Criminology

BA (Hons)
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Undergraduate

The course provides insights into all aspects of crime: from how it is investigated, to its social and psychological causes, and how the legal system responds to crime. We explore everything from gang crime, gun crime, to cybercrime to environmental crime to terrorism and lots more!

Criminology explores crime in society, unique in its approach to bringing together different perspectives from criminal law, sociology and forensics aspects.  The course allows students to apply these different perspectives to real-life examples, supported by innovative teaching and facilities. 

The course will focus on the different perspectives of the professionals involved in understanding why and how a crime was committed, giving students a unique set of problem-solving skills.

Mode of Study

  • On Campus

Mode of Attendance

  • Full Time

Start Date

September

Course Length

4 years

The BA (Hons) Criminology provides a thorough and critical interdisciplinary grounding in understanding, analysing and researching the effects, definitions and causes of crime and deviance; the workings of criminal justice systems; and an overview of the analysis of crime scenes and criminal activity.

The course allows students to gain a holistic understanding of crime, from crime scene to courtroom and the social and psychological processes that define, cause and influence crime in contemporary global society.

The degree consists of three interweaving disciplinary areas throughout the course:

  • Strand one: Social Science perspectives. This strand offers students a grounding in contemporary and classic analysis and theorisation of crimes and deviance.
  • Strand two: Legal Studies. This strand provides the key frameworks for identifying what crime is and is not, and how it is to be understood, when compared with non-criminal behaviour.
  • Strand three: Forensic Science. Forensic science involves the analysis of biological, chemical or physical samples collected as evidence during a criminal investigation. Students will gain an understanding of the processes that provide crucial scientific evidence which may link a suspect to the scene of the crime, the victim, or the weapon. The strand provides practical elements in crime detection.

Year 1

The foundations of the course are laid down. Students will learn about crime scene investigation, social causes of crime, the criminal justice system, criminological theories, psychology and study skills.

Year 2

Building on the previous year, the student explores police studies, law and evidence, study skills, forensic biology, crime and society, research skills

Year 3

The third year broadens the scope to include international comparisons, gang and firearm crime, substance use, cybercrime, research methods, and evidence analysis.

Year 4

The final year includes writing a research-based dissertation on a topic chosen by the student, and studying environmental crime, forensic psychology, gender-based violence and reflecting on the course.

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