The course is a 4-year BA in Criminology and Policing, including a Foundation Year. The course is aimed at students who may be critical of current criminal justice policies and who are seeking employment in either the criminal justice sector, the police service, or associated fields. This course benefits from both a theoretical basis as well as a vocational and applied nature. There is a high level of face-to-face tuition delivered by practising criminologists and former members of police forces who are currently active in this field of study. Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of criminological theorising and will be able to apply this to current socio-economic policies and conditions. In order to achieve this, students will develop a critical understanding of the law in relation to current issues such as terrorism, trafficking and drugs from a variety of different perspectives, including feminist, critical, cultural, and race. Students will also develop an understanding of the foundations of legal, psycho-social and criminological knowledge with regard to areas encountered in policing and investigative practice.
The degree programme is designed so that the Foundation Year provides an underpinning year, incorporating both academic and professional related learning. For applicants needing to improve their knowledge and understanding of the social sciences along with the necessary skills needed to participate in the undergraduate programmes at levels 4, 5 and 6. Students will develop the critical study skills required to progress onto the next stage of the degree and ultimately that will equip them for further study or employment.
The Foundation Year will involve the study of 6 modules which will develop the necessary skills and introduce students to key concepts so as to enable progression onto the University's 3-year BA in Criminology and Policing or any of the undergraduate degrees in law or social sciences. Students will be taught using a variety of digital media and resources. The final year will include a dissertation or research project and a research methods module. Students will have practical issues raised and develop relevant skills of analysis, research, problem-solving, and decision-making so as to resolve those issues but also the relevant skills to be able to communicate them.
Career Path
Careers in the criminal justice system, policing, security, probation service, customs, immigration, social researcher, housing sector and the NGO and charity sector.
Course Requirements
Applicants are required to possess 48 UCAS Points from a maximum of 3 A Levels or equivalent qualifications, plus GCSE English Language at Grade C/4.
Students who will be under the age of 18 but no younger than 17 at the commencement of the course are permitted.
A non-standard application route is also available.
Route A (September 2022 entry)
Applicants should demonstrate a minimum of 2 years of professional work experience evidencing management of people and/or processes and provide a professional reference. All applicants must successfully pass a formal interview. Any applicant without GCSE English language at grade C/4 will be invited to complete The University of Law English Test (ULET).
Route A (January 2023 and beyond)
Please note this route is only available for applicants who do not require a Student Route Visa to study with the University:
Applicants who do not possess 48 UCAS points from a maximum of 3 A Levels or equivalent but can demonstrate a minimum of 2 years of professional work experience evidencing management of people and/or processes and provide a professional reference will be considered. All applicants must successfully pass a formal interview. Any applicant without GCSE English language at grade C/4 will be invited to complete The University of Law English Test (ULET).
Course Details
BA Criminology and Policing
UCAS code: LN31
This three-year degree allows you to combine criminology study with policing modules which cover aspects of the national policing curriculum. You'll look at areas such as drugs, cybercrime, migration, terrorism, and trafficking in detail. You’ll consider how these areas are viewed by groups from various backgrounds, including how gender, race and cultural perspectives can impact opinion.
Students will be taught by experts in criminology who have worked directly with government departments, as well as former police officers for practical, hands-on education. This course sets students up for a career in the criminal justice sector, the police service or the NGO and charity sector, among others.
Please note that this programme does not qualify as a pre-join degree to enable direct entry into the police service. Students wishing to pursue a career as a police officer on graduation would need to enter a service via the degree holder entry route.
You will learn through a variety of group sessions, workshops, digital media and a wide range of learning resources, completing a research methods module and a dissertation or research project in your final year. In addition to your knowledge of criminology and policing, you will gain a wide range of analytical, research, problem-solving and communication skills, which are in high demand by employers.
You will also learn through realistic scenarios and the use of a crime scene suite or pop-up facilities.
Foundation Year (Four years)
UCAS code: LN32
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 the degree level. You will study six modules and on successful completion progress onto any of our three-year degrees.
Course Information
Assessment
A wide range of assessment methods will be used across all modules to ensure that all programme outcomes can be demonstrated by students. These include unseen essay type exams, written coursework assignments, oral presentations, role plays and a dissertation module.
This variety of approaches reflects the diversity of the curriculum and enables students a greater chance of success. It also helps to remove barriers to some students who may find that more traditional assessment methods do not truly reflect their abilities.
Classification
You must pass each module to be awarded your degree. A pass mark is 40% and above.
70% : 1
60-69%:2.1
50-59%: 2.2
40-49%: 3
Course Structure
Foundation Year
Semester 1
Citizenship
Academic and Report Writing
Numeracy Skills in Context
Semester 2
Foundations of Business Management
Foundations of Law
Foundations of Social Sciences
Year 1
Semester 1
Foundations of Criminology
Understanding the Police Constable Role and Professional Standards
The Criminal Justice System: Key Legislation, Offences and Civil Matters
Semester 2
Drugs in the Criminal Justice System
Core Principles of Evidence-Based Policing, Information and Intelligence
Contemporary Criminology
Year 2
Semester 1
Gender, Sexuality and Crime
Community Policing, Antisocial Behaviour and Introduction to Road Policing
Public Protection: Understanding Abuse and Impact
Semester 2
Cybercrime
Forensic and Criminal Psychology
Response Policing and Police Investigations
Year 3
Semester 1
Research Methods and Dissertation (double module across both semesters)
Urban Criminology
Responding to Major and Critical Incidents
Semester 2
Research Methods and Dissertation (double module across both semesters)
Investigating Serious Crime and Understanding Terrorism and Transnational Organised Crime
Choose one:
Race, Ethnicity and Religion
Politics of Policing
Terrorism
Counter-Terrorism and Advanced Road Policing
How to Apply
Applications for all our undergraduate courses for September 2022 entry are open.
Fees
September 2023:
UK - £9,250 per annum
International - £16,700 per annum (London), £15,900 (non-London)
Fees are locked for future study years, i.e. the student will pay the same price each year.
