officer training after the course

Careers and opportunities
Crime will unfortunately always be part of society. So there will always be a demand for graduates with the specialist skills you learn on this course.

What areas can you work in with a criminology and criminal justice degree?

With your degree, you can start or advance your career in areas such as:

• probation service

• the police

• crime prevention

• community safety

• security

• campaign and reform groups related to justice

• youth justice

• crime analysis and research

• victim support

• post-conviction support

• the courts and legal system

The transferable critical thinking, analytical and communications skills you learn will also be in demand in other industries.

Our Careers and Employability service can help you find a job that puts your skills to work in the industry or support you in getting a promotion. After you leave the University, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years as you advance in your career.

The University of Portsmouth is passionate about creating career-focused modules that do more than support your studies, they empower your academic journey and prepare you for what comes next.

We design modules that have:

• Clear themes and skills development as you progress through each year
• Assessments that feel meaningful, often based on real-world tasks rather than isolated exams
• Career-enhancing opportunities such as placements, live projects, enterprise and volunteering

For a full list of the modules you will study on this course, please visit https://www.port.ac.uk/study/courses/undergraduate/bsc-hons-criminology-and-criminal-justice-distance-learning#modules

You’ll be assessed through essays and reports, with essay titles provided at the beginning of the academic year. You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.

You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

The way you’re assessed may depend on the modules you select. As a guide, students on this course last year were typically assessed as follows:

Stage 1 students: 100% by coursework
Stage 2 students: 100% by coursework
Stage 3 students: 100% by coursework