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Criminology BA (Hons)

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Key Facts

  • UCAS Code

    BA: M930BA with Foundation: M931

  • Level

    UndergraduateUG BA (Hons)

  • Duration

    Full Time: 3 Years
    Foundation: 4 Years
    Part Time: 4 - 6 Years

  • Starting

    September

Updated 11/12/2024

Apply Now Open Days

Updated 11/12/2024

Get in touch

For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:

UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

international@northampton.ac.uk
44 (0)1604 892134

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Overview

The BA Criminology degree is designed for those who have an interest in crime and the criminal justice system. Through class discussions and independent study we explore both theoretical and practical perspectives of crime.

Criminology tackles questions such as what is crime? How are laws enforced? Why is crime concentrated in particular areas? How do you judge and evaluate evidence? How can crime be prevented? Our Criminology degree provides you with a gradual development of criminological knowledge that progressively advances across the years.

Highlights

  • Research placement available.
  • Multi-disciplinary approach to criminology.
  • Guest speakers from criminology backgrounds.
  • Opportunity for real life research.
  • Membership to the British Society of Criminology (BSC).
  • HP laptop and software included with this course for eligible student. Eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply.
Sign on a brick wall that reads 'This Wall Is Protected By Anti Graffiti Paint'.

Anti-graffiti sign on a wall in Northampton town centre

A large set of closed metal shutters with various graffiti in blue, green, and black, surrounded by bricks.

A large set of metal shutters showing graffiti in various colours.

Large graffiti art on an underpass wall of a blue cross-legged elephant figure holding objects including spray cans. The figure is surrounded by bold text and designs. The main colours are blue and pink.

Graffiti art on an underpass wall depicting a blue cross-legged elephant figure.

Large graffiti of various 'tagged' signatures and colours on an underpass wall under a road bridge, with a clear blue sky above.

Graffiti on a concrete underpass wall under a bridge

Entry Requirements

A typical offer for Criminology would be:
  • BCC at A Level or
  • DMM at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or
  • Pass (C and above) at T Level.

We welcome applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications.

In addition, you will be expected to have achieved GCSE Maths and English at Grade C/4 or above.

  • An Access Course must include 30 level 3 credits at Merit.

    We welcome international applications and applications from those with a range of non-traditional educational or professional qualifications. If you have a lively interest in issues of crime and justice and are prepared to pursue and develop that interest through reading and study then you will be considered for this course.

    For information on how to apply to study with us, please see our How to Apply page.

  • The standard entry requirements for the Integrated Foundation Year are:
    • DEE at A level or
    • MPP at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or
    • Pass (D or E) at T Level.

    We welcome applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications.

    For more information on how to make an application please visit our How to Apply pages for Home and EU, and International students.

  • All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

    • IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands for study at undergraduate level

    For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

Course Content

  • Criminology is a broad discipline that covers a wide range of criminalities as it has been said before ‘from graffiti to genocide’. The range of criminology allows people to explore different functions and investigate crime using a variety of perspectives. The focus of Criminology at UON is multi-disciplinary allowing our graduates to seek employment in fields that suit their knowledge and talents.

    Crime is a social contract. This is a lesson that our students get early on. Therefore, crime is about conventions and perceptions which makes Criminology a theoretical discipline with real life effects. It is those that we consider and measure. Crime is harm and the way we view it and discuss it allows us to look our society widely and provide some critical views and interventions. The ability to critically evaluate crime and to understand theories on crime allows the ability to look at the same picture from a different angle. Where others see an object, we see an opportunity for social interaction. When we hear of a crime story, we explore it beyond the media representations. If one asks for an explanation, we provide a perspective of how things are and what could be.

    For decades now, the University of Northampton has been offering Criminology utilising innovative curricula and developing a learning approach that open doors for the future. We see our students as our future colleagues and our passion and dedication is transferred to them. Our graduates work across the sector; from working in the courts, the probation service, the police, council services, the civil service, the prison service, fraud detection and many more areas. The knowledge and skills they acquire from us give them an extra boost and confidence.

    This BA Criminology course has been designed to contribute towards achieving the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG10 of Reduced Inequalities.

    Studying Criminology with us gives you a distinctive approach to learning, drawing on the disciplines of sociology, psychology, history and law. This provides you with a comprehensive introduction to key theoretical and methodological issues at the heart of the discipline.

    Work Experience Opportunities

    As well as the research placement available in year two, there are a variety of opportunities for you to volunteer and gain work experience within a wide range of institutions and organisations of criminological interest. At various points during our criminology degree course we invite visitors and guest speakers from diverse backgrounds to talk to you about their organisations and the voluntary and paid opportunities with them.

    List of modules
    • Stage 1
      • CRI1002 Crime and Society (20 Credits) (Compulsory)
      • CRI1011 Research Methods for Criminologists (20 Credits) (Compulsory)
      • CRI1007 The Science of Crime and Criminals (20 Credits) (Compulsory)
      • CRI1008 Becoming a Criminologist (20 Credits) (Compulsory)
      • CRI1009 Imaging Crime (20 Credits) (Compulsory)
      • CRI1010 From Delinquency to Criminal Careers (20 Credits) (Compulsory)
    • Stage 2
      • CRI2001 Crime and Justice (20 Credits) (Compulsory)
      • CRI2009 Advanced Criminological Theory (20 Credits) (Compulsory)
      • CRI2010 Criminology, Ethics and Professional Practice (20 Credits) (Compulsory)
      • CRI2014 Advanced Criminological Methodologies (20 Credits) (Compulsory)
      • CRI2011 International Policing (20 Credits) (Designated)
      • CRI2012 Outsiders: Journeys in Deviance (20 Credits) (Designated)
      • CRI2013 Criminologists in Society (20 Credits) (Designated)
      • CRI2015 Criminality Across the Life-course (20 Credits) (Designated)
    • Stage 3
      • CRI4003 Criminology Dissertation (40 Credits) (Compulsory)
      • CRI3001 Crime and Punishment (20 Credits) (Compulsory)
      • CRI3003 Violence (20 Credits) (Designated)
      • CRI3006 Beyond Justice (20 Credits) (Designated)
      • CRI3007 Critiquing Criminalistics (20 Credits) (Designated)
      • CRI3008 Intersections in Criminology (20 Credits) (Designated)
      • CRI3009 Activism in Criminology (20 Credits) (Designated)
      • CRI3011 Global Perspectives of Crime (20 Credits) (Designated)
      • CRI3012 Social Injustices (20 Credits) (Designated)

  • At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

    If you join our full-time BA Criminology degree at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

    Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

    To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

    *UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details).

  • The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a degree, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.

    If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements for Criminology we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year Criminology programme which includes a Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need, in order to successfully progress to the full award.

    Our four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.

    Please see our Integrated Foundation Year page for more details.

     

  • What makes Criminology at the University of Northampton special?

    The Criminology programme offered at the University of Northampton has been established for over 20 years. From the outset, the programme has incorporated a research placement whereby second year students undertake a piece of empirical research in a criminal justice agency. We are one of the few, if only, programmes which offers student membership of the British Society of Criminology, which enables students to engage with some of the important criminological thinkers across a range of different opportunities.

    What is the British Society of Criminology?

    Every Criminology student receives an undergraduate membership to the British Society of Criminology (BSC) for the entirety of their degree. Benefits of the membership include access to e-bulletins and newsletters, access to free BSC seminars and events, discounted rates to attend BSC events and many more. Check out the full Member Benefits list.

    What is a criminologist?

    A criminologist is a social scientist who studies crime, criminal behaviour, and the criminal justice system. They analyse crime statistics, conduct research to determine the causes of crime, and develop theories about criminal behaviour. They also study the responses of the criminal justice system to crime, including law enforcement, courts, and prisons.

    How will I be assessed?

    There are a variety of assessments used on the BA Criminology degree including essays, historical investigations, posters and end of year examinations. The assessments allow you to engage with the subject to nurture your talent and cultivate your success.

    Are there any special features on this course?
    • Multi-disciplinary approach to criminology
    • Opportunity for real life research
    • Holistic view of crime and criminal justice
    • Issues in gender, age, race and victimisation
    • Criminal justice and human rights

Fees and Funding

2025/26 Tuition Fees

Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 25/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK Full Time: £9,535*
  • UK Part Time: £1,585 per 20 credit module
  • UK Integrated Foundation Year: £5,760 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply
  • International Full Time: £15,700
  • International Integrated Foundation Year: £15,700 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply

* The 2025/26 annual tuition fee for undergraduate courses has not yet been confirmed by the Department for Education but is expected to be £9,535 for year one. UON will adjust fees annually in line with government policy.

  • There are no additional costs for our courses in criminology for students beginning their studies in September 2024. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

  • For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

    For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.

  • Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2024/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

    • UK Full Time: £9,250
    • UK Part Time: £1,540 per 20 credit module
    • UK Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply
    • International Full Time: £15,200
    • International Integrated Foundation Year: £15,200 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply

Staff

Placeholder image for Paula Bowles, Senior Lecturer in Criminology

Senior Lecturer in Criminology
Faculty of Business and Law

Paula Bowles
Paul Famosaya, Senior Lecturer in Criminology

Senior Lecturer in Criminology
Faculty of Business and Law

Paul Famosaya
Stephen Hallam, Senior Lecturer in Criminology

Senior Lecturer in Criminology
Faculty of Business and Law

Stephen Hallam
Jessica James, Lecturer in Criminology

Lecturer in Criminology
Criminology BA (Hons)

Jessica James
Placeholder image for Manos Daskalou, Head of Criminology

Head of Criminology
Faculty of Health, Education and Society

Manos Daskalou
Placeholder image for Haley Read, Lecturer in Criminology

Lecturer in Criminology
Faculty of Business and Law

Haley Read
Sallek-Yaks Musa, Lecturer in Criminology

Lecturer in Criminology
Faculty of Business and Law

Sallek-Yaks Musa

Careers and Employability

Our BA Criminology degree is a popular course that will provide you with excellent career prospects. You will develop a range of analytical and critical skills related to criminology that can also be applied to a variety of working environments related to the subject. The course provides a broad critical grounding which could be relevant to careers in policing, probation work, the prison service, the Home Office, the criminal courts, and postgraduate studies.

As the problem of crime has increasingly become a matter of public and political concern, the prevention of crime has been prioritised as a matter of social policy. Whilst traditional ways of working have come under pressure or changed, new innovative and ethically minded perspectives have begun to emerge. The knowledge and skills accumulated by our graduates throughout their studies enables them to become extremely reflective and adaptable. Furthermore, the development of attributes such as empathy, problem-solving, ethical awareness, combined with a strong sense of social justice, make our graduates increasingly relevant and desirable for a variety of different career paths.

Is this course for you?

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