BA Criminology

Institution University of Leicester
Method At the institution
Location Leicester
Type Undergraduate
Course fee By request

+ Information by E-mail

BA Criminology

Objectives Criminology is the study of how crime is defined, why some people commit crime, what happens when they do, and the impact of their actions. It is also the study of the police, courts and penal systems, which are collectively described as delivering justice in a democratic society.
Entry requirements Entry Requirements * A/AS Levels: Three A-Levels usually required at BBB. General studies accepted. * GCSE: Maths and English at 'C' grade or above. * Access to HE course: Pass, with at least the requisite credits at level 3. * European Baccalaureate: Pass with 75% overall. * International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 30-32 points. * Leicestershire Progression Accord: 250-290 points as above plus full Accord credits. * BTEC Nationals: Pass Diploma at DMM , plus any subject or GCSE requirements. * Other Qualifications: Other national and international qualifications welcomed. * Mature students welcomed: Alternative qualifications considered. * Second Year Entry: Possible for those with advanced qualifications strictly comparible to our degree structure. * Applicants are not normally interviewed. All those receiving an offer will be invited to visit the Department. * This degree is not available on a part-time basis.
Academic title BA Criminology
Course description BA Criminology

Programme

First Year

First year modules are designed to develop a basic understanding and awareness of the key theoretical approaches in the study of crime and criminal behaviour, as well as its impact on society. You will study six core modules, which comprise two introductory modules in Criminology, Theories of Crime and Criminality and Introduction to the Criminal Justice System, and two core modules in Sociology, Society in Transformation 1 and 2, which focus on social change and social problems in modern society (covering topics such as popular culture, gender, crime and the city, and an examination of the modern social system). The fifth module, Doing Social Research 1, is an introduction to research methods and looks at the issues involved in conducting criminological and sociological research. The final module - Crime in Focus - aims to challenge students' preconceptions about crime and criminal behaviour, whilst also developing key study skills in criminology.

Second and Third Years

Core modules during the second year include Doing Social Research 2, a follow-up to the research methods module taught in Year 1, Policing and Society, Penality and Punishment and the Sociology of Deviance. The third year comprises one taught core module, Criminology in Practice, with the remaining taught modules consisting of optional modules. Optional modules across these two years are regularly revised to take account of key criminological issues as they develop over time, and options on offer may include: Youth Crime and Justice; Preventing Crime; Psychology and Crime; Crime and the Media; Clinical Criminology; Crime, Law and Justice; Crime, Technology and Social Control; Crimes of the Powerful; Hate Crime and Victimisation; as well as a range of sociology modules.

In the third year students are also required to complete an independent piece of empirical or literature based research in order to produce a dissertation. The dissertation provides an opportunity for independent study on a topic agreed with your supervisor, who will be a member of staff in the Department of Criminology.