University of Brighton
Print

Criminology and Sociology
BA(Hons)

  • Course summary and entry requirements

    Course duration Help

    Full-time: 3 years

    Part-time: 6 years (max 8 years)

    UCAS code LM39

    About the course

    Why do people commit crimes? How do societies respond to crime and deviance?

    This course is designed for students who are interested in crime and how societies react to it, but who also wish to look further and deeper into crime as a social and cultural issue. More pertinent questions might therefore be: Why do certain types of societies appear to experience significantly more criminality or violence than others? Why is our mass media still so fascinated by crime whilst large sections of the public seem to live in fear of victimisation? Why do some societies appear more intolerant of criminality and deviance? And ultimately, what can the study of crime tell us about our society, culture and social relationships?

    Typical entry requirements Help

    The entry requirements listed here are for students starting their course in 2013. Individual offers may vary

    A-levels:
    BBB. Applicants with only two full A-levels or a double award will be considered on an individual basis.

    International Baccalaureate:
    32 points.

    QAA-approved access course:
    acceptable.

    GCSE (minimum grade C):
    at least three subjects including English language and mathematics or a science.

    Foundation degree/HND
    /HNC direct to year 2.

    For non-native speakers of English:
    IELTS 6.0 overall, with 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in the other elements.

    Other:
    relevant professional experience.

  • Course content

    Course structure

    The course incorporates placement and independent study opportunities, international exchange options, and an open choice of dissertation projects.

    Areas of study

    Students are encouraged to bring contemporary sociological and cultural ideas to bear on the study of crime and social control. The academic emphasis is on analysis, explanation and interpretation. Key themes include understanding deviance and control, gender and crime, youth and delinquency, race and crime, and cross-cultural issues in crime and justice. Lecturers are currently engaged in research into topics including crime and gender, violence, youth offending, firearms, crime and policing.

    Syllabus

    Year 1
    Introduction to Criminal Justice Studies
    Theories of Crime
    Sociological Imaginations
    Foundations of Sociology
    Contemporary Social Inequalities
    Research Methods

    Year 2
    Criminologies of Crime Control
    Critical Perspectives on Criminal Justice
    Theorising the Social World; Sociology and the Lifecourse
    Researching Social and Cultural Life
    Critical Analysis or Community Engagement
    Theory into Practice

    Year 3
    Cross-Cultural Criminology or Global Issue
    Crime, Power, Harm
    Criminology and Criminal Justice Topic Options
    Sociology Topics 1
    Sociology Topics 2

    You can view the programme specification for this course as a PDF file by clicking on the link below:

    Programme Specification

  • Fees and costs

    The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2012-13. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

    The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

    What's included in the fee?

    When costs such as health or criminal record checks, field trips or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

    You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply please check with the school that provides your course using the contact details on the left of this page for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

    Our website www.brighton.ac.uk/money provides advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee paying status.

    BA(Hons) Criminology and Sociology  [L1EA006]
    UK/EU (Full Time)9,000 GBP
    Island Students (Full Time)9,000 GBP
    International (Full Time)12,500 GBP

  • Location

    Location Help Falmer

    Our Falmer campus is located on the edge of the South Downs National Park on the outskirts of Brighton. Approximately 7,000 students are based here.

    View campus maps and directions

    Living in Brighton

    Brighton’s rich mix of historic architecture, lively arts scene, varied shopping and cosmopolitan community make it a vibrant, enjoyable place to live. It is no wonder that many Brighton graduates choose to stay here.

    Social scene

    Alongside the traditional seaside attractions, Brighton is famed for its exciting social scene with a wide choice of pubs, clubs and restaurants.

    Music event on the beach

    Arts

    The highlight of the city’s cultural year is the Brighton Festival. The event is held each May and is England’s biggest arts festival, which showcases arts and performance from around the world. Brighton is also home to the UK’s oldest working cinema, the Duke of York’s, which shows alternative and mainstream films. The city is also well known for its exciting music scene and hosts The Great Escape music festival.

    Burning the Clocks winter solstice festival

    Sports

    Whether you take your sport seriously or just want to keep fit, Brighton offers all kinds of sports opportunities and facilities, on and off campus. You can also make the most of the location, and play volleyball, basketball and windsurfing down by the beach. The seafront is also the finishing point for the famous London – Brighton bicycle ride and the quirky veteran car run.

    Playing volleyball on the seafront

  • Student views

    Criminology and Sociology

    Aderonke Alao, Criminology and Sociology BA(Hons)

    I really enjoyed my degree, in particular the work placement in the second year where you have the opportunity to spend 50 hours working within a not-for-profit organisation.

    I worked for a children's charity. It was an independent placement that I found myself. The charity was based in Staffordshire but I worked on my own in the Brighton area.

    I worked on a project to engage with local children through art. This gave me a really valuable experience of managing my own time, working with other professionals and working with children with disabilities.

    Criminology and Sociology

    Emine Ali-Jackson, Criminology and Sociology BA(Hons)

    During my final year I found the Gangs module, run by Peter Squires, particularly interesting.  It allowed me to explore a topic which is really current in today’s society.  Overall, the most enjoyable module was Community and Personal Development. For this I undertook a work placement at Varndean School mentoring the pupils. This was a great experience as it allowed me to develop essential everyday skills such patience, planning and communication skills. 

    My overall university experience was excellent. I had quite a few ups and downs but the experience has really helped me to mature. The nature of independent living and looking after yourself prepares you for the real world. I also feel that working to deadlines is excellent preparation for life after university.

  • Career opportunities

    The degree prepares graduates for careers in many fields including crime prevention, community safety planning and tackling youth offending, as well as social planning, and research and evaluation. Graduates are well equipped to work in voluntary agencies, private sector welfare agencies, and central and local government.

    Visit the careers service website.

  • More...

    Excellent Facilities

    The School of Applied Social Science is located on the attractive Falmer campus, only four miles from central Brighton.  Facilities at Falmer include a state of the art computer centre, extensive library and a media resources centre for student use.

    Other student support services include the university’s careers centre, welfare service, a counselling service, chaplaincy and childcare provision.

    Research

    To keep our teaching well-informed, interesting and dynamic, our dedicated criminology and sociology lecturers are involved in national and international research and are frequently reported in local, national and international media:

    ·         SASS criminology professor quoted in the Wall Street Journal

    ·         Peter Squires: Straight shooter, The Guardian, October 2007

    ·         Crimestoppers UK

    Our degrees enable students to acquire the essential research skills needed for investigating experience and behaviour. They are supported in developing the ability to conduct research independently.

    Community participation and development

    Teaching and research within the School of Applied Social Science is supported by our links with local communities.

    The School’s close working relationship with the university’s Community University Partnership project (Cupp) allows us to offer our undergraduate students the opportunity to combine practical experience within a community or voluntary organisation with academic study. 

    The Community Participation and Development (CPD) module offers the opportunity to explore some of your personal values and aspirations while working for 30 to 50 hours on a relevant placement.  Staff and students provide their skills and expertise, working alongside community organisations to help them achieve their aims.  For example students on criminology courses may wish to work with a crime prevention organisation while sociology students may wish to work in a homeless shelter or a local pressure group.

    It is offered in 10- and 20-credit modules at levels 2 and 3, and assessment is based on reflective as well as analytical assignments which encourage you to look at your own personal journey as well as the policy and practice of the organisation in which your placement is based.

Criminology and Sociology
Application process
Book your open day place
Find out more

01273 643988
Email sassenquiries@brighton.ac.uk

Crime, its causes and how we respond to it

Taking a degree in criminology at Brighton will give you a cutting edge grasp on new theories, methods and approaches to crime, its prevention and its consequences.

 

Visit our criminology and sociology pages for more information.

 

 

Visit the school that delivers this course

Related Courses

Applied Psychology and Criminology BA(Hons)

Criminology and Social Policy BA(Hons)

Open Days

Our open days provide an excellent opportunity to learn more about our courses.