About this course

Explore the relationship between social behaviour and crime with this fusion of 2 fascinating disciplines. On this BSc degree, you’ll examine our perception of what is right or wrong, and how this changes over time and between cultures. You’ll learn from expert tutors who are consulted by the government, criminal justice agencies and the media. A wide range of rewarding sociology and criminology-related careers await, including social and police work.

This programme is highly flexible, allowing you to develop your own specialist research interests in both sociology (examining the identities, relationships and practices within our world) and criminology (the study of crime, law enforcement and the criminal justice system).

You’ll find many optional modules to choose from, including:

Criminological Psychology
Race and Ethnicity
Violent and Sexual Offenders

Your core modules will help you develop key knowledge and skills in areas such as:

theoretical approaches and perspectives in sociology and criminology
the relationship between individuals, groups and institutions
research methods in social sciences, including quantitative and qualitative research

As part of your degree you can:

take an active part in seminars, workshops and lectures at our interdisciplinary hub, the Institute of Criminal Justice Research
develop your leadership skills and make a difference in our Social Impact Lab
study complementary modules from other areas, such as languages, anthropology or sustainability
study a semester abroad with one of our partner universities in Brazil, Canada or China

Course location

This course is based at Highfield.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Entry requirements

A-levels

ABB

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.

More information about A-levels

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, as follows: BBB

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

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

More information about International Baccalaureate Diploma

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

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

RQF BTEC

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.

Additional information

BTEC qualifications should be in Health and Social Care, Public Services, or Forensic and Criminal Investigation. Please check with us if your BTEC qualification is in a different subject before applying.

More information about BTEC

QCF BTEC

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

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.

or

Select additional entry requirements to display

Other requirements

UK students

International students

Other ways to qualify

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 study a mixture of core and optional modules across sociology and criminology.

Each year you’ll also have the chance to choose modules from other courses at the University. This will give you valuable opportunities to expand your knowledge and create an impressive CV.

Year 1 overview

Your core modules will prepare you for successful study in both disciplines. Topics include:

Understanding Everyday Life
Introduction to Criminology
Criminal Justice Studies
Social Problems and Social Policy
Transformations of the Modern World
Foundations of Social and Anthropological Thought
Introduction to Quantitative Methods

Optional modules will allow you to delve deeper into some of the most relevant topics of our time. Choose from subjects like:

Population and Society
Global Health
Human Origins

Year 2 overview

Go broader and deeper into key areas, with core modules including:

Perspectives in Criminology
Social Theory
Research Methods in the Social Sciences
Qualitative Research: Foundations, Principles and Skills

Optional modules allow you to explore subjects that generate news coverage and debate, including:

Gender and Society
Criminological Psychology
Race and Ethnicity
Criminology: Policy and Practice
Globalisation, Inequalities and Power

Year 3 overview

You’ll put your research skills into practice by investigating and writing a 10,000-word dissertation on a subject of your choice.

You’ll also consider the most important processes of social change taking place today in a core module in comparative sociology. Your last core module explores historical and contemporary issues in law enforcement and social control.

Prepare for your chosen career or onward study by selecting modules such as:

The Deserving and Undeserving: Victims and Scroungers in Criminology and Social Policy
Sexuality and Intimacy
Violent and Sexual Offenders
Global Crime and Justice

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

Changes due to COVID-19

Although the COVID-19 situation is improving, any future restrictions could mean we might have to change the way parts of our teaching and learning take place in 2021 to 2022. We're working hard to plan for a number of possible scenarios. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.

Find out more on our COVID advice page.

For entry in Academic Year 2022-23

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

You must study the following modules in year 1:

Criminal Justice Studies

In this module you will develop an understanding of the England and Wales criminal justice system, with a particular focus on its philosophies, institutional practices and processes and outcomes. You will gain an understanding of how the criminal justice ...

Foundations in Social and Anthropological Theory

The module introduces you to key thinkers and their contributions to social theory, their ideas about the social world and the way it works. These ideas provide the building blocks for your degree whether you are studying sociology, anthropology, crimino...

Historical Perspectives in Social Science: Deviance, Conflict, Censure and Control

The module is concerned with the interrelationships between society, social change, and social censure. A central theme running throughout CRIM1005 is that we can only make sense of contemporary social change (and responses to it) today if we have an unde...

Introduction to Criminology

This module focuses on definitions and measurement of crime and deviance; it explores sociological theories and bio-psychological approaches of crime and deviance and it promotes critical thinking on the social construction of crime.

Introduction to Quantitative Methods

The aims of this course are to: • Introduce you to quantitative methods used in the social sciences, including both descriptive statistics and elementary inferential statistics • Enable you to use these methods and to understand other people’s use of ...

Social Problems and Social Policy

The module introduces students to the ways in which "social problems" come to be defined within societies and the factors shaping social policy responses to such problems.

Transformations of The Modern World

The module will look at key social transformations in the modern world and the way in which these have been analysed by social scientists.

Understanding Everyday Life

The module will look at the disciplines of sociology and criminology through an examination of key aspects of everyday life and the ways in which these have been analysed by social scientists. This module also includes a preparatory section, which prov...

You must study the following modules in year 2:

Perspectives in Criminology

This module focuses upon the contemporary development of criminology as a discipline and the range of perspectives and theories that form part of it. These include traditional and more radical sociological and criminological theories. One of the pre-re...

Qualitative Research: Foundations, Principles and Methods

This module has two goals. First to teach students the foundations, principals and methods of qualitative research. Second to support students in identifying a topic and designing a research project for their third year dissertation. One of the pre-req...

Research Methods in The Social Sciences

This module builds upon the material learnt in the first year in STAT1003. It aims to increase your knowledge of social science research strategies and methods of collecting data (both quantitative and qualitative). It does this by covering the whole rese...

Social Theory

This module will look at some of the key terms, issues and debates within social theory. Key terms and concepts will be introduced via selected theories, theoretical issues and the ideas of specific writers who have attempted to explain social phenomena,...

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...

Class Structure and Social Inequality

This module looks at the changing nature of material, social and cultural inequality in British society, and how it affects our everyday lives.

Crime and Criminal Justice: Historical Perspectives

The module is concerned with the interrelationships between society, crime and social change. A central theme running throughout CRIM2002 is that we can only make sense of crime (and responses to it) today if we have an understanding of the past. Neverthe...

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...

Culture, Communication and Resistance

Anthropology actively studies people in real-life settings in order to investigate the crucial roles that culture and social organisation play in their lives. Sociology actively pursues strong theoretical perspectives which further explores the relationsh...

Gender & Society

The module will introduce sociological perspectives on gender and to contemporary debates about gender and society.

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 from Europe, the US, the Caribbean, Africa, and South America will be...

Youth and Crime

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...

You must study the following modules in year 3:

Comparative Sociology

This module is concerned with the development of modern societies and the nature of 'modernity'. It will draw on the writings of contemporary sociologists in order to consider what the most important processes of social change taking place are and how the...

Dissertation

You will conduct small-scale, independent study of a chosen topic, within your particular degree pathway.

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.

You must also choose from the following modules in year 3:

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...

Class Structure and Social Inequality

This module looks at the changing nature of material, social and cultural inequality in British society, and how it affects our everyday lives.

Comparing Welfare States - Evolution, Politics & Impact

In this module we will first explore why all industrialised countries developed programmes to reduce social risks. We will then examine how and why this development was different in different countries. Finally we will discuss some of the main challenges...

Penology

Penology is the study of punishment, in prison and in the community. Students are encouraged to think critically about the multiple purposes and debatable effectiveness of our contemporary modes of punishment, and to understand why this 'end product' of t...

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 from Europe, the US, the Caribbean, Africa, and South America will b...

Sexuality and Intimacy

This module is concerned with different anthropological and sociological approaches to studying two important areas of human experience, namely sexuality and intimacy. We explore the relationship between sex, love and intimacy, taking into consideration ...

The Deserving and Undeserving: Victims and Scroungers in Criminology and Social Policy

Societal sensitivity regarding victims in the UK has grown in recent decades. In the UK new policies and legislation have emerged at all levels in the criminal justice system with the aim of putting the victim at the centre of the criminal justice process...

Violent and Sexual Offenders

Would you like to understand why people - mostly men - are violent, or commit rape, or sexually abuse young children? Are people who do such things mentally ill? What might have happened to them in their lives that makes them commit such serious offences...

Youth and Crime

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...

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:

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Study time

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

19%

Scheduled learning & teaching

81%

Independent learning

How we'll assess you

dissertations
essays
individual and group projects
oral presentations
written exams

Your assessment breakdown

Year 1:

63%

Written exam

37%

Coursework

Academic support

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

Course leader

Paul Bridgen is the course leader.

Careers

This dual degree will lead to career opportunities across a range of sectors, including the management, planning and delivery of 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:

government
criminal justice
social services
research and education
community development
police
social research
academia

Students have also secured paid internships in government organisations, such as the Office for National Statistics.

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

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

UK students pay £9,250.
EU and international students pay £19,300.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.

Find out how to:

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.