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BA (Hons)

Criminology & Criminal Justice

Attendance

Campus

Start

Book an Autumn Open Day

Duration

3 Years

Start

September 2024

UCAS Code

M930

Delivery

Campus Taught

Do you have an enquiring mind? Are you interested in why people commit crime or become victims of crime? If so, then this course could be for you. Discover the political, personal and social aspects of crime with a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice.

There is a widespread and growing interest in crime in our modern society. Our Criminology and Criminal Justice degree addresses this. It meets the demand from UK Government agencies and other employers for graduates in this field.

You'll learn about criminal justice, examining how offenders and victims get treated by the system in the UK. The subject is developing rapidly as new areas of study open up for criminological investigation. You’ll explore issues around how crime gets defined and managed in our society. As you progress through the course, you’ll have the option to study in areas such as policing, the prison system or social work.

The course rigorously examines how crime gets perceived, defined and managed in communities. You'll develop a critical stance through a broad curriculum that forms an excellent exploration of this subject. Study a balanced mix of compulsory and optional modules taught by specialists in these areas.

Why study with us

The School has working partnerships with organisations such as Lancashire Constabulary, the Criminal Justice System, the National Health Service, the Probation Trust, and more.
Criminology at the University of Central Lancashire ranks 2nd in the North West for Research Quality. (Times Good University Guide, 2023)
We offer option modules on our Criminology courses, so you can tailor your degree to your interests.

Interested?

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What you'll do

Gain a deep insight into the political, personal and social aspects of crime. Our teaching uses a wealth of cutting-edge research, delivered by award-winning research staff.
You can customise your learning with optional modules to hone in on areas of interest and your career aspirations.
You’ll enjoy student led conferences and guest visit speakers from many different sectors. These include the Lancashire Constabulary, Armed Services, the Criminal Justice System, Social Services, Magistrate and Crown Court Services amongst others.

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Criminology is great if you love to have discussions and debates about crime. I’m looking forward to the next years of my course because I will have the opportunity to choose some of my modules so I can tailor the degree to my potential career aspirations. The tutors are very supportive and are experts in Criminology, many have previously worked in the field.

Connor Eastwood

BA (Hons) Criminology
United Kingdom

Module overview

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Year 1

Compulsory modules

CJ1201: Looking Beyond Crime and Criminology
CJ1202: Skills, Research and Employability
CJ1203: The History of Criminal Justice
CJ1204: Crime and Morality
CJ1205: Key Approaches in Criminology
CJ1206: Criminal Justice in Action

CJ1201: Looking Beyond Crime and Criminology

Explore alternative conceptions of ‘crime’ and how this affects how ‘crime’ is perceived in society. Discover how these conceptions based on the idea of ‘social harm’, affect our perceptions of crime, the criminal, and criminalisation.

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Year 2

Compulsory modules

CJ2201: Research Methods and Theory 1
CJ2202: Research Methods and Theory 2
CJ2203: Understanding Policing and Security
CJ2204: Youth Justice
CJ2205: Punishment and the Penal System

Optional modules

CJ2206: Violence Against Women and Girls
CJ2207: Drugs, Crime and Society
CJ2208: Work Placement

CJ2201: Research Methods and Theory 1

This module will support your development and understanding of methodological topics and theories within criminology. Learn how to utilise this to inform a historical understanding of the development of criminology as a colonial enterprise, and current debates around decolonising research at universities.

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Year 3

Compulsory modules

CJ3201: Dissertation
CJ3202: Diversity, Crime and Justice
CJ3203: Crimes of the Powerful

Optional modules

CJ3204: Human Trafficking
CJ3205: New Perspectives on Cybercrime
CJ3207: Gender, Crime and Justice
CJ3208: Prison and Society

CJ3201: Dissertation

This module will support you in undertaking independent study in an area of your choice relating to criminology and criminal justice.

Course delivery

This course is taught face-to-face at one of our UK campuses.

100%Face-to-face

Please note the delivery information for this course is accurate for the academic year 2023/24. The information displayed in this section may not yet accurately reflect how the course will be delivered in 2024/25 but this information will be updated by October 2023.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information. However, our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may cause alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses. Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies or revisions to subject benchmarks statements. As well as to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

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Celebration of Success Event

Careers in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Two thirds of our students will follow career paths connected with their degree. Graduates have found work in:

UK Border Agency
Greater Manchester Police (GMP)
Local prisons
Drug schemes
Educational institutions
Youth offending teams

You may wish to follow a career in areas such as the police, the probation service, prisons or branches of the Home Office. This includes the Border Agency and the Criminal Justice System.

You might also consider community development work, local government administration and adult guidance work with ex-offenders. Paid employment in the voluntary sector is an increasingly important area. Positions are available in victim support and women’s refuges, among others.

Fees and funding

2023/24

Full-time£9,250 per year

Part-time£1,540 per 20 credits

International

Full-time£14,900 per year

2024/25

Full-time£9,250 per year

Part-time£1,540 per 20 credits

International

Full-time£16,500 per year

Scholarships and bursaries

We have a wide range of bursaries, scholarships and funds available to help support you whilst studying with us.

Select your country to see eligibility information and how to apply by selecting more info on the cards below.

Select your country/region

Care Leaver Bursary
Our Care Leaver Bursary is for students who need extra support because they have been in care or are estranged from their parents.
Find out more about Care Leaver Bursary
Estranged student support
Estranged Student Support Bursary is for students who need extra support because they are estranged from their parents.
Find out more about Estranged student support
Dependants Bursary
Students with financially dependent children may be eligible for our Dependants Bursary as part of our financial support package. 
Find out more about Dependants Bursary
Contextualised Admissions Bursary
We recognise that the last two years have been very challenging for young people and learning has been impacted. To help support students eligible for a contextualised offer we are offering a bursary of £250 in their first year of study.
Find out more about Contextualised Admissions Bursary

Modules get delivered by various methods. From traditional large group lectures to smaller more informal sessions. You will use audio-visual material analysed in small groups where appropriate.

Lectures get supported by smaller seminar-workshop groups. In these, students can discuss issues arising from the lecture programme. You will undertake individual and group reading, and preparation for seminars and workshops.

Assessment is by a variety of methods, from essays and assignments to end-of-module tests. There are more essays, assignments and projects than tests, with some modules using 100% coursework.

The School has employability and community links within the North West of England and the UK as a whole. This ensures that you have the opportunity to engage with groundbreaking organisations to forge a pathway into to the world of work . You will develop your academic portfolio with the help of employers, community groups, professionals and practitioners.

You will meet and network with a wide range of professional associates from many settings. They can provide first-hand experience of the key skills required to be successful in your career destination.

Employability and career development gets supported throughout the programme. You can learn a language through our Worldwise Learning Centre, opening international opportunities. There are national and international work placements available. These are through the School and the University’s award-winning Centre for Volunteering and Community Leadership.

Interested?

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This course is based in the School of Law and Policing

For information on possible changes to course information, see our essential and important course information

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at the University of Central Lancashire on our student contract page

Book your place

Criminology & Criminal Justice

Why study with us

What you'll do

Module overview

Year 1

CJ1201: Looking Beyond Crime and Criminology

Course delivery

Missing Persons Information Unit

Cybercrime Advice Clinic

Criminology facilities

Careers in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Fees and funding

Course Specific Optional Costs

Course Specific Optional Costs

Scholarships and bursaries

Care Leaver Bursary

Estranged student support

Dependants Bursary

Contextualised Admissions Bursary

Learning and assessment

Industry links

Further information