Undergraduate Course
Criminology BA (Hons)
Challenge traditional notions of crime, explore the social context of criminality, and engage with practitioners of criminal justice.
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The study of Criminology is about more than just crime. It's an exploration of how crime impacts the world. On this course you will learn about victimology and the social responses to different crimes, considering crime prevention, punishment, rehabilitation, and the role of the criminal justice system. We will also challenge you to think about how crime is shaped by society and represented in the media.
- Available in Clearing
94% Criminology students responded with a 94% positivity score for how good teaching staff are at explaining things. (National Student Survey 2023)
1 in Yorkshire and Humber for student satisfaction in Sociology and Criminology (9th in the UK). (Complete University Guide 2024)
York campus
- UCAS code – L6L1
- Duration – 3 years full time, 6 years part time
- Start date – September 2025, September 2026
- School – School of Humanities
Minimum entry requirements
104 UCAS Tariff points
3 GCSEs at grade C/4 (or equivalent) including English Language.
Tuition fees
UK 2025 entry £9,535 per year full time
International 2025 entry £12,100 per year full time
Discover Social Sciences
Dr Rosie Binfield-Smith, Senior Lecturer in Sociology and Criminology, and Dr Steven Hirschler, Senior Lecturer in Criminology introduce us to the Social Sciences courses at York St John University.
Course overview
As society evolves, crime changes too. From your first day on our course you will consider how criminological theory, and crime itself, is changing.
We will start by looking at the history of criminological thought. This will help you understand different types of deviance and how they are shaped by developments in society. Then as you progress through the course you can choose from a diverse range of modules covering varied topics. This means you can tailor your degree to your interests and future career ambitions.
On specialist modules you will learn the qualitative and quantitative research methods used by criminologists and apply them to your own research. We will also introduce you to the different theoretical perspectives you will use to analyse topics such as:
- Victimisation
- Sex Work
- Crime and the media
- Gender, class, ethnicity and criminal justice
You will also have opportunities to engage with professionals working in different sectors. You can learn from their experiences and ask advice to help you prepare for the future.
We will help you to develop your critical thinking skills so you can back up your ideas with evidence and reason. The staff who will support you as you study are all active in social research, meaning the material you cover is the most relevant it can be.
Course structure
Year 1
Our academic year is split into 2 semesters. How many modules you study each semester will depend on whether you are a full time or part time student.
In your first year, if you are a full time student, you will study:
- 3 compulsory modules in semester 1
- 3 compulsory modules in semester 2
If you are a part time student, the modules above will be split over 2 years.
You can find out which modules are available in each semester on the Course Specifications.
Modules
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
On this module you will acquire a broad academic understanding of theories of crime, deviance, and transgression. Drawing on the history of criminological thought from the Enlightenment to the present day, you will explore the ideas of classicism, followed by positivistic theories, and an introduction into later critical forms of criminological theory. Through this you will begin to think critically about the nature, cause, and treatment of crime.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
Criminal and deviant behaviour permeates everyday life, from social encounters (for example, underage drinking) to media discourse, to the choices that we make in the avoidance of crime - though it is sometimes difficult to see. On this module you will make criminological sense of regular situations, people, events, encounters, things and practices, and learn to question and investigate the ‘taken-for-grantedness’ of our everyday lives and encounters.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
Throughout this module you will be introduced to basic principles of presenting, evaluating and interpreting data from quantitative and qualitative sources, such as government statistical bulletins and cultural artefacts. Each week you will explore a contemporary social issue or news story from a socio-criminological perspective, and will engage in critical reflection and discussion. Topics will change weekly to reflect current issues, debates, and matters of social, cultural and political importance.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
Explore the delivery of justice in England and Wales through examination of the main agencies and processes (prisons, the police, probation, the courts and community justice) involved. On this module you will learn to think critically about the nature of criminal justice and injustice, and to identify problems and controversies in the way key institutions and actors operate.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
This module builds on the skills you will have developed in the first semester around differing sociological and criminological perspectives, applications to the social world, and practical approaches to understanding and exploring social problems. You will learn to deconstruct media representations of social phenomena, drawing on real-world examples and global perspectives, while examining the impact of technological change and related challenges.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
On this module you will investigate contemporary sociological and criminological perspectives that exist in society at a global level. You will learn to interpret associated subjects such as globalisation and neoliberalism and fundamentally unstable concepts that increasingly hang in the balance as the global social order unravels. You will be encouraged to adopt a global mindset and generate an awareness of international perspectives that support efforts to decolonise the curriculum.
Year 2
In your second year, if you are a full time student, you will study:
- 2 compulsory modules and 2 optional modules in semester 1
- 1 compulsory module and 2 optional modules in semester 2
If you are a part time student, the modules above will be split over 2 years.
You can find out which modules are available in each semester on the Course Specifications.
Optional modules will run if they receive enough interest. It is not guaranteed that all modules will run every year.
Modules
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
Explore the diverse career pathways available to social sciences graduates, and gain the practical tools you need to navigate your post-degree journey. We will encourage you to critically reflect on your skills, aspirations, and experiences, while engaging with real applications of social scientific knowledge. You will assess your current position, career goals, and disciplinary skills to help you make informed decisions about your future career. You will also hear from a range of guest speakers who use social scientific skills within their working lives, expanding and underlining the career potential for social science graduates.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
Qualitative research has provided Criminologists with a range of useful findings that have informed the development of the discipline. On this module you will examine and evaluate a range of criminological qualitative methodologies and methodological processes that qualitative criminologists engage in will be reviewed. You will have the opportunity to study and critically evaluative qualitative research methodologies, and examine the strengths and weaknesses of a range of qualitative research strategies and methods of data collection. You will reflect upon the ethical issues that qualitative research can present in criminological contexts, and be equipped with the skills necessary to approach an empirical qualitative dissertation project or work in research fields.
Credits: 20
Optional module
What happens when a crime is reported to the police? On this module you will first learn about the investigation process, before being introduced to the laws and guidelines around the arrest process, and then learning about how police custody operates in practice. Finally, we will consider the court process and the impact that this has on defendants and other court actors who go through the process. The module is practical, but also research led. In depth focus will be on two key aspects of the criminal justice system: the police and courts, and how they operate in practice. You will also critically apply relevant theories to different case studies and scenarios, to put what you have learnt into practice.
Credits: 20
Optional module
By studying global disasters, you will not only learn about how things go so badly wrong, but how society normally functions – and how that normal functioning itself can bring about disaster. You will be encouraged to reflect on your own experiences and use these to inform your approach to global disaster, including your engagement with mainstream and social media presentation of disasters. You will engage with global disasters as an accident investigator and problem-solver, uncovering the underpinning values or structures that caused disaster – and consider ways to mitigate or prevent future disasters.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
Gain a working proficiency in survey research design, accessing and managing secondary quantitative data, and data analysis using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). You will learn to understand basic statistics (descriptive and inferential), and write up results from statistical analysis in response to a criminology-relevant research question.
Credits: 20
Optional module
On this module you will explore the culture of contemporary policing through a series of case studies addressing key issues in modern policing. It offers an insight into the culture of the Police as an organisation, both locally and nationally within England and Wales. You will consider:
- The roots of cultural awareness
- Issues such as language, misogyny and racial bias
- The importance of subcultures within Policing
- How cultures are researched
- Multi Agency working
- Policing by consent or by legislation
Credits: 20
Optional module
On this module you will learn how police custody operates in practice. This will involve a consideration of detainee rights and entitlements, lengths and grounds for detention under different circumstances, police custody operations (suspect interviewing, suspect charging and remanding in custody) and the importance of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. You will also consider the different organisations, laws, policies, and practices that impact police custodial environments. You will explore their impact on detainee welfare and human rights, the extent to which they are a societal force for good (or not), and comparisons between practices in England and Wales and other parts of the world. A police custody field trip will enhance these key themes.
Credits: 20
Optional module
Explore structural inequalities and systems of power that shape individual and collective experiences, with a focus on marginalised groups in society. On this module you will employ sociological and criminological theory to identify how societies, social control mechanisms, corporations, and the state contribute to the isolation, deprivation, and discriminatory experiences certain groups often face.
Areas of discussion will include:
- Income inequality
- Immigration control
- Gender inequality
- Imbalanced criminal justice experiences
Credits: 20
Optional module
The world is in motion – and it is made through that motion. On this module you will explore the world system via the mobilities paradigm – a turn in social sciences thinking that emphasises the importance of movement. This is vital not only for understanding the world but also for holding it to account for its injustices, inequalities and uneven development.
Year 3
In your third year, if you are a full time student, you will study:
- Your Criminal Investigation module across semesters 1 and 2
- 2 optional modules in semester 1
- 2 optional modules in semester 2
If you are a part time student, the modules above will be split over 2 years.
You can find out which modules are available in each semester on the Course Specifications.
Optional modules will run if they receive enough interest. It is not guaranteed that all modules will run every year.
Modules
Credits: 40
Compulsory module
On this module you will apply your knowledge and focus your studies on the topic that interests you most, to produce a substantial piece of research work. You will choose an issue of sociological importance and conduct detailed social research as you follow your line of enquiry. This will involve carrying out your research in a systematic and ethical way, drawing on the skills you have learnt throughout your degree. An academic tutor will support you throughout the module, offering 1 to 1 advice and guidance on your research.
Credits: 20
Optional module
On this module you will consider the theory, practice, history and culture of imprisonment, as well as the experiences of prison staff and prisoners. We will mostly focus on England and Wales, but will also make reference to prisons and imprisonment elsewhere. We will also focus on the role that the Probation Service plays in relation to offending and imprisonment. You will critique different theoretical debates relating to imprisonment, evaluate the challenges that the prison system faces and propose possible solutions, and come to understand the role that the Probation Service plays in working with offenders while in prison and on release.
Credits: 20
Optional module
On this module you will critique the social, political and economic power structures that contribute to societal inequality and discord. You will analyse the roles of states, politicians, corporate leaders, and social media in undermining informed social and political debate through mis/dis-information campaigns. From this, you will learn to assess the societal impacts of modern policy, technology, and social organisation.
Credits: 20
Optional module
On this module you will explore different criminological and sociological perspectives on what constitutes a social problem, and consider the role of applied, research-led approaches to resolving these issues. we will encourage you to think creatively about timely social justice issues such as criminal justice, community, migration, housing, vulnerability, victimisation, and health.
Credits: 20
Optional module
On this module you will explore immigration, its causes, and societal and state responses to the arrival of non-citizens. You will develop your understanding of the social and legal frameworks operationalised in the control of immigration, including the law, border control practices, surveillance, and media or political constructions of immigrants. Explore the effects of global dangers, such as war, unrest, climate change, and ecological disasters, and how these contribute to migration flows and restrictive government responses to immigrant arrivals.
Credits: 20
Optional module
Crime is a popular yet controversial topic in the media. On this module you will go beyond traditional and often foundational studies of crime and the media, which focus on issues surrounding moral panics and crime news. Drawing heavily on new developments within criminology, including both visual and narrative criminology, you will explore topics such as:
- True crime podcasts
- AI
- Participatory crime solving cultures
- Wound culture
- The aesthetics of crime
- The role of crime stories, voyeurism, and policy impact
Credits: 20
Optional module
Critical criminology constitutes a broad and multi-disciplinary tradition that studies the complex relationships between crime, control and power. On this module you will explore the theoretical foundations of this field, the variety of political positions in it, and the development of different applications of it’s thinking in the UK, US and Europe. Various theoretical perspectives will be applied to the analysis of the following, and more:
- Power structures
- Inequalities
- Surveillance systems
- Hegemonies, including those of feminism(s)
- Positioning theory
- Marxism
Credits: 20
Optional module
On this module you will examine the historical, legal, social and cultural elements of the sex industry. You will develop an understanding of the current politics of sex work reform, both locally and globally, evaluating research studies on crime, justice and the sex industry. In seminar groups you will investigate and debate the major criminological approaches to sex work, including feminist and queer theories.
Credits: 20
Optional module
This is an opportunity to investigate a contemporary and growing area of Criminology. Environmental harm often stems from legal practices such as coal-fired power stations and dumping hazardous wastes in international waters. On this module you will think critically about illegal and legal practices that impact our ecology, and develop your understanding of theories that support green criminologists who place environmental harm as their main focus for enquiry. You will cover a range of topics including:
- Ecological justice (non-human environments)
- Special justice (non-human animals)
- Environmental justice (social justice impacts)
- Capitalism, globalisation and corporate crime
- Wildlife trafficking
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning
You will learn through:
- Lectures - explore different Criminology themes and issues
- Seminars - discuss, debate and analyse material from your lectures
- Workshops - discuss a topic with your peers
You will usually study 3 modules per semester. Each has 2 to 4 hours of contact time a week. We schedule our taught sessions between 9.00am and 8.00pm, Monday to Friday.
You will be expected to conduct independent study outside of this time. This might include reading, writing tasks and research. You can also arrange academic tutorials with your module tutors throughout the year to receive feedback on your work and discuss the course content.
Assessment
Assessment types vary from module to module. Some of your assessments might include:
- Annotated bibliography
- Essay
- Online portfolio
- Podcast
- Presentations
- Research proposal
For each assessment you will have the chance to talk to a tutor about your work before submission. Each assessment will be marked and returned with feedback so you can improve your academic writing.
Career outcomes
Your future with a degree in Criminology
On this course you will gain valuable skills which can lead to a variety of different career paths, some of which are directly related to criminology, and some which allow you to apply your skills more broadly. You will gain research, analytical and presentation skills that are in high demand in a range of careers.
This degree could be the first step toward your career as a:
- Civil service administrator
- Community development worker
- Crime scene investigator
- Prison officer
- Probation officer
- Youth worker
Discover more career options on Prospects careers advice pages.
You could also progress onto a postgraduate degree and take your learning even further.
Alumni stories
Visit our YSJ Snapshots blog to see what our past students from across the University have done with their York St John degrees.
Whatever your ambitions, we can help you get there.
Our careers service, LaunchPad provides career support tailored to your ambitions. Through this service you can access:
- Employer events
- LinkedIn, CV and cover letter sessions
- Workshops on application writing and interview skills
- Work experience and volunteering opportunities
- Personalised career advice
This support doesn't end when you graduate. You can access our expert career advice for the rest of your life. We will help you gain experience and confidence to succeed.
Entry requirements
Qualifications
Minimum entry requirements
104 UCAS Tariff points
3 GCSEs at grade C/4 (or equivalent) including English Language.
Calculate your UCAS Tariff points
International students
If you are an international student you will need to show that your qualifications match our entry requirements.
Information about international qualifications and entry requirements can be found on our international pages.
If English is not your first language you will need to show that you have English Language competence at IELTS level 6.0 (with no skill below 5.5) or equivalent.
International entry requirements
Mature Learners Entry Scheme
If you have been out of education for 3 years or more and have a grade C GCSE in English Language or equivalent, you are eligible for our entry scheme for mature learners. It's a scheme that recognises non-traditional entry qualifications and experience for entry onto this course. Information on how to apply can be found on our dedicated page.
This course is available with a foundation year
If you do not yet meet the minimum requirements for entry straight onto this degree course, or feel you are not quite ready for the transition to higher education, this is a great option for you. Passing a foundation year guarantees you a place on this degree course the following academic year.
Terms and conditions
Our terms and conditions, policies and procedures contain important information about studying at York St John University. You can read them on our Admissions page.
Fees and funding
To study for an undergraduate degree with us, you will need to pay tuition fees for your course. How much you pay depends on whether you live inside the UK, or internationally (outside the UK).
Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may be increased in line with inflation, prior to the start of each academic year, and subject to the fee cap set by the UK government. Such increases to fees will be at the Retail Price Index (RPI) forecast rate, as advised by the Office for Budget Responsibility and the Office for Students. The only exception to this would be where government legislation deems otherwise.
If a rise in the tuition fee becomes necessary, we will endeavour to inform you as soon as possible and we will explain the reason(s) for the increase. Any tuition fee increase will only be applied from the start of the next academic year and will not be applied 'in year'.
UK 2025 entry
The tuition fee for 2025 entry onto this course is:
- £9,535 per year for full time study
- £7,145 per year for the first 4 years if you study part time
These prices apply to all UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students
You can find out more about funding your degree by visiting our funding opportunities page:
Placement year funding
If you choose to take a placement year, and your course offers it, you can apply for the Tuition Fee and Maintenance Loan for your placement year. How much you are awarded is based on the type of placement being undertaken and whether it is a paid or unpaid placement. The tuition fee for your placement year will be reduced.
Tuition fees
UK 2025 entry £9,535 per year full time
International 2025 entry £12,100 per year full time
International 2025 entry
The tuition fee for 2025 entry to this course is £12,100 per year for full time study.
This price applies to all students living outside the UK.
Due to immigration laws, if you are an international student on a Student Visa, you must study full time. For more information about visa requirements and short-term study visas, please visit the International Visa and Immigration pages.
Find out more about funding your degree:
Additional costs and financial support
There may also be some additional costs to take into account throughout your studies, including the cost of accommodation.
Course-related costs
While studying for your degree, there may be additional costs related to your course. This may include purchasing personal equipment and stationery, books and optional field trips.
Study Abroad
For more information on tuition fee reductions and additional costs for studying abroad, please visit our study abroad pages.
Accommodation and living costs
For detailed information on accommodation and living costs, visit our Accommodation pages.
Financial help and support
Our Funding Advice team are here to help you with your finances throughout your degree. They offer a personal service that can help you with funding your studies and budgeting for living expenses.
For advice on everything from applying for scholarships to finding additional financial support email fundingadvice@yorksj.ac.uk.
Course highlights
Engage with employers
As part of the Working with Criminology module, you will have the opportunity to work with employers and gain valuable experience.
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Active in research
Work with tutors who are publishing work in the fields of death and media, immigration and social control, video game violence, gender, and sex work.
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Find your specialism
Build a degree that suits your interests and career aspirations. Choose your modules in year 2 and 3.
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Cherie Criminology
I found the Criminology degree to be challenging and well structured. I liked the variety of theories and theorists included on the course, among the opportunities it gave me to enhance my skills in critical thinking, research and analysis.
Anna Criminology
In Criminology we look at how various factors about a person or group of people might affect how they function in society. I think I can take this skill and understand how to best lead a team of, presumably, very different people and have them run successful operations. We had a module called ‘Working with Criminology’ and it's highlighted some different career paths that could be open to me after I graduate. It’s also opened my eyes to the world of further academic study and I will probably consider doing a masters at some point in the future.
More to explore
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Join us in 2025
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Open Days
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