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BSc (Hons) Criminology and Law

Name: BSc (Hons) Criminology and Law
Availability: InStock

UCAS CODE: CWAL (Full-time) or CLFY (Foundation Year)

TARIFF: 88 - 112 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)

Develop skills that enhance your employability. Learn critical skills such as data interpretation, how to evaluate evidence and write reports, present reasoned arguments and make judgements with background legal knowledge. We will build your knowledge of criminology from a range of different legal perspectives and empower you to succeed with new skills no matter your goals.

No. 1 in England for Student Satisfaction*

*Measured by % of positivity across all questions within the larger providers only: taught or registered population (NSS 2023)

No. 1 Students' Union in the UK*

*As ranked among taught students at non-specialist HEIs (NSS 2023)

Top for our response to the cost-of-living-crisis*

*Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

5th for learning opportunities*

*NSS 2023

Top 10 for student support*

*Whatuni Student Choice Award 2023

Why study this subject?

Who commits crimes, why do they do it, what is the impact on victims and themselves, and how do we prevent them? Studying Criminology and law means investigating all these questions and gaining an understanding on the place our law has in our societies.

After graduation you could be entering a role that is providing value to society. You could be tackling crime, investigating why people break the law and improving or critiquing law and criminal policy. If you want to play a big part in keeping people safe, this could be the subject you’ve been looking for.

A degree in Criminology could lead to a career in the police, prison and probation services, the court or security services or with charities that work with young offenders. If you want to make a difference in this area, studying Criminology will equip you with the skills for a rewarding and successful career.

Criminology and Forensic Studies working at table with items

table of items for criminology and forensic studies sessions

Criminology and Forensic Studies students in protective clothing

student holding criminology items during forensic studies

Criminology and Forensic Studies students acting out a scenario

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

If you are interested in a range of topics related to crime, BNU gives you a unique opportunity to identify your career goals and set out a clear path to achieving them.

Our university is close to London and with the capital on your doorstep, its perfect if you want to commute to university while remaining close to friends and family.

In addition to all the great benefits to choosing BNU, your Criminology course has some great benefits too, with a passionate teaching team made up of former industry professionals, with links to professional organizations that keep us up to date with the latest research, statistics and employment needs.

With opportunity to apply the skills you learn to practice; you can graduate from BNU with the skills and experience you need to succeed, as we work with our academics to provide you with what is required to fulfil national and local demand with employers.

Pathways

We believe in giving you the time and knowledge to make your career choices as informed individuals. That's why we teach our criminology courses across a shared first year. We can then give you the option of choosing a course after you've got a taste of all of them. You can choose to stay on BSc (Hons) Criminology and Law or switch to BSc (Hons) Criminology and Forensic Studies or BSc (Hons) Criminology, after the first year of study.

Courses are also offered as four-year programmes, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, and are available if you didn't meet the entry requirements.

Criminology testing equipment of table shown as evidence

What facilities can I use?

Our criminology degree has lots of opportunities for you to get stuck into thanks to our diverse range of facilities. You can get access to a simulated crime scene where you can learn how to collect forensic evidence or test your own research. You'll be able to use our VR system to test body reactions and reaction time, study police interviews in our interview suite and more.

Our library is packed with all the information you need for your assessments and there’s plenty of room to knuckle down for some quiet study.

You can also use our AppsAnywhere web service, which provides access to many of the software applications you use for learning and studying. AppsAnywhere can be used from your own device or from a University owned PC or laptop, from any location.

What will I study?

On our course, you will be able to combine the study of criminology with the study of law. This specialism will give you the opportunity to critically examine legal aspects of the criminal justice system.

Current issues and challenges faced in this sector are all discussed within a scientific and evidence-based framework with a focus on applied actions and potential solutions. Criminological theories are therefore applied to potential practice scenarios throughout the degree, which you may encounter throughout the course of your career.

You’ll be able to benefit from skills, experience and our knowledge from industry, as we prepare you with the confidence and ability to pursue a career in the subject you love. We will ensure you leave BNU prepared the best you can be to chase your dreams after graduation.

How will I be taught and assessed?

Assessments vary according to modules and are designed to test your understanding of the modules. Some of the ways you will be assessed include:

reports
exams
presentations
workshops

Opportunity modules are a key part of the BNU curriculum. You’ll choose modules in both your first and second year from a broad selection in areas such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, creativity, digital skills, personal growth, civic engagement, health & wellbeing and employment.

Opportunity modules are designed to enable you to develop outside the traditional boundaries of your discipline and help you to further stand out from the crowd to future employers.

BSc (Hons) Criminology Programme Specification

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Two male students reading at the library

BNU female student in library with lots pf books round her and laptop

What are the course entry requirements?

A typical offer will require a UCAS tariff score of: 88 - 112 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)

UCAS points can be obtained through qualifications such as A levels, T levels, BTEC or an Access to Higher Education course in a relevant subject. Please list all your qualifications on the application form as you will be asked to provide copies when we receive your application.

For details of our international English entry requirements, please visit our international pages.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for the three-year undergraduate programme, or those who do not feel fully prepared for a degree course, can apply for a four-year programme including a Foundation Year; find out more.

Modules

This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.

This course has Opportunity modules.

Opportunity modules are a key part of the BNU curriculum. You’ll choose modules in both your first and second year from a broad selection in areas such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, creativity, digital skills, personal growth, civic engagement, health & wellbeing and employment. Opportunity modules are designed to enable you to develop outside the traditional boundaries of your discipline and help you to further stand out from the crowd to future employers. Find out more.

Foundation Year

Core Modules

Preparing for Success: Knowledge and Creativity

On this module, we will prepare you for successful progression into academic study while allowing you to learn about and prepare yourself for employment in the twenty-first century through inquiry-based learning, problem solving and critical and creative thinking.

Preparing for Success: Self Development and Responsibility

This module enables you to begin developing the Bucks Graduate Attributes associated with leadership and self-development and social and ethical awareness and responsibility, which are essential for success in higher education and in the world of work.

Inquiry Based Learning

Delivery of this module is based on ‘confirmation inquiry’ – a foundational level of inquiry geared for developing your understanding of key concepts and themes as well as basic methodologies and approaches to academic work, relevant to your discipline. You’ll then have the opportunity to analyse a problem or question that relates to your subject a...

Ways of learning about the social world

The aim of the module is to introduce you to the social world. The module will introduce you to key themes, concepts and approaches in the social sciences, including criminology, sociology and applied areas such as sociology of Health. It introduces standard disciplinary language, definitions and ways of investigating society.

Year 1

Core Modules

Credits

Crime, Criminology and Criminal Justice

20

Credits: 20

This module introduces you to the core concepts of ‘crime’, ‘harm’ and ‘justice’, and debates around these that form the foundation of understanding in criminology. You’ll explore key criminological approaches/theories to understanding ‘crime’, ‘harm’ and ‘justice’ and the impact of the historical and social contexts within which they have emerged....

Making Sense of Society

20

Credits: 20

This module has two strands, the first introduces you to issues in contemporary British (and other) societies. You’ll explore debates relating to society, identity and diverse social groups. The second strand is the ‘Academic Skills’ programme which introduces you to the use of academic evidence and integrity as well as other key academic skills.

Policy and Society

20

Credits: 20

On this module, you’ll examine the scope of policy and the policy-making process.  You’ll discuss what is meant by a ‘social problem’ by examining political ideologies and the shifting relationship between state and citizen. We’ll explore policy issues and how research is used to produce evidence to influence governments and other agencies.&nb...

Media, Communication and Society

20

Credits: 20

This module introduces you to the key debates, issues and relevance of the character, role and impact of all forms of media in contemporary societies. You’ll explore the many ways in which media infiltrates and shapes our social worlds, giving you a working understanding of the social science of the many-sided facets of media. As most workplaces n...

Punishment, Justice and Victims

20

Credits: 20

This module covers the core concepts of ‘punishment’, ‘justice’ and ‘victimisation’ and debates around these that form the basis of understanding in criminology and criminal justice. A history of punishment and penology will focus in particular on the question of how and why punishment has changed over time including the ways in which punishment fo...

Opportunity Modules

You must choose 2 x 10 credit Level 4 Opportunity modules from the Opportunity module catalogue.

Year 2

Core Modules

Credits

Crime, Harm and Power in Late Modernity

20

Credits: 20

This module covers ‘forms of crime’ in contemporary late modern societies. Taking a critical approach to the notion of ‘crime’, we’ll explore role of power in processes of criminalisation, crime, social harm and responses to ‘crime’. You’ll analyse ways criminal justice and societal processes are implicated in hierarchies of crime and criminality.

Employability and Professional Development

20

Credits: 20

On this module, we’ll support your work-related learning activities and encourage you to reflect on your development as future graduate employees. You’ll apply learning from your degree to practice and set goals for your development as future professionals. You’ll be supported in setting goals and developing plans for your work- related activities.

Contemporary Social Research

20

Credits: 20

This module builds your knowledge of research methods. You’ll examine key concepts from social research and discuss the important contribution of research to your discipline area. You’ll be introduced to research issues and gain a foundation for the understanding of research methods required for your dissertation and career development. 

Optional Modules

Credits

Human Rights and Social Justice

20

Credits: 20

The module explores the main systems for the protection of human rights, allowing you to develop sound knowledge and understanding of the linkages between human rights and development from a historical, theoretical, and practical perspective. You’ll develop knowledge of relevant concepts and principles underpinning human rights frameworks.

Employment Law

20

Credits: 20

This module will introduce you to the sources of employment law. You will analyse why it is important to ascertain whether someone is an employee, worker or self-employed in terms of legal status. The nature of the employment contract will be analysed. The whole concept of wrongful and unfair dismissal will be discussed as well as redundancy.

Child and Family Law

20

Credits: 20

This module seeks to focus on formation and dissolution of marriages, and provision for and parental/state responsibilities to children. You’ll be introduced to the social context that informs the development of Family and Child Law. Cohabitation and civil partnerships between both heterosexual and homosexual couples will be included.

Opportunity Modules

In addition, you must choose 2 x 10 credit Level 5 Opportunity modules from the Opportunity module catalogue.

Year 3

Core Modules

Credits

Comparative Criminal Justice Policy

20

Credits: 20

The module deepens your understanding of criminal justice and penal systems through the analysis of policy issues in criminal justice systems, in particular parts of the UK, Europe, the USA and east Asia. You’ll consider the usefulness of studying cross-national issues, understanding different ways that justice is operationalised around the wo...

Dissertation

40

Credits: 40

This module provides a supportive framework for undertaking an independent extended research study. You’ll choose which type and methodology of research to follow in this project, such as a literature-based project; an empirical project using various methods; or an applied dissertation. The bulk of teaching involves individual supervision sessions....

Intellectual property law

20

Credits: 20

On this module, you’ll develop a solid knowledge of the intellectual property system, with particular emphasis on the laws of copyright, patents, passing off, trademarks and breach of confidence. You’ll have the opportunity to identify and explore the rationales for intellectual property protection within current legal situations.

Contemporary legal issues

20

Credits: 20

This module is designed to be reflective of current events so could change to ensure you’re learning the latest legal issues. Depending on what legal issue is on the news, it may be included in this module. You’ll engage in critical debate on the ‘hot’ topics of the world, adopting a legal perspective (i.e. abortion rights and euthanasia rights).

Optional Modules

Credits

Cybercrime OR

20

Credits: 20

On this module, you’ll explore the rise of technology, its impact on criminal behaviour, attempts to use it to reduce crime, and the debate on the extent to which it can be used as a form of social control and correction. We’ll identify examples of emerging forms of human activity classified as criminal as a result of developments in technology.

Disability, Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System OR

20

Credits: 20

This module critically examines the issue of vulnerability in relation to the criminal justice system. It focuses on issues pertaining to disability and mental health, both in the context of offenders and victims. You’ll develop a critical analytical approach by applying relevant concepts to contemporary practices to aid understanding. 

Environment and social justice OR

20

Credits: 20

The aim of this module is to allow you to explore and analyse contemporary environmental issues within the framework of green criminology and social harm. The changing nature of the planet is one of the most pressing issues facing humanity and you’ll examine the nature of environmental changes alongside the consequences of environmental change.

Radicalisation

20

Credits: 20

This module introduces you to the study of radicalisation, including gaining an understanding of the evolution of the concept and related concerns about, different manifestations of radicalisation, terrorism and threats to security. We’ll explore and challenge your knowledge of the controversial aspects of this subject. 

What are the tuition fees

Home

Home, Academic Year 2024 - 2025: £9,250 per year

International

Overseas/International, Academic Year 2024 - 2025: £15,150 per year

Additional course costs and financial support

Most courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees.
You could benefit from financial support through a bursary or scholarship during your time as a student. For more details visit our financial support, bursaries and scholarships section.

What are my career prospects?

Throughout your time with us we’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. We’ll help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders. We also help you find employment after graduation. Have a look at our Careers and Employability pages to find out more.

Our Criminology programme is a springboard for entry into probation and related roles in the criminal justice system, whether that’s in the police, the court, probation, prison or crime related research organisation. Some of the careers you could pursue include: