Criminology BSc
3-4 years
Why is knife crime on the rise? How can we tackle terrorism? These are the sort of questions that criminal justice professionals explore. This degree gives you a comprehensive overview of criminality – including its causes and impacts on an individual, societal and political level.
Course information
Typical offer ABB
UK fee £9,250
UCAS code M900
International fee £19,700
Institute code L34
Taught by School of Criminology
8th in the UK for Criminology (The Guardian University Guide 2024)
Course description
Course description
Crime and its impact are at the forefront of current political and social debate. We only have to check social media, switch on the television or pick up a newspaper to see headlines about crime and victimisation and to realise how relevant to everyday life the study of criminology has become. Our Criminology BSc enables you to explore the reality behind these headlines and examine a topic that is relevant, topical and has real, practical application in contemporary society.
Leicester ranks 8th in the UK for teaching Criminology (The Guardian University Guide 2024). We are one of very few Schools in the country exclusively dedicated to teaching and researching criminology, and we are home to some of the UK’s leading criminologists. As such, you will benefit from a pure, focused and definitive education in the study of crime. Our strong performance in the National Student Survey since it began in 2005 reflects the popularity of the course among our students, as well as the dedication of the academic staff.
This course is designed to enable a smooth transition to higher education, providing you with full study skills support and a comprehensive research methods programme which will enable you to complete a research project of your own in your final year. Our degree offers flexibility and choice with a range of option modules for you to choose from, and you have the opportunity to take a Year Abroad between Years 2 and 3 of your degree. The curriculum includes a three-year careers and employability programme, giving you the opportunity to develop the skills you'll need for graduate jobs. Job prospects are excellent, with 97% of our criminology students are employed (or studying for a Masters degree) six months after graduating.
Our research expertise feeds directly into our teaching programme, providing innovative and exciting content, as well as keeping you abreast of current debates on crime and criminal justice. Our award-winning research has real impact in wider society, and it influences policy and practice within the UK and beyond. Our research strengths include:
- Desistance and rehabilitation
- Sexual violence
- Forensic science
- Hate crime
- Investigative psychology
- Policing
- Prisons
- Sex work
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
- A/AS-levels: ABB. All subjects accepted. Two AS-levels may be considered in place of one A-level.
- EPQ with A-levels: BBB + EPQ at grade B.
- GCSE: English at grade C4/.
- Access to HE Diploma: Pass Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3, including 30 credits at Distinction.
- International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 30 points overall. Must include grade 4 in English A or 5 in English B if minimum of grade 4/C not held in English Language at GCSE.
- BTEC Nationals: Pass Diploma at DDM.
- T Levels: Distinction. All T Levels considered.
Other official national and international qualifications considered from across the world. You can review some of the qualifications we accept on our countries page and English Language equivalencies.
If your qualification or country is not listed, please contact us for more information, including the name and result of the qualification you have studied.
Second Year Entry may be possible with suitable qualifications.
Contextual offers
The University of Leicester is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all applicants from all backgrounds. We make contextual offers to support students who may be impacted by the area they live in, their personal circumstances or who have completed one of our progression programmes. These offers are usually one or two grades lower than the standard entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must apply for an eligible course and meet specific criteria – check if you’re eligible.
Selection Process
When considering your application, we will look for evidence that you will be able to fulfil the objectives of the course and achieve the standards required. We will take into account a range of factors including previous exam results.
Applicants are not normally interviewed. If you receive an offer you will be invited to visit the School.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability.
If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.
International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.
Countries ListFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in 2024
- £9,250 in your first year. Tuition fees are subject to government regulations and may change in future years
- Year Abroad: your fee will be £1,385 for that year
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
International Students
Starting in 2024
- £19,700 per year
- Year Abroad: £4,925, which is 25% of the full-time tuition fee
If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
From 2022 onwards, EU nationals will pay the International fee. If you are an EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme, you may qualify for the UK fee (subject to criteria).
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
We aim to provide you with a range of transferable skills that will give you a head-start in today’s competitive job market. Your capacity for imaginative, rigorous and critical thinking will be developed throughout the degree. Subject specific skills, such as knowledge of the social processes of crime and the criminal justice system, will be complemented by the type of transferable skills that are highly valued by employers in the graduate job market, including:
- the ability to present and develop a cohesive argument
- IT skills
- research and problem-solving skills
- written and oral communication skills
- working as part of a team
The Careers Development Service and Criminology work together to ensure you improve your employability, as well as recognising the skills you have acquired throughout your degree. All students have the opportunity to participate in the Criminal Justice Insights, which will enable you to gain volunteering experience, enhance your CV and develop transferable skills.
Graduate destinations
Graduates from our Criminology and Policing degrees have gone on to work for a wide range of employers including:
- Metropolitan Police
- Prison Service
- London Probation
- Leicestershire Police
- Serjants' Inn-Chambers
The experience Nikola gained has encouraged her to delve into a career as a senior policy officer.
Careers and Employability Service
Get career-ready at Leicester with guidance from our award-winning Careers and Employability Service. We're here to give you a lifetime offer of support, even after graduation. Our team of specialist careers advisers and mentors will help you every step of the way. From supporting you with CVs and interviews, to volunteering opportunities and placements, we're here to help you reach your professional goals.
Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable Development Goals
We are committed to providing skills and knowledge to help prepare you tackle global challenges. We have mapped our undergraduate degrees for learning which aligns to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
This degree includes learning which relates to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
- Goal 5: Gender equality
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong institutions
- Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
Course structure
Year 1
Year 1
Modules
- Introduction to Criminology (double module)
- Criminal Justice in Action (double module)
- Victims of Crime (double module)
- Theories of Crime and Criminality (double module)
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Year 2
Year 2
Core modules
- Punishment and Rehabilitation (double module)
- Understanding Criminological Research (double module)
- Doing Criminological Research (double module)
Option modules
Choose one option module from:
Then choose one option module from:
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Year Abroad (optional)
Year Abroad (optional)
We’ll make sure you have everything you need for your future career: not just by awarding you a high quality degree, but also by helping you to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to make your mark in the world as a Citizen of Change. One way you can do this is by opting to take a Year Abroad between Years 2 and 3 of your degree.
Studying abroad is not just for people who are interested in travelling and meeting new people. It is about acquiring life skills that are becoming increasingly significant for a wide range of jobs in our modern globalised society. Whether you go on to a career in the private, public or third sector - or plough your own furrow as an entrepreneur – you will find the experience invaluable.
For more information, including a list of destinations, please visit our Study Abroad website.
Please note
- A year spent abroad still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See the Fees and Funding tab of this page for details.
- You may be eligible for a travel grant from Student Finance England.
- Places are offered on a competitive basis, and eligibility is dependent on your academic performance in Years 1 and 2.
- Language courses, at beginners or advanced level, are available through our Languages at Leicester scheme.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Final Year
Final Year
Core modules
- Preparing for your Research Project (double module)
- Student Research Project (double module)
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
Then choose two option modules from:
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Why Leicester?
The Scarman Series of criminology lectures is a chance to hear from major names in law, policing and politics. Previous speakers have included Keir Starmer, Shami Chakrabarti and David Lammy.
You won't just be sitting in lecture theatres and seminar rooms. Our Crime Scene Room, Police Interview Room and Court Room bring a practical aspect to the course.
We were ranked 8th in the UK for criminology teaching in the Guardian University Guide 2024.
Teaching and learning
The modules you take are taught using a combination of lectures and workshops, as well as more contemporary virtual learning environments. Lectures provide you with the foundational knowledge needed to study the subject area, while the workshops give you the opportunity to discuss key ideas with your peers and your workshop leader. The virtual learning environment, which include podcasts, online discussion forums and audio/visual learning aids, gives you the opportunity to explore the subject area at your own pace and offer an alternative approach to learning and teaching.
In addition to this you will be given a personal tutor who can provide one-to-one support on a range of academic and personal issues, and all the teaching staff in the School have regular ‘drop in’ sessions where you are able to discuss any problems you may have.
Our assessment strategy allows you to develop a range of academic and transferable skills throughout your degree. You will be assessed through essays, reports and presentations. You will also have the opportunity to produce factsheets, blogs, posters and a range of other creative and authentic, real-world forms of assessment.
In your third year you will have the opportunity to undertake a research project focusing on an area of criminology that particularly interests you. The research project is the culmination of your academic studies and it allows you to demonstrate all of the skills and knowledge you have acquired throughout your studies. It is also a fantastic opportunity to study a particular topic area in depth and to conduct your own research. You will also receive dedicated one-to-one research project supervision from one of the academics in the School.
Independent learning
When not attending lectures, seminars or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. To help with your independent learning, you can access the Library and our social study spaces in halls of residence.
Academic support
Our Centre for Academic Achievement provides help in the following areas:
- study and exam skills
- academic writing
- presentations
- dissertations
- numerical data skills
- referencing sources
Our AccessAbility Centre offers support and practical help for students with dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties, including physical, mental health or mobility difficulties, deafness, or visual impairment.
Teaching staff
You will be taught by an award-winning teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. PhD research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of workshops under the supervision of the module leader. You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles.
Apply now
| Course | Qualification | Duration | UCAS Code | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Criminology | Qualification BSc | Duration 3 years full-time | UCAS Code M900 | Availability How to apply |
| Course Criminology with Year Abroad | Qualification BSc | Duration 4 years full-time | UCAS Code M900 | Availability How to apply |
Data about this course
My degree has given me real insight into the criminal justice system, offenders and a broader understanding of society as a whole.