sociology and criminology degree personal statement

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A Guide to Writing A Criminology Personal Statement

Table of Contents

If you are interested in criminology, it’s about time you pursue your dream. Take a step by applying for a career course in any reputable institution. Sending out your application is not enough. You need to include a compelling personal statement. The criminology degree personal statement examples below is an excellent guide.

A personal statement allows you to market your skills and highlight your qualifications. If you have no idea how to write a personal statement, you’ll find some good samples in this article that will guide you. 

What Is A Personal Statement?

A personal statement is a document that expresses your reason for wanting to study criminology and describes any relevant experience or skills you have. Writing a personal criminology statement can be pretty tricky, but you must include all the relevant information about yourself.

In your statement, highlight your academic achievements and experience in the field of criminology. Explain your interest and motivation in studying criminology and detail what you’ll do after graduation.

Criminology Degree Personal Statement Examples

I am interested in studying criminology as it is a fascinating field that combines elements of psychology, sociology, and law. I want to gain an in-depth understanding of criminal behavior and the factors that contribute to it to help reduce crime rates. My previous academic achievements demonstrate my ability to engage with complex theoretical concepts. Studying Criminology at university will equip me with the skills needed to pursue a career in this area. Through volunteering work experience, I have gained knowledge of how the criminal justice system operates, which has further cemented my interest in this topic.

My name is Megan Skye, and I am interested in studying criminology. I first became aware of this field when I was working as a psychiatric nurse and saw the link between mental health and crime. Since then, I have become increasingly fascinated by why people commit crimes and what can be done to prevent them.

I know that criminology is a necessary discipline, not just for understanding crime but also for developing effective strategies to tackle it. This is something that inspires me to continue learning about it. In my current role as an A&E nurse, I frequently see the consequences of crime on individuals. So I am keen to learn more about how we can address this issue from a wider perspective.

I got interested in criminology through the media. This was because of the broadcast messages about crimes that happened all over the world. I was displeased that people could go to any length to commit certain crimes.

Is there a reason why they derive pleasure from committing crimes? Are there people who are born criminals? How can we reduce the rate of crime in society? As these questions filled my mind, I took an interest in certain crime stories. I once volunteered in my community. And that experience equipped me to communicate with the public and criminology requires one to be good with the public. I have leadership skills that will make me successful in this field.

When I was younger, I loved watching detective shows on TV. The mystery and puzzle-solving always appealed to me. And as I got older, I began to see the criminal justice system in a new light. Seeing how crimes are investigated and criminals brought to justice has sparked my interest in criminology. A field that combines psychology, law, sociology, and investigative skills. 

Obtaining a Criminology degree will allow me to understand crime from all angles; its causes, effects on society and potential prevention methods. I would also like to gain practical experience through work placements with Police forces or similar organizations involved in crime prevention/investigation. This course of study is the perfect next step for me: it is both stimulating intellectually and offers plenty of scope for personal growth.

When I was younger, I wanted to be a police officer. However, over time I realized that I was more interested in why people commit crimes than in catching criminals. This led me to enroll in an online criminology and criminal justice course. 

I have enjoyed learning about crime and the criminal justice system. My favorite module so Far has been juvenile delinquency, which looked at why young people break the law. In addition to my studies, I also work as a volunteer with young offenders trying to help them stay away from crime. 

Studying for a criminology degree will equip me with the skills needed to pursue a career in this field. Ultimately, I hope to work within law enforcement or social work, helping offenders in rehabilitation.

I have always been interested in how societies work and why people commit crimes. This interest led me to study criminology at university, where I developed an understanding of the complexities behind criminal behavior. The course has given me a strong foundation in the theories and methods used by researchers in this field. I am keen to continue my studies and further develop my knowledge of criminology, aiming to become a researcher one day.

My fascination in criminology was born from my exposure to new ideas and contrasting ideologies surrounding crime and justice. After spending time immersed in this field, I am drawn to the notion that there is no single approach to tackling criminal activity. It is a complex issue requiring multifaceted solutions.

My current aim is to pursue a master’s degree in criminology. This is to develop a further understanding of both classical theories about crime and recent advancements within the discipline. Ultimately, I hope to play a role in shaping future policymaking around issues such as law enforcement, rehabilitation, and victim support services. This is while maintaining close collaboration with academics who are leaders within this field. In addition, working alongside those on the frontline will give me invaluable insight into how these policies impact those directly affected by crime daily.

A personal statement is a document in which you describe your reasons for wanting to study criminology and highlight your academic and professional qualifications. A criminology personal statement also shows off your knowledge of the criminal justice system and why you are interested in studying it.

When writing your statement, highlight any relevant experience or skills that could make you a valuable asset to any criminology program. With a well-written personal statement, you can achieve your career goal just like you desire.

The criminology degree personal statement examplesabove were generated using Hey INK . Why not try it out?

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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Personal Statement for Criminology Tips: With Helpful Examples

In this article, we discuss how to write a personal statement for criminology with helpful examples.

One student dreams of being an FBI officer and the other is fascinated by designing surveys. What do they have in common? Criminology will help both of them land their dream jobs. Read on for our top tips for writing a personal statement for criminology.

Table of contents, what is a personal statement for criminology, what should you consider when writing a personal statement for criminology, how to write an effective personal statement for criminology.

• Example 1 – A focus on academic achievement
• Example 2 – A focus on a professional goal

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

It’s a short essay that applicants of criminology programs submit when they apply for specific criminology courses at colleges or universities.

It helps applicants show their preparedness and convince the selection committee of their suitability to undertake the program.

The personal statement should include details of the applicant’s skills and strengths, motivations, career aspirations, and ability to contribute to the institute. It shows how the applicant stands out from other contenders.

1. Qualifications

To study criminology for an undergraduate (4-year) degree, applicants should generally have achieved a good GPA in High School and may be required to attend an admissions interview.

Furthermore, applicants may be asked to have achieved good grades in certain subjects such as psychology, sociology, and law. Finally, some courses may require applicants to have specific work experience or to have completed certain courses before they can be accepted and being able to use a computer is essential.

In order to ensure that applicants are well-prepared for a degree in criminology, they may also be expected to demonstrate knowledge of wider research, current affairs, and social, organizational, or global issues.

2. Motivation and interest in Criminology

It is important to consider motivation when writing a personal statement for criminology to show why you are interested in the field and what you plan to do with your degree.

Motivation can be personal, such as wanting to help people or make a difference in society, or professional, such as wanting to use your skills and experience to advance your career. You must be motivated to pursue this field to the best of your ability and use the knowledge you gain to benefit both yourself and society.

Motivation can include a commitment to research, a desire to solve problems, and a willingness to take on difficult tasks.

‘When people think of fighting crime it’s natural that they might think of police officers and the FBI, but I believe that without skilled researchers gathering and interpreting data policing will remain reactive rather than proactive.’

3. Life Experiences that relate to criminology

These could include:

• Family situations that involve law enforcement or the judiciary system. How have these experiences shaped your life and motivated you to pursue a criminology degree?

‘Being the eldest daughter of two police officers has taught me how to balance life, a part-time job, volunteering and schoolwork. I have been taking college courses at our local community college while finishing up high school in order to accelerate my degree and I gained a great deal of knowledge from my social work college-level classes’

• Personality traits that are suited to the intended career. Have you always been fascinated by the work of the police and the FBI?
• Do you have a relative or family friend that worked in law enforcement, social services or in the courts that you want to emulate?
• Talking about how psychology has had a direct impact on your life, such as having counselling sessions for anxiety and how this has given you the desire to work with people that have been affected by crime.

4. Background knowledge of criminology

It’s important to show an understanding of some elements of criminology. These could include some criminological research and theories or having an awareness of contemporary crime prevention strategies.

‘As part of our High School Psychology course, we studied critical analyses of crime studies, which involves looking at the various aspects of a crime such as the social and economic factors that lead to it and the use theoretical frameworks to understand the underlying causes and effects of criminal behavior.’

Being familiar with laws and criminal justice systems in your state, and an understanding of the ethical considerations applicable to criminology will be valuable to you.

During the application process, it is important to demonstrate that you have the following skills:

• written and verbal communication skills,
• critical reading and writing skills,
• technology and analysis skills,
• research and problem-solving skills,
• understanding of social, organizational and global issues,
• an awareness of current affairs on both a local and a global perspective.

Enhanced communication skills such as clarifying, listening and offering advice as well as the ability to gather and assess data and other information will help your application.

6. Experience

Think about your experiences in jobs, work experience, work placements, apprenticeships and any other relevant education or professional background.

Additionally, one should reflect on any current or past work in the criminal justice field, such as working in youth corrections.

Furthermore, it is important to consider any personal experiences that may have influenced the decision to pursue criminology, such as volunteering with victims or exposure to the criminal justice system.

Step 1: Talk about your qualifications

Discuss how your qualifications or current GPA specifically prepares you for a criminology degree.

Mention any other qualifications, volunteering positions or work experience you have that may be relevant.

Step 2: Explain why you chose criminology.

Show the reader your enthusiasm and knowledge of the field by providing evidence of your passion for the subject. This could include discussing your experience with law enforcement or the judicial system or providing examples of research on crime and criminal justice topics.

‘My biggest dream is to be an FBI agent and with that goal in mind I am committed to studying the field of criminology, to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of criminal justice, law, and psychology.’

Your personal statement should include stories that highlight your experiences and explain how these contributed to your choice of a career in criminology. Make sure to connect your experiences and goals by emphasizing how they have helped shape your path.

Step 3: Share your knowledge of criminology and solving crime.

Show an intellectual interest in which authors, modules, theorists, and debates have interested you, and how they could help you with your criminology degree.

Demonstrate your knowledge of criminology by discussing the topics you’ve researched on your own. This could include specific theories, current events, or other relevant topics.

Step 5: Show your initiative and drive

Showing initiative and drive is important. You can do this by writing about your academic achievements, your extra-curricular activities, and any relevant work experience to show the review committee the level of commitment and dedication you have towards your chosen career path.

You should also include details of any wider research or current affairs you are interested in. This could include discussing how you understand local law enforcement and crime concerns and how they can be integrated into a larger global perspective, or mentioning articles or books you have read about your chosen field of study.

Step 6: Proofread and edit your personal statement before submitting it

Accuracy in grammar and spelling is of utmost importance when writing a personal statement for criminology. Good written communication skills are essential for this field of study, as they are necessary for understanding, interpreting and critically analyzing any given data.

These communication skills also have a direct impact on the overall impression of a written statement, as a document full of errors can create a negative impression and make it appear as though the author is sloppy or not careful enough. In addition, as criminology is a field that requires much research and problem solving, attention to detail is critical for any successful analysis.

Examples from winning personal statements for Criminology

Example 1 – a focus on academic achievement.

Being the eldest daughter of two police officers has taught me how to balance life, a part time job, volunteering and schoolwork. With a 4.0 GPA, I have been taking college courses at our local community college while finishing up high school in order to accelerate my degree and I gained a great deal of knowledge from my social work college classes. I was also fortunate enough to learn about the law, criminal justice system, and how the court process works when my sister obtained an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Chelmhurst College – she jokes that I spent more time reading her notes and textbooks than she did! I am committed to a career in criminal justice research and have already volunteered on two projects undertaken by the state office, working on collating survey data relating to local crime.

My ambition has always been to work in Criminology, and I am confident in my ability to remain dedicated and professional. My academic and professional achievements have set me up to be an ideal student for a degree in Criminology. When people think of fighting crime it’s natural that they might think of police officers and the FBI, but I believe that without skilled researchers gathering and interpreting data policing will remain reactive rather than proactive. I want to be a big part of better understanding and lowering crime rates in my state through well-designed research projects that connect with the citizens we are working hard to protect.

Example 2 – a focus on a professional goal

My biggest dream is to be an FBI agent and with that goal in mind I am committed to studying the field of criminology, to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of criminal justice, law, and psychology. As part of our High School Psychology course, we studied critical analyses of crime studies, which involves looking at the various aspects of a crime such as the social and economic factors that lead to it and the use of theoretical frameworks to understand the underlying causes and effects of criminal behaviour. I was fascinated by the process of researching and analyzing data from crime statistics, identifying patterns, and coming to logical conclusions.

Working on interviews and other investigative techniques to gain insights into criminal mindsets and motivations will, I hope, make me a better FBI officer in the future and develop my sense of compassion for people trapped in challenging situations, as both the victims and perpetrators of crime. I have strong communication skills and am a team player, which I believe will fit well with the ethos of Milwaukee College.

Some of these questions were already covered in this blog post but I will still list them here (because not everyone carefully reads every paragraph) so here’s the TL;DR version.

What is Criminology?

Criminology is the scientific study of crime, including its causes, consequences, and control. It examines the legal and social aspects of crime, as well as the social, economic, and political factors that influence it.

It also looks into the various theories and approaches used to explain criminal behaviour and the effectiveness of various strategies used to control it. Furthermore, it considers the ethical issues related to criminal justice, such as the rights of victims and offenders, and the impact of crime on society.

By studying criminology, students can gain a better understanding of the criminal justice system, the causes of crime, and the ways in which it can be prevented and controlled.

What kind of career can be achieved with a Criminology degree?

With a degree in criminology, a wide range of career aspirations can be achieved.

• Law enforcement, such as a police officer, detective, or federal agent;
• Corrections, such as a probation officer or correctional officer;
• Social work, such as a case manager or community outreach worker;
• Criminal justice research, such as a crime analyst or research assistant;
• Victim advocacy, such as a victim advocate or crisis counsellor.
• Forensic psychology, forensic accounting, and cybercrime.

What traits are needed to be successful in Criminology?

Criminology is an exciting and challenging field which requires a range of skills and qualities to be successful. These include:

• Dedication: Being dedicated to the study of criminology and its related fields, and having a strong commitment to learning.
• Reliability: Being dependable and able to complete tasks accurately and efficiently.
• Concentration: Having the ability to focus intently and pay attention to detail.
• Professionalism: Being able to ethically and responsibly handle sensitive matters.
• Adaptability: Being able to adjust to changing environments and quickly respond to issues as they arise.
• Compassion: Being able to empathize with others, understand their views and opinions, and provide necessary assistance.

What kind of research should I do to write a personal statement for Criminology?

• Review the Course Overview and Requirements: Research the topics that will be covered in the course, such as criminal law, criminal justice, criminology theories, and research methods.
• Identify Your Interests: Think about why you are interested in Criminology and what experiences or skills you can bring to the course. Consider your past experiences, such as volunteering in a criminal justice organization or working in a related field, and any research or writing you have done on criminology topics.
• Collect Evidence: Collect evidence to support your personal statement. This could include academic qualifications, recommendations, and any other evidence that shows your commitment to the field of Criminology.
• Brainstorm and Outline: Create an outline of your personal statement. Brainstorm ideas and develop a strong thesis statement that outlines why you would be a good fit for the course and why you are passionate about Criminology.
• Write and Edit: Once you have outlined your personal statement, it’s time to write and edit. Make sure to review your statement for grammar, spelling, and clarity and get feedback.

What should a Criminology personal statement include?

A Criminology personal statement should include information about the applicant’s interest in and knowledge of the field of Criminology, as well as their skills, experiences, and achievements in relation to the subject. It should also include their future ambitions and plans for contributing to society through their study of Criminology. Additionally, applicants should demonstrate their ability to research, their ability to work with others, and their readiness for the degree course.

In order to make their personal statement unique, applicants should start the essay with a personal experience, carefully curate the most relevant points, use storytelling instead of making formal statements, use simple language, and personalize the essay.

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• Personal statement advice: sociology

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What are admissions tutors looking for in a personal statement for sociology?

Cardiff University selectors like to see applicants who can demonstrate an informed understanding of the subject, a mature outlook, a wider awareness of social issues, and ideally a desire to take part themselves in ‘advancing our understanding of a diverse and fast-changing social world.’

London School of Economics want to see an original statement that gives a sense of your enthusiasm and motivation for studying sociology, and to see something of your interest in 'relationships between peoples and society.' They like the majority of your statement to be based around your subject interest and for you to reflect on why you wish to study sociology, any aspects that are of special interest to you, and how it relates to your current academic programme and your additional reading or other experiences.

Amongst other attributes, Bournemouth University likes to see that you can work independently as well as in groups.

University of Birmingham tutors would like to get a glimpse of the relevant knowledge, skills, and experiences you’ve gained, an appreciation of what a degree in sociology involves, and the interests and enthusiasm you would bring to it.

Make it clear that you are academically interested in sociology , add any relevant extra-curricular experiences, and show that you’ve done your homework.

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Sociology and Criminology

Pathway of Sociology (BA (Hons))

Application options include:

Course Overview

Our BA Sociology and Criminology degree gives you the opportunity to combine the study of social life and social relations with the field of criminology. On this joint course you will:

• explore the ideas, social processes and social forces that give shape to the contemporary world
• investigate key criminology topics, methods and theories.

You will confront and seek to understand the most challenging social questions of our time by examining social relations and social change alongside the critical analysis of policies, institutions and practices related to crime and its control. Themes of study include migration, human rights, inequalities, policing, deportation, security, institutions, racial justice, and organised, corporate and state crime.

In the study of sociological and criminological theories and practices, you are encouraged to develop rigorous, critical and self-reflective thought. We will also equip you with a wealth of analytical skills that are transferable to a range of settings and career opportunities. To give you a rich, varied and interdisciplinary approach, as well as enabling you to pursue particular interests, we also offer you a wide range of option modules from disciplines including politics, psychosocial studies, geography, history, philosophy and criminology.

The BA Sociology and Criminology at Birkbeck is led by leading academics and develops your independence of thought in confronting the social realities of the contemporary period.

If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.

This course has an evening timetable with lectures, seminars and classes taking place in the evening.  

Discover the career opportunities available by taking Sociology and Criminology (BA (Hons)).

Key information and modules

Sociology and criminology ba (hons): 3 years full-time, on campus, starting october 2024, sociology and criminology ba (hons): 4 years part-time, on campus, starting october 2024, sociology and criminology with foundation year ba (hons): 4 years full-time, on campus, starting october 2024, sociology and criminology with foundation year ba (hons): 6 years part-time, on campus, starting october 2024, sociology and criminology ba (hons): 3 years full-time, on campus, starting october 2025, sociology and criminology ba (hons): 4 years part-time, on campus, starting october 2025.

Applications open in October 2024

Sociology and Criminology with Foundation Year BA (Hons): 4 years full-time, on campus, starting October 2025

Sociology and criminology with foundation year ba (hons): 6 years part-time, on campus, starting october 2025.

Find another course:

• Birkbeck's innovative, creative and interdisciplinary courses will help you become a competent, critical and responsible student of the social world and the psychological and social forces that shape individuals.
• Follow your interests and choose to specialise in communication, geography, history, politics, psychosocial studies, social anthropology or social policy.
• Ours is a vibrant research culture , powered by a shared passion for learning and intellectual engagement among our academics and students.

Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the Key Information section under Attendance.

Entry Requirements

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

UCAS tariff points

• 3 years full-time: 96-128 points (e.g. A-levels CCC-ABB)
• 4 years full-time with Foundation Year: 48 points

The UCAS tariff score is applicable to you if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a tariff calculator for you to work out what your qualification is worth within the UCAS tariff.

Foundation year degrees

Our 'with Foundation Year' route is designed to give you extra support as it provides you with an additional year (full-time) or two years (part-time) of supported study. This is an ideal route if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied this subject, or if you did not achieve the grades you need for a place on this degree.

Once you successfully complete your Foundation Year studies, you will automatically advance onto the main degree.

Alternative entry routes

3 years full-time and 4 years part-time: We accept an Access to Higher Education Diploma with a minimum of 15 credits achieved at Merit or Distinction in humanities or social science units.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.  We also accept other English language tests .

If you don’t meet the minimum English language requirements,  please contact us  or see our  international study skills page  for more details of how we can help.

Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our  English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country .

Visa and funding requirements

If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

• Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
• Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol as a student on Birkbeck's part-time courses (with the exception of some modules).

For full information, read our visa information for international students page .

Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country .

Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits through the modules you studied. It may be possible to transfer these credits from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

Sociology and Criminology BA (Hons): 3 years full-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2024-25 or 2025-26

Academic year 2024–25, starting october 2024.

Full-time home students: £9,250 per year Full-time international students: £17,620 per year

Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025

Full-time home students: £9,250 per year Full-time international students: £18,060 per year

Sociology and Criminology BA (Hons): 4 years part-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2024-25 or 2025-26

Part-time home students: £6,935 per year Part-time international students : £13,215 per year

Part-time home students: £6,935 per year Part-time international students : £13,545 per year

Sociology and Criminology with Foundation Year BA (Hons): 6 years part-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2024-25 or 2025-26

Part-time home students, Year 1&2: £4,625 per year Part-time international students , Year 1&2: £8,810 per year Part-time home students, Year 3+: £6,935 per year Part-time international students , Year 3+: £12,615 per year

Part-time home students, Year 1&2: £4,625 per year Part-time international students , Year 1&2: £9,030 per year Part-time home students, Year 3+: £6,935 per year Part-time international students , Year 3+: £13,545 per year

Sociology and Criminology with Foundation Year BA (Hons): 4 years full-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2024-25 or 2025-26

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the College Fees Policy .

If you’ve studied at Birkbeck before and successfully completed an award with us, take advantage of our Lifelong Learning Guarantee to gain a discount on the tuition fee of this course.

Tuition fee and maintenance loans

Eligible full-time and part-time students from the UK don’t have to pay any tuition fees upfront, as government loans are available to cover them.

Maintenance loans are also available for eligible full-time and part-time UK students, to assist with covering living costs, such as accommodation, food, travel, books and study materials. The amount you receive is means-tested and depends on where you live and study and your household income.

Find out more about tuition fee and maintenance loans for full-time and part-time students at Birkbeck.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

International scholarships

We provide a range of scholarships for eligible international students, including our Global Future Scholarship. Discover if you are eligible for a scholarship .

At Birkbeck, most of our courses are taught in the evening and all of our teaching is designed to support students who are juggling evening study with work and other commitments. We actively encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching, to ensure our students have the best learning experience.

Teaching may include formal lectures, seminars, and practical classes and tutorials. Formal lectures are used in most degree programmes to give an overview of a particular field of study. They aim to provide the stimulus and the starting point for deeper exploration of the subject during your own personal reading. Seminars give you the chance to explore a specific aspect of your subject in depth and to discuss and exchange ideas with fellow students. They typically require preparatory study.

In addition, you will have access to pastoral support via a named Personal Tutor.

Methods of teaching on this course

Teaching on this course is a combination of lectures and seminars.

Teaching hours

Our evening hours are normally between 6pm and 9pm (6-7.30pm and 7.30-9pm). Some programmes also offer teaching during the day and this will be clearly signposted to you where it is available.

On our taught courses, you will have scheduled teaching and study sessions each year. Scheduled teaching sessions may include lectures, seminars, workshops or laboratory work. Depending on the modules you take, you may also have additional scheduled academic activities, such as tutorials, dissertation supervision, practical classes, visits and field trips. On our taught courses, the actual amount of time you spend in the classroom and in contact with your lecturers will depend on your course, the option modules you select and when you undertake your final-year project (if applicable).

Alongside your contact hours, you will also undertake assessment activities and independent learning outside of class. The amount of time you need to allocate to study both for taught sessions (this might include online sessions and/or in-person sessions) and personal study will depend on how much you are studying during the year and whether you are studying full time or part time.

Birkbeck’s courses are made up of modules and allocated ‘credit’. One credit is equivalent to ten hours of learning time. Modules are usually in 15, 30 or 60 credit units. A 15-credit module will mean around 150 hours of learning, including taught sessions and independent study or group work. This is spread out over the whole period of that module and includes the time you spend on any assessments, including in examinations, preparing and writing assessments or engaged in practical work as well as any study support sessions to help you in your learning.

On our distance-learning and blended-learning courses, discussion, collaboration and interaction with your lecturers and fellow students is encouraged and enabled through various learning technologies.

Timetables are usually available from September onwards and you can access your personalised timetable via your My Birkbeck Profile online (if you have been invited to enrol).

Indicative class size

Class sizes vary, depending on your course, the module you are undertaking, and the method of teaching. For example, lectures are presented to larger groups, whereas seminars usually consist of small, interactive groups led by a tutor.

Independent learning

On our taught courses, much of your time outside of class will be spent on self-directed, independent learning, including preparing for classes and following up afterwards. This will usually include, but is not limited to, reading books and journal articles, undertaking research, working on coursework and assignments, and preparing for presentations and assessments.

Independent learning is absolutely vital to your success as a student. Everyone is different, and the study time required varies topic by topic, but, as a guide, expect to schedule up to five hours of self-study for each hour of teaching.

Study skills and additional support

Birkbeck offers study and learning support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed. Our Learning Development Service can help you in the following areas:

• academic skills (including planning your workload, research, writing, exam preparation and writing a dissertation)
• written English (including structure, punctuation and grammar)
• numerical skills (basic mathematics and statistics).

Our Disability and Dyslexia Service can support you if you have additional learning needs resulting from a disability or from dyslexia.

Our Counselling Service can support you if you are struggling with emotional or psychological difficulties during your studies.

Our Mental Health Advisory Service can support you if you are experiencing short- or long-term mental health difficulties during your studies.

Assessment is an integral part of your university studies and usually consists of a combination of coursework and examinations, although this will vary from course to course - on some of our courses, assessment is entirely by coursework. The methods of assessment on this course are specified below under 'Methods of assessment on this course'. You will need to allow time to complete coursework and prepare for exams.

Where a course has unseen written examinations, these may be held termly, but, on the majority of our courses, exams are usually taken in the Summer term, during May to June. Exams may be held at other times of the year as well. In most cases, exams are held during the day on a weekday - if you have daytime commitments, you will need to make arrangements for daytime attendance - but some exams are held in the evening. Exam timetables are published online.

Find out more about assessment at Birkbeck, including guidance on assessment, feedback and our assessment offences policy.

Methods of assessment on this course

Assessment methods include non-assessed written exercises and assessed essays. In your final year you will complete a dissertation. 

Careers and employability

Graduates can pursue career paths in politics and government, the civil service, public policy, academia and journalism. Possible professions include:

• charity officer
• social researcher
• further education lecturer.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

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Full-time (UCAS entry)

If you are applying for a full-time undergraduate course at Birkbeck, you have to apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). To apply, go to the UCAS website and click on ‘Sign in’. You will have to register, giving UCAS a few personal details, including your name, address and date of birth, and then you can start working on your application.

The first UCAS deadline is in January, and the majority of university applications through UCAS are made by then. Find the exact deadline date on the UCAS website . We welcome applications outside of the UCAS deadlines, so you can still apply through UCAS after the January deadline, depending on the availability of places. We also take late applications via the UCAS Clearing system in August.

If you are applying for a part-time undergraduate course (4 or 6 year), you apply directly to Birkbeck by using the Apply now button. You will need to prove your identity when you apply - read more about suitable forms of identification .

You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link. Please note that online application will open in September.

When to apply

You are strongly advised to apply now , to ensure there are still places on your chosen course and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.

You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.

You will also receive information about subject-specific induction sessions over the summer.

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Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at Birkbeck.

Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.

Apply for your course

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Course structure

Course structure listing, course structure and modules for sociology and criminology ba (hons): 3 years full-time, on campus, starting october 2024.

You must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.

• Year 1: three compulsory modules and a Level 4 option module in another subject area
• Year 2: three compulsory modules and a Level 5 option module from the list below
• Year 3: one compulsory module, a Level 6 option module from the list below and a dissertation

Year 1 compulsory modules

• Global Societies
• Key Concepts: Global Foundations in Sociology
• Understanding Crime

Year 2 compulsory modules

• Crime, Inequality and Social Change
• The Politics of Knowledge: Sociology and the World
• The Self, Society and the State

Year 3 compulsory module

• Criminology and Social Theory

Indicative Level 5 option modules

• Borders, Migration and Criminal Justice (Level 5)
• Drugs, Crime and Criminal Justice (Level 5)
• Imprisonment and Justice
• Policing and Society

Indicative Level 6 option modules

• Gender, Crime and Criminal Justice
• International Criminal Justice
• The Criminalisation of Welfare (level 6)
• Victims, Crime and Society (Level 6)
• Youth Crime and Justice

BA Sociology and Criminology dissertation

• Dissertation Module

Course structure and modules for Sociology and Criminology BA (Hons): 4 years part-time, on campus, starting October 2024

• Year 1: two compulsory modules and a Level 4 option module in another subject area
• Year 2: three compulsory modules
• Year 3: two compulsory modules and a Level 5 option module from the list below
• Year 4: a Level 6 option module from the list below and a dissertation

Year 3 compulsory modules

Course structure and modules for sociology and criminology ba (hons): 3 years full-time, on campus, starting october 2025, course structure and modules for sociology and criminology ba (hons): 4 years part-time, on campus, starting october 2025, course structure and modules for sociology and criminology with foundation year ba (hons): 6 years part-time, on campus, starting october 2024.

Our part-time Foundation Year degrees allow you to spread out your Foundation Year studies over two years. As the 'Foundation Year' is made up of 120 credits, as a part-time student you can take 60 credits in each of your first and second years before starting the main four-year BA Sociology and Criminology. This means that you can take six years to complete the part-time degree with Foundation Year.

You take two core modules in Foundation Year 1 and a core and option module in Foundation Year 2.

If you successfully complete these modules, you will automatically advance on to the four-year, part-time, evening study BA Sociology and Criminology .

Foundation Year 1 core modules

• Breaking Boundaries of Knowledge
• Fundamentals of Study

Foundation Year 2 core module

• Crossing Borders

Foundation Year 2 option modules

• Contemporary Global Issues: Approaches in Social Science, History and Philosophy
• French 3 (Level 4)
• French 4 (Level 4)
• German 3 (Level 4)
• German 4 (Level 4)
• Italian 3 (Level 4)
• Italian 4 (Level 4)
• Japanese 3 (Level 4)
• Japanese 4 (Level 4)
• Spanish 3 (Level 4)
• Spanish 4 (Level 4)

Course structure and modules for Sociology and Criminology with Foundation Year BA (Hons): 4 years full-time, on campus, starting October 2024

For the Foundation Year, you take three core modules and an option module to a total of 120 credits.

If you successfully complete the year, you can automatically advance to our three-year, full-time, evening study BA Sociology and Criminology .

Foundation Year core modules

Foundation year option modules, course structure and modules for sociology and criminology with foundation year ba (hons): 6 years part-time, on campus, starting october 2025, course structure and modules for sociology and criminology with foundation year ba (hons): 4 years full-time, on campus, starting october 2025.

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BA (Hons) Sociology with Criminology

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UK and international students need to apply through UCAS.  Except those inside the Crimea Region/Sevastopol, the so-called Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) / Luhansk People's Republic (LNR), Cuba, Iran, North Korea or Syria who need to use our  alternative application form.

Why study BA Sociology with Criminology at Goldsmiths

Explore how societies are organised, and how people are united and divided. Within the context of modern forms of power, examine the nature of crime and criminality from a critical, sociological perspective.

• You'll be taught by researchers at the cutting edge of on urban crime, control and security, and globalisation and crime.
• As part of a tight-knit group of students, you'll benefit from the support and expertise of your teachers throughout your degree.
• This Sociology with Criminology degree brings issues of social inequality and social justice to the foreground. You will learn how ‘race’, gender, class and nationality connect to crime and control.
• We are international in our outlook: you will learn about crime and control in the UK and beyond.
• You’ll be encouraged to take on a work placement that matches your interests and aspirations. You could find yourself supporting a victim of crime, attending court, or mentoring young people.
• Based in New Cross, a changing area of south London, we’ll take you on walking tours of the local area so you’ll be able to see how theories learnt in lectures apply to the local community.
• Studying at Goldsmiths means you’ll study in one of the world’s leading sociology departments. We've been rated top 10 in the UK for Sociology in the QS World University Rankings 2023.

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Dr Brett St Louis (Admissions Tutor) .

Entry requirements

A-level: BBB BTEC: DDM IB: 33 points overall with three HL subjects at 655

3 years full time, 6 years part time

Home - full-time: £9250 International - full-time: £19640

This programme will allow you to consider the subject of criminology from a sociological perspective. You will study:

• How our knowledge of crime and criminality is refracted through culture and how the media represent crime, law and social order
• How governments respond to ‘crime’, and how they might respond differently
• The growth and development of the modern state, the formation of modern society and culture
• Social control, policing, surveillance and security
• Crime as a global phenomenon and its policing in the context of global inequality, the movement of peoples, international trade, human rights and state violence
• Research methods for the empirical investigation of sociological and criminological topics

Our intention is that you consider the problem of crime from a critical perspective in the context of modern forms of power. 

What you'll study

The first year of this programme will introduce you to sociological knowledge and training, but it will also offer an understanding of criminology in the context of the nation-state.

You will take the following compulsory modules:

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Module title	Credits
Modern Knowledge, Modern Power This module will: •introduce students to key sociological approaches to social divisions and differences •foster students’ knowledge and understanding of the development of sociological thinking through the study of classical and contemporary accounts of social power, identity and inequality enable students to analyse and contrast differing approaches to the study of core sociological topics, including class, gender, race, religion and nation -->	30 credits
Methods of Worldmaking 1 Teaching will be carried out thematically, and you’ll be encouraged to collaborate with fellow students around your areas of interest. This is a practical module and encourages you to get ‘messy’ with methods and data from the start of your degree. -->	30 credits
Crime, Control and the State Lectures will introduce the main themes of the module by considering the birth of criminology and its relationship to the nation state, and examine different critical perspectives on crime and deviance. -->	15 credits
Culture and Society 1A Lectures outline various sociological perspectives and debates on culture and meaning-making. You'll learn through the use of substantive examples of macro-social phenomena, as well as exploring micro-sociological analyses of the role of culture in social interaction (eg British Asian youth cultures). The module also introduces you to the importance of social location in meaning-making, including discussion of how certain types of sociological perspectives have historically been marginalised.  Through seminar activities and assessment, you'll be taught how to critically evaluate different debates, construct an evidenced argument, and to accurately and consistently reference different types of sources. -->	15 credits
Culture and Society 1B Lectures explore key perspectives and debates on culture in twentieth-century social thought, including the ‘culture industry’, ideology, and culture as ‘text’. You'll learn through the use of substantive examples of macro-social phenomena (eg consumption) and different media objects (eg cinema and advertising), as well as exploring examples of contemporary cultural phenomena (eg digital meme culture). Critical appraisal of different theoretical perspectives – for example, via decolonial and feminist analyses – help you to evaluate debates and apply these to the study of contemporary cultural phenomena. Seminar activities and assessment further support the development of your ability to construct critical and evidenced sociological arguments.  -->	15 credits
Imaginative Criminology ‘Crime’ animates politics and everyday conversation; it’s the stuff of the news, dramas and films. But much of academic criminology produces abstracted or empirical study. By contrast ‘cultural criminology’, seeks to make sense of the lived cultures and phenomenological experiences of crime. In this module, you'll examine of how crime and the criminological are refracted through a rich and diverse field of media and cultural forms, devices and practices. You'll learn that crime has been ‘imagined’ in a wide range of ways. You'll explore a series of examples and cases in order to provide depth and empirical focus. You'll also gain a theoretical and methodological framework for understanding what the criminological imagination might mean and how we might bring to the fore its critical analytical force.  -->	15 credits

Note about optional modules (if available): The above is indicative of the typical modules offered, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. The module content and availability is subject to change.

The second year will give you the chance to explore crime and criminology in a global context, considering crime and global inequality, migration, international relations and trade, and state crimes and human rights. This learning will help to frame your third-year dissertation research.

You study the following compulsory modules, including The Goldsmiths Elective. This module is interdisciplinary, and gives you the opportunity to study another discipline from a list of relevant modules in other departments across the University.

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Module title	Credits
Methods of Worldmaking 2 Teaching will be carried out thematically, and you’ll be encouraged to collaborate with fellow students around your areas of interest. This is a practical module and encourages you to get ‘messy’ with methods and data from the start of your degree. -->	30 credits
Gender, ‘Race’ and Crime Sample topics include: -->	15 credits
Why We Harm -->	15 credits
Philosophy and Methodology of Social Science The first block of lectures is concerned with questions of the relationship between science and social analysis. We begin with questions about the ‘scientific’ character of sociology, for example: Is sociological knowledge similar to the knowledge produced by the natural sciences, and should social science seek to adopt similar methods? We go on to analyse concepts of objectivity and value-free knowledge. This block of lectures concludes by considering debates on the construction of social reality as a source of knowledge for social research as well as critical realist approaches that attempt to transcend the prevailing methodological and analytical dichotomies such as empiricism/rationalism, realism/idealism and positivism/ interpretivism.  The second block engages the relationship between epistemology in terms of the production of knowledge and processes of social evaluation that seek to account for the forms of understanding developed by sociologists within the research process. It begins by exploring the relationship between understanding and prescription within social science, for example: What do political approaches to social research teach us about the nature of objectivity and about the sociological project generally? We then go on to examine feminist analyses of the social sciences as a system of knowledge that is linked to relations of social privilege and power, and the role of ethics in social scientific inquiry and research.  -->	15 credits
The Goldsmiths Elective -->	15 credits

You'll then take 30 credits of optional modules from across the  Department of Sociology . You may also choose to complete the Goldsmiths Project module, which allows you to work on a group project with students from other departments to bring about positive societal change.

The list of optional modules is produced annually, and may include the following:

Module title	Credits
Law and Contemporary Society In this module, we'll think about how we got here and where we are going.  We'll explore the environmental crisis as a multiple, interconnected issue with a long history, and highly differentiated and unequal impacts. The module takes a decolonial and anti-racist perspective to environmental issues, embedding work by indigenous, racialized and global south scholars across each week of the term, to help us reframe debates and theories. We also look at different kinds of fictional writing about the environment.  In this way, we want to explore how the global climate crisis represents a challenge to ways of knowing and ways of living and necessitates us thinking in different and more connected ways. -->	15 credits
Crimes Against Humanity -->	15 credits
Social Change and Political Action The module will begin by considering some of the perspectives on collective action provided by social history, considering issues such as the role of ‘disruptive power’ in insurrections and the role of class, race and gender in generating intersectional types of struggles. It will then consider some of the salient theoretical debates on the sources and subjects of transformative political action, from debates about the ‘racialised’ and ‘gendered’ Other in relation to the French revolution and the Declaration of Human Rights, to discussions on the place of violence in anti-colonial and liberation movements. Throughout, attention will be placed on the relevance of concepts in political sociology to the study of contemporary movements for political change - from labour movements to recent anti-racism struggles, from feminism and the new women’s protests, to activism in the age of the Internet and social media. The module will both provide an analytical toolbox for approaching the sociological study of politics and serve as an introduction to some of the most important positions in political sociology.  -->	15 credits
London Time, space and rhythm are overarching themes running through this module and the key to understanding what cities are and how they work. In addition to time, space and rhythm cities are layered by the ways in which power runs through them. Social inequalities, class, ethnicity, renewal and rebuilding are all sociological concerns that manifest themselves in cities. Cities are shaped as much by the people who live in them as the architects and planners who draw up the urban substance that builders make. Cities are never finished, they are always emerging and mutating just as they are never at rest but increasingly twenty-four-hour commercial enterprises.  This is a visual urban sociology module conducted on the streets of London rather than in a Goldsmiths’ classroom. This is a different way of learning and it involves using your senses, especially observation, as you move through the city. This is knowledge acquisition on the move. -->	15 credits
Food and Taste -->	15 Credits
Knowledge and Subjectivity In its historical sequence, you'll explore some of the most influential understandings of the subject and the possibilities and limitations of knowledge produced by modern philosophy.   Beginning with a critical exploration of the way in which René Descartes' 'Cogito ergo sum' (I think therefore I am) has been seen as the inauguration of modern philosophy, we will investigate different ways of posing the problem of the knowing subject: Spinoza’s affirmation of there being only one substance, the empiricism of John Locke and David Hume and the critical philosophy of Immanuel Kant.   In the latter part of the course, we then turn to some profound challenges to dominant models of knowledge and subjectivity, formulated in the late 19th and throughout the 20th century: Friedrich Nietzsche’s assault on the very notion of the subject, Sartre’s attempt of saving a notion of subjectivity from orthodox Marxisms’ dissolution of the subject into a vector of capitalist totality, Foucault’s rejection of an essential self in the name of its historical constitution and finally Luce Irigaray’s feminist turn against the masculinist subject of philosophy.   Through close consideration of these philosophers, you'll be introduced to key notions and sub-fields in philosophy: epistemology, ontology, phenomenology, critique, and the distinction between the empirical and the transcendental – as well as the political and social repercussions of seemingly abstract philosophical debates.  -->	15 credits
Gender, ‘Race’ and Crime Sample topics include: -->	15 credits

Your final year will be a mixture of compulsory and option modules as well as an in-depth dissertation (30 credits) in a subject area of your choice.

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Module title	Credits
Dissertation Writing an extended piece of work on a subject of your own choosing is usually a pleasurable and interesting process; it is also a challenging process that requires careful thought and planning. Many of the dissertations produced by single and joint honours students have been of an exceptionally high standard and have demonstrated considerable creativity, imagination and hard work. In doing the dissertation, you'll be taking charge of setting your own topic, creating your own space, undertaking the relevant reading, and planning and organising your research; however, you are also listening and responding to the advice and guidance of your tutor and other staff. Both these processes are essential to the successful completion of a good dissertation. -->	30 credits
Confronting Climate Crisis In this module, we'll think together about how we got here and where we are going. We will explore the environmental crisis as a multiple, interconnected issue which has a long history, and highly differentiated and unequal impacts. The module takes a decolonial and anti-racist perspective to environmental issues, embedding work by indigenous, racialized and global south scholars across each week of the term, to help us reframe debates and theories. We also look at different kinds of fictional writing about the environment. In this way, we want to explore how the global climate crisis represents a challenge to ways of knowing and to ways of living and necessitates us thinking in different and more connected ways. -->	15 credits
Identity and Contemporary Social Theory You'll then be introduced to the relationship between identity and collective memory. Through an exploration of different facets of remembering and forgetting – such as cultural trauma and nostalgia – lectures foreground the contested nature of social memory. Contemporary local and global examples – eg on austerity politics, Black Lives Matter, and the Covid-19 pandemic - help students to apply theoretical knowledge to the critical analysis of social identities. You'll be encouraged to build on material presented within the module to develop further your independent, sociological thought, as well as your ability to communicate with non-academic audiences. -->	15 credits

You'll then take optional modules worth 60 credits. This may include a Sociology Work Placement module.

Option modules offered recently include:

Module title	Credits
Race, Racism and Social Theory You'll explore the history of racial ideas from the Enlightenment and Romantic periods through to contemporary debates. We'll consider the historical formations of ‘race’ and racism in relation to Atlantic slavery and emancipation in the Caribbean and North America, classical scientific racism, and anti-Semitism and the Holocaust. The module also engages a range of critical issues: the rise of ethnicity as an alternative category to ‘race’; ‘racial’ epidemiology and public health; feminist approaches to the ‘intersections’ between ‘race’, class and gender; ‘differentialist’ forms of ‘new’ or ‘cultural’ racism; and eliminativist perspectives arguing that race ought to be eliminated altogether as a category and concept. We'll also examine the conceptual work performed by racial ideas as well as their analytical coherence, political functions, and social effects. The module will emphasize a critical approach to the understanding of ‘race’ and encourage students to evaluate the social implications of racial ideas. -->	15 credits
Law, Identity and Ethics You'll examine contemporary debates concerning identity and law, from critical race feminism to deconstruction. You'll engage in a critical analysis of a range of key approaches to understanding identity, law, and justice. You'll apply these different approaches to case studies such as: The first section of the course explores different accounts of law and identity and the second section explores debates concerning justice and identity. -->	15 credits
Globalisation, Crime and Justice Likewise, criminological theory has had a close relationship to colonialism. Criminologists now recognise that many of our theories, developed during colonialism and empire, are not relevant outside of the global north, and may even be harmful. As a result, contemporary criminologists need to learn to think globally in comprehending and researching transnational and global forms of crime.   You'll examine a variety of contemporary and historic topics, including: This module has a non-standard assessment. Drawing on topics covered in this module, students write a blog post, factsheet, or film review for a non-academic audience as well as a structured reflection and bibliographic exercise. -->	15 credits
Crimes of the Powerful In this module, we'll take a wide-ranging interdisciplinary approach drawing on research and theory from criminology, sociology, socio-legal studies, law, human rights, politics and international relations to discuss diverse issues such as war, state crime, corporate and white-collar crime. You'll learn why crimes of the powerful have generally proven difficult to legislate or punish. -->	15 credits
Privacy, Surveillance and Security You'll investigate contemporary issues in privacy, surveillance and security including: the rise of CCTV and the visualization of order, airports and spaces of disciplined consumption, the management of everyday life and claims regarding the death of privacy. Finally, we'll investigate the possibility of addressing tensions between privacy, surveillance and security issues. In particular, we'll focus on technologies as solutions, market-based mechanisms and the valuation of privacy, and the variety of interventions, engagements and accountabilities with regard to surveillance that has been developed in recent years. -->	15 credits
Visual Explorations of the Social World You'll also work throughout on your own project, relating to the theme of visualising connections, and you will present your own project in the last two sessions. The module focuses on an introduction to a wide variety of media and methods and does not provide in-depth training of particular methods. It focuses on experimentation and exploration, hoping that students will use their skills for later more in-depth projects.  The main emphasis of this module is not to teach the technicalities of photography and other visual methods but rather to help you develop a visually informed sociological imagination and as such we would welcome the use of low-tech visual technologies such as drawings and shooting with digital cameras and mobile phones. -->	15 credits
Childhood Matters: Society, Theory and Culture You'll learn to ask what these ‘figurations of the child’ mean for children’s everyday lives and lived experiences and how children respond to dominant understandings of childhood. The module places an emphasis on children’s cultures, their everyday lives, and lived experiences, and you'll be exposed to a range of theories and methodologies that have been used to study childhood and do research with children. In view of discussions around the decolonization of the curriculum, the reading list has been updated and the various sessions consider the topics from an international and historical perspective. -->	15 credits
Thinking Animals -->	15 credits
Migration, Gender and Social Reproduction The module will be divided into two parts. First, you'll be encouraged to analyse the recent history and political economy of migrations through the lenses of gender, as well as ‘race’ and class theories. We'll focus on the notions of ‘feminisation of migrations’ and ‘crisis of social reproduction’ to examine their root causes and dimensions. You'll then learn to explore the social and cultural representations of migrants in the Global North and to identify the ways these representations can be scrutinised through theories of gender, ‘race’ and class. We'll take a critical perspective on key concepts such as ‘sexualisation of racism’, ‘racialisation of sexism’, ‘gendered assimilation’, ‘civic integration of migrants’ and ‘gendered colonial technologies of domination’. Taking a case study approach throughout the module, you'll learn how to evaluate the feasibility and appropriateness of different methodologies and techniques of social research when undertaking empirical research projects involving migrants.  -->	15 credits

Teaching style

This programme is mainly taught through scheduled learning - a mixture of lectures, seminars and workshops. You’ll also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study. This includes carrying out required and additional reading, preparing topics for discussion, and producing essays or project work.

How you'll be assessed

You’ll be assessed by a variety of methods, depending on your module choices. These include coursework, examinations, group work and projects.

We accept the following qualifications:

A-level:  BBB BTEC:  DDM International Baccalaureate:  33 points overall with three HL subjects at 655 Access:  Pass with 45 Level 3 credits including 30 Distinctions and a number of merits/passes in subject-specific modules Scottish qualifications:  BBBBC (Higher) or BBC (Advanced Higher) European Baccalaureate:  75% Irish Leaving Certificate:  H2 H2 H2 H2

If you can't find your qualification here, then please visit our entry requirements page for a list of alternative qualifications.

Alternative requirements

See our full list of  undergraduate entry qualifications .

We welcome students with a range of educational experiences. If you believe you may not meet the standard qualification requirements we would still encourage you to apply because we consider all aspects of your application when making a decision.

We’ll pay particularly careful attention to your personal statement, which is your opportunity to demonstrate your interest in the subject you’ve applied for. Your referees are also welcome to include any relevant contextual comments around your academic achievements. We’ll look at all these things when making a decision on your application, as well as your qualifications and grades.

International qualifications

We also accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the  qualifications we accept from around the world .

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or  equivalent English language qualification ) of  6.0 with a 6.0 in writing and no element lower than 5.5  to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of  courses that can help prepare you for degree-level study .

Fees and funding

Annual tuition fees.

These are the UG fees for students starting their programme in the 2024/2025 academic year.

• Home - full-time: £9250
• International - full-time: £19640

If your fees are not listed here, please check our  undergraduate fees guidance  or contact the  Fees Office , who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.

It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time if you require a Student Visa, however this is currently being reviewed and will be confirmed in the new year. Please read our  visa guidance  in the interim for more information. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our  Admissions Team  for more information.

If you are looking to pay your fees please see our  guide to making a payment .

Funding opportunities

We offer a wide range of scholarships and bursaries, and our  Careers Service  can also offer advice on finding work during your studies.  Find out more about funding your studies with us .

Additional costs

In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our  study costs page .

There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.

Getting you ready for work

Sociologists enter careers that centre on the challenges and demands that members of a society face. The BA Sociology with Criminology degree will provide an excellent base for careers in:

• Civil society organisations
• Human rights organisations
• Policing and probation work
• A range of research, planning and policy-oriented careers
• Social services, criminal justice, welfare services
• Local or national government

Over the last three years, some of the graduate level careers for Goldsmiths Sociology graduates have been:

• Events Co-ordinator
• Grants officer
• Housing and welfare officer
• Learning support worker
• Local Government graduate trainee
• Marketing Manager
• Personnel manager and officer
• Public relations officer
• Social and youth worker
• Sustainability officer

You might decide to continue your studies at postgraduate level, by undertaking a Graduate Law Diploma or with the aim of making a career in higher education either as a lecturer or as a specialist researcher.

Read more about possible career options on our  Sociology careers pages

We work closely with the Goldsmiths Careers Service, part of the University of London Careers Service – the biggest in the UK. Through the Careers Service you'll have access to a wide range of facilities to help you plan your future effectively. You'll have the opportunity to meet our Department’s graduates and find out how their sociology degree gave them skills intrinsic to careers development.

We also work closely with the College’s Synapse programme, which provides workshops that will help you to develop both your employability and personal skills in critical and creative ways. In the context of a rapidly changing social and economic climate, these workshops provide you with valuable thinking time in which you can develop practical skills and also explore your ideas for your future.

Find out more about we help you  improve your employability while at Goldsmiths

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Similar programmes.

BA (Hons) Sociology

Our innovative BA Sociology programme will equip you with the practical tools to understand the world around you, and to think about how to change it for the better.

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This foundation year programme introduces you to sociological ways of thinking about the world around you and will give you the resources to think critically and creatively about a wide range of contemporary social issues.

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University statistics for this course

Study Undergraduate

Sociology and criminology ba (ucas l314).

29 September 2025

3 years full-time

Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Department of Sociology

University of Warwick

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Enquire now

Find out more about our Sociology and Criminology degree at Warwick

Why do people commit crime? Can crime be prevented? How should we respond to crime? Studying Sociology and Criminology will enable you to make sense of a world undergoing unprecedented social change and uncertainty.

General entry requirements

A level typical offer, a level additional information.

You will also need grade 6/B in GCSE English Language. Applicants with grade 6/B in GCSE English Literature and minimum grade 4/C in GCSE English Language may also be considered.

A level contextual offer

We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. The typical contextual offer is BBB. See if you’re eligible.

General GCSE requirements

Unless specified differently above, you will also need a minimum of GCSE grade 4 or C (or an equivalent qualification) in English Language and either Mathematics or a Science subject. Find out more about our entry requirements and the qualifications we accept. We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.

IB typical offer

Ib additional information.

You will also need grade 6/B in GCSE English Language or International Baccalaureate grade 5 in English A (Higher or Standard Level), grade 5 in Higher Level English B or grade 6 in Standard Level English B.

Applicants with grade 6/B in GCSE English Literature and minimum grade 4/C in GCSE English Language may also be considered.

IB contextual offer

We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. The typical contextual offer is 30. See if you’re eligible.

Other UK qualifications

We welcome applications from students taking BTEC qualifications, either alone or in combination with A levels. Our typical BTEC offers are as follows:

• BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate plus 2 A-Levels: D plus AB, or D* plus BB
• BTEC Level 3 National Diploma plus 1 A-Level: DD plus A, or D*D plus B
• BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: D*DD. You will also need grade 6/B in GCSE English Language

Scotland Advanced Highers

AB in two Advanced Highers, and BBB in three further Highers subjects.

Welsh Baccalaureate

BBB in three subjects at A Level plus grade C in the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate.

Access to Higher Education Diplomas

We will consider applicants returning to study who are presenting a QAA-recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma on a case-by-case basis.

Typically, we require 45 Credits at Level 3, including Distinction in 33 Level 3 credits and Merit in 12 Level 3 Credits. We may also require subject specific credits or an A level to be studied alongside the Access to Higher Education Diploma to fulfil essential subject requirements.

International qualifications

• English Language requirements

All applicants have to meet our English Language requirements Link opens in a new window . If you cannot demonstrate that you meet these, you may be invited to take part in our Pre-sessional English course at Warwick Link opens in a new window .

This course requires: Band C

Learn more about our English Language requirements Link opens in a new window .

Frequently asked questions

Contextual data and differential offers.

Warwick may make differential offers to students in a number of circumstances. These include students participating in a Widening Participation programme or who meet the contextual data criteria .

Differential offers will usually be one or two grades below Warwick’s standard offer.

Warwick International Foundation Programme (IFP)

All students who successfully complete the Warwick IFP and apply to Warwick through UCAS will receive a guaranteed conditional offer for a related undergraduate programme (selected courses only).

Find out more about standard offers and conditions for the IFP .

• Taking a gap year

We welcome applications for deferred entry.

We do not typically interview applicants. Offers are made based on your UCAS form which includes predicted and actual grades, your personal statement and school reference.

Course overview

This degree emphasises the way in which social cleavages such as race, gender and class intersect with the study of crime and criminal justice in an international context. Combining these subjects will give you a thorough, yet broad understanding of the surrounding issues and concepts that relate to questions of justice and criminalisation today.

Drawing on established strengths within our Sociology Department, you will explore a variety of areas: culture and ethnic identities, geo-political conflict, gender, environmentalism, social movements, sexuality, social theory, state crime, terrorism and modern society, punishment and community justice, youth crime, youth justice, policing, and issues of security in a global context.

Study abroad

You have the option of studying abroad which will add one year to your degree, as you will spend your third year abroad. Immerse yourself in life in another country and grow as a global citizen. Explore other cultures, languages, and understand global connections and inequalities.

Countries Sociology students have visited (please note countries and institutions are subject to change):

• École Normale Supérieure de Cachan, France
• Charles University Prague, Czech Republic
• Friedrich-Schiller-Universitat Jena, Germany
• Goteborg University, Sweden
• Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
• Universitat Autōnoma de Barcelona, Spain
• Universitat Bremen, Germany
• University of Copenhagen, Denmark
• University of Iceland Worldwide
• Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
• Monash University, Australia and/or Malaysia
• Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Western University, Canada
• Toronto University, Canada
• University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
• Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
• Sun Yat-sen University, China
• Tsinghua University, China
• Xiamen University, China
• Hokkaido University, Japan
• Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia

Core modules

What you will learn.

• To apply key sociological categories such as class, gender, and ‘race’ to analyse various social problems and imagine creative solutions to these issues
• How societies have changed over time and how key institutions within these have functioned
• How we might explain offending behaviours and explore the effects of crime on individuals and communities
• How the criminal justice system operates and with what impacts
• To search for answers to social justice issues by examining and questioning the role of the police, courts, prisons and civil society
• To critically engage with theoretical and methodological debates in contemporary Criminology and Criminal Justice as well as in Sociology
• To develop theoretical and conceptual knowledge and enhance your understanding of empirical research

This degree covers topics such as:

• Culture and ethnic identities
• Geo-political conflict
• Environmentalism
• Social movements
• Class and capitalism
• Social theory
• State crime
• Terrorism and issues of security in global context
• Punishment and community justice
• Youth crime and youth justice
• Inequalities
• Discrimination, racism, xenophobia
• Health and illness in society

History of Sociological Thought

What holds societies together? How do societies change? And how is politics in the conventional sense affected by factors such as class, status, ethnicity or religion, or the state of the economy? These are some of the questions with which you will engage with when you consider the history of sociological thought. You will gain skills of research, analysis and debate by considering the extent to which sociology may be considered a science and how the evolution of sociological thought has been shaped by events and the cultural, economic and political problems of the day.

Read more about the History of Sociological Thought module Link opens in a new window , including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Criminology: Theories and Concepts

This module will develop your understanding of key criminological perspectives and will encourage you to reflect on different assumptions and ideologies behind these different perspectives. It will equip you to be able to apply criminological theory to a broad range of contemporary problems of crime, social inequality disorder and social harm.

Read more about the Criminology: Theories and Concepts module Link opens in a new window , including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Researching Society and Culture

What is society and how do you study it? Is human behaviour governed by rules similar to the natural world that you can study objectively? Or do human beings consciously act upon their environment and change the world through creativity and intelligence, driven by their own understanding and motivations? These are some of the questions that this module will explore.

You will be introduced to the core ideas behind sociological research and the practical tools to undertake research yourself. As well as looking at some of the key qualitative methods (for example, interviews, ethnography and discourse analysis), you will also examine the political, ethical and practical issues that social research inevitably entails.

Read more about the Researching Society and Culture module Link opens in a new window , including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Crime and Society

This module will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between crime, its social context and current issues in the socio-political global context of crime and punishment. You will explore the sociological approaches to crime, victimisation and punishment through categories such as class, gender, ethnicity, mobility and space. You will develop the necessary analytical, theoretical and critical skills to examine contemporary problems and debates in the fields of criminalisation and justice.

Read more about the Crime and Society module Link opens in a new window , including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Introduction to Social Analytics in Social Inequalities Research

In the age of ever-increasing data availability which is paired with a growing sophistication of statistical techniques, the opportunities for social science research are vast. This module will give you an understanding of the basic elements of core descriptive statistics which will allow you not only to critically engage with quantitative findings in existing social science research, but also conduct quantitative analysis yourself. The module covers the topics of conceptualisation, operationalisation and measurement, as well as the principles of sampling and the basics of research design. You will be introduced to the process of social science research and quantitative methods in one hour lectures, and then explore these in extended seminars (2h) both through readings, and the statistical software SPSS. We will be working on real data sets, such as the European Social Survey.

Read more about the Introduction to Social Analytics in Social Inequalities Research module Link opens in a new window , including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Designing and Conducting Social Research

This module will teach you the core concepts and practical skills to undertake qualitative social research in academic and professional settings. These include research design, ethnography, in-depth interviewing, documents and discourse. As well as practical skills, you will investigate how social research has changed in recent decades, considering:

• ethical questions when researching life online
• how (and whether) you should study Twitter
• effects of social media on social interactions
• how to engage diverse audiences

You will also gain analytical skills to critically evaluate previous research and develop your ability to collect and analyse data using a range of qualitative methods.

Read more about the Designing and Conducting Social Research module Link opens in a new window , including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Modern Social Theory

This module will introduce you to the main thinkers and movements in critical social theory. Topics include Marxism, post-structuralism, class and culture. The changing conceptualisation of power and class is a focus throughout the module. This helps you to see how the different theoretical approaches relate to each other, and to historical and political events.

Read more about the Modern Social Theory module Link opens in a new window , including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Gender, Race and Sexualities in the Criminal Justice System: Policy and Practice

This module will develop the necessary analytical, theoretical, and critical skills to analyse the complex relationship between gender, race, and sexualities in criminal justice institutions. You will be presented with contemporary conceptual issues around the categories of race, gender and sexualities and will be invited to consider how these are essential to unpacking current problems in policing, courts, sentencing, prisons, and community justice settings. The module will unpack criminalisation and victimisation in relation to contemporary problems linked to misogyny, sexism, racism, and homophobia. In this module you’ll have the chance to engage with key readings in feminist criminology, queer criminology, and in post-colonial, southern criminologies and will be invited to consider practical and policy-informed solutions to some of the most enduring problems of contemporary criminal justice systems.

Read more about the Gender, Race and Sexualities in the Criminal Justice System: Policy and Practice module Link opens in a new window , including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Policing and Society

The institution of the police is one of the state’s most important and yet most scrutinised and challenged institutions. Questions around policing and justice are arguably some of the most urgent in contemporary criminological scholarship and need theoretical as well as practical examination. In this module we sociologically and criminologically unpack the purpose of the police and consider different approaches to policing. We also examine the impact of policing on different communities and explore current debates around racism, discrimination, and excessive force in policing practices. Taking an international as well as critical perspective we consider the evolution, efficacy, and viability of the police and of policing in the 21st Century.

Read more about the Policing and Society module Link opens in a new window , including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Dissertation

Dissertations are the result of independent research on a sociological topic of your choice, with some guidance from your supervisor. Instead of writing an essay on a pre-determined topic or doing an exam, you get the opportunity to:

• Choose the topic
• Work out how to study it
• Collect and assess relevant information
• Analyse and criticise the information
• Write an account of how it was all done in 10,000 words

Your dissertation aims to use a selection of concepts, theoretical ideas, observations, statistical findings and your own faculties of criticism and imagination in order to reach convincing defensible conclusions about a topic which interests, challenges or puzzles you.

All Single Honours Sociology students must do a dissertation in their final year. Joint Honours degree students may opt to do a dissertation.

Read more about the Dissertation module Link opens in a new window , including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Optional modules

Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:

• Sociology of Race
• Sociology of Gender
• Life of Media: Past, Present and Future
• Sociology of Education
• Class and Capitalism in the Neoliberal World
• International Perspectives on Gender
• Commercial Cultures in Global Capitalism
• Educational Inequalities
• Relationship and Family Change: Demographic and Sociological Perspectives
• Becoming Yourself: The Construction of the Self in Contemporary Western Societies
• Media, Audiences and Social Change
• Practice and Interpretation of Quantitative Research
• Multivariate Secondary Analysis of Social Data
• Political Sociology
• Gender and Violence
• Surveillance and Society: Race, Gender, Class
• Beyond the Binary: Trans-forming Gender
• War, Memory and Society
• Social Theory of Law
• Environmental Sociology
• Youth, Crime and Criminal Justice
• Social Movements and Political Action
• Racism and Xenophobia
• Ethnography and the Anthropological Tradition
• Transnational Media Ecologies
• Race, Resistance and Modernity
• Sociology of Knowledge, Science and Intellectuals
• Punishment, Justice and Control
• Feminist Pedagogy/Feminist Activism
• Postcolonial Theory and Politics
• Queering Sociology
• State Crime, Human Rights and Global Wrongs
• Applying Quantitative Methods to Social Research
• Experiments in the Social Sciences and Humanities Sociology of End Times
• Global South and Indigenous Feminisms
• Social Data Science
• Sociology of Green Transformations
• Sociology of Film, Film as Sociology
• Drugs, Crime and Society
• The Social Life of Things
• Religion and the Planetary Crisis

Explore our modules in more detail. Link opens in a new window

You will be assessed through a combination of essays, reports, podcasts, reflective writing, and unseen exams. In the final year, there is a 10,000-word dissertation.

Most modules are taught using a combination of weekly lectures and seminars. Lectures give an introduction to a topic to help prepare you for discussions in seminars. In seminars, you can engage in debates and share your views.

You will have a personal tutor who you can speak to about any questions you may have. There are also regular feedback sessions and opportunities to speak to module directors and seminar tutors.

Class sizes

Seminars have 15 to 17 students. Lecture sizes vary.

Typical contact hours

There are 10 to 11 hours of formal contact time available per week in Year One, to help you settle into University life. After then, 8 hours of contact time is available per week.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees cover the majority of the costs of your study, including teaching and assessment. Fees are charged at the start of each academic year. If you pay your fees directly to the University, you can choose to pay in instalments.

Home students

Undergraduate fees.

If you are a home student enrolling in 2024, your annual tuition fees will be £9,250 . In the future, these fees might change for new and continuing students.

2+2 course fees

If you are a home student enrolling in 2022 for a 2+2 course through the Centre for Lifelong Learning, your annual tuition fees will be £6,750 . In the future, these fees might change for new and continuing students.

How are fees set?

The British Government sets tuition fee rates.

Learn more about fees from UCAS Link opens in a new window .

Overseas students

If you are an overseas or EU student enrolling in 2024, your annual tuition fees will be as follows:

• Band 1 – £24,800 per year (classroom-based courses, including Humanities and most Social Science courses)
• Band 2 – £31,620 per year (laboratory-based courses, plus Maths, Statistics, Theatre and Performance Studies, Economics, and courses provided by Warwick Business School, with exceptions)

Fees for 2025 entry have not been set. We will publish updated information here as soon as it becomes available, so please check back for updates about 2025 fee rates before you apply.

Fee status guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status. Link opens in a new window

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on this web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue Link opens in a new window (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2024/25 year of study). Information about module specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

• Core text books
• Printer credits
• Dissertation binding
• Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Further information

Find out more about tuition fees from our Student Finance team .

Scholarships and bursaries

Learn about scholarships and bursaries available to undergraduate students.

We offer a number of undergraduate scholarships and bursaries to full-time undergraduate students. These include sporting and musical bursaries, and scholarships offered by commercial organisations.

Find out more about funding opportunities for full-time students. Link opens in a new window

International scholarships

If you are an international student, a limited number of scholarships may be available.

Find out more information on our international scholarship pages. Link opens in a new window

You may be eligible for financial help from your own government, from the British Council or from other funding agencies. You can usually request information on scholarships from the Ministry of Education in your home country, or from the local British Council office.

Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship

We believe there should be no barrier to talent. That's why we are committed to offering a scholarship that makes it easier for gifted, ambitious international learners to pursue their academic interests at one of the UK's most prestigious universities.

Find out more about the Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship. Link opens in a new window

Part-time fee waiver

Find out more about the Warwick scholarship for part-time students. Link opens in a new window

Warwick Bursary for low income students

We provide extra financial support for qualifying students from lower income families. The Warwick Undergraduate Bursary is an annual award of up to £3,000 per annum. It is intended to help with course-related costs and you do not have to pay it back.

Find out more about your eligibility for the Warwick Undergraduate Bursary. Link opens in a new window

Sanctuary scholarships for asylum seekers

As part of the 'City of Sanctuary' movement, we are committed to building a culture of hospitality and welcome, especially for those seeking sanctuary from war and persecution. We provide a range of scholarships to enable people seeking sanctuary or asylum to progress to access university education.

Find out more about the Warwick Undergraduate Sanctuary Scholarships for asylum seekers. Link opens in a new window

Find out more about Warwick undergraduate bursaries and scholarships.

Eligibility for student loans

Your eligibility for student finance will depend on certain criteria, such as your nationality and residency status, your course, and previous study at higher education level.

Check if you're eligible for student finance .

Home students residing in England

Tuition fee loan.

You can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your tuition fees. It is non-means tested, which means the amount you can receive is not based on your household income. The Loan is paid directly to the University so, if you choose to take the full Tuition Fee Loan, you won’t have to set up any payments.

Maintenance Loan for living costs

You can apply for a Maintenance Loan towards your living costs such as accommodation, food and bills. This loan is means-tested, so the amount you receive is partially based on your household income and whether you choose to live at home or in student accommodation.

Find out more about government student loans for home students residing in England. Link opens in a new window

Home students residing outside of England

Find out more about student funding for home students residing outside of England. Link opens in a new window

EU students

If you’re starting a course on or after 1 August 2021, you usually must have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme Link opens in a new window to get student finance.

If you are an EU student and eligible for student finance you may be able to get a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your fees. It is non-means tested, which means the amount you may receive is not based on your household income. The Loan is paid directly to the University so, if you choose to take the full Tuition Fee Loan, you won't have to set up any payments.

Help with living costs

For the 2024 academic year, you may be eligible for help with your living costs if both of the following apply:

• You have lived in the UK for more than 3 years before the first day of the first academic year of your course
• You have Settled Status ( see further details on Settled Status) Link opens in a new window

If you are coming to the UK from 1st January 2021, you may need to apply for a visa Link opens in a new window to study here.

Please note: Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.

Find out more about government student loans for EU students Link opens in a new window

Repaying your loans

You will repay your loan or loans gradually once you are working and earning above a certain amount (for students starting their course after 1 August 2023 the repayment threshold is £25,000). Repayments will be taken directly from your salary if you are an employee. If your income falls below the earnings threshold, your repayments will stop until your income goes back up above this figure.

Find out more about repaying your student loan. Link opens in a new window

Your career

Where a Sociology and Criminology degree can take you:

• Professional roles in various national and international NGOs, civil society and charity organisations
• Civil service careers
• Researchers and research analysts for state and independent bodies
• Professions in various criminal justice institutions
• Accounting and Finance careers
• Academic careers and doctoral scholarships for further study
• Teaching Careers
• Social Work
• Careers and Employability Assistant
• Customer Representatives and HR Graduates
• Directorate Administrators
• Event Administrator
• Resident Tutors
• Management Trainees
• Marketing & Development Coordinators
• Senior Sales Consultants

Graduates have gone on to work for employers such as:

• Cambridge Judge Business School
• Centrica PLC, Choice
• Common Vision UK
• Girlguiding
• Hawkins Estate Agents
• Holmfirth Junior and Infants
• Imperial College London
• National Counties Building Society
• Oslo University Hospital
• Qualia Analytics
• Orange Tree

Helping you find the right career

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant to support you. They offer impartial advice and guidance, together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

• Working for More than Profit
• Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
• Your Sociological future: Sociology Alumni Evening
• My Sociological Future- What next? Career planning for undecided Sociology finalists
• Effective CVs and Applications

Find out more about careers support at Warwick .

Sociology at Warwick

We have an international reputation for research excellence, a global and cosmopolitan perspective, and high-quality teaching. Our curriculum offers a comprehensive and up-to-date foundation with a diverse range of specialist options:

What does it mean to understand the world in which you live? What will your contribution be to this changing world? How do your own experiences and life chances compare to those of others?

Sociology – the study of humans in society – attempts to capture the rich variety and complexity of human social life. Indeed, it is difficult to think of any area of social existence that a sociologist wouldn’t be interested in examining, from the most intimate of personal relationships to the worldwide circulation of ideas, beliefs, products and people.

Find out more about us on our website

Our courses

• Sociology (BA)
• Sociology and Criminology (BA)

Related degrees

• History and Sociology (BA)
• Law and Sociology (BA)
• Politics and Sociology (BA)
• Sociology and Global Sustainable Development (BASc)

Life at Warwick

Within a close-knit community of staff and students from all over the world, discover a campus alive with possibilities. A place where all the elements of your student experience come together in one place. Our supportive, energising, welcoming space creates the ideal environment for forging new connections, having fun and finding inspiration.

Accommodation

• Arts, Culture and Events
• Clubs and societies
• Food and drink
• Sports and Fitness
• Wellbeing support

Keep exploring life at Warwick

Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.

Warwick Accommodation

Finding the right accommodation is key to helping you settle in quickly.

We have a range of residences for undergraduate students on campus.

Explore Warwick Accommodation

You won't be short of ways to spend your time on campus - whether it's visiting Warwick Arts Centre, using our incredible new sports facilities, socialising in our bars, nightclub and cafés, or enjoying an open-air event. Or if you need some peace and quiet, you can explore lakes, woodland and green spaces just a few minutes’ walk from central campus.

Explore our campus

We have lots of cafés, restaurants and shops on campus. You can enjoy great quality food and drink, with plenty of choice for all tastes and budgets. There is a convenience store on central campus, as well as two supermarkets and a small shopping centre in the nearby Cannon Park Retail Park. Several of them offer delivery services to help you stay stocked up.

And don't miss our regular food market day on the Piazza with tempting, fresh and delicious street food. Soak up the atmosphere and try something new, with mouth-watering food for all tastes.

Explore food and shops

Explore Students' Union venues

We currently have more than 300 student-run societies.

So whether you’re into films, martial arts, astronomy, gaming or musical theatre, you can instantly connect with people with similar interests.

Or you could try something new, or even form your own society.

Explore our societies

Sports and fitness

Staying active at Warwick is no sweat, thanks to our amazing new Sports and Wellness Hub, indoor and outdoor tennis centre, 60 acres of sports pitches, and more than 60 sports clubs.

Whether you want to compete, relax or just have fun, you can achieve your fitness goals.

Explore sports at Warwick

Studying on campus

Our campus is designed to cater for all of your learning needs.

You will benefit from a variety of flexible, well-equipped study spaces and teaching facilities across the University.

• The Oculus, our outstanding learning hub, houses state-of-the-art lecture theatres and innovative social learning and network areas.
• The University Library provides access to over one million printed works and tens of thousands of electronic journals
• Different study spaces offering you flexible individual and group study spaces.

Studying at Warwick

Travel and local area

Our campus is in Coventry, a modern city with high street shops, restaurants, nightclubs and bars sitting alongside medieval monuments. The Warwickshire towns of Leamington Spa and Kenilworth are also nearby.

The University is close to major road, rail and air links. London is just an hour by direct train from Coventry, with Birmingham a 20-minute trip. Birmingham International Airport is nearby (a 20-minute drive).

Travelling from campus

Wellbeing support and faith provision

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• BA (Hons) Sociology and Criminology

This course is in Clearing

Offers from 72 tariff points

Call +44 (0)115 848 6000

Apply online

Sociology and Criminology BA (Hons)

• Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
• Typical Clearing offer: 72 UCAS tariff points
• UCAS Code(s): L314
• Start Date(s): September 2024
• Duration: Three years full-time
• Study Mode(s): Full-time
• Campus: City Campus

Find us on:

• Connect through Facebook
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Introduction:

In today’s world, social justice is essential in truly understanding and challenging inequalities within and beyond the Criminal Justice System. With this BA (Hons) Sociology and Criminology degree, you’ll see the world and the criminal justice system through a sociological lens. You’ll explore the issues that matter to you – empowering you to make meaningful change.

Sociology and criminology are distinct yet connected, which is why we’ve combined the insights of our BA Sociology and BA Criminology courses into one innovative, interdisciplinary degree. Moving beyond the content offered by these separate courses, the BA Sociology and Criminology degree includes bespoke modules. These modules challenge common images and explanations of crime, allowing you to interrogate justice and injustices in contemporary societies. Put simply, together we will turn the definition of justice on its head.

Studying with NTU, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to make you stand out and help shape future directions of policy and practice. You’ll challenge inequalities and enhance social justice within communities and organisations, allowing you to make a real difference in society – whether that's within the Criminal Justice System or in other areas such as education, the civil service or the third sector.

This is justice reimagined.

What you’ll study

Our BA (Hons) Sociology and Criminology combines theory and hands-on practice. We'll work with you to really get to grips with applying sociological and criminological knowledge to the real world. We'll explore gender equality, race and ethnicity, green criminology, social and criminal harms, and the impact of digital technologies. We’ll encourage you to step away from the preconceived ideas of crime and justice and apply your knowledge and skills in innovative ways to challenge injustices and help shape future directions.

With a diverse range of compelling modules, you can shape your learning and take the path that’ll guide your future career.

Here’s a breakdown of the core and optional modules you’ll be studying across your course:

Images of Crime and Criminal Justice (20 credit points)

• You’ll be introduced to the study of criminology by looking at images of crime and the criminal justice system.
• You’ll develop an awareness of how crime is represented and approached in terms of crime control across local, national and international contexts.
• You’ll be introduced to the concept of sustainability, and its relevance to criminology, images of crime and crime control.

Constructing Crime (20 credit points)

• You’ll learn how crime, deviance and victimisation are legally and socially constructed.
• You’ll consider what is crime? Who determines this? What role for morals and ethics? How do different stakeholders shape the conversation about crime and why does this matter?

Foundations of Social Theory (20 credit points)

• You’ll develop an understanding of early sociological thought on modern societies and the still pervasive ideas that arose from that thinking.
• You’ll appraise the ‘modernity thesis’ and its principal ideas emanating from classical sociological thought.
• You’ll describe and explain the ideas and themes of non-western approaches to the discussion of social life (e.g. Islamic and Southern Theory) and their critiques of Enlightenment sociology.

What is Society? (20 credit points)

• You’ll examine how a variety of social structures and institutions shape society.
• You’ll develop an understanding of the relationship between structure and agency.
• You’ll examine strategies which have been used for challenging structural inequalities.

Working Lives (20 credit points)

• You’ll be introduced to sociological approaches to the study of work and employment, by connecting a reflexive approach to your own experiences of work with an awareness of broad societal trends.
• You’ll engage with a range of sociological modes of enquiry, including academic literature, fictional and documentary films, and role-play.

Foundations of Social Research and Academic Practice (20 credit points)

• You’ll be provided with the foundations of social research and academic practice that you require to study effectively in higher education.
• You’ll search for and evaluate different kinds of evidence, from primary and secondary sources.
• You’ll develop effective self-management, improve communication and help you to gain an awareness of how effective study and learning skills promote lifelong learning.

Core modules

Reconceptualising sustainable justice (20 credit points).

• You’ll outline and evaluate current approaches to justice.
• You’ll explore the opportunities and challenges around reconceptualising justice.
• You’ll reflect on the ethics and sustainability of different/developing ideas around justice.

Explaining Crime (20 credit points)

• You’ll assess the merits of competing theories relevant to crime, victimisation and responses to crime, together with the role of criminology in society.
• You’ll explore developments in criminological thought through the lens of disciplines such as sociology, psychology, and criminology.

Constructing Modern Societies (20 credit points)

• You’ll further develop your understanding of the modern world by applying contemporary social theory.
• You’ll adopt a decolonial approach to knowledge through the introduction to global sociological perspectives.
• You’ll apply reflexivity and critical awareness skills in the real world by integrating sociological thought and practice.

Sociology and Service Learning (20 credit points)

• You’ll work with social and civic organisations seeking to make a difference in a wide range of contemporary social issues.
• You’ll apply your sociological thinking to real-world issues and problems, working with practitioners, academics and community members as ‘public sociologists’.
• You’ll develop your ‘disciplinary identity’ as a public sociologist through the application of theory to practice contributing positively to a social justice issue.

Applied Social Research (20 credit points)

• You’ll develop your understanding of research in the Social Sciences and learn how research skills are applied in pursuit of social knowledge.
• There is a strong emphasis on application to provide an opportunity to highlight your research skills by developing a research portfolio.
• You’ll learn about research design, qualitative and quantitative methods, data analysis and appropriate presentation of research findings.

Optional modules

Gender, sex and sexuality (20 credit points).

• You’ll be introduced to the theoretical, political and cultural perspectives of gender, sex and sexuality.
• You’ll differentiate and evaluate a range of sociological approaches to understanding concepts of gender, sex and sexuality.
• You’ll identify and construct accounts of contemporary practices around, and representations of gender within a historical social context.

Sociology of Consumption (20 credit points)

• You’ll identify the social, cultural, political, and economic significance of consumption practices.
• You’ll consider and critique differing meanings of consumption and a variety of sociological and related theories that account for its significance.
• You’ll situate consumption practices within a broader analysis of capitalism, past and present, considering its social divisions and inequalities.

The Body in Society (20 credit points)

• You’ll explore how aspects of the human body relate to the social organisation of everyday life from a sociological perspective.
• You’ll consider the body in sociology through a focus on key theoretical perspectives relating to embodiment, and research addressing related issues.
• You’ll develop an understanding of the range of social and cultural factors that make the body more central to the contemporary self.

Sociology of Education (20 credit points)

• You’ll develop an understanding of the evolution of formal education, focusing particularly on policy developments designed to combat educational inequality.
• You’ll explore the sociological characteristics of lifelong learning and how these influence individual ‘learning careers’.
• You’ll reflect on your own ‘learning career’ as part of your ongoing career development.

Religion, Nonreligion and Everyday Belief (20 credit points)

• You’ll be introduced to some of the major discussions within the sociology of religion (e.g. concerning secularisation, individualisation and fundamentalism).
• You’ll consider contemporary debates concerning religion/spirituality (e.g. around issues of gender, sexuality, freedom of speech and violence).
• You’ll explore the role of religion/spirituality in the lives of believers and faith communities.

Politics and Social Justice (20 credit points)

• You’ll gain a critical understanding of how sociologists have studied political phenomena.
• You’ll examine a range of sociological approaches towards the state, society and power.
• You’ll engage political sociology in the analysis of contemporary politics, policy areas, and social justice.

Digital Culture and Society (20 credit points)

• You'll develop an understanding of contemporary sociological perspectives in which the impact of technologies is an integral focus.
• You’ll evaluate social transition in relation to technological developments.
• You’ll develop critical skills in evaluating and developing digital content.

Theorising Contemporary Society (20 credit points)

• You’ll gain an understanding of contemporary sociological theory by demonstrating its usefulness in helping us to understand issues and social practices in contemporary society.
• You’ll critically reflect upon key concepts and emphases of contemporary sociological thought.
• You’ll identify both similarities and differences between issues in classical sociological theory and issues found in contemporary sociological theory.

Research Project (40 credit points)

• You’ll bring together your learning across your degree into a sustained piece of independent learning which can be delivered in the format of a dissertation or a research-based report for a local organisation.
• You’ll be supported with one-to-one supervision from a member of academic staff.
• You’ll develop analytical and presentation skills for future employability.

Sociology of Work and Career (20 credit points)

• You’ll make explicit sociological links between ‘work’ and ‘career’ – where the concept of ‘career’ will enable you to understand how work relates to other activities undertaken through the life course (e.g. volunteering, formal and informal learning, leisure.)
• You’ll apply career development theory as a means of understanding your personal experiences of ‘work’ and ‘career’.
• You’ll engage with formative and summative assessment opportunities that serve to facilitate your career and personal development.

Sociology of Harm (20 credit points)

• You’ll interrogate social harm as a lens through which to understand and explain injustices in contemporary society.
• You’ll take a broad sociological approach to (in)justice, moving beyond individualistic, legalistic, and traditional criminological explanations.
• You’ll develop a critical appreciation of crime, the possibility of agency and importantly new and emerging social justice insights.

Environmental Justice (20 credit points)

• You’ll cover a range of sociological theories which have come to underpin the developing area of environmental sociology, and explore how they help us understand and respond sustainably to major social and environmental challenges of today.
• You’ll adopt a reflexive sociological standpoint towards how environmental change can be explained and addressed.
• You’ll develop transferrable and applied knowledge and skills and apply these to address environmental justice in contemporary policy, social practices and institutions.

Race, Culture and Society (20 credit points)

• You’ll critically analyse the construction of ‘race’, racial identity and racism in a historical and contemporary context.
• You’ll use sociological perspectives to investigate the relationship between ‘race’, other social identities and contemporary social issues including decolonisation.
• You’ll explore the contestability of apparently fixed concepts like ‘race’ ethnicity, culture and identity in order to understand how ‘race’, racism and colonial logic feature in contemporary social policy.

Cities and Urban Life (20 credit points)

• You’ll examine a range of social, political, economic and cultural issues and theoretical perspectives within an urban context.
• You’ll gain an appreciation of global sociology, by integrating perspectives on urbanism and urbanization derived from beyond Europe and North America.
• You’ll critically reflect upon your own urban experience of living and/or studying in Nottingham.

Popular Culture (20 credit points)

• You’ll expand your understanding of the social and political, to questions of power which shape our everyday experiences and the cultural representations of the world in which we live.
• You’ll be provided with the theoretical resources to critically analyse a range of cultural texts, including screen and other media cultures, youth cultures, and fashion, as well as the everyday experience of the home, sites of consumption, sport and leisure.
• You’ll draw on a wide range of theoretical traditions and empirical case studies from around the world, including cinematic, TV and musical traditions.

Identities and Intimacies (20 credit points)

• You’ll develop your understanding of the construction and management of personal and social identities in contemporary western society, and globally through the lens of personal life.
• You'll explore sociological approaches to the study of intimacy, sex, and love and their relevance to contemporary discussions of well-being.
• You’ll analyse a variety of contemporary close and personal relationships (e.g. marriage, family, friendship, sexual partners) across cultures and traditions.

Media & Crime (20 credit points)

• This module will help you develop a critical understanding of theories that shape the connections between criminology and media studies.
• You’ll discover distinct approaches and representations of crime by mass and new media.
• You’ll explore current issues faced by the media, such as discussions about fake news and how the media approach criminal and antisocial behaviours.

Gender & Crime (20 credit points)

• You’ll explore the theoretical links between gender, crime, justice and the socio-historical context in which these theories emerged.
• You’ll critically assess classical and contemporary feminist criminological perspectives.
• You’ll critically evaluate the debates surrounding the differential treatment of women and men in the Criminal Justice System as victims, offenders and/or professionals.

Cultural Criminology (20 credit points)

• You’ll explore the limitations of existing orthodox explanations of crime, deviance and transgression.
• You’ll understand the relationship of cultural criminology within a broader criminological theoretical landscape.

Crime, Race & Empire (20 credit points)

• You’ll develop an understanding of the relationship between punishment and society in colonial contexts and a familiarity with non-westernised perspectives of justice and punishment.
• You’ll develop a critical awareness of historical resistance to punishment.
• You’ll critically apply post and decolonial critiques of crime and punishment.

Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves

Student profiles, jermaine tchama.

Sociology is a course that makes you think a lot about yourself and the world around you, especially in times like these where there is a lot of political and social turmoil which is one of the reasons, I decided to take it.

Harriet Argyle

I have felt so supported by the lecturers and I have found real success within my passions. I cannot recommend this place enough, it has been truly life changing.

Charlotte Hateley

I wanted to learn about the power of media and religion, and the institutions that constitute society - then further develop that into employment.

No results were found

How you’re taught

To make sure you get the most out of your time at university, you'll receive contact time through a diverse range of delivery methods.

Structured teaching will be delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and computer room sessions. The smaller group seminars and workshops provide opportunities to develop problem solving skills, group working, analysis, debating skills, presentation skills and discussion about a wide range of views.

Tutorials with staff

As the relationship between students and tutors is an important one you can expect to have lots of direct contact and support through seminars and one-to-one tutorials. At these sessions you'll have the opportunity to:

• discuss and gain feedback about your work
• ask questions about the projects you're working on
• raise any difficulties you are experiencing relating to your work, personal circumstances or your university experience.

Independent study

Independent study is an important part of this course. Throughout the three years of your course the scheduled contact hours you receive will gradually decrease as you develop the skills required to undertake an independent study or dissertation in your final year. You'll still have regular contact with your tutors and if necessary ad hoc tutorials can be arranged.

Virtual learning environment

You'll also use our virtual learning environment, NOW, which is a flexible web-based system that allows you to have 24-hour access to module learning materials and reading lists. It allows you to discuss work with tutors and other students, and submit coursework electronically from anywhere in the world.

Learning from experts

You'll be taught by enthusiastic, engaged and expert staff. The courses all draw upon their expertise, research interests and experience and many have also published textbooks in their specialist area of interest. You'll develop specialist knowledge based on the teams expertise in several areas including:

• gender and sexuality
• race and ethnicity
• religion and spirituality
• digital media
• urban sociology
• work and career
• human rights
• environmental justice and sustainability.

Learn a new language

Alongside your study you also have the opportunity to learn a new language. The University Language Programme (ULP) is available to all students and gives you the option of learning a totally new language or improving the skills you already have. Learning a new language can:

• enhance your communication skills
• enrich your experience when travelling abroad
• boost your career prospects.

Find out more about the University Language Programme .

How will I be assessed?

The majority of your work will be assessed through coursework-based essays, reports and a final year research-based dissertation. You'll also be assessed through a combination of formal examinations and practical assessments such as group and individual presentations and portfolios. The portfolio includes material demonstrating the student journey over three years to 'becoming a professional sociologist'.

All work placement learning is assessed by essays or presentations, not upon how you perform in the work placement itself.

In response to student feedback the University have introduced a policy ensuring marked work is returned to you electronically within three weeks of submission.

Contact hours

• Year 1 lectures/seminars/workshops (22%), independent study (78%)
• Year 2 lectures/seminars/workshops (22%), independent study (78%)
• Year 3 lectures/seminars/workshops (17%), independent study (83%)

Staff Profiles

Claire markham - senior lecturer.

School of Social Sciences

Nick Foard - Principal Lecturer

How you’re assessed.

• Year 1 coursework (67%), written (25%), exams (8%)
• Year 2 coursework (55%), written (37%), exams (8%)
• Year 3 coursework (58%), written (33%), exams (8%)

Careers and employability

The job titles below give an indication of the careers our recent Sociology and Criminology graduates are following:

• Housing and Welfare Officers
• Charity Officers
• Local Government
• Social Researchers
• Events Management
• Human Resource Managers
• Public Relations Professionals
• Education Professionals.

Excellent work experience opportunities

Employability is integral to this course and the modules it offers, helping you to develop a range of vital transferable skills that employers demand.

From your first year this course will help you to develop skills for career development. You will gain opportunities to complete project work for a local, national or international organisation and acquire valuable experience by working in collaboration with one of our community partners on a social justice project. Such experiences will provide the opportunity to apply sociological knowledge gained from the degree as well as gaining important transferable skills that will be desired by future work, voluntary and educational organisations.

Your career development

This is a major part of this course. You'll develop key transferable skills, including:

• communication
• time management
• problem-solving
• teamworking
• the ability to retrieve, manipulate and present information.

You'll also have the opportunity to develop links with relevant organisations and potential employers.

This course opens up careers in a wide range of fields in the public and private sectors. You may be keen to pursue a career in:

• Public relations
• Criminal Justice Professionals (Police, Probation, Courts)
• Welfare professionals within and beyond the Criminal Justice System
• Professionals in charity organisations
• Teaching/Educational professionals
• Civil Service professionals (local, national, international)
• Human Resources.

You may need to complete further training for some of these roles.

You may also consider studying a postgraduate sociology course to continue the intellectual curiosity and imagination the BA (Hons) Sociology will have fostered.

Our Employability team

We have a dedicated Employability team located on the City Campus. The team are well placed to give you specialist guidance and practical help that will really make a difference to your prospects once you do graduate.

Campus and facilities

As a Social Sciences student you will have easy access to the fantastic facilities in the Chaucer and Taylor buildings, including:

• lecture theatres and teaching classrooms
• open access PCs and secure wireless points
• study areas and social spaces
• Chaucer café, serving drinks and light snacks
• our School of Social Sciences reception, providing you with easy access to our helpful and friendly support staff.

IT resources

Our  IT resource rooms and PC clusters are distributed across the City Campus, with PCs providing access to:

• Microsoft Office
• web browsing
• networked file storage
• high-speed online printing services

The University’s main resource room in the library is available 24 hours a day.

Book and library resources

In our  library  you will have access to an extensive and diverse range of books and periodicals that focus on specialist areas within Criminology. The library's OneSearch system provides access to all our:

• electronic resources

We have a liaison librarian who is available to give you detailed help in finding and using print and electronic resources. They can also help you with things such as Harvard referencing and research skills.

City location

The location of the City Campus also means that you have easy access to:

• sports facilities
• student accommodation
• music venues

Entry requirements

• International

Looking for a place in Clearing? We are accepting applications and would love to hear from you!

Clearing requirements

From 72 UCAS tariff points from up to 4 qualifications.

To discuss our entry requirements and see what we can offer you, call us now on +44 (0)115 848 6000 . Alternatively, if you already have your qualifications,  apply online via our Clearing Application form .

Additional Requirements

Other qualifications and experience.

We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our  Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.

Meeting our entry requirements

Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS tariff points attached to specific grades, including A levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to four different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.

Getting in touch

If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form

International qualifications

We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:

• Entry requirements by country

English language entry requirements

You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:

• English language requirements
• Pre-sessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP)

Undergraduate preparation courses (Foundation)

If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Foundation courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:

• Foundation courses leading to undergraduate study at NTU

Advanced standing (starting your undergraduate degree in year 2 or 3)

You may be able to start your undergraduate course in year 2 or 3 based on what you have studied before. This decision would be made in accordance with our  Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy.

Would you like some advice on your study plans?

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.

• Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.

Fees and funding

Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our  fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.

For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.

Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494

Additional Costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the  IT equipment across our campuses .

Library books

Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.

Field trips

All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.

If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.

Print and copy costs

The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website .

Tuition fees for September 2024 entry

Tuition fees are payable for each year that you are at the University. The level of tuition fees for the second and subsequent years of your undergraduate course may increase in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government. Visit our  fees page  for more information.

Scholarships

We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.

• International Scholarships

Living costs

Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:

• Managing your money

Paying fees

Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:

• How and when to pay your fees

Students completing the four year degree may choose to apply for a study abroad option instead of a work placement (or a mixture of study abroad and work placement) during the third year of the course. If successful, students will be expected to pay for accommodation, travel and living costs whilst on study abroad/placement. Travel grants may be available to help fund international travel costs.

The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the  Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.

How to apply

Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.

Writing your application and personal statement

Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. So include all of your qualifications and grades, including resits or predicted grades.

Your personal statement is a really important part of your application. It’s your chance to convince us why we should offer you a place! You’ve got 4,000 characters to impress us. Make sure you use them to show how your skills and qualities are relevant to the course(s) you’re applying for. For more hints and tips, take a look at our page on how to write a good personal statement .

Keeping up-to-date

After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page. Good luck with your application!

You can apply for this course through UCAS . If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on our NTU applicant portal .

Application advice

Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example.  After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

• Follow our guide to the application process

Writing your personal statement

Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:

• Advice on writing a good personal statement

The University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised .

Keeping up to date

After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

Good luck with your application!

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Psychology with Sociology

The BSc (Hons) Psychology with Sociology degree is a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited course that combines comprehensive training in psychology with the study of the structure and dynamics of social systems and society as a whole.

Take the next steps:

Our 5 top tips, what we’re looking for and a step-by step guide on applying to an undergraduate course at NTU through UCAS.

Everything you need to know about fees and funding while you’re at university, including tuition fees and living costs, how you’ll pay for your studies, and bursaries and scholarships.

Accommodation

We make accommodation easy. Our halls of residence are secure, inclusive of all bills, and within easy reach of campuses and amenities, giving you more time to focus on your studies, settling in, and making friends.

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• Is sociology and social work undergraduate female dominated
• course choice criminal justice w forensic psychology/crim w psych
• Weird A-level combination :(
• criminology at uni

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Sociology & social policy personal statement example.

I have been deeply interested in the influences of the social environment that we live in, and how actions of individuals can affect society. As a result I jumped at the chance to study Sociology at A-level. My interest in social policy was sparked during a lecture, given by social workers from Wigan Council who gave us an insightful talk on the subject of domestic violence. I found it personally very shocking to learn not only about the statistics around women being abused, but also the increasing numbers of men suffering emotional and physical abuse by their partners. This prompted me to discover more about policies on domestic abuse and other areas that occur in society today. Sociology is a important subject to study as it looks at the components and institutions of society, and how they fit together.

I enjoy current affairs and am keen to understand social policy. During the recent Syrian refugee crisis, it has amazed me how the government turned a humanitarian refugee crisis, into an insular argument about the need to keep Britain free of a "swarm" of migrants. It'll be interesting to see how they tackle this and whether we can help refugees more effectively. The combination of all three of my A-levels has helped me to consider the legal, moral and ethical basis of current social policy in Britain, and also helped me gain skills such as essay writing, thinking critically and being analytical, which will guide me in my studies through degree level. So far, I have studied Families and the Household, Education, and Religion. I've particularly enjoyed studying the module on Families as we researched childhood and the creation of the concept of childhood throughout the years. I have felt somewhat sympathetic towards the Conflict perspective. They claim that there are massive inequalities between children in terms of the risks that they face, as many children today remain unprotected and badly cared for.

The March of Progress' view that the experience of children has improved, and that society has become increasingly child centred does make sense, however I am worried that they ignore the fact that not all children benefit from the protections and services put in place, and that many countries still do not separate children from adults. I am deeply interested in the perspective of Feminism as it shows that women still face assumptions that fail to be recognised are sexist. These range from views that the woman should take the traditional role and look after the family, whilst the male should provide for the family; to the view that women are portrayed negatively as a result of religious belief. I would like to learn more about feminism and current and proposed social policies, so that I can gain deeper insights.

Outside of my studies, I have volunteered at the local play scheme and highlighted to staff the extra needs of a special needs child that had been overlooked. I was awarded a leadership certificate for this intervention. I have a keen interest in the rights of children and in disabled children in particular. This has come out of a personal experience of having an severely autistic twin brother. I have observed first- hand how my parents have had to advocate for my brother within a system that seems determined to make as many barriers as possible for him to access the support that he needs, so I feel very passionate that disabled people need to be less marginalised in our society. I believe that it is very important to help others and that I hope to pursue extra curricular activities at university in order to discover new interests. I help to support my studies with a part time job at a restaurant and recently received a positive energy award from the company for my contribution to the business. Altogether, I am a hard -working, reliable and analytical student and believe that college has prepared me for university. I look forward to gaining a deeper knowledge of the dynamics of sociology and social policy.

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