BA (Hons) Criminology

BA (Hons) Criminology

Our exciting Criminology degree was one of the first undergraduate degrees of its kind to be taught in the UK. You'll hear from invited speakers, learn from practitioner experience, and you may get the chance to become a special constable.

The BA (Hons) Criminology course offers an exciting combination of the theory, policy and practice of criminology and criminal justice studies. You'll have the opportunity to take a number of modules underpinned by cutting-edge research and strong relationships with the police, the probation service, and other criminal justice agencies.

Why choose this course?

• You'll have the chance to specialise through choosing distinctive optional modules, delivered by experts in their subjects.
• All modules draw on external practitioners' experiences and knowledge to provide additional real-world perspectives.
• You can gain unique insights into the practical dimensions of criminology through accredited work experience opportunities in a number of organisations. There is also the opportunity to study abroad through our Erasmus+ programme, as well as the option to undertake a research project that will make a difference to a local organisation's work within the community.

What you'll study

This degree offers you the opportunity to specialise through choosing distinctive optional modules delivered by experts in their subjects. All modules draw on external practitioners' experiences and knowledge to provide additional real-world perspectives.

In Year Two of the course you can gain unique insights into the practical dimensions of criminology through accredited work experience opportunities in a number of organisations. There may also be the opportunity to study abroad through our Erasmus+ programme. The opportunities for work experience continue in Year Three with the chance to undertake a research project that will make a difference to a local organisation's work with the community.

How you’re taught

To provide you with a first-class learning experience and to guarantee you have an opportunity to make the most of your time at university, you'll receive contact time through a diverse range of delivery methods. Structured teaching will be delivered through a combination of traditional lectures, seminars and workshops. The smaller group seminars and workshops provide opportunities to develop your problem-solving skills, group working and your analysis, debating and presentation skills. They also give you the chance to get involved in discussions about a wide range of views.

Tutorials with staff

As the relationship between students and tutors is an important one you can expect to have lots of direct contact and support through seminars and one-to-one tutorials. At these sessions you'll have the opportunity to discuss and gain feedback about your work, ask questions about the projects you're working on and raise any difficulties you are experiencing relating to your work, personal circumstances or your university experience.

Independent study

Independent study is an important part of this course. Throughout the three years of your course the scheduled contact hours you receive will gradually decrease as you develop the skills required to undertake an independent study or dissertation in your final year. You'll still have regular contact with your tutors and if necessary ad hoc tutorials can be arranged.

Virtual learning environment

You'll use our virtual learning environment, NOW, which is a flexible web-based system that allows you to have 24-hour access to module learning materials and reading lists. It allows you to discuss work with tutors and other students, and submit coursework electronically from anywhere in the world.

How will I be assessed?

In your first year the majority of your work will be assessed through formal examinations with some coursework-based assignments. In your second year you'll be assessed by a combination of exams, coursework-based essays and reports, as well as policy papers. Assessments in your final year will focus around your dissertation / independent study as well as coursework and exams. In response to student feedback the University have introduced a policy ensuring marked work is returned to you electronically within three weeks of submission.

Learning from expert staff

You'll be taught by enthusiastic, engaged and expert staff. The course draws upon the multi-disciplinary nature of the team through their expertise, research interests and experience and many have also published textbooks in their specialist area of interest.

Learn a new language

Alongside your study you also have the opportunity to learn a new language. The University Language Programme (ULP) is available to all students and gives you the option of learning a totally new language or improving the skills you already have.

Learning a new language can:

• enhance your communication skills
• enrich your experience when travelling abroad
• boost your career prospects.

95% of BA (Hons) Criminology full-time students agree that staff are good at explaining things. (National Student Survey 2016)

Careers and employability

Excellent work experience opportunities

If you choose to complete the BA (Hons) Criminology course you'll study a Service Learning Placement module. You'll get the opportunity to complete a focused piece of research or undertake a period of voluntary work for an external organisation. You may also get the opportunity to study abroad through the Erasmus + foreign exchange scheme.

For the Policing Pathway you'll be expected to complete a Certificate in Knowledge of Policing and work as a special constable for a minimum of 200 duty hours. This forms part of the Policing Practice modules and will support you if you choose to pursue a career in the police.

Special Constables are volunteer officers who have the same powers as a regular officer and undertake a variety of tasks such as serving warrants, vehicle checks, town centre patrols and neighbourhood policing. If you take part in the scheme you'll undertake a 10-week training course, which includes study of the law, practical workshops and physical assessments. The role of Special Constable provides fantastic experience. You get a taste of what it is like to work in the police force and develop the skills needed to deal with a diverse range of people and situations.

Your career development

When you graduate you'll be eligible for graduate membership of the British Criminological Society and you be well placed to embark on a successful career in the police, prison and probation services. You'll have developed a range of knowledge specific and transferable skills including communication, presentation and problem solving skills. You'll be able to use a selection of forms of information technology to gather, analyse and present criminological data.

On completion of the course you may also be interested in a career working in local community safety initiatives, drug projects or other welfare contexts. Others continue studying on a postgraduate criminology course.

The job titles below give an indication of the careers our recent Criminology graduates are following:*

• Border Force Assistant Officer
• Police Constable
• Prison Officer
• Paralegal Officer
• Youth Support Worker
• Investigative Officer in the Police
• Crime Prevention and Alert Administrator
• Special Constable
• Executive Officer Immigration Case Owner
• Researcher in the Police
• Probation Officer
• Court Liaison Officer
• Data Intelligence Developer in the Police
• Police Officer.

*Latest DLHE survey undergraduate results 2011-12 - 2014-15.

Our Employability Team

We have a dedicated Employability Team located on the City site. The team are well placed to give you specialist guidance and practical help that will really make a difference to your prospects once you do graduate.

Facilities

As a Social Sciences student you will have easy access to the fantastic facilities in the Chaucer and Taylor buildings including:

• Lecture theatres and teaching classrooms
• Open access PCs and secure wireless points
• Study areas and social spaces
• Chaucer cafe serving drinks and light snacks
• Our brand new School of Social Sciences reception, providing you with easy access to our helpful and friendly support staff.

95% of BA (Hons) Criminology full-time students agree that the library resources and services are good enough for their needs. (National Student Survey 2016)

Entry requirements

UK

For September 2018 entry you will need:

• A-levels – BCC; or
• BTEC Extended Diploma – DMM; or
• 112 UCAS Tariff points from three A-levels or equivalent qualifications; and
• GCSEs – English and Maths or Science grade C.

We also consider equivalent qualifications and combinations.

• A Disclosure and Barring Service check (formerly known as a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure) will be necessary before becoming a Special Constable and additional Police checks are required to join the Policing pathway but it is not required for admission onto the course.

International

For September 2018 entry you will need:

• A-levels – BCC; or
• BTEC Extended Diploma – DMM; or
• 112 UCAS Tariff points from three A-levels or equivalent qualifications; and
• GCSEs – English and Maths or Science grade C.

We also consider equivalent qualifications and combinations.

• A Disclosure and Barring Service check (formerly known as a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure) will be necessary before becoming a Special Constable and additional Police checks are required to join the Policing pathway but it is not required for admission onto the course.

We accept qualifications from schools, colleges and universities all over the world for entry onto our undergraduate degrees. If you’re not sure how your international qualification matches our course requirements please visit our international qualifications page.

Foundation courses

If you need to do a foundation course to meet our course requirements please visit Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC). If you’re already studying in the UK at a school or college and would like to know if we can accept your qualification please visit our foundation courses page.

English language entry requirements

If English is not your first language you need to show us that your language skills are strong enough for intensive academic study. We usually ask for an IELTS test and we accept some alternative English language tests.

For a list of our language requirements please visit our English language page.

If you need to do a pre-sessional English language course to meet the English requirements please visit our pre-sessional English course page.

Help and support

If you have any questions about your qualifications or about making an application to the University please contact our international team for advice.