Take a fresh look at crime and disorder
Year of entry: 2019
L611
Y50
3 years full-time (plus optional placement year)
£9,250 per year (2019/20)
£17,120 per year (2019/20)
Get to know us better and find out what studying and living in York is really like.
Meet usExplore what crime means in our culture and society and how it affects our lives.
Look beyond traditional views and develop new ways of thinking about the effects of crime, how it impacts individuals and societies and how we respond to it.
Challenge your own opinions about the nature of crime and disorder and learn to evaluate evidence, think critically and craft arguments – attributes valued by employers. After a core introduction to Criminology you can tailor your degree to your developing specialist interests.
You'll be taught across two world-class departments, and learn from leading academics whose expertise spans the social sciences.
I have gained real-world experience on the course - during my second year we visited the York Crown Court where we investigated the varying roles within a legal court case. We've also got to meet inspirational guest speakers, such as prison directors and forensic psychologists – they have broadened my knowledge of the career paths available to me and given me aspirations for the future.Mark, BA Criminology. More student views.
for Criminology by the Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017
Taught across two world-class departments: Sociology, and Social Policy and Social Work
The course progresses from broad to specialised topics. Core modules in the first year introduce you to the breadth of Criminology. You'll study the social, economic and cultural aspects of crime and criminal justice, developing preferences and expertise in the following years, leading up to your 10,000-word dissertation.
Our teaching is led by our research, covering real-world issues, and there are also opportunities to study abroad as part of your course.
There are opportunities to study abroad as part of your course. You can study at a leading European university for a semester in your third year as part of our Erasmus programme.
The University's exchange scheme also allows you to study abroad further afield in North America, South Africa, Asia and Australia.
You'll be introduced to the core aspects of criminology, policy, crime and criminal justice.
You'll take four core modules:
In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.
This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.
This module will:
You'll learn how social, cultural and policy changes shape criminal activities and you'll develop social research skills. You can also choose an area of interest from a range of options.
You'll take three core modules:
You'll also select one optional module:
You'll complete a criminological dissertation under the guidance of an academic supervisor.
You'll take one core module:
You'll also select three option modules:
At least one of your choices should be from Sociology and one should be from Social Policy.
You need to choose two options from the following list:
Sociology
Social Policy
You'll choose one further option from the following list:
Sociology:
Social Policy:
Please note, modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.
The fees and funding figures below are for 2019 entry. If you take a year abroad or year in industry you'll pay a reduced rate of fees for that year.
| UK/EU | International |
|---|---|
| £9,250 | £17,120 |
You may choose to buy textbooks, but this is not required. You may also incur some minor costs through occasional printing or photocopying, and the production of your final year dissertation.
UK/EU or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK, EU or international student.
For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.
We offer a number of scholarships to help cover tuition fees and living costs.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
“Students from all backgrounds achieve consistently outstanding outcomes”
The TEF Panel, Office for Students, June 2018
Our Gold Teaching Excellence Framework award demonstrates our commitment to the delivery of consistently outstanding teaching and learning for our students.
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
You'll learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and one-to-ones. We offer a personal approach to learning with much of our teaching conducted in small groups (typically under 15 students in a seminar group). Our staff are very approachable and our doors are always open. Your personal supervisor provides support and guidance throughout your studies, offering weekly feedback and guidance hours.
Research-led teaching
You'll be taught by academics at the forefront of research across a number of diverse areas such as, crime, language and interaction, culture and new media, gender and sexuality, health and social care, medicine and the body, urban studies, welfare and poverty and criminology. As world-leading experts in their field, our academics' expertise and experience feeds directly into our teaching.
As a guide, students on this course typically spend their time as follows:
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures and seminars | 180 hours | 168 hours | 108 hours |
The figures above are based on data from 2016/17.
The rest of your time on the course will be spent on independent study. This may include preparation for lectures and seminars, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.
Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours will vary from person to person. In UK higher education the expectation is that full-time students will spend 1200 hours a year learning.
You will be based in the Departments of Sociology and Social Policy and Social Work on Campus West. Much of your teaching will take place at various locations across Campus West, with occasional teaching taking place at Campus East.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
Your first-year work doesn't contribute towards your final marks. We recognise that students are beginning to develop over the course of their degree.
From Year Two onward, formal assessments contribute toward your degree. Assessments range from essays to portfolios and group presentations to examinations.
In Year Three your 10,000-word dissertation focuses on a specific topic of your choice and is supported by an academic supervisor.
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exams | 25% | 15% | 0% |
| Coursework | 69% | 85% | 100% |
| Practical exams | 6% | 0% | 0% |
The figures above are based on data from 2016/17.
You'll have the skills to enter a broad range of careers including the probation and prison service, the police force, voluntary organisations, the public sector and postgraduate training or study. Increasingly opportunities exist within private security, crime prevention and offender management.
The course includes employability skills development, giving you the practical skills that employers are looking for in graduate recruits.
Many of our students organise work placements out of term time, for example at North Yorkshire Youth Commission, York Crown Court and Refugee Action York. We encourage you to do this so you can gain workplace experience and a deeper insight into issues that interest you.
Our graduates are highly sought after in sectors including:
As a criminology student, you'll learn about the world around you and the challenges faced by people in society. As well as developing your subject-specific knowledge, you'll develop skills in:
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| A levels | AAB. We accept General Studies and Critical Thinking. |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | 36 credits at Distinction and 9 credits at Merit or higher |
| BTEC | BTEC National Extended Diploma: DDD |
| Cambridge Pre-U | D3, D3, M2 |
| European Baccalaureate | An overall average of 80% |
| Irish leaving Certificate | H2,H2,H2,H2,H3,H3 |
| Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers | AAAAB at Higher level |
| EPQ | If you achieve a C or higher at EPQ, you will be eligible for a reduced offer, one grade below our typical offer. |
If English is not your first language you may be asked to provide evidence of your ability. We accept the following qualifications:
Other accepted tests and qualifications
To apply to York, you will need to complete an online application via UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).
We consider applications for deferred entry, including requests made after taking up an offer.
We encourage mature students to email the Admissions Tutor for consultation and advice.
We offer a range of campus accommodation to suit you and your budget, from economy to deluxe.
Explore campus and city life and hear what our current students have to say about living here.
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