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BA (Hons) Criminology
Take a fresh look at crime and disorder
Year of entry: 2026/27
Show year of entry: 2025/26
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7thin the UK for Criminology
1stin the UK for Sociology research impact
5thin the UK for Graduate Prospects in Criminology
Embrace the latest criminological thinking and get to the heart of how crime affects our lives and communities.
Why choose Criminology at York?
Look beyond traditional views of crime and what it means in our culture and society. Engage with the latest criminological thinking and challenge your preconceptions of crime and disorder. You'll build a strong understanding of the economic and cultural aspects of criminal justice.
Benefit from teaching that's research-led. You'll develop new ways of thinking about the effects of crime, how it impacts our lives and how we can respond to it. In the process, you'll learn to think critically, evaluate evidence and craft convincing arguments.
Develop and nurture criminological specialisms. As you progress, you'll develop proficiencies in different areas of criminal justice. Our range of option modules will allow you to tailor your learning to your emerging expertise.
Prepare for your future with employability support and opportunities. During your study, you'll have access to our in-house careers support. You'll also have the option of adding a placement year or year abroad to your degree. This allows you to gain invaluable experience working or studying in another country before you graduate.

Studying criminology has challenged me to think critically about these issues and push for meaningful change, making it a subject that’s relevant to everyone in society. Modules like Working in the Criminal Justice System were particularly valuable, as they offered practical insight into what a career in the criminological field might look like.
Isha, BA Criminology
Course content
- Year 1 - six core modules
- Year 2 - five core modules and one option module
- Year 3 - two core modules and three option modules, including a 40-credit dissertation
The course progresses from broad to specialised topics. Core modules in the first year introduce you to the breadth of Criminology. You'll develop your preferences and expertise in the following years, leading up to your dissertation.
Year 1
You'll be introduced to the core aspects of criminology, policy, crime and criminal justice.
Core modules
- Becoming a Social Researcher
- Explaining Crime and Deviance
- Investigating Social Problems
- Criminal Justice and Inequality
- The Criminal Justice System
- Social Harm and Injustice
Academic integrity module
In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
Learning outcomes
Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
Learning outcomes for this course
- Interpret, explain and analyse offending behaviour through a critical understanding of criminological theory and criminal justice institutions, policies and practices.
- Confront and analyse real-world social and crime-related problems via criminological debates and criminal justice institutions, agencies and policies to critically assess the complexity of societal transgressions.
- Work creatively in teams by cooperating with others in a manner which is respectful of diverse views, values and the cultural position of others.
- Design and undertake ethical criminological research projects which draw upon appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative skills to produce empirically rigorous analysis of social issues upon which future actions can be based.
- Synthesise complex arguments about crime and deviance in order to challenge assumptions and misperceptions about offending behaviours and criminal justice system.
- Critically communicate information and well-reasoned arguments in appropriate formats concerning matters of crime and deviance, using a range of media and digital technologies.
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees
UK (home) | International and EU |
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£9,535 | £25,800 |
These fees are for students starting in the 2025/26 academic year. Undergraduate fees for 2026/27 will be confirmed later in the year.
UK (home) or international fees?
The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
Fees for subsequent years
- UK (home) fees may increase within the government fee cap in subsequent academic years. We will notify you of any increase as soon as we can.
- International fees are subject to increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).
More information
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.
Additional costs
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.
Funding
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2026/27 throughout the year.
York, Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial
Just four UK universities are rated Gold for teaching and top ten for research* in the latest national assessment exercises.
* Awarded joint 10th in the Times Higher Education ranking of the Research Excellence Framework 2021.
Teaching and assessment
You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. 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.
Teaching format
Our sociology-focused courses consist of a mixture of classroom-based lectures, seminars, and supervisor meetings.
Our research-informed curriculum will provide you with the ability to think critically, develop effective solutions to various work-based problems, and work both independently and as part of a team.
You’ll be taught in a range of specialist subject areas, allowing you to delve deeply into complex topics, explore a whole spectrum of social issues, and develop a resilient, adaptable and challenging mindset that will aid you both within, and beyond, your study.
Timetabled activities
In your first year, you can expect:
Lectures | 6-7 hours per week |
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Seminars | 4 hours per week |
These figures are representative of a typical week. Your contact hours will vary throughout the year due to your module choices, non-compulsory classes, exam periods and changes to scheduled activities.
Outside your timetabled hours, you'll study independently. This may include preparation for classes, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.
In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.
Teaching location
You will be based in the Department of Sociology on Campus East. Most of your teaching will take place at various locations across Campus East.
About our campus
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 - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.
Assessment and feedback
As you progress, you'll complete a range of assessments designed to help you develop the skills needed to be an effective scholar. Your assessments will be varied, ranging from essays and reports to observational exercises, podcasts and even visual analysis and communication skills workshop design. What assessments you complete will depend on what modules you take.
You’ll submit summative work, which counts towards your final degree score, and formative work, which doesn’t count towards your final grade but gives you the chance to practice techniques and identify areas to improve. We’ll provide detailed feedback on the work you submit, supporting you to develop your academic skills.
Careers and skills
Criminology at York is ranked 9th in the UK for Graduate Prospects according to the Times Good University Guide, 2025. We’ll help you focus your career goals, gain valuable experience, and meet the right employers. You’ll also have the opportunity to undergo internships, take part in volunteering, and even pursue a year away from York, either as a placement year or studying abroad.
By the time you finish your course, you’ll have a whole host of skills, experience and contacts that will prove invaluable in any workplace.
Career opportunities
- Criminal justice, policing and law
- Social research
- Education
- Media and creative industries
- Health and cultural services
- Charity sector
Transferable skills
- Problem-solving
- Evaluating evidence
- Forming reasoned arguments
- Thinking creatively
- Considering different viewpoints
Entry requirements
Qualification | Typical offer |
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A levels | AAB |
Access to Higher Education Diploma | 36 credits at Distinction and 9 credits at Merit or higher |
BTEC National Extended Diploma | DDD |
European Baccalaureate | An overall average of 80% |
International Baccalaureate | 35 points overall |
T levels | We will consider a range of T Level qualifications for entry. Please visit our dedicated T Levels page for a full list of accepted T Levels. |
Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers | Scottish Highers - AABBB
Advanced Highers - not required for entry
We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications. |
International foundation programme | Foundation Certificate from our International Pathway College or an appropriate alternative. |
Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
Alternative offers
Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.
Criteria | Adjustment |
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Widening participation | If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities. More about widening participation. |
Contextual offer | BBB |
EPQ | If you achieve C or higher at EPQ, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. |
Core Maths | If you achieve B or higher in Core Maths, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. |
English language
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
Qualification | Minimum requirement |
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IELTS (Academic) | 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component |
IB English | A score of 4 in English A or 5 in English B (Higher Level or Standard Level) |
Cambridge CEFR | 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component |
Oxford ELLT | 7, with a minimum of 6 in each component |
Oxford Test of English Advanced | 136, with a minimum of 126 in each component |
Duolingo | Integrated subscores: 120 overall, with a minimum of 105 in each component |
GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) | Grade C / Grade 4 |
LanguageCert SELT | B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
LanguageCert Academic | B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
Kaplan Test of English Language | 478 Main Flight score with 444 in each component |
Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
PTE Academic | 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component |
TOEFL | 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component |
Trinity ISE III | Merit in all components |
Other English language qualifications | We also accept other English Language qualifications, including various school-leaving certificates. |
For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.
If you haven't met our English language requirements
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
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