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BA (Hons) Criminology
Explore the causes and consequences of crime and criminality whilst investigating how society reacts and responds to crime and victimisation. Understand various approaches to reducing crime.
Entry requirements
Three A-levels at grades CCC or above
Or BTEC triple grades MMM or above
Or Access 23-45 D/M with min 6D
And GCSE English Language, Maths and a Science at grade 4 or grade C or above
UCAS points 96
UCAS code 72H2
UCAS institution code P63
Duration Three years full-time or part-time options available
Course Summary
Crime is everywhere – in the news, at the cinema, on our TV screens, and in the books we read. This course offers you the opportunity to look behind the headlines to explore the complexity of a subject which fascinates and worries us in equal measure.
You will study crime from a variety of perspectives ranging from seemingly simple questions such as ‘what is crime?’ to considering the impact of the media on our understanding of crime and the way we deal with crimes such as youth violence and domestic abuse. As a Marjon criminology graduate you will have a thorough understanding of the social, political and cultural nature of crime as well as how crime is addressed locally, nationally and globally.
You’ll see how your learning is applied in real world settings via our strong working relationships with a range of crime related and criminal justice organisations including Devon and Cornwall Police, The British Red Cross, various drug and alcohol service providers and HM Prison Service.
Why this course at Marjon?
The tutors have all worked inside the criminal justice system
You’ll also learn from guest lecturers who are currently working in the field
Our teaching is always led by the latest research, so you’ll be well informed about the cutting edge of criminology
Opportunities for exchange, study abroad, internships and work shadowing
Small class sizes enable focused and personal tuition
Field trips to criminal justice environments such as law courts, coroner courts, CCTV surveillance units, police custody suites and police stations
Modules for this course
Course Snapshot
“ Criminology at Marjon allows us to study criminology and crime in varying contexts. We are able to learn about the perspective of a victim, how crimes affect communities and even what is considered a crime in different times and spaces. It offers us the opportunity to learn about crime in a historical context to show how it has changed during a third year module which allows you to use current issues and discuss them in class. The course covers a wide variety of modules, some of which have law contexts and some more hard hitting such as Counter Terrorism. Most, if not all modules, allow you to personalise your learning by choosing assignment and presentation topics, which means you can cater to your own interests, and makes the course engaging and enjoyable. ”
1st Year
Crime and the criminal justice system
Social problems
Academic personal and professional development
Criminological theory
Victims and victimology
Criminal Law
2nd Year
Understanding punishment: prisons and penology
Police and policing
Research methods
Globalisation and crime
Designing safe communities
Understanding violence
3rd Year
Criminology honours project
Investigative psychology
Security and counter-terrorism
Understanding violence
Contemporary issues in crime and criminology
Current students say...
Charlotte Dyer
“I really value the experience the lecturers have had in the Criminal Justice System, it is extremely useful to be able to hear about real life experiences and to go on trips such as the Magistrates Court. It is also great that we have guest speakers to talk to us about the work they do within their specialised fields. The lectures and essays challenge you in order to help you reach your full potential and the lecturers help you to learn.”
Lauren Wray
“I think the crime scene photography is great because of the practical element. I’m getting opportunities to learn about all aspects of Criminology and to do a research placement with the police.”
Jade Ledwith
“I’ve been able to experience what court life is like by doing my placement with criminal defence solicitors. My researching and writing have improved massively. I am a more confident person now than when I started this course.”
This course is perfect if you’re curious about
What is crime?
Why is there crime in the first place?
Who commits crime?
Why do some people become criminals and others do not?
How best do we support victims?
How can we prevent crime and make our communities safer?
“ ”
What might you become?
There is a myriad of opportunities for graduates with a degree in criminology, these include community development worker, civil service, court, social worker, police officer, prison officer, probation officer and youth worker.
How you’ll be taught and assessed?
How will you be taught?
Includes lectures, seminars, simulated scenarios, group and individual tutorials as well as site visits and guest lecturers form senior professionals in the justice fields.
How will you be assessed?
Assessment methods are varied and include portfolios, essays and reports. There are two end of semester exams and you will be appraised based on your participation in the class room and in groups.
Sam has spent over 10 years teaching criminal justice and sociology in Higher Education. Prior to that she worked for six years in administration at the South Carolina Department of Corrections, working with youthful offenders, victims and eventually in educational programming. She teaches a broad range of classes and has a variety of research interests including globalization, criminal and social deviance, social control, and immigration. She is the author of The Criminalization of Immigration: The Post 9/11 Moral Panic (2013) and co-author of the forthcoming publication: Security and the State in the Era of Globalization: Criminology in the XXI Century.
Fees and funding
Fees UK students: £9,250 per annum
Fees for International students: £12,500 per annum
This fee covers your tuition and access to course-specific equipment and facilities, as well associated services including access to the library, study skills support, IT support, student support and wellbeing services and membership of the Student Union. There may be additional costs by course.
Additional costs:
Students are required to self-fund travel costs associated with placements and an annual trip within the UK.
Funding available for this course
Our Student Funding Advisors offer confidential and impartial advice about your funding options.
Learn moreLecturers
With over 20-years experience of teaching and supporting students in higher education and the private sector, I lecture on a range of modules in the social sciences and teaching-learning in higher education, including research methods.
John is a Criminologist and Lecturer in Forensic Psychology & Criminal Law and sits as a Magistrate on the Northumbrian Bench. John is also a Tutor in the University of Oxford (OUDCE) where his modules are an 'Introduction to Criminology & Psychology of Criminal Behaviour, 'Inside the Minds of Serial Killers' and 'Bad Men in Good Jobs; the Psychopaths Among Us.' He has many years' experience as both a Lecturer and Dean of School and holds taught and research qualifications in Applied Criminology, Law and History from University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Oxford, and the University of Cambridge, to name but four.
Currently serving police sergeant with over 26 years of experience. 9 years lecturing. Policing experience includes - response, neighbourhood, training and assessing officers, burglary squad, interview teams, custody, evidence review, licensing in both urban and rural police areas. Recently used forensic science in developing effective crime prevention within policing. Recipient of the Plymouth Police Commander's Mayflower Memorial Award in 2019. Recently received national recognition for work around the developing evaluation and investigative working practices around drink spiking offences in the UK
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Find out more about studying BA (Hons) Criminology at Marjon
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