Study this criminal justice degree to develop an understanding of the criminal justice system and the treatment and management of offenders. Explore the factors that contribute to offending and examine our responses to this type of behaviour. Gain practical skills to understand, treat and manage people in the criminal justice system in this multi-disciplinary degree.
Why do people offend? What is the appropriate response to this type of behaviour? How can offending be managed, reduced or prevented? This degree answers these questions by critically exploring offending behaviour and criminal justice practice, policy and theory.
We’ve designed this criminal justice degree to develop your skills and understanding, preparing you for careers in the criminal justice sector. You could see these roles in a real-world context during work experience in Year 2.
Explore how children and young people are treated within the youth justice system. Unravel the mysteries of complex offending, like working with mentally disordered offenders or those with addictions who offend. Study the management of offenders and concepts such as risk and dangerousness.
You will gain criminological and psychological understanding of the causes and consequences of offending behaviour. You will have the opportunity to look at crime at a local, national and global level, from low level anti-social behaviours through to crimes against humanity.
You will be introduced to the criminal justice process and the wellbeing needs of offenders, with special focus on the care, treatment and management of mentally disordered offenders and offenders with addictions. You’ll be introduced to the place of criminology in the modern world and will develop critical thinking and analysis skills that will be essential in your career.
Addictions and Offending explores the key policy, practice and societal drivers which currently direct responses to addictions and offending. The Government strategy, 'Reducing Demand, Restricting Supply, Building Recovery' (Ministry of Justice, 2010), recognises the impact that addictions such as drug and alcohol dependence have on societal harm and crime. The strategy sets out to tackle dependence on all drugs including prescription and over the counter medicines, as well as severe alcohol dependence. The relationship between addiction, punishment, rehabilitation, the individual and the State will be a key focus of the module. Drawing on the patterns and themes inherent in criminological, psychological and sociological representations of crime, punishment, rehabilitation and addiction, you will discover how alternatives to custody, which promote punishment and pay back, as well as treatment and rehabilitation, are key strands of contemporary policy. Employment and health are also key, however the challenges are immense, particularly when considered against a backdrop of financial austerity in public services.
Module code: CRI1127
Credits: 20
Criminology and the Modern World
Criminology and the Modern World presents you with a number of case studies on substantive topics of current interest and importance. You will undertake a systematic examination of some of the major changes that are occurring and their implications for British society and other societies across the world. Phenomena such as the economic crisis, the environmental crisis, the increasing religiosity of politics and problems in the developing world will be considered in order to foster an understanding of contemporary society and some of the key issues it faces. Aspects of social and criminal justice, harms and rights, and the role that the media plays in shaping social perceptions will be subject to analysis.
Module code: CRI1005
Credits: 20
Critical Thinking and Analysis
Critical Thinking and Analysis introduces you to the key components and theoretical foundations of critical analysis and to the techniques and skills of critique. Specific skills for study will be incorporated throughout the module, covering themes such as academic practices and introductions to independent research, research methods and information retrieval skills. Personal Development Planning (PDP) will also be integrated into the module.
Module code: CRI1017
Credits: 20
Introduction to the Criminal Justice Process
Introduction to the Criminal Justice Process introduces you to key aspects of the criminal justice system, primarily in England and Wales but with some reference to other UK and international jurisdictions. The module will critically analyse official responses to ‘crime’ and deviance through an examination of fundamental criminal justice agencies including the police, criminal courts and prisons as well as probation and youth justice services.
Module code: CRI1125
Credits: 20
Mentally Disordered Offenders
Mentally Disordered Offenders equips you with a contemporary and detailed understanding of the key issues relating to the mentally disordered offender. The module will specifically focus on those individuals detained under the Mental Health Act (1983). There has been a general increase in the number of restricted patients detained over the last ten years. Many mentally disordered offenders will be detained in secure hospital provision in the NHS and Independent sector which spans a security spectrum of low secure, medium secure and enhanced medium security. However, some mentally disordered offenders require treatment under conditions of high security due to their dangerous, violent or criminal propensities. The needs of these patients are met in the UK by high-security NHS hospitals at Ashworth, Broadmoor, Rampton and Carstairs. Most people detained in the high secure hospitals are men with women accounting for around 6% of the high secure hospital population, mirroring the statistics available for dangerous women detained in prison. The complex medical, legal, and political aspects of the mentally disordered offender will be explored in the module alongside scrutiny of care and treatment practices.
Histories of Crime, Policing and Punishment will immerse you in the historical understandings of crime and the historical developments in crime, policing and punishment. The module is based on UK experiences, although international comparisons will be made where relevant. Sound criminological analyses require an awareness of historical contexts to a range of current issues. This module provides you with the opportunity to develop your knowledge of key historical themes and moments in the developing conceptualisations of crime, deviance and disorder, and social responses to them. You will be encouraged to identify and discuss continuities and changes in these developments. The module will also examine the significance of changing relations of class, gender, ‘family origins’ and age in underpinning responses to crime, deviance and disorder.
Module code: CRI1123
Credits: 20
Language 1
Language 1 is ideal if you want to learn a new language, or further develop your current language skills, as an integrated part of this degree. You can study French, German, Arabic, Italian, Mandarin, Japanese or Spanish (subject to minimum numbers for your preferred language). Delivered at the Edge Hill Language Centre, the module will be taught in an interactive, communicative manner, using authentic materials in the target language. Emphasis will be placed on all four areas of reading, writing, speaking and listening. You will play an active role in the weekly two-hour classes, engaging in role-plays, short conversations, videos, authentic texts and listening materials. You will also be encouraged to reflect on your own learning needs. On enrolment to the module, you will complete a language induction form and be placed into a language level group appropriate for your prior knowledge of your chosen language. Please note, while we will endeavour to accommodate varying language levels per module, this is not always possible. While you can join the module with some prior experience of your target language, you will not be able to study a language you are already fluent or proficient in.
Module code: TLC1010
Credits: 20
You will build on the issues studied in Year 1 and develop your understanding of the treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders. You will also explore specific issues faced by women and girls who offend. In Year 2 you will develop your research skills and have the opportunity to gain hands-on practical work experience in an area of your choice.
Doing Criminological Research provides a thorough grounding in understanding and undertaking criminological research. The module explores the development of criminological research and explores different qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. You will consider the theoretical context of approaches such as positivism and interpretivism and gain the skills necessary to evaluate criminological research (particularly in terms of research ethics and politics). On successful completion of the module, you will be fully prepared for engaging in the research process and be required to produce a research proposal.
Module code: CRI2222
Credits: 20
Rehabilitation and Treatment of Offenders
Rehabilitation and Treatment of Offenders recognises that there is much debate focused around the concepts of punishment and treatment in the UK and the wider world. The module will equip you with a detailed understanding of the key theoretical and practical arguments in the contemporary fields of criminal justice and health and social care. You will explore a variety of treatment options which are available to offenders across the criminal justice and health and social care services. You will assess their effectiveness and consider how the treatment may be best delivered. The concepts of risk and dangerousness will be examined. You will also consider the complex processes of determining an offender’s risk of harm and risk of reoffending, alongside the problems with directing and delivering an effective treatment pathway.
Module code: CRI2031
Credits: 20
Women, Girls and Offending
Women, Girls and Offending provides you with a comprehensive representation of the wide-ranging complexities relating to offences committed by girls and women. Female offenders currently comprise around one tenth of the offender population under supervision in the community and approximately 5% of the prison population. Women are also frequently sentenced for short periods of time, for relatively minor offences. An increase in convictions for girls and young women can be observed in recent years. Girls committing violent offences are also more likely to have psychological and emotional problems, alongside a history of contact with mental health services, than those committing non-violent offences. This module will enable you to focus on the motivations relating to female offending and the societal and criminal justice responses. Psychosocial, criminological, class and feminist perspectives will all be considered.
Module code: CRI2030
Credits: 20
Work Experience Module
Work Experience Module will develop your employability skills and enhance your career prospects. You will be required to engage in part-time or voluntary work in a criminology or criminal justice related field, as appropriate, to gain experience in a working environment. You will be expected to secure your own work placement, with the support of your work experience tutor.
Module code: CRI2026
Credits: 20
Youth Justice
Youth Justice provides a grounding in issues of youth justice. The module explores the history of youth justice in the UK and elsewhere and examines the development of responses to children and young people in conflict with the law in their social and political context. You will investigate theoretical approaches to youth justice and consider explanations regarding differences in state responses to this issue. The module critically appraises current and recent youth justice practices and policies in relation to state intervention, human rights, harm and power.
Crime, Media and Criminology investigates how the news media plays a primary role in the construction of social problems, crime, deviance and, to an extent, reality. The relationship between crime, media and criminology is long established, so this module critically explores the representation of ‘crime’ and criminal activity within various types of media forms incorporating traditional print, online news domains and social media forums. Developing a critical theoretical framework, the module will enable you to examine the criminological and wider societal significance of the production and reproduction of dominant images and discourses around ‘crime’, criminalisation and the construction of victims, perpetrators and events.
Module code: CRI2024
Credits: 20
Generating Reputations
Generating Reputations highlights and explores the production of identities, reputations and stereotypes and the impact these have on particular social groups. A key focal point of the module will be the role of the media in shaping reputations and perceptions. You will consider ways in which determining contexts can influence societal perceptions of individuals and groups, as well as the impact of stereotypes, reputations and ‘common sense’ thinking on criminal justice policies and responses.
Module code: CRI2223
Credits: 20
‘Race’, Crime and Criminology
‘Race’, Crime and Criminology explores how ideas about ‘family origins’ help to shape and determine social, judicial and political responses to perpetrators and victims of crime. The module explores the role of family origins as a major source of social division and aims to show the significance of racism to the reproduction of structural inequalities. You will gain knowledge about patterns of continuity and change in racism and an awareness of the relationship between ethnic and cultural diversity and social and criminal injustice.
Module code: CRI2023
Credits: 20
Violence and Society
Violence and Society explores the concept of violence and the various forms it can take, ranging from intrapersonal violence (for example, self-harm) to interpersonal violence, institutional and state violence, and violence on a global scale. You will be encouraged to look beyond established understandings of what constitutes a violent act to explore more abstract forms of violence such as harm, denial of rights, and poverty. Criminological theory will form the basis of considerations of aspects of violence. The structural relations of class (production), ‘family origins’ (neo-colonialism) and gender/sexuality (reproduction) will be highlighted as the determining contexts in which such violence occurs and is legitimated. Power, dominance, legitimacy and hegemony will be the key themes of the module.
Module code: CRI2224
Credits: 20
Language 2
Language 2 is ideal if you want to learn a new language, or further develop your current language skills, as an integrated part of this degree. You can study French, German, Arabic, Italian, Mandarin, Japanese or Spanish (subject to minimum numbers for your preferred language). Delivered at the Edge Hill Language Centre, the module will be taught in an interactive, communicative manner, using authentic materials in the target language. Emphasis will be placed on all four areas of reading, writing, speaking and listening. You will play an active role in the weekly two-hour classes, engaging in role-plays, short conversations, videos, authentic texts and listening materials. You will also be encouraged to reflect on your own learning needs. On enrolment to the module, you will complete a language induction form and be placed into a language level group appropriate for your prior knowledge of your chosen language. Please note, while we will endeavour to accommodate varying language levels per module, this is not always possible. While you can join the module with some prior experience of your target language, you will not be able to study a language you are already fluent or proficient in.
Module code: TLC2000
Credits: 20
In Year 3 you will reinforce your existing knowledge and critical analysis skills. You’ll dig deeper into the psychological, political and criminological perspectives of crime and imprisonment. You’ll also put your research skills to good use by designing and completing a research dissertation.
Psychological Explanations of Crime explores how psychology can inform our knowledge of offenders and offending. The module will critically assess the relationship between offending and mental and personality disorders, including the factors of culpability and risk. Drawing upon investigative, forensic and social psychology, you will consider how psychological investigations can inform our knowledge of risk and offending behaviour beyond traditional offender profiling. The module will evaluate how the methods employed by investigators can influence false confessions and also investigate some of the psychological techniques employed by criminals in the form of grooming and criminal exploitation. The module will encourage you to reflect on how psychology can inform our knowledge of both offending and offenders.
Module code: CRI3025
Credits: 20
Psychosocial Analysis of Offending Behaviour Dissertation
Psychosocial Analysis of Offending Behaviour Dissertation represents the culmination of the course and your critical engagement with key debates in the subject area of psychosocial analysis of offending behaviour. A dissertation provides the opportunity to study a topic in greater depth than is otherwise possible on the degree and to study subjects which might not be available in other modules on the course. You will conduct independent research supported by a supervisor and a module leader. Two supervisor-led seminars are offered in addition to one-to-one supervision. You must devise and adopt a methodology appropriate for the primary research you undertake and secure appropriate ethical approval. You will undertake a small-scale criminological investigation, employing appropriate methods of data collection, and present a coherent and rigorous written analysis of this data and how it relates to your research question. The nature of your research will be agreed in advance with your supervisor.
Module code: CRI3027
Credits: 40
The Politics of Imprisonment
The Politics of Imprisonment provides you with a critical knowledge and understanding of the nature, functions and justifications for the use of punishment, specifically incarceration, in modern society. The module will consider the philosophical theories that are used to legitimise the state’s use of imprisonment and the sociological theories that explain historical developments in the purpose of state punishment. The various divisions and functions of the prison estate will be examined within their historical, structural, political, social and geographical contexts. Related methods of state punishment, such as the death penalty, will also be considered. You will adopt an international perspective and explore penal theory and practice in a range of countries. The relationships between power, legitimacy and justice will be central themes throughout the module.
Crimes of the Powerful 1 traces and explores serious harms and crimes perpetrated by states and associated professional and commercial interests from the eighteenth to mid-twentieth century. Adopting a zemiological frame, the module locates such harms within a range of political forms, particularly during times of social and economic upheaval, and ethnic, national and imperial conflict. The module concludes with a detailed exploration of the origins, implementation, consequences of, and responses to, the extreme state violences of the first half of the twentieth century. The aim is to enable you to critically explore issues at the cutting edge of criminological thinking.
Module code: CRI3021
Credits: 20
Crimes of the Powerful 2
Crimes of the Powerful 2 considers the key forms and determinants of serious contemporary harms originating in the actions or omissions of corporations, states and associated powerful organisations after the Second World War. The module critically examines the origins of such harms, the ways in which they are framed within dominant and alternative discourses, and critiques the responses to them. The module takes an expansive view of harm, drawing upon examples from within and without the criminal justice system, at local, national and international levels.
Module code: CRI3022
Credits: 20
Crime and Place
Crime and Place enables you to build your knowledge and understanding of the relationships between crime and place and examine developments in policy relating to place, criminality and safety. The module appraises the strengths and weaknesses of different theoretical, philosophical and practical approaches to crime and place. Geographies/landscapes of crime and criminalisation are examined utilising empirical and theoretical materials.
Module code: CRI3023
Credits: 20
Criminology and Philosophy
Criminology and Philosophy recognises how criminology has long drawn on philosophy to inform its development. You will consider philosophical ideas and concepts as they relate to the study of crime and its control. The module considers debates concerning continental and analytic philosophy and how these are reflected in criminology through discussions concerning qualitative and quantitative approaches, and between critical/sociological criminology and administrative criminology/crime science. You will assess a range of key philosophical ideas and concepts that relate to criminology, with a particular focus on how we get on with one another and what happens when we do not.
Module code: CRI3024
Credits: 20
The Politics of Policing
The Politics of Policing equips you with a critical knowledge and understanding of the concept of policing, both in its philosophical sense and as a function of the modern liberal democratic state. The module will consider the role and function of the police service, and explore related issues including police powers, political accountability, protection of civil liberties and the concept of equality before the law. Contemporary strategies and approaches to policing will be located within their structural, political, social and geographical contexts. The module is underpinned by theories of authority, power and legitimacy.
Module code: CRI3109
Credits: 20
Justice, Rights and the State
Justice, Rights and the State examines the development of the discourse about rights and justice. Taking a national and international approach, the module will consider the development of rights historically and the new discourses of rights. You will evaluate statutory policies and responses to the issue of rights and justice and consider how states respond to issues of justice and rights, including where states themselves uphold or violate citizen’s rights.
Module code: CRI3112
Credits: 20
Expanding the Criminological Imagination
Expanding the Criminological Imagination critically reflects upon and analyses the discipline of criminology. You will examine criminology’s political, practical and theoretical strengths and limitations and explore the production and commodification of criminological knowledge. The module will consider whether criminology has become a ‘parasitic’ discipline with the criminalisation of social problems, and the ever increasing techniques of crime control, forming the justification for the discipline’s existence, rather than providing a platform for resistance. You will explore the concept of the ‘criminological imagination’ as an alternative way of envisaging the discipline and its utility. You will also examine the way in which criminology has to connect with other disciplines in order to expand the range of issues it deals with. This is a necessity in order to help criminologists make sense of issues where the ‘normal’ boundaries of criminology would stifle or limit an analysis.
Module code: CRI3113
Credits: 20
Language 3
Language 3 enables you to build on and develop your previous language knowledge in French, German, Arabic, Italian, Mandarin or Spanish. You must have either studied the prior language module in the previous year or be able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge of your target language (though you will not be able to study a language you are already fluent or proficient in). The language levels available will be determined by the continuation of corresponding groups from the previous language module. You will gain the language skills necessary to become a more proficient user of the language. Classes will be taught in an interactive and communicative manner using authentic materials to promote meaningful communication. They will be conducted in the target language as much as possible. Emphasis will be on speaking and listening, with appropriate attention also being paid to other communication skills. Other work will include a variety of tasks which may be completed in the Language Centre.
Module code: TLC3000
Credits: 20
Optional modules provide an element of choice within the course curriculum. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by timetabling requirements. Some restrictions on optional module choice or combinations of optional modules may apply.
How you'll study
The course is delivered through lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops and independent study. You will also have the opportunity to carry out research through fieldwork and a dissertation. The practical work experience in Year 2 provides a unique and stimulating opportunity for experiential learning which will enhance your employability and career prospects.
Timetables for your first week are normally available at the end of August prior to enrolment in September. You can expect to receive your timetable for the rest of the academic year during your first week. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week. Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities.
How you'll be assessed
A range of assessment methods will be used throughout the programme including written coursework, presentations, examinations, case studies, reflective assignments and personal research.
Who will be teaching you
You will be taught by tutors whose research and teaching has a well-established national and international reputation, for instance, in areas of youth justice, sex offending and restorative justice.
We are committed to focused teaching where tutors concentrate primarily on areas of specialism. You will benefit from studying in the highly committed and research-active School of Law, Criminology and Policing.
Entry criteria
Entry requirements
Typical offer 104-112 UCAS Tariff points. No specific subjects are required.
Example offers
Qualification
Requirement
A Level
BCC-BBC.
BTEC Extended Diploma (or combination of BTEC QCF qualifications)
Distinction, Merit, Merit (DMM).
T Level
Overall grade of Merit.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
We are happy to accept IB qualifications which achieve the required number of UCAS Tariff points.
Access to Higher Education Diploma
45 credits at Level 3, for example 9 credits at Distinction and 36 credits at Merit or 15 credits at Distinction and 30 credits at Merit. The required total can be attained from various credit combinations.
Please note, the above examples may differ from actual offers made. A combination of A Level and BTEC awards may also be accepted.
If you have a minimum of two A Levels (or equivalent), there is no maximum number of qualifications that we will accept UCAS points from. This includes additional qualifications such as Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), AS Levels that haven't been continued to A Level, and General Studies AS or A Level awards.
English language requirements
International students require IELTS 6.0, with a score no lower than 5.5 in each individual component, or an equivalent English language qualification.
If your current level of English is half a band, one band, or one-and-a-half bands lower, either overall or in one or two elements, you may want to consider our Pre-Sessional English course.
Please see our international student pages for further information about how to apply as a prospective international student.
Should you accept an offer of a place to study with us and formally enrol as a student, you will be subject to the provisions of the regulations, rules, codes, conditions and policies which apply to our students. These are available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/studentterms.
Did you know?
If you join a full time undergraduate degree at Edge Hill University, we will guarantee you the
offer of a room in our halls of residence for the first year of your course.
The £6m Law and Psychology building provides contemporary teaching and learning facilities for students in the School of Law, Criminology and Policing and the Department of Psychology.
The three-storey building includes a 250-seat lecture theatre, seminar and tutorial rooms, and social learning areas which encourage a more informal and interactive style of learning.
Fees for the academic year 2024/25 are to be confirmed.
EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as Irish nationals, may be eligible for the UK tuition fee rate.
Financial support
Subject to eligibility, UK students joining this course can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the Government to cover the full cost of tuition fees. UK students enrolling on the course may also be eligible to apply for additional funding to help with living costs.
Please view the relevant Money Matters guide for comprehensive information about the financial support available to eligible UK students.
EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme may be eligible to apply for financial support. Irish nationals can ordinarily apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI).
If you are an EU student who does not have settled or pre-settled status, or are an international student from a non-EU country, please see our international student finance pages.
Your future career
You’ll graduate with a comprehensive understanding of offending behaviour and criminal justice practice, policy and theory. This criminal justice degree is ideal for those interested in following a career in the criminal justice system, including in prisons, youth justice and probation sectors.
Our graduates also have the skills and know-how to transfer to related fields like journalism, criminal policy, security and cyber security.
After completing our BSc (Hons) Criminal Justice, you’ll be well-placed to apply for meaningful roles such as:
• Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP)
• Prison Officer
• Youth Offending Service Case Manager
• Community Payback Supervisor
• Modern Slavery Caseworker Assistant
• Residential Childcare Worker
• Query Management and Case Administrator, HM Courts and Tribunal Service
Graduates from this programme may also continue their studies on postgraduate courses. Some also pursue professional qualifications in social work, probation, or teacher training to build the career of their dreams.
