BA (Hons) Criminology

Core modules

Introduction to Criminology

Approaching offending from a range of perspectives, this module explores the impact of key social divisions on crime and justice. Themes such as ethnicity, sexuality, power, and class, are used to examine crime and deviance within the contexts of our social environment, cultures, and communities.

Big Questions in Social Sciences

Drawing on present-day issues concerning crime, this module teaches the skills needed to become a successful social scientist, such as how to find, use and acknowledge academic research, and construct and present persuasive arguments.

Criminal Justice Process

This module will introduce you to the main stages and actors of the criminal justice process and the major theoretical and analytical approaches that inform the function and operation of the criminal justice process.

Victimology

This module is designed to make you a better-informed critic and analyst of crime and victimology. On completion you will be better equipped to explain the impact of crime on victims and will have an in-depth knowledge of perspectives on victimization and the responses to victimization.

Explaining Criminal Behaviour

Why do people commit crime? This module explores the wide range of fascinating psychological, biological, and sociological explanations for criminal and deviant behaviour

Researching Criminal Worlds

Research is the bedrock of our understandings of crime and justice. In this module you will learn the different methods employed to create strong, credible, and ethically sound new knowledge about crime and deviance.

Core modules

Cybercrime and AI

Technology is the defining feature of crime today and cybercrime poses one of the biggest threats to modern society. This module investigates the rapidly evolving range and nature of electronic crime, threat actors’ motivations and techniques, and how individuals, organisations, and governments can reduce such risks.

Methods and Analysis in Criminology

Building on the learning gained from Researching Criminal Worlds, here you will refine the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct your own investigation, analyse your data, and present your findings. These are essential skills for all criminologists and invaluable preparation for the third year dissertation.

Police and Society

This module examines how the police operate in England and Wales. Exploring critical themes such as police culture, accountability, and relationship with the media and public, police efficiency and effectiveness will be considered within various social contexts.

Global Crime

No understanding of crime and justice can be complete without recognising the transnational nature of much criminal activity and, therefore, the need for cooperation between policing agencies. This module explores how perceptions of the nature and extent of crime have expanded and diversified in a globalised world.

Youth Justice

This module aims to provide participants with a critical appreciation of theoretical perspectives underpinning the policy and practice of the Youth Justice system in England and Wales.

Crimes of the Powerful

Whilst most government and popular crime narratives focus on the crimes of marginalised people, criminologists recognise that it is the crimes of powerful groups that often cause most harm. Focusing on criminal activities perpetrated by corporations, elites, and state bodies, this module encourages you to be a better-informed critic and analyst of crime by examining the offences of those who hold significant social, economic, and political power.

Core modules

Dangerous Offenders

In this module, you will engage in discussions covering a range of current controversies surrounding dangerousness, risk and offences committed by those offenders deemed to be a threat to the public.

Crime, Media, Culture

The media is a key player in issues of crime and justice. Drawing on a wide range of media types, media theory, and case-studies, this module tackles the complex interplay between the media, law enforcement, public, and offenders.

Dissertation

In this module, you will research in a discipline related to your degree programme. You will synthesise knowledge from other modules to support the development of a research project that is relevant to your subject area. You will work with a supervisor and will utilise a range of research and academic skills to produce a written dissertation that demonstrates a systematic approach to the research process.

Optional modules

Please note: Not all optional modules are guaranteed to run each year.

Migration, Refugees and Global Crisis

This module looks at contemporary social issues that focus on migrant workers, the ‘refugee crisis’, border control and policies, and other global issues related to people and their movement around the world.

Terrorism and Political Violence

This module will assess the nature of contemporary “terrorism” by examining definitional disputes and motivational dynamics. Particular manifestations of political violence will be evaluated in detail, which will require a focus on aims, strategy and tactics.

Police, Law and Community

The impact of alcohol and drugs on the perpetration of crime and deviance is significant. Drawing on national and global perspectives, this module navigates the complex areas of crime, health, addiction, government strategy, and multi-agency co-operation to understand offending and victimisation related to drugs, alcohol, and gangs.

Gangs, Drugs and Alcohol

Crime, Gender and Sexuality

This criminology module offers you an insight into the intrinsic relationships between crime, gender, and sexuality, studying sexual offences such as rape and sexual abuse, as well as other serious crimes.