Criminology BA(Hons)

Course structure

The course covers the following areas of study:

• definitions of crime and deviance
• explanations of criminal behaviour
• the criminal justice system
• crime prevention
• international differences in criminal law and
• contemporary issues in criminal justice.

You will be taught through a mixture of lectures, seminars and workshops, but there is an increasing emphasis on independent study as the course progresses. Although assessment is split between essays and exams in Year 1, your second and final years consist mainly of coursework.

You have the opportunity to do a voluntary work placement in Year 2 and also to enrol on our international exchange programme, which allows you to study in Spain or Sweden for a part of your degree.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up-to-date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you will be told about any new developments through our applicant portal.

Year 1

Year 1 will introduce you to the theoretical foundations of criminology and to the research methods used in social science.

Modules

• Introduction to Research Methods
• Introduction to Criminal Justice Studies
• Explaining Crime and Criminals
• Theories of Crime
• Criminology in Action
• Contemporary Social Inequalities

Year 2

In year 2, you will begin to learn about criminal law and the mechanisms by which it is enforced.

Through the community engagement module you will have an opportunity to do a voluntary work placement with a local organisation. Our students have worked with organisations including Sussex Police and Sussex Pathways, a mentoring scheme that aims to rehabilitate local offenders.

Modules

• Researching Social and Cultural Life (20 credits)
• Researching Social and Cultural Life (10 credits, for students going on Erasmus exchange)
• Critical Perspectives on Criminal Justice

Options*

• Inquiries in Crime and Deviance
• inquiries in Crime and Deviance (10 credits, for students going on Erasmus exchange)
• Cross-cultural Criminology
• Community Engagement: Theory into Practice 
• Punishment, Power and the State
• Policing and Society

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Final year

In your final year at Brighton, you will write a dissertation about an area of criminology that you want to explore in depth. The dissertation is an opportunity to design and develop an idea independently, with the support of an academic supervisor throughout.

The Global Issues module focuses on environmental crime, trafficking and international conflict.

Modules

• Dissertation
• Contemporary Issues in Crime and Justice
• Violence and Society

Options*

• Criminology of Borders
• Global Issues: Crime, Power and Harm
• Critical Addiction Studies for Criminology

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Volunteering

Volunteering is a great opportunity to develop your vocational skills and gain practical work experience while contributing to the wider community. Our award-winning Community University Partnership Programme (CUPP) can pair you up with a local organisation and find a volunteering placement that is right for you.

The optional Community Engagement module in year 2 allows you to incorporate volunteering in your degree programme. It involves 30 to 50 hours of work with a not-for-profit or community organisation that reflects your academic interests and career aspirations.

Previous students have had volunteering roles including:

• activity volunteer for CCHF All About Kids
• centre volunteer for the Centre for Ecotherapy
• communication supporter for Connect
• listening and support volunteer for the Samaritans
• support volunteer for the MS Society
• volunteer for Fresh Start
• volunteer befriender for the Alzheimer's Society.

CUPP is an award-winning project tackling disadvantage and promoting sustainable development through partnership with local organisations

Staff profile

"I joined the University of Brighton in 2009 after working as a doctoral student at Plymouth University. My research examines the role of voluntary and community agencies in crime and disorder reduction partnerships (CDRPs).

"Previously, I have looked into the use of screening and intervention tools, as well as the impact of street pastors in Plymouth.

"I have lectured on topics across the criminology degree, with a particular focus on feminist criminology and victims of crime. My subject interests include domestic violence, gender, faith, public policy and the night-time economy."

International equivalencies

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Fees

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2019–20.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

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-time 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 DBS checks, 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 check with the school that provides your course using the contact details in the Find out more tab (at the end of this page) for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Location

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Falmer campus