Criminology BA(Hons)

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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 of your Criminology degree course is a general introduction to the subject to help establish your knowledge of the key theories of criminology.

Modules

• Introduction to Researching Social and Cultural Life

  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.

• Imagining Crime and 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.

• Crime, Justice and Inequalities

  This module covers the theoretical, conceptual and academic tools to explore crime, criminal justice and inequalities. Through an exploration of these tools, you'll develop an understanding of how criminological knowledge is established and used in criminal justice settings; the ways that difference and inequalities are formed; and the consequences of crime and criminal justice 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

• Social and Cultural Life Research Practice
• Critical Perspectives on Justice
• Punishment, Power and the State

Options*

• Debates and Conflicts in Criminology
• Cross-cultural Criminology
• Community Engagement: Theory into Practice 
• 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 degree team:

• Dr Greg Los, co-course leader
• Dr Kirsty McGregor, co-course leader

• Dr Hannah ThurstonDr Dan Burrows
• Dr Craig Johnstone
• Dr Daren Britt
• Deanna Dadusc
• Dr James Pickles
• Dr Lambros Fatsis
• Matt Follett
• Dr Roxana Cavalcanti
• Suzie Clift.

Read a Q+A with course leader Dr Greg Los about his career and how he got into Criminology.

Read a Q+A with lecturer Dr Hannah Thurston about what she loves about teaching Criminology.

Criminology lecturer Dr Hannah Thurston

Course fees

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2023–24.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

• Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international undergraduate and postgraduate students
• Student finance and budgeting while studying
• About the university’s fees by checking our student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

Campus where this course is taught

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