What is the relationship between power, crime and social change? Are you interested in challenging how ‘crime’ is understood in society and learn about the whole spectrum of harmful actions – from interpersonal crime to corporate crime and genocide? Our critical criminology degree could be for you.
What are the role and functions of the criminal justice system in contemporary societies? How do factors such as ethnicity, gender or class impact on the way in which it works for individuals and communities? Are the harms caused by corporations or governments ever seen as ‘crimes’? Study with us to explore those questions from a variety of theoretical and practical perspectives.
Our criminology degree shines a light on policing, punishment and the courts but goes much further. 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 have access to 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 learned, and help you stand out to employers.
In the first year of your criminology degree, we’ll introduce you to the key concepts and perspectives in criminology. This includes studying and understanding how ‘crime’ and harm are generated in contemporary societies, as well as examining historical developments in crime, policing, and punishment. We’ll help you to analyse media representations of current social issues, and to develop an understanding of how criminological knowledge relates to the modern world. You’ll develop your all-important critical thinking skills, which will set you on the right path for your next two years of study.
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
Assessment:
100% Coursework
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
Assessment:
60% Coursework
40% Practical
Histories of Crime, Policing and Punishment
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
Assessment:
100% Exam
Introduction to Criminological Theory
Introduction to Criminological Theory introduces you to key theoretical perspectives relevant to the study of crime and social justice. The module will use contemporary case studies in crime, deviance and conflict to evaluate the main theoretical traditions and recent critiques within criminology, providing a foundation in critical analysis. In particular, the module will emphasise the political underpinnings to theoretical perspectives and will encourage you to recognise the need to locate theories of crime and deviance in their structural contexts.
Module code: CRI1124
Credits: 20
Assessment:
100% Exam
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.
Power, Knowledge and Crime encourages you to develop your critical awareness and evaluation skills. The module considers the controversies, contradictions and common sense assumptions that underpin the generation of ‘knowledge’ around concepts such as ‘crime’, harm, punishments, rights and justice. It contests the concept of ‘official truths’ and examines how specific discourses contribute to the establishment of ‘legitimate’ knowledge and the barriers this creates for those attempting to present alternative versions and accounts. Drawing upon a diverse range of testimonies, you will discover how knowledge is shaped by power and how the processes of denial, neutralisation and disqualification are used to silence dissent.
Module code: CRI1016
Credits: 20
Assessment:
100% Practical
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. 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 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. The module accommodates varying language levels and you will be divided into groups accordingly. 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 the 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
Assessment:
85% Coursework
15% Practical
Take a closer look at the wider social, historical, political and theoretical context of the laws relating to crime, including how serious harms are – or are not – criminalised. In your second year, you’ll be able to apply critical theory to contemporary debates around criminal and social justice and debate its relevance to issues such as climate change. Optional modules cover diverse subjects including how ideas about ‘race’ and ethnicity help shape and determine societal responses to perpetrators and victims of crime; how violence – including political violence – presents as a spectrum, and how media shape our understanding of what ‘crime’ is. Finally, we will help you to gain skills for undertaking your independent research in preparation for Year 3 dissertation.
Critical Criminological Theory provides a grounding in critical criminological theory and its application to contemporary debates and issues concerning harm and criminal justice. The module will familiarise you with the development of criminological theory in historical and political contexts. You will be encouraged to apply theoretical perspectives to issues incorporating harm and crime, as well as social and state responses, drawing on national and international examples. The module will challenge mainstream theories of crime and deviance by locating current examples of harm, criminalisation and criminal justice within determining contexts of class, gender, sexuality, neo-colonialism and age within political priorities of the neoliberal agenda.
Module code: CRI2225
Credits: 20
Assessment:
100% Coursework
Doing Criminological Research
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.
Crime, Law and Society explores the application and effect of the criminal law upon individuals in society from criminological and complementary socio-legal perspectives. Through utilising both of these perspectives, you will be encouraged to look beyond established traditional legal explanations for crime and the legal responses to it, in order to explore the wider social, historical, political and theoretical context of the laws relating to crime. The module will enhance your understanding of how determining contexts impact upon how laws relating to crime are created, developed and enforced.
Module code: CRI2027
Credits: 20
Assessment:
100% Coursework
Crime, Media and Criminology
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
Assessment:
100% Coursework
Gender, Sex and Violence
Gender, Sex and Violence explores the concept of violence and the various forms it can take. Specifically, the module will focus on the relationships between gender, sex, sexuality and violence, and the ideological, cultural and religious underpinnings of such violent acts. 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 and social science 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, hegemony and ideology will be key themes of the module.
Module code: CRI2025
Credits: 20
Assessment:
100% Exam
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
Assessment:
100% Coursework
‘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
Assessment:
50% Coursework
50% Practical
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
Assessment:
100% Exam
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
Assessment:
100% Coursework
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.
Module code: CRI2028
Credits: 20
Assessment:
100% Coursework
The final year of your criminology degree gives you the opportunity to choose from a variety of modules and you can shape your study by delving into topics such as the politics of imprisonment, crimes of the powerful, understanding justice, rights and the state, and exploring the concept of the ‘criminological imagination’.
You will also complete a dissertation that allows you to research a topic of your choice in great detail under the supervision of one of your course tutors.
Dissertation represents the culmination of your critical engagement with the theoretical and methodological debates within the subject area of criminology. This module offers you the opportunity to study a topic in-depth and undertake independent research, with support provided by the programme team. You must devise and adopt a methodology appropriate for the primary research you wish to undertake and gain appropriate ethical approval. The nature of your primary research will be agreed with your supervisor.
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
Assessment:
100% Exam
Crimes of the Powerful 1
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
Assessment:
60% Exam
40% Coursework
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
Assessment:
60% Exam
40% Coursework
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
Assessment:
100% Exam
Critical Terrorism Studies
Critical Terrorism Studies recognises that in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, and those in London, Madrid, Paris and beyond, terrorism and political violence have become ever more pressing contemporary issues. But, what is ‘terrorism’, what does the term itself actually mean? What causes political violence, how is it represented in modern multi-mediated societies and how does the issue of ‘counter terrorism’ impact on the lives of people today? How has the ‘fear’ of terrorism come to affect our society? These are the sort of questions this module is designed to address. You will be invited to employ and develop your understanding of critical sociological theories, concepts and approaches in order to investigate these matters of great contemporary social importance.
Module code: SPY3110
Credits: 20
Assessment:
100% Coursework
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
Assessment:
60% Practical
40% Coursework
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
Assessment:
100% Coursework
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.
Module code: CRI3110
Credits: 20
Assessment:
50% Coursework
50% Exam
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
Assessment:
50% Coursework
50% Exam
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 on your criminology degree. 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 across individual modules, with a combination of coursework, presentations, article reviews, examinations, case studies and personal reflections. Methods of assessment are linked to developing key skills such as research, writing, public speaking and critical thinking.
Who will be teaching you
You will be taught by tutors whose research and teaching has a well-established national and international reputation. Our teaching is research-led, which means that it is reflective of the current state of criminological knowledge and linked to contemporary societal issues.
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.
Where your course includes optional modules, these are to 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.
Entry criteria
Typical offer 112-120 UCAS Tariff points. No specific subjects are required.
Example offers
Qualification
Requirement
A Level
BBC-BBB.
UCAS Tariff points
112-120 points.
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, 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.
Fair Entry Criteria
Our new Fair Entry Criteria is a Contextual Admissions Policy that takes an applicant’s personal and educational background into account. This policy will allow eligible applicants to receive up to a two-grade reduction in their entry requirements for this course. Find out more and see if you qualify.
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.
The Department of History, Geography and Social Sciences is based in the Geosciences building. The contemporary facilities combine with a friendly and supportive learning environment to ensure that your studies are a rich and rewarding experience.
The Geosciences building features a large lecture theatre, small group teaching rooms, IT facilities and smaller tutorial spaces. There is also a large social area which encourages a more informal and interactive style of learning.
The University may administer a small inflationary rise in tuition fees, in line with Government policy, in subsequent academic years as you progress through the course.
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 maintenance loan funding to help with living costs.
Scholarships
We offer a range of scholarships, which celebrate the determination, commitment and achievement of our students. Many of our scholarships are awarded automatically. There are some however, where you will need to be involved in an application or nomination process. To find out more about our scholarships and check your eligibility, please visit our dedicated scholarships pages.
Money Matters
Please view the relevant Money Matters guide for comprehensive information about the financial support available to eligible UK students, together with details of how to apply for potential funding.
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
By the time you achieve your criminology degree, you’ll have a wide range of transferable 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 youth justice agencies, youth and community work, charities, the police, HM prison service and the Home Office, social work, law, research and policy work and more.
Others continue on to postgraduate study, or train to become teachers.
Course changes
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information, however our courses are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may necessitate alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses.
Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of professional bodies, revisions to subject benchmarks statements, 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.
Track changes to this course
Module changes - 2 May 2025
TLC2000 Language 2 removed.
TLC3000 Language 3 removed.
Module changes - 26 February 2025
CRI3114 Learning Together: The Sociological Imagination removed.
Module changes - 3 February 2025
CRI2226 Challenging Childhoods removed.
CRI3114 Learning Together: The Sociological Imagination removed.
SPY3112 Desire: Law, Politics Ethics and Difference removed.
Fastrack Link Added - 14 November 2024
Link to Fastrack added
Fastrack Link Removed - 13 November 2024
Link to Fastrack Link removed
Module Assessment Change - 2 October 2024
CRI3023 Crime and Place has been changed from 100% coursework to 100% exam.
CRI3021 has been changed from 100% coursework to 60% exam and 40% coursework.
CRI3022 has been changed from 100% coursework to 60% exam and 40% coursework.
Assessment method - 28 March 2024
CRI3109 The Politics of Policing – updated from 100% coursework to 50% coursework; 50% exam.
Change to assessment types - 11 October 2023
CRI3024 Criminology and Philosophy, 20 credits) assessment type changed from 100% Coursework to 100% Exam.
