Criminology BA (Hons)
UCAS code: M900
What is the relationship between power, crime and social change? Are you interested in learning about the whole spectrum of crime, from antisocial behaviour and corporate crime to genocide? Our dynamic criminology degree could be for you.
Overview
Course length: | 3 years full-time 5 years part-time |
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Start dates: | September 2022 September 2023 |
Location: | Edge Hill University |
Example offers: | BBC-BBB (A Level) or DMM (BTEC) View full entry criteria |
Subject(s): | Criminology |
Department: | Law and Criminology |

What is the role and function of the criminal justice system? How do perspectives differ on the causes of crime? And how does the media represent social issues? Study with us to explore criminology, social justice and human rights.
Our criminology degree shines a light on policing, punishment and the courts but goes much further. When it comes to justice and rights, you’ll analyse the significance of class, gender, sexuality and race.
You’ll explore the spectrum of crime, from antisocial behaviour and domestic violence to corporate crime, genocide and state crime. Visiting academics and experts will enable you to put your studies into context.
As a criminology student you’ll be based in our £6 million Law and Psychology building, which provides ultra-modern teaching and learning facilities. You’ll attend lectures, seminars and workshops and carry out independent study. We also provide the opportunity for you to do research fieldwork and a work placement. These will add a practical edge to what you’ve learnt, and help you stand out to employers.
Course features
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Learn a Language
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Sandwich Year Option Available
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Studying Abroad Option Available
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Work Placement Opportunity
What you'll study
In your first year, we’ll introduce you to the key concepts and perspectives in criminology and criminal justice. This includes studying and understanding how harm is generated and examining historical developments in crime, policing and punishment. We’ll help you to analyse media representations of current social issues. And you’ll develop your all-important critical thinking skills, which will set you on the right path for your next two years of study.
Take a closer look at the wider social, historical, political and theoretical context of the laws relating to crime, including how serious harms are criminalised. We’ll also help you to gain a thorough grounding in undertaking criminological research. You’ll be able to apply critical theory to contemporary debates around criminal justice. Optional modules cover diverse subjects including children as criminals and victims, the spectrum of violence, and the relationship between crime and the media.
The final year of your criminology degree gives you the opportunity to choose from a variety of modules and complete a dissertation that allows you to research a topic of your choice in great detail. Shape your study by choosing from topics such as the politics of imprisonment and policing, crimes of the powerful, justice, rights and the state, the concept of the ‘criminological imagination’ and the relationship between crime and place.
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
As well as lectures, tutorials, independent study, seminars and workshop groups, you will have the opportunity to carry out research through fieldwork and a dissertation. You also have the option to embark upon a work placement to develop your employability skills and enhance your career prospects.
How you'll be assessed
Methods of assessment vary with individual modules. Most modules are assessed by a combination of coursework but other methods include presentations, article reviews, examinations, case studies 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. We are committed to focused teaching where tutors concentrate primarily on areas of specialism. You will benefit from studying in a highly committed and research-active department.
Entry criteria
Entry requirements
Typical offer 112-120 UCAS Tariff points. No specific subjects are required.
Example offers
Qualification | Requirement |
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A Level | BBC-BBB. |
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 15 credits at Distinction and 30 credits at Merit or 24 credits at Distinction and 21 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 or one band lower, either overall or in one or two elements, you may want to consider our Pre-Sessional English course.
How to apply
Apply full-time
Read our guide to applying through UCAS to find out more about the application process.
Apply part-time
Complete our online application form if you want to study this course on a part-time basis.
International
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.
Discover our accommodation
Facilities
The £6million Law and Psychology building provides contemporary teaching and learning facilities for students in the Department of Law and Criminology and the Department of Psychology.
The Department of Law and Criminology is located on the first floor of the three-storey building which includes a 250-seat lecture theatre, seminar and tutorial rooms, and social learning areas which encourage a more informal and interactive style of learning.
Where you'll study
Law and Psychology
Finance
Tuition fees
UK Full-Time
£9,250
a year
UK Part-Time
£77 per credit
for 360 credits
International
£15,000
a year
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 should 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
By the time you achieve your criminology degree, you’ll have a wide range of transferrable skills that will equip you for a graduate role or further study.
What can you do with a degree in criminology?
Our graduates go on to have exciting careers in the police, HM prison service and the Home Office, as well as in these areas:
- criminal or youth justice agencies
- youth and community work
- law and research
- offender management
- social work
- outreach
Others continue on to postgraduate study, or train to become teachers.