About the course

How do social differences like ethnicity, class, gender, age and ability make a difference to the way we are perceived and treated by the Criminal Justice System? On this course you will explore and critically assess the way society perceives, defines and manages crime - and graduate fully prepared for a career in public or community based services. This rapidly growing area of study changes as new criminological and sociological issues arise - and our close links with industry together with current research means our curriculum keeps up and reflects this. You will explore both the nature of crime and of modern society through a wide range of modules. You will learn about social differences, for example, based upon gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, disability, class and age. You will also look at social and legal perceptions of and responses to crime, criminality and victimisation. The methods and theories you learn about and apply in the course of your undergraduate studies are varied enough to support you in interests which may for example, include international relations, or studies of comparative religions, and cultural identities. You will work with educational and employment advisors throughout your degree. 

UCLan’s BA (Hons) Criminology and Sociology degree offers an exciting opportunity to get involved in a fast growing academic area in which new topics of study are opening up for criminological and sociological investigation every day. You graduate fully prepared for a career in public or community based services. 

There are a number of core modules which are integral to the course and have to be studied; there is also a selection of optional modules offering insights into different specialisms. Years 1 and 2 (delivered at Burnley College): The standard full time tuition fee rate for this course in 2023/24 for Home and EU students is £9000 per year. Year 3 (delivered at UCLan): The standard full time tuition fee rate for this course in 2023/24 for Home and EU students is & £9250 per year. The standard full time tuition fee for the Foundation year for this course in 2023/24 is £6000.

Cost Information

Years 1 and 2 (delivered at Burnley College): The standard full time tuition fee rate for this course in 2023/24 for UK students is £9000 per year. Year 3 (delivered at UCLan): The standard full time tuition fee rate for this course in 2023/24 for UK students is £9250 per year. The standard full time tuition fee for the Foundation year for this course in 2023/24 is £6000.

Entry Requirements

Our typical offer is 104-112 UCAS Points.  We operate a flexible admissions policy and treat everyone as an individual. This means that we will take into consideration your educational achievements and predicted grades (where applicable) together with your application as a whole, including work experience and personal statement. General Studies accepted. Applications from individuals with non-standard qualifications, relevant work or life experience and who can demonstrate the ability to cope with and benefit from degree-level studies, are welcome and these applicants will be interviewed.

Modules

Foundation Entry Year - LWC019 Verbal Skills: Rights and Debating, LWC021 Academic Skills for Higher Education, LWC023 Introduction to Criminology and Sociology, LWC025 Issues in Sociology, LWC 028 Issues in Criminology and PSC005 Introduction to Psychology. Year 1 - CJ1201 Looking Beyond Crime and Criminology, CJ1202 Skills, Research and Employability, CJ1204 Crime and Morality. CJ1206 Criminal Justice in Action, SO1302 Sociological Ways of Thinking and SO1303 Media and Culture. Year 2 - CJ 2201 Research Methods and Theory 1, CJ2202 Research Methods and Theory 2, CJ2203 Understanding Policing and Security, SO2302 Sociology of Religion, SO2306 Violent Times? Violence, Conflict and Culture, and CJ2207 Drugs, Crime and Society. Year 3 - On successful completion of the above studies you will complete Year 3 at UClan Preston.

Assessment

Modules are delivered by various methods from traditional large group lectures to classes with small group work and occasional use of audio and audio-visual material for discussion and analysis. Lectures are supported by smaller seminar groups where students can discuss issues arising from the lecture programme. Students are required to undertake preparatory reading and other research for seminars. This is specified in advance by your tutors. All modules use an online system known as ‘Blackboard’ – this is an easily accessible storage point for course materials, including powerpoint presentations, readings, references or weblinks associated with the module. You will be able to use outside of class time to access all sorts of materials that your lecturer will supply, or recommend to support your study of the module. On this degree programme, you will undertake a range of assessed work including essays, presentations, reports, literature reviews, reading journals, portfolios, seen test papers, posters, blogs and group and/or individual projects. Some modules involve 100% coursework, whilst others may involve test papers that are usually ‘seen’, that is to say that questions are released in advance. This enables you to direct your study towards a timed test, usually in class.

Careers & Progression

Graduates have joined the UK Border Agency, Greater Manchester Police (GMP), local prisons, drug schemes, educational institutions and youth offending teams. Two thirds of our students will follow career paths directly connected with a vocational aspect of their degree.At UCLan there are numerous progression routes for you to follow, due to the diverse and wide range of topic areas, disciplinary methods and theories you will be introduced to in the course of your degree in Criminology and Sociology. There are also many postgraduate opportunities for Criminology and Sociology students, including Masters programmes and MPhils and PhDs, due to the wide variety of areas touched on in the course of the degree.

Information About Fees

Years 1 and 2 (delivered at Burnley College); The standard full time tuition fee rate for this course in 2020/21 for Home and EU students is £9000 per year. Year 3 (delivered at UCLan): The standard full time tuition fee rate for this course in 2020/21 for Home and EU students is £9250 per year. The standard full time tuition fee for the Foundation year for this course in 2020/21 is £6000.