BSc (Hons) Criminology - University of South Wales

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UCAS Code

M900
Start Date

September
Location

Pontypridd
Campus Code

A

Fees

Home students

£9,250*
International students

£16,200*
Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.

Overview
Module Overview
Entry Requirements
Fees and Funding
Course Highlights
Next Steps

Dive deep into the causes and consequences of crime, uncover the inner workings of the criminal justice system, and put your skills to the test with real-life cases.

Career paths

Law enforcement
Education & youth work
Prison or probation service
Social work
Victim advocacy
Forensic psychology

In collaboration with

USW Cold Case Unit
Innocence Project
South Wales Police
Gloucestershire Constabulary

Skills taught

Investigative
Research analysis
Data handling
Ethical reasoning
Critical thinking
Debate

USW is the only university in Wales and the South West to operate a Cold Case Unit. Our students have the opportunity to work on live cases and aid police investigations. Students will also have a chance to take part in Innocence Project, examining real cases where potential miscarriages of justice have taken place to establish reasonable grounds for appeal.

students working together looking at evidence on a wall

Police in uniform walking through the University's Hydra Simulation Centre.

Course Highlights

Industry-grade facilities

Experience your passion in action at our moot courtroom and tackle realistic crime scenarios in our simulation suites and training facilities.

Placements and work experience

Build your CV with real-world experience at our partner institutions. Put your skills to the test on the job and network with professionals in Criminology.

Taught by expert practitioners

Tackle Criminology from all angles with our interdisciplinary teaching team, made up of active researchers and some of the biggest names in the industry.

Cutting-edge research

Our faculty conducts leading research on key projects for the Centre for Criminology, with 71% of our research rated as world-leading. [*Research Excellence Framework 2021]

Module Overview

Draw from a variety of disciplines like sociology, law, and psychology throughout your studies, and collaborate with inspiring researchers to discuss key issues in contemporary criminology. Our modules are designed to qualify you for external certifications and memberships upon graduation.

Year One
Inside the Criminal Justice System
Exploring Crime and Deviance
From Theory to Impact: Essential Research in Criminology
Crime Unmasked: Contemporary Crime and Challenges
Diversity, Crime and Justice
Beyond the Books: Academia, Employment and Professionalism in Criminal Justice
The real Impact of Crime: Vulnerability and Victims

Year Two
The Politics of Policing
From Crime Scene to Court: Investigating Crime
Researching Crime, Security and Justice
Unmasking Violent Crime*
Substance Use and Misuse*
Beyond Borders: Serious, Organised and Transnational Crime*
Work Experience*

Year Three
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 (traditional project or internship project)
Behind Bars and Beyond: Exploring Prisons, Probation, and Resettlement
Exploring Homicide: From Corporate Homicide to Serial Killers*
Breaking the Silence: Examining Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence*

In your first year, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the English and Welsh legal system, explore the history of crime and deviance, and develop your research skills to equip you for your academic journey.

Inside the Criminal Justice System
Explore the legal system in England and Wales and gain an understanding of criminal law, criminal justice agencies and crime statistics reporting. Examine court procedures, the judicial system, and key organisations like the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Police, Courts, Probation, and Prison Service.

Exploring Crime and Deviance
Deepen your understanding of criminological theory, from the evolution of crime to its contemporary contexts. Engage in current debates and apply criminology concepts to explore how crime is socially, culturally, and historically constructed and perceived.

From Theory to Impact: Essential Research in Criminology
Cultivate essential research skills within the context of Crime and Justice. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the role of research and research skill development in both an academic and professional context.

Crime Unmasked: Contemporary Crime and Challenges
Enhance your knowledge and understanding of contemporary and technological developments within the Criminal Justice sector, such as human trafficking, cyber-crime, and digitally facilitated offences.

Diversity, Crime and Justice
Explore the intricate dynamics of crime governance in England and Wales, and learn how opportunities, advantages, and disadvantages shape the criminal justice landscape. Delve into theories around inequalities and discover the disparities within criminal justice policies, spanning social class, location, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, and age.

Beyond the Books: Academia, Employment and Professionalism in Criminal Justice
Develop your academic and professional skills for success in the criminal justice sector. The module includes time management, writing, and referencing, along with digital competency and critical analysis.

The real Impact of Crime: Vulnerability and Victims
Study the evolution of Victimology in England and Wales and examine major theoretical concepts within the field. The module delves into the nature and extent of victimisation, critically analysing the changing role of the victim within the criminal justice system.

Master quantitative and qualitative data analysis and map the relationship between crimes occurring and the justice system. You will also have the option to specialise in different types of crime through optional* modules, including practical work experience.

The Politics of Policing
Delve into modern policing in England and Wales, from historical perspectives to diverse policing styles, and the influence of cultural and political factors. Understand policing through legal, sociological, and political lenses, including issues like 'cop culture' and police corruption are also explored.

From Crime Scene to Court: Investigating Crime
Study the practical aspects of complex investigations in policing, including legislation, ethical considerations, and interviewing skills. Learn about evidence techniques, methods used for gathering evidence and the subsequent legal processes.

Researching Crime, Security and Justice
Foster your understanding of research and evaluation in the Criminal Justice Sector, to prepare for your final year research project. Explore quantitative and qualitative data preparation, analysis, interpretation, and hone your presentation skills.

Choose 3 out of the 4 remaining modules:

Unmasking Violent Crime*
Develop your comprehensive understanding of violence and violent crimes. From the historical evolution of violent crime in the UK to definitions and typologies of violence, root causes and risk factors. You will also explore prevention strategies and early intervention techniques.

Substance Use and Misuse
Deepen your understanding of substance misuse by examining its historical context, types of substances, causative factors, addiction, societal perceptions, and health consequences. The module explores the supply of substances, analysing drug supply chains and media portrayals.

Beyond Borders: Serious, Organised and Transnational Crime*
Study the areas of Serious and Organised Crime (SOC), Transnational Crime, and Terrorism within the UK context. Examples include money laundering, fraud, modern slavery, and terrorism. The module also examines extremism, radicalisation, far-right groups, and the role of the dark web and social media.

Work Experience*
Put your theory into practice and develop your critical thinking, teamwork, and communication in a professional setting. This module requires a minimum 70-hour placement for hands-on experience

In your final year you will focus on more advanced investigative techniques and enhance your research skills through your dissertation or dedicated internship project. Get to grips with practical challenges and real-world applications and select between two specialisms: Homicide and Domestic Abuse.

The Detectives’ Challenge: Investigating Cold Case and Unresolved Major Crime
Explore cold case investigations and miscarriages of justice, and understand why some cases remain unresolved. You will engage with real cases, learn about forensic techniques, legal and ethical considerations, and Police investigations.

Crime Against the Environment: The Growth in Eco-Justice and Green Criminology
Investigate the intersection of crime, harm, and environmental issues, focusing on green criminology. Examine various forms of environmental crimes and harms, their causes, consequences, and societal responses. You will also delve into animal abuse and rights, alongside real-world case studies.

Criminal Justice Inquiry: Dissertation (traditional project or internship project)
Design and conduct a social science research project in criminal justice. Develop your competence in research design, data collection, and analysis for contributions to evidence-based practices in the criminal justice sector.

Behind Bars and Beyond: Exploring Prisons, Probation, and Resettlement
Gain a comprehensive exploration of imprisonment in England and Wales. This module critically analyses the diverse aims of imprisonment and delves into theories of punishment, including retribution, deterrence, rehabilitation, and incapacitation. You will also focus on prisoner resettlement, rehabilitation, reintegration, and recidivism.

Choose 1 module from below:

Exploring Homicide: From Corporate Homicide to Serial Killers*
Delve deep into homicide, covering its social and legal aspects, patterns, and characteristics both in the UK and internationally. Gain insights into homicide investigative process, including evidence production, potential challenges, and failures.

Breaking the Silence: Examining Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence*
Develop your understanding of violence against women, domestic abuse, and sexual violence within the context of England and Wales. Explore theoretical perspectives, policy responses, and practical implications and delve into legal and policy responses within the criminal justice system.

Course Highlights

How you'll learn

Experience an immersive learning environment on the BSc Criminology course through practical seminars, discussion-based sessions and lectures. We regularly host guest speakers with expertise in a wide range of Criminology-related topics, and encourage our students to attend talks off-campus at sites like the British Society of Criminology. You will also learn independently on this course through reading, research and project work.

We always make sure that our assessments are aligned with today’s industry standards and work with professionals to create innovative and up-to-date methods of assessment. These include coursework, vlogs, academic posters, presentations, essays, reports, interactive exercises, portfolios and written examinations.

Teaching staff

The breadth of expertise and skills on the teaching team ensure that your Criminology education follows an interdisciplinary approach. You will be taught by a team of active Criminology researchers and industry experts, with specialisms in homicide and violence, youth justice and youth policy, policing, animal abuse, drug use, green, global, and transnational criminology, and alternatives to imprisonment.

The course also regularly hosts guest speakers, including senior investigators on homicide cases, political figures and NGO leaders.

Placements and work experience

Boost your CV and enhance your employability on placement through our wide range of partner institutions. You might get to work on real-life missing people investigations with USW’s Cold Case Unit, discover potential miscarriages of justice with the Innocence Project or spend your placement alongside local agencies solving crime in South Wales.

Work experience in Criminology allows you to familiarise yourself with professional environments, explore your different areas of interest and network with potential future employers. Your tutors and the USW Careers team will support you in finding work placements while you study.

Facilities

Our on-campus facilities are designed to bring your course to life, giving you the opportunity to apply your skills in real-time and be assessed in practical environments.

Moot Court
Throughout your course you will delve into the UK’s legal system, witness real-life court dramas on field trips and present your cases in our immersive moot courtroom on campus.

Hydra Simulation Centre
We use our one-of-a-kind simulation centre to recreate crime scenarios and put your decision-making skills to the test. These mock environments are used to train police officers, emergency personnel, health care professionals, the military and private sectors across the UK and prepare them for the working world.

Crime Scene Training Facility
Learn about crime scene identification, documentation and recovery of evidence in our simulated crime environment. The Professor Bernard Knight house has a host of realistic crime scenes for you to investigate, from burglaries to fires to homicides.

Careers and Employability

Graduate careers

Our Criminology graduates have gone on to apply their investigative mindsets and transferrable skills in fast-paced and thrilling careers across the globe. Recent alumni are now working undercover for the National Crime Agency, as Intelligence Analysts for South Wales Police and as Probation Officers.

Popular routes for our graduates include the police, prison service, victim support and protection services. A Criminology degree will also open the door to careers within the justice system, including drug and housing agencies, and pupil referral units.

Many of our graduates also progress to postgraduate study or research.

Careers support

The USW Careers Service is on hand to support you throughout your studies, with guidance on writing your CV, creating a positive online presence, applying for jobs, mastering interviews and navigating the recruitment process. We regularly host skills workshops and careers fairs to connect you with future employers and equip you with the tools to progress.

Once you graduate, you will be able to book personalised career appointments with CareersConnect and access online resources and job alerts for graduate-level vacancies within Criminology. We continue to support and champion our 250,000 USW alumni year-on-year and regularly celebrate their work within our Graduate Network.

Industry partners

The Criminology course provides global industry links that connect our students to leading experts and potential future employers throughout their time at USW. Our curriculum is designed in collaboration with external organisations and industry professionals to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.

Industry partners include South Wales Police, British Transport Police, Gwent Police, Dyfed Powys Police, Gloucestershire Constabulary, Wiltshire Police and Dorset, Devon & Cornwall Police.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

96 UCAS Points (or above)

Typical qualification requirements:

A Level: CCC
Welsh BACC: Pass the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Diploma with Grade C in the Skills Challenge Certificate and CC at A Level
BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma Merit Merit Merit
Access to HE: Pass the Access to HE Diploma and obtain a minimum of 96 UCAS tariff points.

Additional requirements include:

GCSEs: The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics/Numeracy and English at Grade C or Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent, but consideration is given to individual circumstances.

How to apply

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.

Contextual Admissions Policy

Fees and Funding

UK Full-time Fee

£9,250

per year*

International Full-time Fee

£16,200

per year*

Further Information

Studying at university is one of the most significant investments you'll ever make. Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).

*Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee is anticipated to remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course except as described below.

Please be aware that we may increase the maximum fee for home students on full-time undergraduate courses only where the Welsh Government increases the permitted level of inflation of fees. Fees for all students (including part-time, postgraduate and international students) may be amended in accordance with our applicable Fees and Debt Management Policy. We will ensure that students are given clear, intelligible, unambiguous and timely information about our courses and costs in good time, ahead of the next academic year.

Fees and Funding Scholarships and Bursaries Cost of Living Support

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

At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.

If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.

THE COLD CASE UNIT HAS ALLOWED ME TO APPLY CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS TO SOMETHING THAT IS RELEVANT TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND MY DEGREE IN CRIMINOLOGY.

Rachel Drennan

Criminology graduate

Life at USW

Halls are a big part of your student experience and there’s accommodation at all three of our locations. If you don’t want to live near the campus, there are great transport links to keep you connected.