Criminology and Youth Justice BA (Hons)

Undergraduate

Uncover the causes of crime, learn to prevent and investigate it, and develop practical skills for a meaningful career working with children and young people affected by crime.

Course option

Degree with foundation year

Year of entry

2026-27 2027-28

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

UCAS codes

L601

Start date

September 2027
November 2027
January 2028
March 2028
May 2028
July 2028

How to apply

Book an Open Day

Download a prospectus

Your UCAS Guide

Course overview

Crime and youth justice impact individuals and communities worldwide. This course aims to equip you with essential knowledge and practical skills to support young people affected by crime, whether as suspects, victims or witnesses. Blending criminal justice with safeguarding, education and wellbeing, this course should prepare you for a career in rehabilitation and prevention.

Bridge theory and practice: apply key criminological and forensic theories to real-world challenges, engaging with current debates and pressing issues in the field.
Stay ahead of the curve: explore and critically evaluate the latest developments in crime and criminal justice management at local and global levels.
Think creatively, act impactfully: develop innovative solutions to complex issues within criminology and the wider criminal and youth justice system, preparing you for a dynamic range of career options.

Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2026

Why you should study this course

Project-based learning: actively engage in real-world, meaningful projects. Work on complex problems, create tangible solutions and develop essential skills, such as critical thinking, collaboration and communication.
Beyond the classroom: learn the skills involved in educating young people in settings such as secure schools, young offenders’ institutions and pupil referral units.
Global perspective, real-world skills: explore youth justice systems and rehabilitation using international and comparative approaches, with a focus on transnational and border criminology.
Contemporary curriculum: examine the links between crime, punishment and mental health. This course takes a child-first, trauma-informed approach to understanding the health and wellbeing of children and young people in youth justice settings.
Build your experience: develop the knowledge and skills to safeguard children and young people from criminal exploitation, reduce crime, tackle violence and anti-social behaviour, and create better futures within safer communities.

What you'll study

Your first year is shared with students from closely related courses. This approach allows you to learn alongside other disciplines, broaden your perspective and develop strong collaboration skills from the very start.

The common first year also offers flexibility. If you discover a stronger interest in another subject area, you may have the opportunity to transfer to a related course at the end of the year, subject to meeting progression requirements.

Common first year courses:

Criminology BA (Hons)
Criminology and Forensic Investigations BA (Hons)
Criminology and Law BA (Hons)
Criminology and Psychology BA (Hons)
Criminology and Youth Justice BA (Hons)

Modules

The Psychology of Criminal Behaviour – 30 credits

This module examines criminal behaviour through criminological and psychological theories, exploring decision-making, rationalisation and criminogenic risk factors. Key concepts include social identity, cognitive development and self-regulation. You will critically assess various perspectives, evaluating their strengths and limitations in explaining offending and societal responses to crime.

Compulsory

The Criminal Justice System – 30 credits

This module introduces the English legal system, focusing on sources of law, criminal justice institutions and legal personnel. You will critically explore the wider contextual landscape of the law, examining key issues like truth, justice and the rule of law. This module also introduces key legal research skills, particularly the retrieval and use of appropriate primary and secondary legal sources.

Compulsory

Crime Patterns and Analysis – 30 credits

This module introduces you to different types of criminal activity, with a focus on the relationships between types of crimes, offenders and representations in the media. You will examine patterns and trends relating to violence, acquisitive crimes, public order offences and organised crime, and consider how globalisation and technological development may impact these forms of criminal activities.

Compulsory

Principles of Investigation: Theory and Practice – 30 credits

This module is designed to introduce you to investigative concepts, issues and approaches. You will learn about the nature of formal investigations, the focus of investigations, investigative mindset, methods, processes, management and accountability that govern investigations. This module aims to help you get a theoretical and practical understanding of the development of investigative practices and how investigations are administered.

Compulsory

Modules

Policing – 30 credits

This module introduces you to key issues relating to policing democratic societies, including a critical evaluation of the relationships among the police, the state and the citizen. It aims to assess the independence of the police and their interdependence within the wider criminal justice system. This module will also explore concepts such as consensus, legitimacy and accountability in relation to policing practice. Topics to be debated range from policing protest and disorder to the role of the media in representing the police.

Compulsory

Youth, Crime and Justice – 30 credits

Develop your understanding of a range of perspectives within youth justice work. Explore sociological concepts of childhood and youth and the criminological issues associated with both life stages. Examine how youth crime is dealt with as a social and criminological problem. Through discussion of recent research, legislation and policy action, you will critically consider the response of the criminal justice agencies to youth crime, the wider debates over the age of criminal responsibility and welfare versus justice approaches.

Compulsory

The Health and Wellbeing of Children and Young People – 30 credits

Understand the health (physical and psychological) challenges that children and young people face today. Explore the services that address these needs within the UK and globally to gain an understanding of health prevention, intervention and promotion. This module will consider theoretical models of health and examine their implications for practitioners.

Compulsory

Special and Inclusive Education – 30 credits

This module will critically explore theoretical perspectives and models of disability, aimed at enhancing your understanding of special and inclusive education. You will have the opportunity to examine the different approaches to special educational needs (SEN) and learn about relevant research, theories, policies, legislation and practices. This module will also analyse UK and international policy frameworks and practical considerations for supporting the inclusion of students with SEN and/or disabilities in education.

You will also critically examine theoretical perspectives of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their impact on practice across diverse services for children and young people. Explore the role of key stakeholders, including education and youth justice, in identifying, supporting and addressing SEND. Engage with policy, legislation and inclusive practices in the UK and internationally.

Compulsory

A placement year² provides optional first-hand industry experience and helps you discover where your skills and interests truly lie. Taken between your second and final years, it allows you to step into a professional environment, apply your learning and gain valuable insight into your chosen sector.

By spending an extended period in industry, you should develop confidence, build professional networks and strengthen the transferable skills that employers value most. This experience offers a powerful way to explore career paths and return to your final year with real-world expertise and a clearer sense of direction.

Key opportunities

Complete an approved work placement: gain practical experience aligned with your course and career ambitions, typically lasting at least 26 weeks.
Reflect on professional development: recognise and document the specific skills, knowledge and experience you gain during your time in industry.
Broaden your global perspective: optionally undertake an international work or study placement to experience a different professional or cultural context.

While this optional year is non-credit-bearing, successful completion ensures your experience is formally recognised on your final degree certificate to showcase your expertise to future employers.

Students sponsored by the University who opt for an international work placement must ensure they comply with the UKVI immigration regulations and should contact us for further guidance.

Modules

Psychological Interventions and Evidence-based Practice – 30 credits

Gain a deep understanding of children's and young people's psychological development across various practice settings. Apply psychological interventions informed by theory and research to promote growth. Module content covers both traditional and contemporary psychological theories, guiding you through educational contexts. Key topics include conformity, self-identity, social understanding and prejudice, as well as current interventions that support learning and development globally.

Compulsory

Digital Technology and Crime – 30 credits

This module explores the evolution of technology-based crime and deviance, including cybercrime, cyber harm and the emerging role of artificial intelligence in criminality. You will evaluate the use of contemporary technology by the criminal justice system, with a focus on controversial investigative and preventative methods and legislation.

Compulsory

Victimology – 30 credits

This module focuses on political, social, cultural and popular constructions of victims of crime and wider social harms. It places critical focus on the victimisation experiences of marginalised social groups, demonstrating that certain individuals and groups are more readily ascribed victim status than others. You will consider how technology and global insecurity affect the way people experience being victims of crimes today on an international scale.

Compulsory

Innovation, Creativity and Leadership – 30 credits

Develop an understanding of global challenges and explore solutions through innovation and creativity, focusing on services for children and young people. Learn to critically assess ways to address inequalities such as gender, ethnicity and poverty. Real-world examples highlight successful strategies for positive change, helping you to develop skills and knowledge in social responsibility, global competence and diversity and inclusion.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content to keep it relevant and current for our students. Consequently, we may update modules to reflect the latest industry standards.

How you'll learn

Learn through hands-on activities and real-world examples, using the same approaches professionals use in the field. It’s all about helping you build the skills you need to feel confident and prepared for your future career.

Teaching methods may include:

interactive lectures that may be delivered online or face-to-face
seminars involving small groups working on problems or holding discussions and debates about issues arising in the lecture
workshops involving a combination of content delivery and group work
working together on projects to help develop critical skills such as problem-solving, teamwork and creative thinking
simulations, enabling you to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching contact hours and guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average, you will have between 12 and 15 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the option to attend additional sessions, including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You will be digging deeper into topics, reviewing what you’ve learnt and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress to the end of your studies, you’ll spend more time on independent learning.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods, including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods may include for example:

writing exercises such as essays, reports, policy reviews and briefings
live simulations and reflective journals about them
group and individual presentations
posters and infographics
problem-solving scenarios such as case studies
podcasts, academic posters and vlogs.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

Requirement	What we're looking for
UCAS points	112
A level	BBC excludes General Studies
GCSE	GCSE maths and English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards
BTEC	DMM
T level	Overall grade of Merit in the T level qualification in any subject.
IB Diploma	27 points
Access Diploma	The Access to HE Diploma in a Science, Social Science or Health subject to include 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction. Plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

Contextual/Fair Access Offers

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Offer, you could automatically receive a contextual offer which is 16 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Offer.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 overall (with at least 5.5 in each component area)

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Not got the required grades? We offer this degree with an integrated foundation year.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK	2027/28 fees TBC 2026/27 fees: £9,790 per year	Not available
International	2027/28 fees TBC 2026/27 fees: £17,600 per year	Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement² or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee³ to cover your academic support throughout your placement year. Students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2028/29 will pay £1,575 if they are paying UK fees, or £1,900 if they are paying international fees.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the table above for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with the Retail Price Index (RPI), a UK measure of inflation that tracks changes in the cost of living.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement or study abroad year, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2028/29. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above RPI.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) you may be charged the tuition fees in force at the time you take that additional period of study, and/or in line with any legislative changes that apply at that time.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad) which may include costs of travel, accommodation, equipment or uniform required for the placement and any visa-related costs.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We assess your fee status using the information in your application. This status determines your tuition fees and the scholarships or financial support you can get. The Department for Education sets the rules for who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees in England.

The regulations list which students can pay the home fee rate. Because these rules are complex, the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides fee status guidance to help you find the right category. If you meet all the criteria for one category, your institution must charge you the home rate.

Facilities

Take a virtual tour

Prison cells

Two furnished cells, one simulating a prison cell, and one simulating a custody cell, allow you to role-play real-life situations and put yourself in the shoes of prisoners and prison/police staff. Prisoner artwork is also on display.

Lanchester Library

The library is usually open 364 days a year. It’s where you can access your course’s specialist Academic Liaison Librarian. It’s also home to specialist teams which can support you with your academic writing and maths and statistics questions.

The Hub

The Hub is the centre of student life on campus. Facilities include a food court, convenience store, multi-faith centre, medical centre, hairdresser, coffee shops and the Your SU offices. It has fully licensed function spaces and a bar.

Facilities are subject to availability⁴. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

You should develop a broad range of highly valued skills to reflect the changing and dynamic needs of industry, including exceptional communication, project planning, critical thinking and analysis, problem-solving, and powerful presentation and listening skills.

On successful completion of the course, you should be a globally and interculturally aware graduate ready to make a dynamic difference in the world. You could find yourself working in the following types of roles:

Youth justice worker
Criminal justice policy officer
Crime reduction educational campaign coordinator
Policy officer or analyst
Youth offending team officer
Education welfare officer
Domestic abuse support worker
Youth offender rehabilitation support worker.

The graduate destinations listed above illustrate potential career paths. You may need to gain additional qualifications or practical experience, pass professional examinations, complete training, cover associated costs and meet specific visa or immigration requirements to secure employment in these fields.

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How to apply

BA (Hons) with foundation year

Apply via UCAS

C85

Institution code

View our courses on UCAS

Visit UCAS

UK students

You can now register and start your application in your UCAS Hub. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply

How to apply

Apply via UCAS

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 6565

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

International students

International codes:
CASU004

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.

You can also download our International mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 6565

ioadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

Disclaimers

Coventry University, Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations, partnerships and memberships

Some of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the University maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. Before seeking an overseas placement, read our visa advice page.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first academic year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year.

For UK (home) students, if the Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees annually but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (for example to repeat a year or resit examinations) you may be charged the tuition fees in force at the time you take that additional period of study, and/or in line with any legislative changes that apply at that time.

⁴Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised. Availability and access may be reduced or restricted when the University is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders or internal health and safety requirements.

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the University. A copy of the current 2025/26 contract is available for information purposes only. The 2027/28 contract will apply to the 2027/28 intakes and may differ from the current version. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the University will owe to you. You should read the applicable Student Contract carefully before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the University.