Criminology BA(Hons)

Course structure

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.

In your first year you will be introduced to the theoretical foundations of criminology and to the research methods used in social science.

In year 2, you will begin to learn about the social construction of crime and (in)justice from a global perspective. You will also spend time developing your knowledge about specific elements of the justice system, such as policing and the prison.

In your final year you will be given the opportunity to study topics in much more depth, adding critical perspectives to your portfolio of theoretical knowledge. Your third year will also involve writing a dissertation which is a large-scale independent project about a topic of your choosing.

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 Student View.

Year 1

Your first year is a general introduction to the subject to help establish your knowledge of the key theories of criminology.

Modules

• Introduction to Research Methods

  The module introduces you to the range of research methods used in the social sciences and will enable you to develop the skills necessary to collect and analyse both quantitative and qualitative data.

• Criminal Justice Matters

  This module will introduce you to the criminal justice system in England and Wales by exploring its main institutions and agencies: eg. police, courts, prison and probation. You'll explore some of the key debates and policies in relation to sentencing, victims and crime prevention. You will gain an understanding of the politics and controversies in criminal justice and develop your skills in identifying, analysing information and presenting coherent arguments.

• Explaining Crime: Explaining Criminals

  This module will introduce you to critical issues which arise when we attempt to explain crime. The module begins with discussion of ‘common sense’ perspectives, and critically considers the ‘taken for granted,’ prevailing explanations for crime and definitions of the ‘criminal’ that circulate in society.

  The focus is on the social, cultural and political processes that criminology has identified as being involved in informing ‘public’ understandings of crime. You will analyse the role that the mass media plays in influencing these social and public constructions and understand the academic literature which deals with these debates.

• Theories of Crime

  On this module you will examine criminological theories from an historical perspective, and gain an understanding of the political, social and cultural context in which different theories were developed, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of their current application.

• Criminology in Action

  On this module you will actively engage with and apply key criminological concepts and thinking to contexts, roles and scenarios in criminal justice.

• Contemporary Social Inequalities

  This module will provide you with the theoretical and conceptual tools to confront normative/normalising explanations of difference and inequality. You'll understand the ways that ‘differences’ and inequalities are formed and their consequences for everyday lived realities.

Year 2

In year 2 you will extend your knowledge and take a community placement which runs throughout the year, giving you a sustained period of work with a community organisation to help increase your employability while you study. There’s also the opportunity for international study through our exchange programme.

Modules

• Researching Social and Cultural Life
• Critical Perspectives on Criminal Justice

Options*

• Inquiries in Crime and Deviance
• 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. There is also additional optional modules, such as Global Issues: Crime, Power and Harm which focuses on environmental crime, trafficking and international conflict.

Modules

• Dissertation
• Contemporary Studies 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.

Placement

In your second year the Community Engagement option module offers the opportunity to engage with a local not-for-profit organisation and gain valuable hands-on experience. It is a great opportunity to develop your vocational skills and gain practical work experience while contributing to the wider community.

You will spend around 50 hours volunteering with the organisation. This will be supported and underpinned by organisational training, tutor support and by in-class teaching covering theories of community engagement, organisational structure and culture, and reflective learning. 

We will help you find a placement that is right for you from the range of local organisations who choose to work with our students.

The module features guest lectures delivered by external speakers drawn from the wider community. You will also produce a portfolio where you will reflect on your experiences and learning, with reference to practice examples and reflective theory.

Meet the team

Find out about the criminology team:

Dr Hannah Thurston, co-course leader
Dr Kirsty McGregor, co-course leader

Dr Dan Burrows
Dr Craig Johnstone
Dr Daren Britt
Deanna Dadusc
Greta Squire
Dr James Pickles
Dr Lambros Fatsis
Matt Follett
Dr Roxana Cavalcanti
Suzie Clift

Criminology course leader Dr Hannah Thurston

International requirements and visas

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

Visas and immigration advice

Course fees

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2023–24.

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 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.

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