BSc (Hons) Criminology and Sociology

BSc (Hons) Criminology and Sociology offers the exciting opportunity to combine the study of two cutting-edge disciplines.The course is aimed at students who are interested in both disciplines and want to study crime and its causes, patterns, consequences, and responses by situating them in the wider context of society.The first year introduces students to the building blocks of criminology and sociology: key sociological and criminological theories, social divisions and problems, the criminal justice system, crime policy and practice, and key social transformations such as digital culture. Students will receive training in a wide range of research methods during the first two years, to become equipped to undertake their own independent research project in the final
year.Our large, multi-disciplinary department believes in offering extensive optionality to study specific areas of criminology and sociology in-depth.Throughout the degree, there is an emphasis on developing skills and experiences that are relevant to professional careers, including work experience, study-abroad schemes, and independent project work.In your final year of study, you will have the opportunity remain on BSc (Hons) Criminology and Sociology or to specialise by choosing a pathway and graduating with an exit award in one of these areas:Justice StudiesQuantitative MethodsGlobal Youth JusticeThis joint degree offers the opportunity to study the two related disciplines of sociology and criminology.Both criminology and sociology offer an understanding of the world and society that emphasises the interaction between individuals, groups and social institutions. A key concern is to what extent individuals shape their own lives and in what ways larger social structures (e.g. gender, ethnicity or social class) impact on them. You will gain a thorough grounding in sociological concepts and research methods which help us to understand how modern society functions. Moreover, you will study the causes and consequences of crime, society's responses to law-breaking and the processes of the criminal justice system.As you progress through this course, you will have increasing levels of flexibility, allowing you to pursue your own specific interests in the fields of sociology and criminology from a broad range of option modules. The course is supported by the use of innovative teaching methods, particularly interactive learning, and you will develop a wide range of transferable skills, which will prove valuable for an array of graduate careers inside the criminal justice system and beyond.