Why study this course
Experienced and knowledgeable tutors
Supportive learning environment
Classic and contemporary criminological modules
Career focus
Course summary
If you don’t have, or don’t think you will attain, the normal tariff points for studying at BGU, this course will enable you to study for a degree without any UCAS points. The course is delivered over four years and includes a Foundation Year, which gives you a perfect introduction to what it means to be a university student and prepares you for effective undergraduate study. In your Foundation Year, you will study eight modules, all of which are designed to equip you with the necessary academic skills and knowledge to progress successfully in your chosen subject. You will also engage in a series of bespoke subject sessions delivered by experts, designed to introduce you to your chosen subject area.
Find out more about our Foundation Year programme.
The Criminology with Foundation Year degree is designed to ensure students graduating from this programme have advanced knowledge and a systematic understanding of the complexities, debates and contradictions relating to the criminological field. At each level of the degree, you will build upon the previous year’s knowledge and be encouraged to engage in deeper and more critical analysis of the topics under investigation. Questions such as ‘why do men commit more crime than women?’, ‘do prisons actually work?’ or ‘is there such a thing as a ‘victimless’ crime?’ will be addressed in various modules throughout the degree.
Please note - the intended start date for this course is September 2025. Register your interest in the course using the form below.
Key facts
|
Award |
BA (Hons) |
|---|---|
|
Duration |
4 years |
|
Mode of study |
Full-time |
|
Awarding institution |
Bishop Grosseteste University |
|
Institution code |
B38 |
About this course
To ensure knowledgeable and confident criminologists emerge from the programme and into the workplace, engaging, applicable and enlightening subjects will be delivered over the course of the programme by experienced and knowledgeable tutors. Each subject focus is varied, yet linked, and draws attention to the complexities of the criminal debate. Over the course of the degree, you will be deliberating on the effects of media on crime, addressing the political and social responses to crime and examining crime from a victim’s perspective. You will also be exploring the influence of gender on crime, questioning the role and purpose of punishment and reflecting on transnational crimes such as body, arms and human trafficking, money laundering and cyber-crime.
Entry requirements
Application for this course is via UCAS, although there is no formal requirement for UCAS points to access the course (normally GCSE English or equivalent is desirable). As part of your application you will have the opportunity to speak with a member of BGU Admissions staff to resolve any questions or queries you may have.
Different degree subjects may have specific entry requirements to allow you to progress from the Foundation Year. Whilst not a condition of entry onto the Foundation Year, you will need to have met these by the time you complete the first year of this four year course.
Further information
In accordance with University conditions, students are entitled to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning, RP(C)L, based on relevant credit at another HE institution or credit Awarded for Experiential Learning, (RP(E)L).
How you will be taught
There is no one-size-fits-all method of teaching at BGU – we shape our methods to suit each subject and each group, combining the best aspects of traditional university teaching with innovative techniques to promote student participation and interactivity.
You will be taught in a variety of ways, from lectures, tutorials and seminars, to practical workshops, coursework and work-based placements. Small group seminars and workshops will provide you with an opportunity to review issues raised in lectures, and you will be expected to carry out independent study.
Placements are a key part of degree study within many courses at BGU. They provide an enriching learning experience for you to apply the skills and knowledge you will gain from your course and, in doing so, give valuable real-world experience to boost your career.
Academic staff
Assessment
During the Foundation Year, you will have opportunities to experience a range of formative and summative assessments. These include short-form writing, annotated bibliographies, presentations, digital technologies, reflective journals, and academic essays. All modules involve early, small, and frequent informal and formal assessments so as to be supportive and build confidence, while ensuring development of the core academic skills required for successful study throughout your degree. Assessment strategies are balanced, diverse, and inclusive, ensuring that you will experience a range of assessments to support comprehensive preparation for undergraduate study. You will also have the opportunity for self-evaluation and personal reflection on your own learning progress and development of skills.
In Criminology, we see assessment as a powerful driver of student learning and a means for demonstrating what students have learnt. We believe it’s a great way to develop the employability skills that employers demand from graduates. As a result, the course incorporates a range of assessment methods which will allow you to demonstrate a wide range of skills whilst providing a selection of post-degree career paths. These assessment methods include coursework, case studies, oral presentations, multi-modal presentations (posters, videos, print) and individual dissertation projects.
Careers & Further study
Our Criminology degree will provide a firm basis from which you can pursue a wide range of employment opportunities in the community and with statutory-based services. Possible future career paths include:
•Support in the Community for example, support with homelessness, health, Women’s aid, reintegration or working with young people
•Youth Justice worker
•Immigration
•Police officer (Degree Holder and Detective Entry Programme(DHEP) required)
•Prison officer or supporting role
•Probation officer (Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP) required) or supporting role
•Social researcher
•Social worker (further specific training required) or supporting role
Should you wish to pursue further study, the design of the programme is varied yet detailed enough to inspire and enthuse you in extending your learning.
What Our Students Say
Discover what life is like at Bishop Grosseteste University from our students.
Support
Studying at BGU is a student-centred experience. Staff and students work together in a friendly and supportive atmosphere as part of an intimate campus community. You will know every member of staff personally and feel confident approaching them for help and advice, and staff members will recognise you, not just by sight, but as an individual with unique talents and interests.
We will be there to support you, personally and academically, from induction to graduation.
Fees & Finance
A lot of student finance information is available from numerous sources, but it is sometimes confusing and contradictory. That’s why at BGU we try to give you all the information and support we can to help to throughout the process. Our Student Advice team are experts in helping you sort out the funding arrangements for your studies, offering a range of services to guide you through all aspects of student finance step by step.
Undergraduate course applicants must apply via UCAS using the relevant UCAS code. For 2024 entry, the application fee is £27, and you can make a maximum of 6 choices.
For all applicants, there are full instructions at UCAS to make it as easy as possible for you to fill in your online application, plus help text where appropriate.
Register your interest in the course here...