About this course

Crime, security and justice are endlessly fascinating subjects, for culture, society and the media. This popular BSc Criminology 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 criminology and criminal justice, covering topics such as:

criminal behaviour
victimisation
the socio-legal context of crime
the reaction of society
the future of social control

Our criminology courses are led by 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.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Course location

This course is based at Highfield.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

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ODT

Download 2024-25 Course Description Document

Entry requirements

Academic year filter options

A-levels

ABB

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.

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

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 32 points overall with 16 points at Higher Level

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

RQF 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

Additional information

For BTEC Extended Diplomas, we can only consider these subjects along with specific modules:

Health and Social Care but only if you are taking these 3 modules (Psychological Perspectives/Sociological Perspectives/Policy in Health and Social Care),

Forensic and Criminal Investigation (no specific modules needed)

Uniformed Protective Services/Public Services but please check with us which modules you are taking before applying.

We strongly suggest BTEC applicants doing these subjects contact us before applying to check if you are doing the required modules.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

A-levels

ABB

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.

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

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 32 points overall with 16 points at Higher Level

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

RQF 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

Additional information

For BTEC Extended Diplomas, we can only consider these subjects along with specific modules:

Health and Social Care but only if you are taking these 3 modules (Psychological Perspectives/Sociological Perspectives/Policy in Health and Social Care),

Forensic and Criminal Investigation (no specific modules needed)

Uniformed Protective Services/Public Services but please check with us which modules you are taking before applying.

We strongly suggest BTEC applicants doing these subjects contact us before applying to check if you are doing the required modules.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

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 overview

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 overview

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 overview

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

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.

For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026

You must study the following modules in year 2:

Criminological Perspectives in Global and Post-colonial Contexts

This module provides you with a critical overview of criminological theory since 1980. It builds on and extends the foundational curriculum which introduced students to the field of criminology.

Introduction to Social Data Analytics

This module will develop understanding of how to quantitatively analyse data in the social sciences, building on the foundations from the research methods modules in the first year. It will be focused around the common methods for data analysis that are n...

Qualitative Research: Methods, Tools and Techniques

This module builds on year 1 research methods teaching. It aims to give students a rigorous critical understanding of a broad range of qualitative data collection and data analysis methods. It covers traditional methods such as interviews and focus groups...

What's the Solution? How to Become an Agent for Change in Public Policy

You must also choose from the following modules in year 2:

Children and Society

This module is designed to introduce you to some of the key concepts and debates surrounding children and childhood. It will provide you an opportunity to develop an analytical and critical understanding of the theoretical frameworks, research, policy and...

Collective Action and Social Change

In this module you will be able to examine a variety of organisations involved in social change, such as governmental and non-governmental organisations, voluntary organisations, social movement organisations and charitable organisations. You will be help...

Comparative Youth Justice

The youth of today' has long been a source of curiosity to older generations, and sociologists and criminologists are no exception to this trend. Over the past 100 years, there have been attempts both to explain society's fascination with the younger gene...

Crime Scene Investigation: Methods and Applications

Criminological Psychology

This module encourages you to take an in-depth look at the way psychology has been used to explain and control crime. We will explore the way psychological principles can be applied to such issues as violence, murder, serial killing and the role of the c...

Issues in Law Enforcement and Social Control

This module considers a range of issues in the area of the sociology of the policy and policing and more broadly the sociology of social control - issues, include domestic violence, public order and policing minority groups.

Race and Ethnicity in Society

This module will explore the issues of race, racism, racial conflict, and race relations in contemporary Britain and worldwide. Although we will mainly refer to Britain, global examples will also be used. The module will examine theoretical perspectives o...

Reinventing Democracy: Innovation, Participation and Power

All over the world the ideal of democratic government has higher support than at almost any time in human history. Yet many citizens of democracies are very frustrated with the way the democracy they live in works. It is one thing to recognise the contemp...

Social Enterprise

This is an interactive and practical module aiming to inspire students to social enterprise and entrepreneurship by giving them an experiential introduction to human centred design processes. The emphasis in this module is on the translation of knowled...

Techno Harms: Discrimination, Conspiracy Theories and Extremism

This module introduces you to the concept of ‘techno-harms’ from the disciplines of sociology, criminology, and social policy, with a particular focus on zemiology, to investigate the infliction and perpetuation of technologically induced social harms. Th...

Theorizing The Social World

This module focuses on how social theorists have tried to address particular questions and problems in the social world. What conceptual tools have they developed to help us understand various dimensions of our world from the 19th century through to the ...

Victims or Perpetrators? Social and Psychological Perspectives on Older People and Crime

This module combines the disciplines of social gerontology, social psychology, and sociology to address the intersection of crime and later life, including experiences of crime and criminal behaviour and social responses to these. It encourages students t...

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)

How you'll spend your course time:

Study time

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:

20%

Scheduled learning & teaching

80%

Independent learning

How we'll assess you

dissertations
essays
individual and group projects
oral presentations
written exams

Your assessment breakdown

Year 1:

48%

Written exam

52%

Coursework

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Course leader

Rebecca Taylor is the course leader.

Careers and employability

Employability skills

This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.

The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:

Research
Critical thinking
Self-management
Confidence
Communication
Teamwork
Creativity
EDI leadership
Adaptability
Problem solving
Resilience

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Download skills overview

Career pathways

Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:

central and local government,

the police,

prison and probation services,

the court services,

security services,

non-profit-making organisations,

NHS,

charities that work with young offenders or victims of crime.

Careers directly related to this course:

Community development worker
Crime scene investigator
Detective
Police officer
Prison officer
Probation officer
Social worker
Youth worker

Wider career opportunities:

Adult guidance worker
Border force officer
Charity officer
Counsellor
Housing manager
Intelligence analyst
Local government officer
Policy officer
Political risk analyst
Social researcher

Example job titles of Southampton BSc Criminology graduates*:

Police officer
Background screening analyst
Border force officer
Civil servant
Detective constable
International policy officer
Media operations assistant
Paralegal
Resettlement case officer

Job prospects for BSc Criminology graduates

£26k

Average professional salary

75%

In a skilled profession or further study

98%

Graduate employment rate

*Example graduate job titles and job prospect statistics taken from The Graduate Outcomes Survey, which gathers information about the activities and perspectives of graduates 15 months after finishing their course.

Year in employment

You can apply for a year in employment placement on this course. This is a great way to improve your employability and confidence in your career prospects. Recommended by 100% of students who've taken part, you can apply for a UK or global placement in any sector.

Careers services and support

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. 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.

Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.

More about careers support

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

UK students pay £9,535.
EU and international students pay £24,200.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and standard exams.

Find out how to:

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £36,200 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 to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Hub 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 EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

When you apply use:

UCAS course code: L611
UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for this course

What happens after you apply?

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

predicted grades
academic achievements
personal statement
academic reference

We'll aim to process your application within 2 to 6 weeks, but this will depend on when it is submitted. Applications submitted in January, particularly near to the UCAS equal consideration deadline, might take substantially longer to be processed due to the high volume received at that time.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Related courses

Criminology (BSc) is a course in the Sociology, social policy and criminology subject area. Here are some other courses within this subject area:

c

BSc

Criminology and Psychology

l

BA

Liberal Arts

s

BSc

Sociology

BSc

Criminology (BSc)

About this course

Learn more about this subject area

Sociology, social policy and criminology

Course location

Awarding body

Download the Course Description Document

Entry requirements

For Academic year 202526

A-levels

A-levels additional information

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

A-levels contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

BTEC

RQF BTEC

Additional information

Access to HE Diploma

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

Scottish Qualification

Cambridge Pre-U

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Cambridge Pre-U Offer Contextual

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

T-Level

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

English language requirements

IELTS score requirements

Mature applicants

For Academic year 202627

A-levels

A-levels additional information

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

A-levels contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

BTEC

RQF BTEC

Additional information

Access to HE Diploma

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

Scottish Qualification

Cambridge Pre-U

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Cambridge Pre-U Offer Contextual

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

T-Level

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

English language requirements

IELTS score requirements

Mature applicants

Got a question?

Course structure

Year 1 overview

Year 2 overview

Year 3 overview

Modules

For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026

Year 2 modules

Criminological Perspectives in Global and Post-colonial Contexts

Introduction to Social Data Analytics

Qualitative Research: Methods, Tools and Techniques

What's the Solution? How to Become an Agent for Change in Public Policy

Children and Society

Collective Action and Social Change

Comparative Youth Justice

Crime Scene Investigation: Methods and Applications

Criminological Psychology

Issues in Law Enforcement and Social Control

Race and Ethnicity in Society

Reinventing Democracy: Innovation, Participation and Power