Criminology and Criminal Justice including Foundation Year
Criminology is a topical, interdisciplinary subject that draws from sociology, psychology and law to examine the issues surrounding crime and the criminal justice system.
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Key Course Details
We live in a world whereby crime is frequently depicted through movies, dramas, documentaries, news and social media. Our Courses in Criminology will allow you to ask questions about the causes and consequences of crime.
Designed for
We offer a diverse set of criminology courses with a broad range of topics to study, from gang warfare, gun cultures and youth justice, to how crime is reported in the media allowing you to choose modules that reflect your interests.
Career Paths
- Probation Officer
- Criminologist
- Prison Officer
- Detective
- Police Officer
Skills taught
- Critical Thinking
- Analytical Skills
- Problem Solving Skills
Course Highlights
Module Overview
Students on this course will complete a subject-specific research project across levels 4 and 5, collaborating with industry partners. In addition, students will have the opportunity to complete a subject-specific placement module at level 5. At level 6, students will complete either a subject-specific empirical research dissertation, or placement, or project related to a staff project.
Students will study six modules, which will be assessed via a number of examinations, assignments and presentations. The study skills module is designed to help you with examinations and revision techniques, as well as skills including note taking, essay writing, referencing and planning assignments.
Investigative Project
Digital Capability
Foundations In Psychology
Sociology
Social Policy
- Exploring Crime and Deviance
- Crime Unmasked: Contemporary Crime and Challenges
- Beyond the Books: Academia, Employment and Professionalism in Criminal Justice (10 credits)
- Inside the criminal justice system
- The Real Impact of Crime: Vulnerability and Victims (10 credits)
- Diversity, Crime and Justice
- From Theory to Impact: Essential Research in Criminology
- From Crime Scene to Court: Investigating Crime
- The Politics of Policing
- Researching Crime, Security and Justice
- Unmasking Violent Crime (optional)
- Substance Use and Misuse: A line too far? (optional)
- Beyond Borders: Serious, Organised, and Transnational Crime (optional)
- Work Experience (optional)
- Behind Bars and Beyond: Exploring Prisons, Probation, and Resettlement
- Exploring Homicide: From Corporate Homicide to Serial Killers (optional)
- Breaking the Silence: Examining Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (optional)
- The Detectives’ Challenge: Investigating Cold Case and Unresolved Major Crime
- Crime Against the Environment: The Growth in Eco-Justice and Green Criminology
- Criminal Justice Inquiry: Dissertation
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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
UCAS Points: 48 (or above)
Typical qualification requirements:
- A Level: DD, 48 tariff points
- BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma Pass Pass Pass or BTEC Diploma Pass Pass
- Access to HE: Pass the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 48 UCAS Tariff points
- T Level: Pass (D or E)
Additional Requirements:
GCSEs: The University normally requires a minimum 3 GCSEs including Mathematics and English at Grade C/Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent but consideration is given to individual circumstances.
International applications welcomed:
We welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications of our entry requirements. For more details related to your country of residence please view our dedicated country pages.
English language requirements
International applicants will need to have achieved an overall of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component/TOEFL 72 overall and a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing or equivalent.
Equivalents can be located on our English Language pages.
If you have previously studied through the medium of English IELTS might not be required, please visit our country specific page for further details. If your country is not featured, please contact us.
If you do not meet the English entry criteria please visit our Pre-Sessional course pages.
Contextual offers
We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions.
USW prides itself on its student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university.
We're here to help
Whether you a have a question about your course, fees and funding, the application process or anything else, there are plenty of ways you can get in touch and we'd to talk to you. You can contact our friendly admissions team by phone, email or chat to us online.
Fees and Funding
Additional Costs
As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.
*Obligatory
Textbooks will be available in the library, but students may wish to purchase their own copies.
Cost: £0-£200
2nd year students can undertake a period of work placement if they take the Professional Practice module. Students undertaking placement may incur costs associated with travel and expected workplace attire will vary according to the placement.
Cost: £0-£300
For 2nd year students electing to do the Professional Practice module where their placement requires it. The fee covers the cost of the enhanced check, online admin fees and the post office checks.
Cost: £55.42
Course Highlights
How you'll learn
We work closely with our industry partners to ensure that our teaching practices and assessments are realistic, authentic, and prepare you for your future career. We believe that assessments should be diverse and shouldn't solely be focused on essays and exams.
We have strong links with criminal justice agencies and offer modules that reflect the current nature of this subject, often inviting guest speakers to talk to you about their work.
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Teaching staff
Our internationally recognised and renowned teaching team will mean that you will be taught by some of the best in the business. Sstudents are taught by a team of active researchers with expertise in homicide and violence, youth justice, policing, drug use, crime prevention, Probation and more.
Criminology at USW has an established record of excellence in teaching and research, and this is because we ensure that the content you are taught is current, stimulating and informed by our research.
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Placements
We have designed our Courses with over 40 industry partners, so that you will graduate with the skills and knowledge you need for employment. As well as volunteering opportunities, you can complete a work placement module, which could help your secure employment when you graduate.
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Facilities
We truly believe that you can't learn everything in the Classroom. This is why we have invested in our facilities, because we know that they’ll help you put your knowledge into practice in realistic settings. Our Facilities that include the Crime Scene House, Mock Court Room and Hydra Minerva.
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