- Study Mode: Full time
- Location: High Wycombe
- Duration: Four Years
- Start Date: September 2022
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Our BA (Hons) Criminology and Law degree is an innovative and flexible course, ideal for people interested in developing a career in criminal justice and its related sectors. This programme will give you a solid foundation in the disciplines of criminology and law and the synergies between them.
As you progress through the course, you'll choose to specialise in either criminology or law or continue with an equal focus on both. The programme explores the functioning of the criminal justice system and efforts to address the many issues of crime, as well as the contemporary challenges that it poses to society.
Open Days
We understand that when it comes to deciding where you’d like to study, there are a lot of things to consider. Come along to our Open Day and discover why BNU could be the place for you. You can find out more about your course, meet the course team, and get all your questions answered.
Application Guide
For everything you need to know about applying, check out our Application Guide. You can find useful information for each stage of your application journey – from before you even apply to what to do if you receive an offer, and everything in between.
Why study this subject?
In England and Wales in 2020 there were 5.7 million criminal offences committed (ons.gov.uk) and the news is often dominated by crime, justice and the law.
Our Criminology and Law degree will give you a deep understanding of crime in the real world whilst preparing you for a role in the criminal justice system.
The skills you'll learn could take you to a career in social and youth work, refugee and victim support, community development and advice work, as well as the police service, the probation service and other areas of the criminal justice system.
Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?
In this programme we'll help you develop multidisciplinary skills in criminology and law and it's this knowledge and experience that will make you versatile and relevant for jobs in the sector. The assessment, teaching and learning strategy on this course will enable you to acquire a repertoire of work-ready skills.
With smaller, more intimate class sizes, our staff are committed to nurturing your development, helping you graduate with the skills and capabilities for a successful and fulfilling career.
What facilities can I use?
Our library is packed with all the information you need for your assessments and there’s plenty of room to knuckle down for some quiet study.
Whilst studying with us you will also use our BucksAnywhere web service, which provides access to many of the software applications you use for learning and studying. BucksAnywhere can be used from your own device or from a University owned PC or laptop, from any location.
What will I study?
On this programme, you will gain a solid grounding in criminological research methods and practice as well as current legal knowledge. You will also develop valuable legal skills, including analytic and logical reasoning in addition to academic studies and transferable skills.
The application of knowledge and understanding to real contemporary criminological issues is a key aspect of this programme. This includes such issues as:
- Cybercrime
- Human rights abuses
- Crimes against humanity
- Criminal justice policy
- British legal systems
- Criminal law.
How will I be taught and assessed?
This course is offered as a four-year programme, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate degree.
Our team of tutors includes qualified lawyers and social scientists, combining backgrounds as academics and as practitioners, so they add depth and breadth to your experience of criminology and law.
This is an attendance-based course and will include teaching activities such as:
- Lectures
- Interactive use of the VLE
- Seminars and workshops
- Independent study
- Field trips
- Employment forums.
The following assessment activities are used on this programme:
- Posters
- Blogs
- Portfolios
- Presentations
- Group discussions based on independent learning tasks
- Preparatory reading
- Workshop activities
- Examinations
- Written reports
- Coursework
- Dissertation.
Placements Plus
BNU is a Placements Plus university. So, whatever degree you do, you can be sure there’ll be plenty of industry-relevant opportunities on offer, to help you get into your chosen field.
We’ll also prepare you for work beforehand, with special skills for work training, further boosting your CV, and building skills employers will value. In recognition of the value we place on these skills we have incorporated this experience into your study time.
Placements Plus is all about helping you get some valuable experience under your belt while you’re a student, to increase your choices later, and help you get the graduate-level job you want.
What are the course entry requirements?
A typical offer will require a UCAS tariff score of: 32 - 56
Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for the 3-year undergraduate programme, or those who do not feel fully prepared for a Level 4 course, will be considered for the 4-year programme including a Foundation Year. If you wish to enquire further, please send your query along with any academic evidence or references to admissions@bucks.ac.uk
Find out more about our General Entry Requirements.
Modules
This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.
Year 1 Modules
Ways of Knowing about the Social World
Preparing for Success, Knowledge and Creativity
Preparing for Success: Self Development and Responsibility
Inquiry Based Learning
Year 2 Modules
Media, Communication and Society
Criminal Justice Process
Introduction to Criminology: The History of Punishment
Introduction to Criminology: The Concept of Crime
Criminal Law
English Legal Systems
EU Constitutional and Procedural Law
Year 3 Modules
Quantitative Research Methods for Social Scientists
Issues in Criminology: Discrimination
Contemporary Criminology (optional)
Law of Tort
Human Rights and Crimes Against Humanities (optional)
Media Law 1 (optional)
Family Law (optional)
Law - Criminal Justice (optional)
Gender, Sexuality and Society (optional)
Race Ethnicity and Migration (optional)
Employability and Professional Development
Qualitative Research Methods for Social Scientists
Year 4 Modules
Criminal Justice Policy
Dissertation (optional)
Media Law 2
Cybercrime (optional)
Radicalization and Terrorism (optional)
Disability and Mental Health in the Criminal Justice System (optional)
Comparative Criminal Justice (optional)
Law of Evidence (optional)
Intellectual Property (optional)
Environmental Law (optional)
Victimology (optional)
Interpersonal Violence (optional)
Applied Dissertation (optional)
Leadership and Teamwork (optional)
What are the tuition fees
Home
Home, Academic Year 2022 - 2023
£9,250 per year
International
Overseas/International, Academic Year 2022 - 2023
£14,250 per year
What are my career prospects?
Throughout your time with us we’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. We’ll help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders. We also help you find employment after graduation. Have a look at our Careers and Employability pages to find out more.
On our Criminology and Law programme you will be equipped with the knowledge required to work in criminal justice and socio-legal services, where general knowledge of the law is valuable. You will also gain the grounding required to work in prison law or in the public sector; including areas such as:
- Social and Youth work
- Refugee and victim support
- Community development
- Advice work
- Housing management.
Graduates can also choose to study for a postgraduate course.
Did you know?
We are one of the top 10 UK universities mostly likely to produce graduates who go on to own or manage a business (Capital on Tap, 2021), find out more about this excellent news.
Course leader
