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Criminology

  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
  • 3 to 4 years
  • Full-Time
  • 27 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
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More about University of Leicester

Course options

2025-20262026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Why is knife crime on the rise? How can we tackle terrorism? These are the sort of questions that criminal justice professionals explore. This degree gives you a comprehensive overview of criminality – including its causes and impacts on an individual, societal and political level.

Crime and its impact are at the forefront of current political and social debate. We only have to check social media, switch on the television or pick up a newspaper to see headlines about crime and victimisation and to realise how relevant to everyday life the study of criminology has become. Our Criminology BSc enables you to explore the reality behind these headlines and examine a topic that is relevant, topical and has real, practical application in contemporary society.

Leicester ranks 6th in the UK for teaching Criminology (The Guardian University Guide 2025). We are home to some of the UK’s leading criminologists and as such, you will benefit from a focused and definitive education in the study of crime. Our strong performance in the National Student Survey since it began in 2005 reflects the popularity of the course among our students, as well as the dedication of the academic staff.

This course is designed to enable a smooth transition to higher education, providing you with full study skills support and a comprehensive research methods programme which will enable you to complete a research project of your own in your final year. Our degree offers flexibility and choice with a range of option modules for you to choose from, and you have the opportunity to take a Year Abroad between Years 2 and 3 of your degree. The curriculum includes a three-year careers and employability programme, giving you the opportunity to develop the skills you'll need for graduate jobs. Job prospects are excellent, with 97% of our criminology students are employed (or studying for a Masters degree) six months after graduating.

Our research expertise feeds directly into our teaching programme, providing innovative and exciting content, as well as keeping you abreast of current debates on crime and criminal justice. Our award-winning research has real impact in wider society, and it influences policy and practice within the UK and beyond. Our research strengths include:

  • Desistance and rehabilitation

  • Sexual violence

  • Forensic science

  • Hate crime

  • Investigative psychology

  • Policing

  • Prisons

  • Sex work

Modules

Course Modules

For more information on this course and a full list of modules, visit the course information page on our website

Assessment method

For more information on the methods of assessment on this course, visit the course information page on our website

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours) • Full-Time • Time abroad (optional) • 3 to 4 Years

Start dates

  • 27 September 2027

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
M900
Institution code:
L34
Campus name:
Main Site
Points of Entry:
Year 1, 2

University of Leicester has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
M900
Institution code:
L34
Campus name:
Main Site

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
BBB

T Level
M

All subjects considered but humanities subjects preferred.

Scottish Higher

Qualification accepted. Contact Admissions Team for further information: study@le.ac.uk

Access to HE Diploma
Distinction: 24

45 credits at level 3 including 24 at distinction

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE English Language at Grade C (4) is also required.

Scottish Advanced Higher

Qualification accepted. Contact Admissions Team for further information: study@le.ac.uk

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Considered alongside other qualifications. Contact Admissions Team for further information: study@le.ac.uk

Extended Project

Considered alongside other qualifications. If taken with three A levels a reduced offer of BBC will be made.

Contact Admissions Team for further information: study@le.ac.uk

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

Considered alongside other qualifications. Contact Admissions Team for further information: study@le.ac.uk

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 28

Must include a minimum of grade 4 in English A or 5 in English B if minimum of grade 4/C not held in English Language GCSE.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

Will be considered alongside other level 3 qualifications.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDM

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

Qualification accepted. Contact Admissions Team for further information: study@le.ac.uk

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Considered alongside other qualifications. Contact Admissions Team for further information: study@le.ac.uk

Leaving Certificate - Ordinary Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

Considered alongside other qualifications. Contact Admissions Team for further information: study@le.ac.uk

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

Considered alongside other qualifications. Contact Admissions Team for further information: study@le.ac.uk

When considering your application, we will look for evidence that you will be able to fulfil the objectives of the programme of study and achieve the standards required. We will take into account a range of factors including previous examination results.

Entry requirements for students joining after Year 1: Contact the Admissions Team at study@le.ac.uk with details of the course you are studying including modules taken, previous qualifications obtained with grades (at GCSE and A Level or equivalent), the reason for your transfer request https://le.ac.uk/courses/criminology-bsc/2027

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 or equivalent is required. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.https://le.ac.uk/study/international-students/english-language-requirements

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

The University of Leicester is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all applicants from all backgrounds. We make contextual offers to support students who may be impacted by the area they live in, their personal circumstances or who have completed one of our progression programmes. These offers are usually one or two grades lower than the standard entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must apply for an eligible course and meet specific criteria.

Learn more on the University of Leicester website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

This information will be updated as soon as the tuition fees for the academic year 2027/8 have been confirmed.

For further information about fees and funding please see the following page of the University website: https://le.ac.uk/student-life/undergraduates/fees-funding

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