About this course
Crime, security and justice are endlessly fascinating subjects, for culture, society and the media. This popular degree will let you explore how the nature of crime and punishment changes around the world and over time. Specialist modules will help you steer your degree to a range of professional careers.
Criminology is one of the oldest social sciences. It explores the origins and patterns of criminality, the reasons for committing crime, and the workings of the criminal justice system.
On this course, you’ll study:
criminal behaviour
victimisation
the socio-legal context of crime
the reaction of society
the future of social control
Our criminology teaching staff are knowledgeable and passionate academics at the forefront of the field. We also underpin all our criminology modules with up-to-date research.
This course will open the door to further research, or careers in public service, criminal justice and beyond.
As part of your degree you can:
study a minor subject, such as psychology, alongside your main degree
learn to analyse criminal behaviour and the workings of the criminal justice system
examine cyber and international crime
study abroad for a semester in Brazil, Canada or China
challenge yourself and help make a difference with our Social Impact Lab
take specialist modules from other disciplines to unlock a range of career options
The University is also home to the Institute of Criminal Justice. You can take part in seminars, workshops and lectures, and explore the relationships between criminal justice scholarship, research, policy, and practice.
You can download the course details, including modules, in the programme specificationPDF opens in a new window (PDF, 246.77 KB).
Location and awarding body
The course location is Highfield campus in Southampton. The awarding body is University of Southampton.
Entry requirements
A-levels
ABB
A-levels additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Pass, with 32 points overall with 16 points at Higher Level
International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information
Applications where Higher Level subjects have been studied without the full Diploma, will also be considered on a case by case basis.
BTEC
D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AB from two A levels
DD in the BTEC National Diploma plus B from one A-level
DDM in the BTEC National Extended Diploma
BTEC additional information
There are no additional requirements
Other qualifications
A-levels with Extended Project Qualification
If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A-level offer:
BBB and grade A in the EPQ
A-levels contextual offer
Students who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows:
BBB
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) offer
Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) StatementPDF opens in a new window (PDF, 62.17 KB) for further information.
Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
BTEC (RQF) (reformed)
D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AB from two A levels
DD in the BTEC Diploma plus B grade from one A-level
DDM in the BTEC Extended Diploma
Access to HE Diploma
60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit
Access to HE Diploma additional information
There are no additional requirements
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)
H1 H2 H2 H2 H3 H3
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)
A1, A1, A1, A1, A2, A2
Irish Leaving Certificate additional information
There are no additional requirements
Scottish Qualification offers
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF, 111.01 KB) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Cambridge Pre-U
D3 M2 M2 in three Principal subjects
Cambridge Pre-U additional information
Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer
Welsh Baccalaureate
ABB from 3 A levels
or
AB from two A levels and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
Welsh Baccalaureate additional information
There are no additional requirements
European Baccalaureate
76-78% overall
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
English language requirements
All applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency. Applicants requiring a visa to study in the UK who do not offer GCSE English language (or GCSE English) at the required level will need to meet the following English language proficiency requirement. Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements.
Band B IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in all components
IELTS score requirements
- reading
- 5.5
- writing
- 5.5
- speaking
- 5.5
- listening
- 5.5
We also accept other English language tests.
Non-academic entry requirements
There are no additional requirements
International qualifications
Find a list of accepted international qualifications listed by country.
This is a list of the international qualifications that are recognised by the University of Southampton. If you are not sure that your qualifications meet the requirements of this course please contact our Admissions Teams.
Other ways to qualify
You might meet our criteria in other ways if you do not have the qualifications we need. Find out more about:
our Access to Southampton scheme for students living permanently in the UK (including residential summer school, application support and scholarship)
skills you might have gained through work or other life experiences (otherwise known as recognition of prior learning)
Find out more about our Admissions Policy.
Course structure
You’ll take 8 modules per year, which consist of contact time (lectures, seminars, workshops), preparation for classes, and independent study.
In years 2 and 3, you can choose optional modules from related disciplines or other faculties. You can even learn a new language. You can also choose from a range of interdisciplinary modules, including Business Skills, Life in the Cosmos or Understanding Modern China. These are a great opportunity to expand your knowledge and create an impressive CV.
Year 1
You’ll take core criminology modules, which introduce you to criminal behaviour and the workings of the justice system. You’ll also take modules on how social sciences understand everyday life and an introduction to quantitative methods.
Typical optional modules in this year include:
Transformations of the Modern World
Social Problems and Social Policy
Exploring Other Cultures
Foundations in Social and Anthropological Theory
Year 2
You’ll study qualitative and quantitative research methods in detail. You'll also look at perspectives and policy in criminology.
You can also take 1 optional module in the first semester and 3 in the second. These include:
Criminological Psychology
Crime and Criminal Justice: Historical Perspective
Globalisation, Inequalities and Power
Gender and Society
Year 3
You’ll put your research skills into practice by writing a dissertation on a subject of your choice.
You’ll study law enforcement, social control, and controversial issues like domestic violence and policing minority groups.
The rest of the year’s content consists of optional modules, including:
The Deserving and Undeserving: Victims and Scroungers in Criminology and Social Policy
Violent and Sexual Offenders
Penology
Global Crime and Justice
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
Modules year 1
Core modules
You must study and pass these core modules in year 1:
Compulsory modules
You must take the following compulsory modules in year 1:
Optional modules
You can choose from the following optional modules in year 1:
- Exploring Other Cultures
- Foundations in Social and Anthropological Theory
- Human Origins
- Human Rights, Wellbeing and Politics
- Introduction to Teachers and Teaching
- Social Problems and Social Policy
- Society, Culture and Space
- Special Educational Needs
- The Living Earth
- The development of Archaeological and Anthropological Thought
- Transformations of The Modern World
Modules year 2
Compulsory modules
You must take the following compulsory modules in year 2:
- Criminological Psychology
- Perspectives in Criminology
- Qualitative Research: Foundations, Principles and Skills
- Research Methods in The Social Sciences
Optional modules
You can choose from the following optional modules in year 2:
- Children and Society
- Class Structure and Social Inequality
- Cosmology, Ritual and Belief
- Crime and Criminal Justice: Historical Perspectives
- Culture, Communication and Cognition
- Developmental Psychology
- Gender & Society
- Globalisation, Inequalities & Power
- Introductory Geographic Information Systems
- Migration in a Globalising World
- Perception
- Social Theory
Modules year 3
Core modules
You must study and pass these core modules in year 3:
Compulsory modules
You must take the following compulsory modules in year 3:
Optional modules
You can choose from the following optional modules in year 3:
- Advanced Geographical Information Systems
- Anthropology, Film and Representations of the Other
- Children and Society
- Class Structure and Social Inequality
- Collective Action and Social Change
- Comparative Sociology
- Comparing Welfare States - Evolution, Politics & Impact
- Focusing on Families
- Global Crime and Justice
- Migration in a Globalising World
- Penology
- Sexuality and Intimacy
- The Deserving and Undeserving: Victims and Scroungers in Criminology and Social Policy
- The Sociology of Youth
- Violent and Sexual Offenders
Learning and assessment
The learning activities for this course include the following:
- lectures
- classes and tutorials
- coursework
- individual and group projects
- independent learning (studying on your own)
Support for your studies
You'll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.
How you’ll spend your study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study, year by year:
Year 1
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 20%
- Independent study
- 80%
- Placement
- 0%
Year 2
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 18%
- Independent study
- 82%
- Placement
- 0%
Year 3
- Scheduled learning and teaching
- 13%
- Independent study
- 87%
- Placement
- 0%
Course leader
Paul Bridgen is the course leader.
How we’ll assess you
We’ll assess you using:
- dissertations
- essays
- individual and group projects
- oral presentations
- written exams
Your assessment breakdown, year by year:
Year 1
- Written exam
- 48%
- Practical exam
- 0%
- Coursework
- 52%
Year 2
- Written exam
- 30%
- Practical exam
- 0%
- Coursework
- 70%
Year 3
- Written exam
- 30%
- Practical exam
- 0%
- Coursework
- 70%
Careers
You’ll develop the knowledge and skills required for criminological and psychology research, including:
methods and techniques
ethical principles
evaluation of results
communication
problem solving
This course can lead to management, planning and delivering social and public services and criminal justice. It also offers an excellent foundation for professional training or postgraduate study.
Our graduates embark on diverse career pathways including:
academia
community development
criminal justice
government
police
research and education
social services and welfare
Contact us to speak to a careers advisor.
Careers services at Southampton
We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2019). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.
Work in industry
You’ll have the opportunity to take a Year in Employment, which is a paid work placement between your second and third year.
Fees, costs and funding
UK/EU fees
You'll pay £9,250 in tuition fees for the academic year 2020 to 2021. This fee might change for further years of your course.
International student fees
You’ll pay £17,560 each year. This fee will stay the same throughout your studies.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.
Find out how to:
Extra costs you might have to pay
- Optional Visits (e.g. museums, galleries)
- Placements (including Study Abroad Programmes)
- Approved Calculators
- Textbooks
- Stationery
- Printing and Photocopying Costs
See the full list of extra items and costs in the programme specificationPDF opens in a new window 2020 to 2021 (PDF, 246.77 KB).
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:
Bursaries, scholarships and other funding
If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.
If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.
Get in touch for advice about student money matters.
Scholarships and grants
You may be able to get a scholarship or grant that's linked to your chosen subject area.
We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Support during your course
The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.
Funding for international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
University life
The University offers a friendly, diverse and welcoming home for you while you study. You'll work, live and socialise with students from more than 130 countries.
Clubs, societies and facilities
Our campuses have:
cafes and restaurants
bars
health centres
banks
a post office
student shops
a hairdresser
Our sports facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, a gym with 140 fitness stations, squash courts, a bouldering wall, outdoor pitches and much more. There are over 80 sports clubs you could join, and activity classes including yoga and spin.
We have an internationally known theatre, concert hall, art gallery and cinema showing everything from mainstream blockbusters to international arthouse classics. You could perform at a gig, concert or show, take part in an exhibition or join a writers’ workshop. Find out more about arts and culture at Southampton.
Whatever your passion or community, you can find like-minded people at one of the Students’ Union clubs and societies. There are more than 200 to join, and social activities in every hall of residence.
Support while you study
We aim to help you deal with any problems you might come across, so you can make the most of your time at university. We offer support with:
mental health, learning difficulties and disability
money and accommodation
childcare
computers and IT
How to apply
When you apply use:
UCAS Course Code: L611
UCAS Institution Code: S27
What happens after you apply
We will assess your application on the strength of your:
- predicted grades
- academic achievements
- personal statement
- academic reference
We aim to respond to you within 2 to 6 weeks with a decision about your application.
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.