Sociology with Criminology BA,
In this degree, you will be introduced to a range of sociological and criminological approaches, theories and practices, providing a high quality academic grounding in the two disciplines.
Course information
Typical offer BBB
UCAS code L3M9
Institute code L34
Taught by Sociology
15th in the UK for Sociology and Social Policy (The Guardian University Guide 2023)
Course description
Course description
How does crime affect our lives? How and why are certain behaviours categorised as a crime? Studying sociology with criminology will give you a sociological insight into the world of crime.
This degree explores the important and diverse subject of crime and deviance, combined with analysis of wider social processes through the discipline of sociology.
The BA Sociology with Criminology employs a cutting-edge, creative practice-based approach, which is highly innovative and distinctive to sociology at Leicester. Our Sociology with Criminology BA will provide you with a thorough grounding in research methods, theory and a variety of substantive topics. Throughout your degree you’ll be getting to grips with topical issues in contemporary society – based on areas where our academics are conducting pioneering research. You will develop skills you can transfer to your chosen career, including traditional academic competencies.
This degree brings together two of our internationally respected subject areas; Leicester was one of the first sociology departments to be established in the UK, and we have developed a distinguished and international reputation a wealth of experience in teaching and an enviable research pedigree. Our School of Criminology ranks 5th in the UK for teaching Criminology (The Guardian University Guide 2022). 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.
Flexibility underpins our degree structure, which means that you will get to shape your degree to suit your own interests and career aspirations. Whichever direction you choose, you will be taught by enthusiastic scholars who are keen to share their expertise with you
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
- A/AS-levels: BBB. All subjects accepted. Two AS-levels considered in place of one A-level.
- EPQ with A-levels: BBB + EPQ an grade B.
- GCSE: English at Grade 4/C.
- Access to HE Diploma: Pass Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3, including 24 credits at Distinction.
- International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 28 points overall. Including grade 4 in English A or 5 in English B if not held at GCSE.
- BTEC Nationals: Pass Diploma with DDM.
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.
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.
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
Tuition fees for 2024/25 are yet to be confirmed. As an indication of what you might pay, the fees for students who started in 2023/24 were:
- £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 £1,250 for that year
- Year in Industry: your fee will be 15% of the full-time tuition fee that applies in that year
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
International Students
Starting in 2024
Tuition fees for 2024/25 are yet to be confirmed. As an indication of what you might pay, the fees for students who started in 2023/24 were:
- £17,500 per year
- Year Abroad: £4,375, which is 25% of the full-time tuition fee
- Year in Industry: £2,625, which is 15% 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
Our Career Development Service is here to support you, with advice on interviews, CVs, work experience, volunteering and more. From Freshers’ Week to Graduation and beyond, they are here to help you reach your professional goals.
Related courses
Related courses
Sociology
BA, 3 years
Politics and Sociology
BA, 3 years
Media and Society
BA, 3-4 years
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View list
Course structure
Year 1
Year 1
In your first year you will gain a solid foundation in the principles of sociology and criminology, covering a mixture of theoretical ideas and substantive topics.
- Introduction to Criminology
- Sociology in Practice
- Theories of Crime and Criminality
- Ways of Researching
- Interpreting Key Texts
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
You will gain more choice to shape your degree and follow your interests and career objectives in your second year, when you can choose two option modules to make your learning experience more individual.
Core modules
- Doing Qualitative Research
- Punishment and Rehabilitation
- Using Numbers in Social Research
- Live Sociology
Plus you will choose two from:
- Terrorism
- Sex and Violence
- Criminology Goes to the Movies
- Criminal Investigations
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 3
Year 3
In your final year you will carry out a supervised main piece of work, conducting research in an area of your choice.
Choose either:
Plus two optional modules from:
- Hate Crime
- Violence
- Education and Social Justice
- Drugs and Society
- Social Psychology
- Identity Troubles: Nationalism, Jihadism and the Far Right
- Forensic Science and Criminal Justice
- Social Movements
- Criminal Justice and Mental Disorder
- Football and Society
- International Migration
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?
Job prospects are excellent: 97% of our sociology students are employed (or studying for a Masters degree) six months after graduating. (DLHE)
We were ranked in the top 25 in the UK for Sociology by The Guardian University Guide 2021.
Our research feeds directly into our teaching, allowing you to gain from cutting-edge developments in your field as they occur.
The academic staff in the department have written or edited dozens of books and publish regularly in major national and international journals. Where other people only get to read what our experts think, you will be working directly with them, learning from them in lectures and questioning them in seminars.
Teaching and learning
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.
Your contact hours will depend on the option modules you select. You can see details of the contact hours on individual module pages.
Academic support
Our Student Learning Development Team 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 experienced 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 seminars under the supervision of the module leader. Our teaching is informed by the research we do. You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles for Sociology and Criminology.
Apply now
| Attendance | UCAS Code | Start Dates | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attendance Full-time | UCAS Code L3M9 | Start Dates September 2022 | Availability How to apply |
