About the BA (Hons) Criminology course
The BA (Hons) Criminology course examines crime and law and order from a number of perspectives including sociology, psychology, law, criminological theory and criminal justice policy. This undergraduate Criminology degree has now evolved to incorporate optional pathways including Policing, Policy, Crime and Environment. This will allow students to specialise in a particular area of interest at the end of year one. If you are unsure of which area to specialise in, you can continue on the BA (Hons) Criminology course without undertaking a pathway.
We have a team of multi-disciplinary and experienced staff who have research interests and publications in a variety of fields within criminology and criminal justice. Much of the teaching draws directly upon the experience and current research interests of the staff team and this is supported with input from practitioners in the field of criminal justice which infuses the course with a sense of up-to-date, relevant and involved scholarship.
This applied emphasis stands as one of the most distinctive features of criminology at NTU. For example, criminal justice practitioners have an input into a range of modules. In addition, the Criminology Division is home to the Nottingham Crime Research Unit and the Centre for the Study and Reduction of Hate Crime. The Centre has close links with the University of Arizona and is unique in providing groundbreaking research in this developing field of criminology.
The Criminology team regularly invites renowned industry experts and professionals to the University to provide an insight into their specialist knowledge and experiences. Past speakers have included Superintendent Paul Giannasi, Programme Manager of the Cross-Governmental Hate Crime Strategy and Len Jackson, OBE Interim Chair of the Independent Police Complaints Commission. To view Len Jackson, OBE's guest lecture entitled 'Public Confidence in Policing in the 21st Century' please visit our video gallery.
Please note the following information for applicants
BA (Hons) Criminology (including pathways) course content
In Year One, you will take a range of year-long core subjects to provide the required basis of knowledge for further study. At the end of Year One you can specialise in a particular area of interest if you choose to follow the pathway route.
The route you choose to take will influence which modules you complete during your time on the course.
Core modules for the BA (Hons) Criminology and all pathways include the following:
Year One
- Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
- Understanding Crime and Society
- Explaining Criminal Behaviour
- Introduction to Legal Issues
- Studying Criminology
Year Two
- Introduction to Policing
- Introduction to Punishment
- Research Methods
- Crime Reduction and Community Safety
Year Three
- Current Issues in Criminology (this module comprises a series of lectures from outside speakers with students choosing one of the issues on which to base their assessment)
- Dissertation in a topic chosen by the student
Core modules for the following pathways
BA (Hons) Criminology core modules
Year Two
- Responding to Crime
- Penology
- Police Powers
Year Three
- International Issues in Justice
- Criminal Justice Agencies
Crime and the Environment pathway core modules
Year Two
- Place, Neighbourhood and Crime
- Contemporary Geography of Crime
- Understanding the Environment
- Dynamics of Environmental Crime
Year Three
- Living Places
- Environment Crime, Policy and Intervention
Policy pathway core modules
Year Two
- Crime and Policy in the UK
- Comparative Crime Policy
- Place, Neighbourhood and Crime
- Contemporary Geography of Crime
Year Three
- Policy Evaluation
- Understanding Crime Policy Environments
Policing pathway core modules
Year Two
- Issues in Contemporary Policing
- International Policing
- Police Powers
Year Three
- Crime Mapping and Analysis
- Introduction to Crime Scenes
- Practical Policing
You will also be able to study optional modules as part of your pathway and on the general BA (Hons) Criminology. These optional modules consist of some of the above pathways core modules and the following:
Year Two
- Professional Crime
- Organised Crime
- Race, Ethnicity and Crime
- Sentencing Issues
- Psychology and Crime
- Philosophy and Crime
Year Three
- Criminal Law
- Cultural Criminology
- Drugs, Crime and Control
- Gender and Violence
- Hi-Tech Crime
- Sex Crimes
- Violence
- Young People, Crime and Justice
- Women, Crime and Justice
- Philosophy of the Social World
Assessment
The criminology course has a broad range of learning environments including lectures, small group work and individual tutorials. The course aims to assess students in ways that develop transferable and marketable skills. Students will be assessed by a mixture of formal examinations, coursework based essays and reports, oral assessments and group projects. In addition, the course aims to develop communication, information technology and research skills through modules such as Studying Criminology, Research Methods in Criminology and the Dissertation.
Special features of the BA (Hons) Criminology
An advantage of studying criminology in a major city is the accessibility of well established networks providing relevant and appropriate voluntary work experience. The Criminology Division has done much to develop links with local agencies and organisations such as the Probation Service, Victim Support and the local Youth Offending Team. Our students find that such voluntary work enriches their studies, and the experience has been instrumental to the establishment of related careers. The course benefits from input from a range of practitioners who both provide career information and contribute to the course content.
Your future career in Criminology
We've got an excellent employability record. 94% of our graduates* from full-time undergraduate courses are employed or engage in further study six months after leaving.
(*of those available for work, HESA survey 2009 / 10)
The job titles below give an indication of the careers our recent Criminology graduates are following:
- anti-social behaviour team administrator
- commercial manager
- community protection officer
- crime management officer
- criminal case worker
- drugs worker in support housing
- intelligence officer
- police constable
- prison officer
- prisoner assessor
- probation hostel manager
- victim support officer
- witness service support
- youth facilitator
Taken from the Graduate Destinations Database 2006 - 2010.
Other graduates have gone into research or teaching posts after a period of postgraduate study while a small number have developed careers in highly specialised areas such as law or forensics.
This course does not currently offer placements. However during the course you will be actively encouraged to participate in voluntary work within the criminal justice domain, including areas such victim support and mentoring.
A group of second year BA (Hons) Criminology students have successfully passed their training to become Special Constables and will now help to police Nottingham's streets.
Special Constables are volunteer officers who have the same powers as a regular officer and undertake a variety of tasks such as serving warrants, vehicle checks, town centre patrols and neighbourhood policing.
The scheme is run by Nottinghamshire police and around 20 Criminology students applied to become Specials after attending an initial information session. The successful students undertook a 10-week training course, which included study of the law, practical workshops and physical assessments.
The role of Special Constable provides fantastic experience for the students. They get a taste of what it is like to work in the police force and develop the skills needed to deal with a diverse range of people and situations. Congratulations to them all!
Full entry requirement details
- 280 minimum UCAS Tariff points achieved from a maximum of three A-levels or equivalent qualification.
- Five GCSEs at grade C or above
- GCSE English Language and Maths or Science grade C or above
English language entry requirements
See the English language entry requirements for courses at the School of Social Sciences and a full list of all English language qualifications accepted by the University.
Application and selection
Selection is based on the application form. All applicants and potential applicants are encouraged to attend one of our open days. Applications are made through UCAS where you can apply directly online. Mature or international students can find out more about applying by calling +44 (0)115 848 4460. We have a strong commitment to maintaining access for all to higher education. We recognise the need to invest financially in the future of our students, so we have introduced a system of bursaries aimed at enabling home students from lower income families to undertake a degree course. For information about Nottingham Trent University bursaries please visit the Fees and funding pages.
Contact us
Email
Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 4460
School of Social Sciences website
