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The University of Law Undergraduate Programmes BA (Hons) Criminology and Policing
The University of Law Undergraduate Programmes

BA (Hons) Criminology and Policing

3 Years

English

Full time

Request application deadline

Sep 2025

GBP 9,250 / per year *

On-Campus

* Sep 2024 fee: UK - £9,250 per annum; International - £17,550 per annum London, £16,700 non-London

Key Summary

    About: The BA (Hons) Criminology and Policing program covers critical aspects of crime, its causes, and responses to it, with a key focus on law enforcement and policing practices. You'll study topics such as criminal justice systems, social theory, and prevention strategies, aiming to understand both theoretical and practical perspectives on crime and policing. This course prepares you for a career in various sectors.
    Career Outcomes: Graduates can pursue career opportunities in areas such as law enforcement, community safety, crime analysis, and probation services. Other potential paths include roles in social work, criminal psychology, and research within governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Introduction

Our BA (Hons) Criminology and Policing degree combines our expertise in contemporary criminology and professional policing to provide a comprehensive understanding of criminological theories that can be applied to current socio-economic policies and conditions. Combining criminology study with policing modules which cover aspects of the national policing curriculum, this three-year course is for those interested in pursuing a career in the criminal justice sector, police service or associated fields. In addition to gaining knowledge in both criminology and policing, this practice-focused course will enable you to gain a wide range of analytical, research, problem-solving and communication skills. In the 2021 National Student Survey, The University of Law has been ranked first amongst universities in England for the category of 'teaching on my course'. We have an overall 5 Star rating from QS World University Rankings and 5 stars in Teaching, Employability, Online Learning, Academic Development and Inclusiveness. Please note: this programme does not qualify as a pre-join degree to enable direct entry into police service. Students wishing to pursue a career as a police officer after studying this degree would need to enter a service via the degree holder entry route.

Course Requirements

  • BBC at A Level and Grade C/4 or above in GCSE English Language or equivalent qualifications.
  • Students who will be under the age of 18 but no younger than 17 at the commencement of the course are permitted.
  • International requirements: An English language level equivalent to IELTS 6.5 or above with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.

Career Path

Careers in the criminal justice system, policing, security, probation service, customs, immigration, social researcher, housing sector and the NGO and charity sector.

Course Details

UCAS code: LN31

This three-year degree allows you to combine criminology study with policing modules which cover aspects of the national policing curriculum. You'll look at areas such as drugs, cybercrime, migration, terrorism, and trafficking in detail. You’ll consider how these areas are viewed by groups from various backgrounds, including how gender, race and cultural perspectives can impact opinion.

Students will be taught by experts in criminology who have worked directly with government departments, as well as former police officers for practical, hands-on education. This course sets students up for a career in the criminal justice sector, the police service or the NGO and charity sector, among others.

Please note that this programme does not qualify as a pre-join degree to enable direct entry into the police service. Students wishing to pursue a career as a police officer on graduation would need to enter a service via the degree holder entry route.

You will learn through a variety of group sessions, workshops, digital media and a wide range of learning resources, completing a research methods module and a dissertation or research project in your final year. In addition to your knowledge of criminology and policing, you will gain a wide range of analytical, research, problem-solving and communication skills, which are in high demand by employers.

You will also learn through realistic scenarios and the use of a crime scene suite or pop-up facilities.

Course Structure

Year 1

Semester 1

  • Foundations of Criminology
  • Understanding the Police Constable Role and Professional Standards
  • The Criminal Justice System: Key Legislation, Offences and Civil Matters

Semester 2

  • Drugs in the Criminal Justice System
  • Core Principles of Evidence-Based Policing, Information and Intelligence
  • Contemporary Criminology

Year 2

Semester 1

  • Gender, Sexuality and Crime
  • Community Policing, Antisocial Behaviour and Introduction to Road Policing
  • Public Protection: Understanding Abuse and Impact

Semester 2

  • Cybercrime
  • Forensic and Criminal Psychology
  • Response Policing and Police Investigations

Year 3

Semester 1

  • Research Methods and Dissertation (double module across both semesters)
  • Urban Criminology
  • Responding to Major and Critical Incidents

Semester 2

  • Research Methods and Dissertation (double module across both semesters)
  • Investigating Serious Crime and Understanding Terrorism and Transnational Organised Crime

Choose one:

  • Race, Ethnicity and Religion
  • Politics of Policing
  • Terrorism
  • Counter-Terrorism and Advanced Road Policing

Course Information

Assessment

A wide range of assessment methods will be used across all modules to ensure that all programme outcomes can be demonstrated by students. These include unseen essay type exams, written coursework assignments, oral presentations, role plays and a dissertation module.

This variety of approaches reflects the diversity of the curriculum and enables students a greater chance of success. It also helps to remove barriers to some students who may find that more traditional assessment methods do not truly reflect their abilities.

Classification

You must pass each module to be awarded your degree. A pass mark is 40% and above.

  • 70% : 1
  • 60-69%:2.1
  • 50-59%: 2.2
  • 40-49%: 3

How to Apply

Applications for all our undergraduate courses for September 2022 entry are open.

Fees

Sep 2024

  • UK - £9,250 per annum / International - £17.550 per annum (London), £16,700 (non-London)
  • Fees are locked for future study years i.e. the student will pay the same price each year.

About the School

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