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Criminology BSc (Hons)

3 years, starting in September 2025

Explore crime and criminal justice issues faced in modern society. You’ll gain a deep insight into the theories of crime, justice and punishment.

This is a degree with a strong global focus. You’ll study key issues, including human rights and terrorism, social justice, contemporary social issues, and the globalisation of crime.

You’ll gain knowledge of how criminal justice agencies work and interact, and how criminal justice policy is created. You’ll also explore how policing, courts and prisons present new challenges in today’s world.

In Year 1, you'll learn about crime and justice from a theoretical and practical perspective. You'll examine key criminological concepts, like victimisation, deviance, and justice, and learn to evaluate data and information to develop arguments.

Year 2 will develop your knowledge of criminological theory, criminal justice practice and policy, and global crime. You’ll also enhance your research and data analysis skills.

In your final year, you'll do your dissertation. This will demonstrate the knowledge and skills you’ve developed. You'll also choose from a range of specialist criminology and social science optional units. This will enable you to develop an in-depth understanding of criminal justice institutions, explore topics that interest you and prepare you for your future.

Informed teaching to advance your learning

You’ll learn from a team of expert criminal justice researchers and criminologists. Their passion, knowledge and research shape their teaching, enhancing your learning experience.

Develop your professional skills

We work to provide you with the skills and support to prepare you for employment and further study. You will develop knowledge about potential future careers and learn relevant skills through a range of opportunities and training, including:

  • guest speakers from external agencies
  • networking
  • data generation and analysis
  • research critique
  • field trips

Prepare for your future

Many of our Department of Social & Policy Sciences graduates have gone on to work as social and policy researchers, civil servants, international consultants, journalists, and accountants.

Examples of where our recent graduates have gone on to work include:

  • Barclays
  • Bath and North East Somerset Council
  • DeHavilland
  • Mostly Media
  • Sightsavers
  • Vodafone
Find out more about what our graduates go on to do.

2025/2026 Academic Year


Before you apply for a course, please check the website for the most recently published course detail.

We understand that you will want to know more about the shape of the academic year. We work hard and plan for different scenarios, to be able to welcome you to the University of Bath at the start of each semester.

Course structure

This course lasts 3 years. It starts in September 2025 and ends in 2028. Welcome week starts on 22 September 2025.


Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

Units

At Bath, our courses are made up of units of study. Compulsory units cover core concepts that you'll need to understand as part of your degree programme. Some of our courses also offer the opportunity for you to study optional units. These allow you to specialise in particular areas of knowledge that interest you.

As an undergraduate, you will be expected to take 120 credits (60 ECTS credits) in each academic year. Credits are usually split evenly across your two semesters of study. 120 credits (60 ECTS credits) are the equivalent of 1,200 notional hours of study; this includes contact time with staff and your own independent learning.

All credits displayed on this page are ECTS credits.

Year 1

Compulsory units

  • Becoming a social scientist 1

    10 credits

  • Becoming a social scientist 2

    10 credits

  • Crime and society

    10 credits

  • Crime, social justice, and social policy

    10 credits

  • Criminal justice processes and practices

    10 credits

  • Critical thinkers in criminology

    10 credits

Year 2

Compulsory units

  • Global crimes of the powerful

    5 credits

  • Qualitative analysis: the power of immersion

    10 credits

  • Quantitative data analysis: the power of statistics

    10 credits

  • The history and politics of crime and punishment

    5 credits

  • Theorising crime, justice and punishment

    10 credits

Options

  • Year 2 Options

    20 credits

Year 3

Compulsory units

  • Criminology dissertation

    20 credits

Options

  • Final Year Options

    40 credits

Placement


We also offer this course with a professional placement in Year 3. This allows you to take advantage of our links with a range of organisations in different sectors.

A professional placement is a great way to get insights into the career path you want; contribute to projects and services; have fun, make friends and build your professional network; and even earn some money or experience a new culture.

Find out more about our professional placements

Learning and assessment

You’ll be taught and assessed by a variety of methods and it will vary between units. These methods are designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding of the subject.


Learning

  • Laboratory sessions
  • Lectures
  • Online resources
  • Practical sessions
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops

Assessment

  • Essay
  • Examinations
  • Presentations
  • Report

These lists are to give you an idea of some, but not all, of the learning and assessment methods used on this course. They are not exhaustive lists and methods are subject to change.

Learning and teaching

Contact hours

Timetabled contact hours, which may be made up of lectures, practical sessions, seminars, tutorials, workshops and computer laboratory sessions, vary throughout your course and between courses but are typically around 10 hours a week in your first year.

Our teaching for this course is delivered through in-person learning on campus, supported by high quality online provision. The significant majority of contact hours over the duration of your course will be in person, and this will be enhanced by some online delivery which will constitute a smaller proportion of these contact hours, depending on your programme of study, year of study and chosen optional units. This may be supplemented by additional activities such as a small number of online learning sessions (not live), skills development sessions, and personal tutorials.

The amount of timetabled sessions on campus in later years may vary based on the options you choose, with a greater emphasis on independent learning. Project and dissertation units will generally have fewer scheduled sessions to allow you time for your independent work – this may also mean the number of hours of timetabled sessions each week will vary within a year.

Independent learning

In addition to timetabled contact hours, you are expected to undertake independent learning and assessment activities. Typically, this might be around 25 to 30 hours per week in your first year, and include individual research, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, preparing coursework assignments, presentations, or revising for exams. After your first year, the emphasis on independent learning becomes greater, for example, you may do a final year project in the final year. You’ll be expected to work both on your own and as part of a group.

Assessment breakdown

You will be assessed in a range of methods designed to develop and test your skills and knowledge.

10% to 25% of your course will be assessed through examinations.

75% to 90% will be assessed through essays, reports, and presentations.

The final degree classification is determined by your second and final year marks and each contributes 32% and 68% respectively.

You will primarily be assessed as an individual, but may also be assessed as part of a group.

We can make reasonable adjustments to assessment procedures for students with disabilities, take a look at our Disability Service’s pages for information.  

Recognition of professional qualifications


As well as being recognised as a higher academic qualification, a number of our degrees are also accredited by professional bodies in the United Kingdom. An accredited degree may entitle you to work in a specific profession within the UK, and abroad (where there are reciprocating arrangements with professional bodies in other countries).

The requirements to practise a profession vary from country to country. If you wish to practise your profession outside the United Kingdom, you are advised to confirm that the UK professional qualification you seek is valid in the country in which you are intending to work.

‘Criminology at Bath has a global focus and gives you the independence to choose your own path.’
Milan Panchal BSc (Hons) Criminology (Graduating year, 2025)

Entry requirements


Your application, especially your personal statement, should demonstrate your enthusiasm for your chosen degree. This might include relevant reading, voluntary work or additional study, such as a relevant EPQ.

We know that the context in which you are studying can have an impact on your ability to perform your best in exams and coursework, or limit which subjects or qualifications you are able to study at your school or college. We consider any application based on its merits, including your background and circumstances, including through:

Origin of qualifications

British qualifications

A level Typical offer

AAB

AAB in three A levels.

Read more about our approach to A levels and AS levels.

Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in place of one A level (unless studied alongside A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics alone). Read more about our approach to this qualification.

A level Contextual offer

BBB or ABC

BBB or ABC in three A levels.

Our contextual offers were updated in October 2024 for September 2025 entry.

We seek to foster an outstanding and inclusive community at Bath. As part of that, we make reduced contextual offers to applicants from backgrounds who have historically been less likely to join us.

Find out if you may be eligible for a contextual offer.

Contextual offers are automatic - if you receive an offer and meet our eligibility criteria, you will receive the contextual offer instead of our typical or alternative offers.

Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in place of one A level (unless studied alongside A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics alone). Read more about our approach to this qualification.

A level Alternative offer

ABB

We know that you may have study beyond three A levels that will help prepare you for your degree. If you are not eligible for a contextual offer, we recognise these studies through our alternative offers.

ABB in three A levels plus one of:

  • grade A in an EPQ or IEPQ
  • grade B in a Core Mathematics qualification
  • grade B in AS level Mathematics or Statistics (except if you are studying an A level in that subject)
  • grade B in a fourth A level, where your four A levels include A level Mathematics or Statistics
  • an appropriate grade in any other project qualification we recognise

The Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales is not accepted in place of an A level for these offers. If you are studying three A levels and this qualification you are eligible for an alternative offer:

ABBB in three A levels and the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

If you receive an offer, you will receive each alternative offer you qualify for alongside the typical offer. You only need to meet one of these sets of conditions to meet your offer overall.

Read more about how our alternative offers work.

International Baccalaureate Typical offer

6, 6, 5 at HL

International Baccalaureate Diploma

35 points overall and 6, 6, 5 in three Higher Level subjects.

Read more about how we consider the IB Diploma.

We consider applicants studying the IBCP on a case-by-case basis based on the individual IB certificates and vocational qualifications you study within the programme. You will need qualifications equal to at least three A levels to be considered.

Read more about how we consider IB Certificates and common vocational qualifications.

International Baccalaureate Certificates

If you are studying IB subjects as part of the IB Diploma, you will usually need to complete the full diploma programme to be considered.

If you do not follow the IB Diploma programme, we can consider stand-alone IB Higher Level Certificates either on their own or combined with other qualifications. You will need qualifications equal to at least three A levels to be considered.

Read more about how we consider IB Certificates.

International Baccalaureate Contextual offer

5, 5, 5 or 6, 5, 4 at HL

International Baccalaureate Diploma

35 points overall and 5, 5, 5 or 6, 5, 4 in three Higher Level subjects.

Our contextual offers were updated in October 2024 for September 2025 entry.

We seek to foster an outstanding and inclusive community at Bath. As part of that, we make reduced contextual offers to applicants from backgrounds who have historically been less likely to join us.

Find out if you may be eligible for a contextual offer.

Contextual offers are automatic - if you receive an offer and meet our eligibility criteria, you will receive the contextual offer instead of our typical or alternative offers.

Pearson Edexcel BTEC RQF Typical offer

DDD

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (RQF)

DDD in the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF).

We prefer the above qualifications to be in a relevant subject area and are unable to consider qualifications in Public Services, Uniformed Protective Services, Travel and Tourism and other less relevant disciplines.

Read more about our approach to Extended Diplomas.

BTEC Diplomas and Extended Certificates

We accept Level 3 Diplomas and Extended Certificates alongside A levels or in combination with each other. You will need qualifications equal to at least three A levels to be considered.

Read more about how we consider BTEC Diplomas and Extended Certificates.

OCR Cambridge Technical Typical offer

D*DD

Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma

D*DD in the Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma.

We prefer the above qualifications to be in a relevant subject area and we prefer you to have taken optional units in Sociology and Public Health.

Read more about our approach to Extended Diplomas.

Cambridge Technical Diplomas and Extended Certificates

We accept Level 3 Diplomas and Extended Certificates alongside A levels or in combination with each other. You will need qualifications equal to at least three A levels to be considered.

Read more about how we consider OCR Cambridge Technical Diplomas and Extended Certificates.

T Level Typical offer

Distinction and A

D overall with grade A in the core component in the Legal Services T Level.

We are able to consider the above T Level technical qualification in Legal Services and prefer applicants to be studying the Legal Services Assistant: Crime, Criminal Justice and Social Welfare specialism.

Suitable applicants progressing via this route will be invited to interview as part the admissions process.

Scottish Highers Typical offer

AB in Advanced Highers

AB in two Advanced Highers.

We make offers based on Advanced Highers. You will typically be expected to have completed five Scottish Highers and your grades in these will be considered as part of your application. We prefer applicants who have achieved at least AAABB in their Highers.

Read more about how we consider Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

Access to HE Diploma Typical offer

33 credits at Distinction

A pass in the Access to HE Diploma with at least 33 credits achieved at Distinction and 6 credits achieved at Merit or above. This must include at least 9 credits achieved at Distinction in an essay-based subject.

Combinations of qualifications Typical offer

We accept a range of other qualifications offered in UK, as well as combinations of typically studied qualifications (such as A levels and BTECs). You will need qualifications equal to at least three A levels to be considered.

Read more about how we consider UK qualifications.

You can contact us at admissions@bath.ac.uk for more advice.

GCSE requirements

  • GCSE Mathematics grade 4 or C
  • GCSE English Language or Literature grade 4 or C (or equivalent from English language category B)

Read more about how we consider GCSEs.

English language requirements

Category B

If you do not meet our English GCSE requirements, you will need a suitable English language qualification. Examples include:

  • IELTS: 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in all components
  • IELTS Indicator: 7.0 with 6.5 in each component
  • TOEFL IBT: 100 overall with a minimum 24 in all 4 components
  • TOEFL iBT and iBT Special Home Edition: 100 overall with 24 in each component
  • The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 69 with no less than 62 in any element
  • The Pearson Test of English Academic Online (PTE Academic Online): we do not accept this qualification
  • Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): 185 with no less than 176 in all elements
  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): 185 with no less than 176 in all elements
  • Duolingo (taken up to 1 July 2024): 130 overall with sub scores of Literacy 130, Comprehension 140, Conversation 125, Production 110
  • Duolingo (taken after 1 July 2024): 130 overall with sub scores of Literacy 130, Comprehension 130, Conversation 130, Production 130
  • LanguageCert SELT: C1 Expert Pass in both the Speaking test and the Listening, Reading, and Writing test

See the full list of accepted English qualifications.

Fees and funding

Fees and funding information for Criminology BSc (Hons)


Fees

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home or Overseas student.

Learn how we decide fee status

Tuition fees

Fee information is not yet available for this course. Tuition fees are liable to increase annually for all University of Bath students.

Find out more about student fees

How to pay

Tuition fee loans

If you are studying an undergraduate course, you may be able to take out a loan for your tuition fees and living costs.

Read more about tuition fee loans

Scholarships and bursaries

You could be considered for a bursary or scholarship to help you study at Bath. This is in addition to your student loan and you do not have to pay it back.

Read more about bursaries and scholarships

Other payment options

You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card or bank transfer. You may also be eligible for a student loan to help you pay your fees.

Read more about your payment options

Budgeting

You will need to budget at least £100 for the cost of photocopying, printing and binding. You will also need to budget for the cost of textbooks.

Some courses involve visits away from campus and you may be required to pay some or all of the costs of travel, accommodation and food and drink.

If you’re on a placement, you’re responsible for your own travel, accommodation and living costs. You should also consider the financial implications if you go on an unpaid or overseas placement. If you are thinking about studying or working abroad as part of your course, you may have to prove that you have a certain amount of money in your bank account to get a visa.

Please read the information about planning your finances for your placement year which includes potential sources of funding, travel insurance, and visas.

Application information



Selection process

We will usually assess you based on your UCAS application. Very exceptionally we may invite you to an interview if you have circumstances we cannot assess from an application alone.

Our interview page gives more information on what you should expect from an interview.

Course enquiries


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