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BSc (Hons) - Criminology

You are passionate about developing a deep understanding of the causes and consequences of crime and committed to providing a specialist response.

We are here for you with a criminology degree designed by academics with a wealth of research and practice expertise.

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Carlisle - Fusehill Street All

Course Overview

On this course, you will immerse yourself in all aspects of criminology to understand how and why crime occurs at local, societal and global level.

Based at our Fusehill Street Campus in Carlisle, you will develop a critical insight into the work of the criminal justice system in bringing offenders to justice. We will encourage you to sharpen your sense of social justice by exposing you to the realities of crime committed by the powerful and relatively powerless, and the different ways these impact on victims.

From the outset, you will be able to satisfy your curiosity about criminology in innovative ways, such as exploring how crime stories are told. Through developing creative criminology research skills, you will be empowered to produce knowledge, not just learn it. Our strong links with criminal justice and community-based organisations and groups in Cumbria will provide you with excellent volunteering opportunities and job prospects.

On this course you will...

Study criminology on a course which has been designed and informed with our connections in the Police, Solicitors Regulator Authority, and the British Psychological Society.
Learn from academic tutors who are former or practising professionals in diverse fields including policing, probation, substance misuse, domestic violence work and the law.
Have the opportunity to volunteer with organisations connected to the criminal justice system, gaining real-life criminology in practice experience to boost your CV.
Engage in our active student-led Criminology Society with socials, film nights and crime reading groups.

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Carlisle - Fusehill Street All

Key Details

Recruiting toUK / RoI / Settled in UK
EU / EEA / International
Course LocationCarlisle - Fusehill Street
Institute Institute of Business, Industry and Leadership
UCAS CodeL612
Delivery StyleIn-Person
Course DurationFull-time: 3 Years
Study Options
Course Start PointSeptember
AwardBSc (Hons)
More informationProgramme Specification
Prospectus
Open DaysCarlisle - Fusehill Street
All

Minimum entry requirements

104-112

UCAS Tariff points

Tuition fees

£9,250

UK | Year

£13,575

International | Year

Tuition Fees Policy

Course Structure

What you will learn

You won’t just ‘learn about’ criminology theoretically, you’ll apply your knowledge to real life issues and modern day problems – giving you the edge as a future expert in this fascinating subject area.

You’ll have the flexibility to shape your degree with modules that interest you and fit your intended career path, because your employability is important to us.

Year one

Crime and Deviance
An introduction to the concept of crime and deviance in both its historical and contemporary context.
Criminal Justice System
An introduction to the structure of the Criminal Justice System of England and Wales.
Becoming a Criminologist
An introduction to the wide range of professions that studying Criminology and associated disciplines can lead to.
Crime Stories
Study and practice the qualitative social scientific research methods used in Criminology.
Crime and Social Justice
An introduction to the mutually reinforcing relationship between societal inequality, poverty, social divisions, youth, race, ethnicity and crime with its associated harms.
Global Crime
An introduction to key aspects of global crime.

Year two

Explaining Crime
Explore how society decides what is and is not ‘criminal’. Definitions of ‘criminal’ and ‘criminality’, taking into account social contexts of crime such as youth, race and ethnicity will be discussed.
Bringing Offenders to Justice
Examine, analyse and evaluate policy, procedures and practices involved in bringing offenders to justice.
Prison and Punishment
Consider the nature and development of penal institutions, the penal regimes within late-modern societies, and the role of rehabilitation.
Real World Research
An introduction to the themes, processes and skills need to conduct effective research.
Social Exclusion
Explore ways of understanding and enacting social justice in the context of social welfare and crime control polices.
Crimes of the Powerful
Explore the nature and prevalence of white-collar, corporate and state criminality.

Year three

New Challenges in Criminology
Consider crime and social harm beyond national borders, exploring innovative ways to consider crime, harm and victimisation.
Inequalities in the Criminal Justice System
Critically examine current debates and controversies in society concerning marginalisation, social exclusion and discrimination and their relationship to the criminal justice system.
Victimology
Develop an understanding of victimisation in contemporary society.
Research and Practice
Plan and produce a clear outline of all the stages of a proposed research project.
Dissertation
Pursue an investigation on a topic of interest in criminology.
Criminal Law and Evidence (optional)
An introduction to the general principles of criminal liability, the main criminal offences and defences and vulnerable victims/suspects.
Representations of Crime (optional)
Explore the role of the media as a significant producer of knowledge about crime and the dominant discourses that are represented in all forms of media.

Overview

104-112 UCAS Tariff Points, You can find out more about the tariff and qualification options from the UCAS tariff table.

Qualifications

Entry Requirements

A-levels: BCC-BBC

T-levels: P (C+) – M All subjects accepted for entry to this course

Access to HE: 15 Credits at Distinction & 30 at Merit

CACHE Technical Level 3 and Level 3 Extended Diploma: C - B

OCR Cambridge Technical & Edexcel/Pearson BTEC Level 3 (National) Extended Diploma: MMM – DMM

Scottish Highers: BBBC - BBBA

Irish LC Highers: B1, B2, B2, B2 – B1, B1, B1, B2

Alternative routes: If you don't think you'll meet the criteria for direct application to this course, check out our Integrated Foundation Year as an alternative route to this course. 

Fair Admissions

When you apply, our Admissions specialists will review your whole application. We are looking for your potential to succeed so will assess your qualifications, any relevant work experience, your personal statement, and references.

Where you have received a conditional offer subject to achieving particular grades/UCAS tariff scores, and do not quite meet these scores, please try not to worry. Where vacancies exist our Admissions specialists will review your whole application again and take account of any mitigating circumstances and reassess your suitability for the course.

Selection Criteria

As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to this programme. In your personal statement, you should demonstrate your motivation for choosing this course and reflect upon any practical experience you have gained.

Contextual Admissions

Going to higher education can transform a person’s life. We use contextual admissions to make sure that we are accessible to everyone who has the potential to succeed. Qualifications and grades are important, but they are considered alongside other information that helps universities to identify potential and widen access to university level study. For some individuals, the disadvantages they have experienced in their life mean that they have not been able to demonstrate their full academic potential. Where a person lives and their personal circumstances can all affect their educational attainment.

We take this context into account and look for an applicant’s potential when making admission decisions. The University of Cumbria will make offers at the bottom of any UCAS Tariff range to applicants that live in postal code regions with the lowest participation in Higher Education (Polar 4 quintile 1 – you can check your postcode here), applicants that are estranged from their parents, are care leavers or have caring responsibilities or are in receipt of or received free school meals during their secondary education. Attendance at our Masterclasses and Summer Schools will also allow applicants to receive an offer lower within the tariff range. (T&Cs apply).

Contact ugadmissions@cumbria.ac.uk for more information

Returning to Education

If you are over 21 and returning to study after being in relevant employment for a minimum of 3 years and do not meet the published entry requirements for Year 1 of our degree courses, please do not assume you are not qualified to join us. Our experienced Admissions and Academic staff will review your prior qualifications and professional experience to support your application.

Language requirements

Please follow the link to check language requirements for this programme here.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

2024 - 2025

£9,250 - UK
£13,575 - International

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

International Finance

At the University of Cumbria, we offer affordable tuition fees for international and EU students looking to study at one of our main four campuses. No matter your choice of course or career path, our International Team is here to support you.

More Information

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000..

Student Finance

Additional Costs

There will be some additional costs associated with the course including stationery, textbooks, field trips and membership fees although some of these features are optional.

Books are reviewed annually and are therefore subject to change, course welcome information will provide you with an indicative list for the year.

Books and Journals

Most core text books are available via the University's library, however students may wish to buy copies of any texts used to support your learning on your course. This could cost between £50 - £100 per year.

Stationery

Students should budget for stationery and consumables for your own personal use. This should include notebooks, pens and pencils for taking notes in class and/or in the field. Students should also budget for the purchase of USB pen drives, as well as occasional printing and photocopying costs incurred in the preparation or submission of coursework. Whilst you will choose how much you need, expect to pay around £30 - £40 per year for these items.

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Location
Carlisle - Fusehill Street Campus
The Fusehill Street campus has been the setting of life-saving treatments since World War I. Now, it's home to world changers, life-savers, crime fighters, and entrepreneurs with access to high-quality facilities and innovative thinking.
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BSc (Hons) - Criminology