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BA

Criminology BA (Hons)

What is crime? Why does it occur? And what are the best ways to address it? Study the answers to these kinds of questions with a degree in Criminology.

How to apply Apply via UCAS

Course details

Start date

Degree Type

BA

UCAS Code

L370

Course length

3 years full-time

Typical offer

AAB

Tuition Fees

  • Home (Full-time): per year
  • Overseas (Full-time): per year

Overview

Criminology aims to understand crime and deviance from a social perspective, exploring how crime and society are connected. We seek to answer questions like: why are some people more likely to commit crimes than others; why are some people more likely to be victimised; how can crime be effectively prevented or controlled; and so on. From a more critical perspective we also consider why some activities are defined as ‘criminal’ in the first place and what this tells us about the workings of power and authority in society. As a Criminology student, you will join a dynamic learning and research community, which includes internationally recognised experts actively engaged in shaping criminal justice policy. You will also learn how to design and carry out criminological research through research projects carried out in the second and final year of study. We offer the option to undertake a placement with a local community organisation to deploy your knowledge in an applied setting.

Course details

Start date

Degree Type

BA

UCAS Code

L370

Course length

3 years full-time

Typical offer

AAB

Tuition Fees

  • Home (Full-time): per year
  • Overseas (Full-time): per year

What you'll study

Our degree will challenge your opinions and develop your critical understanding, both about crime as well as the social and politics contexts within which it occurs. You will study theories of criminality and criminal justice, the roles and operation of criminal justice institutions, and explore specific topics such as gender-based violence, cybercrime and sex work.

Core modules

  • Critical Scholarship in the Social Sciences

    aims to support the transition to university-level study by helping you develop the foundational academic skills that are needed throughout the rest of your degree. Through it you will learn key academic conventions and skills, for example: reading and evaluation; writing and argument; presentation and discussion; and so on.

  • Introduction to Criminological Theory

    will help you develop a sociological perspective on issues of crime, criminality and deviance. It introduces a range of key criminological theories and concepts through examination of four classic criminological studies, followed by an overview of theoretical development in Criminology over the course of the 19th and 20th centuries.

  • Social Research Methods

    will introduce you to the concept of social research and practice-based inquiry. You will learn how to produce and analyse different kinds of data and develop some basic practical skills in designing and carrying out social research yourself.

  • The Criminal Justice Landscape

    outlines current debates within the field of criminal justice studies. You will learn about the key agencies of criminal justice including the Crown Prosecution Service, courts, prisons and the police. This module also introduces you to volunteering opportunities within the criminal justice system and actively encourages you to get involved in your local community.

Core modules

  • Contemporary Criminological Theory

    demonstrates how traditional theoretical models and concepts in Criminology have informed contemporary criminological thought. You will also learn how these recent developments are situated within recent social and political contexts, covering for example radical, realist, gender, control, cultural and postmodernist perspectives.

  • Research Methods in Action

    supports your development of applied research skills. At the core of the module is a group-based research project you design and carry out on a topic of your choosing. In addition, you will learn a range of methods and techniques for analysing both quantitative (statistics) and qualitative (textual / verbal / visual) data.

Optional modules

  • In recent years optional modules have included: Communities and Social JusticeCrime, Power and Social InequalitiesModern and Contemporary Sociological TheoryPolicing and PoliceSelf, Identity and SocietySociology of EducationSociology of Health and MedicineViolence and Abuse in Society

Core modules

  • Dissertation

    In your final year, you will design and carry out an Dissertation project on a topic of your choosing, in the area of Criminology, Sociology or Social Policy. This may take the form of an empirical research study or, alternatively, a critical discussion of scholarly work on the topic. Your final 10,000-word dissertation thesis comprises one third of your final-year mark and is an excellent opportunity to develop expertise in a topic of personal interest or relevance to a future career area.

Optional modules

  • In recent years optional modules have included: Community PlacementCrime, Justice and the Sex IndustryCyberculture and CybercrimeDrugs and SocietyFeminist Anti-Violence Activism: Theory in ActionGlobalisation and the Sex IndustryJustice, Violence and AbuseRace, Racism and Social Justice in BritainSocial Theory and the Politics of KnowledgeSociology of Reproduction and ParenthoodThe Body as Data: Technology, Power and Human RightsYouth in Crisis: Young People, Crime and Justice

Learning

Our BA (Hons) Criminology is taught through a mix of lectures, small-group seminars, research-based workshops, individual supervision and guided independent work. We also run a regular programme of research-focused lectures and seminars that are additional opportunities to learn about Criminology beyond your taught modules. You will have typically have 8-10 contact hours a week, with the remainder of your study time focused on reading, preparing for classes, writing assessments and so on. As your studies progress, you will be afforded greater responsibility and discretion over your work, for example, developing projects or essays on topics of your choosing related to the themes of the modules you study. As such, over the course of the degree, you will develop skills in independent learning, organisation and motivation, preparing you for graduate employment at the end of your degree.

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Assessment

Assessment is largely coursework-based, with work such as essays, reports, portfolios, reflections and presentations accounting for approximately 80% of your final grade. Assessments aim to assess your knowledge and understanding in an authentic manner, as well as helping you develop your skills in critical thinking, analysis and communication. There are also regular opportunities for practice and feedback, for example: practice essays; essay plans; one-to-one and group tutorials; and so on.

Entry requirements

Fees & Funding

Choose which fees you want to see:

Home / Island students

per year

International / EU Students

per year

Home / Island students

Part Time - per year

International / EU Students

Part Time - per year

The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).

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Department Information

  • Examine crime and deviance through a social lens studying this thought-provoking subject which challenges you to think deeply about the society in which we live. As a Criminology student at Durham you will learn to accept nothing at face value. Our courses are designed to shape students into critical, curious social scientists who seek out evidence as they get to grips with the complex causes of crime and the impact of crime on society. Undergraduate study is shaped by real-world engagement and up-to-date research. You will learn from internationally recognised experts who are engaged in innovative, socially conscious research into some of the most challenging issues in modern society, including intimate partner violence, sexual harassment and abuse, and youth crime. Our academics also have close links with voluntary and community sector organisations national and globally, with many actively engaged in shaping criminal justice policy.  Criminological theory forms a key element of this discipline. You will develop the critical skills to understand the key issues around crime, deviance and criminal justice in relation to wider society. We place a strong focus on contemporary issues, such as youth justice and cybercrime, as well as on providing an understanding of theories of crime and justice.  An essential element of Criminology at Durham is the opportunity to put theory into practice with work placements, community-based modules and international study to suit your interests and career goals.

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    Facilities

    Criminology at Durham is located at Old Elvet, within easy walking distance of the Students’ Union, the colleges and Durham’s historic centre with its imposing Castle and Cathedral. We also use the local area as a learning environment, examining the connection between power and justice and exploring the locations of ancient and modern prisons around the city.

    • Resources

      Durham University library is one of the best in northern Britain and is well resourced with books, eBooks and journals supporting all of our areas of study. We make extensive use of Learn Ultra, the University’s virtual learning environment, and teach in facilities across the whole Durham campus

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Career Opportunities

Of those UK/EU students who graduated in 2022/23:

85%

in work or further study.

88%

in highly and medium skilled employment.

£32,000

is the average salary.

HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. Further information about the Graduate Outcomes survey can be found here www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk

Employability

As well as building detailed subject-specific knowledge of criminological issues, our courses are designed to develop transferable skills that are valuable for both personal and professional development including, how to assemble and evaluate evidence, how to turn evidence into an effective argument, how to design a research project and analyse data. Our graduates work in a wide range of employment settings worldwide, including the criminal justice system, the Civil Service, local and national government, banking, academic research and law (through graduate conversion programmes). For more information see our department pages.

More Information

The Department offers two single honours BA programmes in Criminology and Sociology, as well as a Joint Honours Programme in Anthropology and Sociology.

Learn more about why the department of Sociology is a great place to study

Your next steps

Apply via UCAS

  • Institution code: D86

  • UCAS code: L370

Apply now

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