BA (Hons) Sociology & Criminology

Society, inequality, justice, and social change

Online only

3 years full-time360 creditsEnglish

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Overview

Sociology & Criminology examines how social structures shape opportunity, identity, and justice. You will study classical and contemporary theory, qualitative and quantitative research methods, and criminological perspectives on crime and punishment. Field visits and guest speakers from policing, probation, and community organisations connect academic study to practice.

Research methods training includes ethical fieldwork and data analysis using NVivo and SPSS.

Who This Programme Is For

Students interested in social justice and community work
Future researchers in sociology or criminology
Professionals in policing, probation, or charity sectors

Faculty spotlight

Professor Ruth Brennan leads Criminology; Dr. Aisha Khan researches urban inequality and youth policy.

How you can study

Digital only

Study online

100% tuition-free online

Every programme can be completed fully online with zero tuition fees — study from anywhere in the world.

✦ Tuition: £0 / $0
✦ Course exams from $45 — 95% sponsorship rate
✦ Learn from anywhere · Live online seminars

Apply online →

What You Will Learn

Apply sociological theory to contemporary social issues
Design and conduct ethical social research projects
Critically evaluate criminal justice policy and practice
Communicate findings to policymakers and communities

Curriculum

Year 1

Code	Course	Credits
SOC101	Introduction to Sociology Introduction to Sociology — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Introduction to Sociology Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
SOC102	Introduction to Criminology Introduction to Criminology — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Introduction to Criminology Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
SOC103	Social Research Methods Social Research Methods — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Social Research Methods Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
SOC104	Contemporary Society Contemporary Society — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Contemporary Society Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20

Year 2

Code	Course	Credits
SOC201	Social Theory Social Theory — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Social Theory Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
SOC202	Crime & Deviance Crime & Deviance — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Crime & Deviance Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
SOC203	Qualitative Methods Qualitative Methods — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Qualitative Methods Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
SOC204	Quantitative Methods Quantitative Methods — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Quantitative Methods Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20

Year 3

Code

Course

Credits

SOC301

Penology & Justice

Penology & Justice — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway.

Core concepts and frameworks in Penology & Justice
Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases
Methods, tools, and professional standards
Ethics, risk, and responsible practice
Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project

SOC302

Honours Dissertation

Honours Dissertation — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway.

Core concepts and frameworks in Honours Dissertation
Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases
Methods, tools, and professional standards
Ethics, risk, and responsible practice
Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project

Career Paths

Probation Officer Trainee
Charity Project Worker
Policy Researcher
Police Staff Roles
Further Study (MA)

Programme Highlights

Field visits with justice and community partners
NVivo and SPSS research training
Criminology guest lecture series
Dissertation supervision by active researchers

Admission Requirements

A-levels BBB (or equivalent) in relevant subjects, or an Access to HE Diploma with Merit profile
International Baccalaureate 28 points, or high school diploma with GPA 3.0/4.0 minimum
Personal statement (400–600 words) explaining your academic interests and career goals
One academic reference from a teacher, tutor, or school counsellor
English proficiency: IELTS 5.5, TOEFL 46, or equivalent (waived for prior English-medium study)
Optional: portfolio or interview for creative and professional programmes

Recognised & Accredited

Ready to begin?BA (Hons) Sociology & Criminology

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Overview

Research methods training includes ethical fieldwork and data analysis using NVivo and SPSS.

Curriculum

Year 1

Code	Course	Credits
SOC101	Introduction to Sociology Introduction to Sociology — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Introduction to Sociology Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
SOC102	Introduction to Criminology Introduction to Criminology — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Introduction to Criminology Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
SOC103	Social Research Methods Social Research Methods — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Social Research Methods Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
SOC104	Contemporary Society Contemporary Society — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Contemporary Society Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20

Year 2

Code	Course	Credits
SOC201	Social Theory Social Theory — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Social Theory Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
SOC202	Crime & Deviance Crime & Deviance — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Crime & Deviance Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
SOC203	Qualitative Methods Qualitative Methods — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Qualitative Methods Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
SOC204	Quantitative Methods Quantitative Methods — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Quantitative Methods Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20

Year 3

Code

Course

Credits

SOC301

Penology & Justice

Penology & Justice — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway.

Core concepts and frameworks in Penology & Justice
Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases
Methods, tools, and professional standards
Ethics, risk, and responsible practice
Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project

SOC302

Honours Dissertation

Honours Dissertation — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway.

Core concepts and frameworks in Honours Dissertation
Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases
Methods, tools, and professional standards
Ethics, risk, and responsible practice
Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project

Admission Requirements

A-levels BBB (or equivalent) in relevant subjects, or an Access to HE Diploma with Merit profile

International Baccalaureate 28 points, or high school diploma with GPA 3.0/4.0 minimum

Personal statement (400–600 words) explaining your academic interests and career goals

One academic reference from a teacher, tutor, or school counsellor

English proficiency: IELTS 5.5, TOEFL 46, or equivalent (waived for prior English-medium study)

Optional: portfolio or interview for creative and professional programmes

Recognised & Accredited