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BSc (Hons) Criminology

  • Study Mode: Part Time
  • Location: High Wycombe
  • Duration: Six Years
  • Start Date: September 2024
We offer a degree which examines crime from multiple perspectives to understand its impact on individuals and society. On this course you will explore the theories, policies, processes and relationships that influence attitudes, beliefs and behaviour.
You will also develop a range of research skills that enhance your employability, such as critical thinking and data interpretation, how to evaluate evidence and write reports, presenting reasoned arguments and making ethical judgements.
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*Whatuni Student Choice Award 2023
*Measured by % of positivity across all questions within the larger providers only: taught or registered population (NSS 2023)
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No. 1 Students' Union in the UK*
*As ranked among taught students at non-specialist HEIs (NSS 2023)
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Top for our response to the cost-of-living-crisis*
*Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023
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5th for learning opportunities*
*NSS 2023
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Top 10 for student support*
*Whatuni Student Choice Award 2023

Specialisms

Our Criminology programme gives you the opportunity to choose your specialism for your future career after your experience of the core curriculum in year one. Rather than having to make your big career decision before you join us, we introduce you to various specialisms and offer you the flexibility to choose the specialism which leads to your chosen career.

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Criminology

What will I study on this specialism?

On the core criminology specialism, you take a more holistic approach to criminological practice. Our modules are cutting edge and cover issues such as crime, criminals, criminal behaviour, corrections, human social behaviour, origins, organizations, institutions and the development of human society. These issues are all discussed within a scientific and evidence-based framework. Criminological theories are applied to potential practice scenarios throughout the degree.

Criminology and Forensic Studies working at table with items
Criminology and Forensic Studies

What will I study on this specialism?

Following the core programme, you can opt to stay on the criminology course specialism or chose this avenue which gives you a specialism in forensics. You will be able to combine the study of criminology with the study of forensics. This specialism will give you the opportunity to examine skills necessary for the collection and preserving of forensic evidence. 

Criminology testing equipment of table shown as evidence
Criminology and Law

What will I study on this specialism?

Following the core programme, you can opt to stay on the criminology specialism or chose this avenue which gives you a specialism in law. 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. 

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 means investigating all these questions and understanding the place crime and criminal justice has in our societies.

After graduation you could be entering a role that is fulfilling and providing high value to society. You could be tackling crime, investigating why people break the law and improving the policies and systems within education, rehabilitation, law and crime 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.

Our BSc (Hons) Criminology and Forensics Studies specialism has been given Conditional Educational Accreditation by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.

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police

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

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 a good leader. 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.

In addition, we have one the best student communities around, our student union is ranked 2nd in the UK (NSS 2022) so you will have no trouble feeling at home here. Our university is close to London (30 minutes) so the capital is on your doorstep, this is perfect if you want to commute to university while remaining close to friends and family.

In addition to all the great benefits to studying at BNU, your course has some great benefits too, such as a passionate teaching team made up of former industry professionals, great facilities and staff links to professional organisations that keep us current and up to date with the latest research and statistics.

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

What facilities can I use?

Our criminology programme has a wealth of opportunities for you to get stuck into thanks to our diverse range of facilities. You can get access to a simulated crime scene and learn how to collect forensic evidence or have the opportunity to test your own theories and get to grips with VR, police interviews and more. We have a full range of facilities that can help prepare you for whatever career you choose to pursue within criminology.

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. Whilst studying with us you will 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.

How will I be taught and assessed?

Criminology is a subject that focuses on various scientific and philosophical theories regarding crime. Your course examines a diverse range of scenarios which you may encounter working in a criminal justice or a related organization by drawing upon information from different sources in which both crime and social life are debated.

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

This programme has a shared first year, after which you will be able to continue down your chosen specialism. You can also switch between specialisms later in the course, as you would switching between courses any other way.

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

What are the course entry requirements?

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.

BSc (Hons) Criminology specialism
BSc (Hons) Criminology and Law specialism
BSc (Hons) Criminology and Forensic Studies specialism

What are the tuition fees

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Home, Academic Year 2023 - 2024

£5,100 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.

Questions about fees?

If you have any questions about the fees above, contact our Enquiries team by calling 0330 123 2023 or emailing advice@bnu.ac.uk.

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:

  • probation services
  • national security
  • police force
  • cybercrime and prevention
  • criminal justice
  • law and forensics

Graduates can also choose to study for a postgraduate course at BNU.

 

Course leader

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Dr Keelin Howard
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Dr Anne Chappell
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Dr George Clerk
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Elaine Welsh
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Laura Williams
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