Criminology BA (Hons)

Undergraduate

Close-up of a circular gold metal lock and a circular metal piece above

How does crime impact our society, politics, and individual lives? How can crime be prevented? This course aims to provide you with a comprehensive overview of these questions and how you can make a positive impact.

Course option

Degree with foundation year

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

UCAS codes

L370

Start date

September 2025

How to apply

Book an Open Day

Download a prospectus

Course overview

Criminology is a fascinating subject that helps us to understand the complex causes and impacts of serious crimes such as murder, human trafficking, and international terrorism.

On this course, we strive to produce graduates equipped for rewarding careers within criminal justice and beyond, including crime investigation and prevention; public protection; offender management and rehabilitation; intelligence; and witness / victim services. We are proud of our teaching quality and student support, reflected in Coventry University’s gold standard for teaching excellence. Our highly experienced academic staff are actively engaged in research, publication, and real-world practice, bringing cutting-edge developments directly to the course content (staff may be subject to change).

You will:

connect important theoretical viewpoints to current problems and discussions, applying these theories in real-world situations
analyse and evaluate new developments and topics related to crime, the management of crime and the criminal justice system, both at the local and global levels
use imaginative and innovative approaches to address issues related to crime and the criminal justice system.

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 2025

Why you should study this course

Gain a global perspective of crime and compare different methods and ideologies.
Develop the practical skills required for graduate employment in criminal justice roles.
Study a range of different aspects of the criminal justice system, how crime can be studied and its impacts.
Expert speakers² from agencies involved in criminal justice complement and contextualise your understanding (subject to availability)
Collaborate with students in different disciplines to add breadth to your learning.
Our authentic prison cells will enhance critical understanding of punishment and control.

My experience of studying Criminology at Coventry University has been exceptional. Even during the unprecedented pandemic in which we had to switch to online learning, my course was able to efficiently improvise to continue to deliver remarkable and fascinating content.
Bradlee Subhan, third year Criminology BA (Hons) student, quoted in 2022

What you'll study

This course has a common first year.

The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Common first year courses

Criminology BA (Hons)
Criminology and Law BA (Hons)
Criminology and Psychology BA (Hons)

Your first year aims to give you a thorough grounding in the study of crime, criminal behaviour, justice, and the law in a global context. Working alongside students from Criminology and Law and Criminology and Psychology, you will not only seek to develop the knowledge you need to progress in your degree, but also be encouraged to think critically about the issues, see crime from legal and moral viewpoints, and be creative in finding solutions to problems.

Modules

Investigative Practice – 20 credits

This module is designed to introduce you to basic investigative concepts, issues and approaches. The focus is on the nature of formal investigation, what investigation focuses upon, investigative mindset, the methods, processes, management and accountability that govern investigators and investigations. The module aims to equip you with a theoretical and practical understanding of the development of investigative practices and how investigations are administered.

Compulsory

Criminal Behaviour – 20 credits

This module explores criminal behaviour in the context of a range of criminal activities and events drawing on key criminological and psychological theoretical perspectives. You will examine different concepts and how individuals can impact their criminal behaviour. These concepts can include social identity, cognitive development, self-regulation and free will. You will be expected to develop a critical awareness of the advantages and disadvantages of the different theories and perspectives in terms of their power to explain criminal behaviour.

Compulsory

Criminal Justice – 20 credits

This module introduces and evaluates criminal justice systems and the roles of legal personnel. It will provide you with an insight into the sources, institutions, and structures of the English legal system by comparing it to similar cases. You should be able to develop a critical awareness of the wider political and social context in which the law operates, and the principles and values underpinning legal systems. Concepts of truth, justice and jurisdiction will be discussed. This module also highlights increasing challenges to national and international criminal justice systems in defining, preventing, and prosecuting criminal acts that increasingly occur at a transnational level.

Compulsory

Crime Typologies – 20 credits

This module aims to equip you with a grounded knowledge of different types of criminal activity, with a particular focus on the relationship between types of crimes, criminals, and representations in the media. It will examine patterns and trends of violence, acquisitive crimes, public order offences, and organised crime and consider the impact of globalisation and technological development on the nature of these types of offences. It will also encourage you to think critically regarding methods of measuring crime.

Compulsory

Forensic Mental Health – 20 credits

This module offers a critical and theoretical exploration of the intersection between mental health, crime, and justice. The module draws on theory from across disciplinary boundaries including criminology, psychology, sociology, and forensic psychiatry to analyse the relationship between serious mental illness, violence, victimization, and (in)justice.

Compulsory

Legal Approaches to Crime – 20 credits

This module introduces you to the practice of researching and formulating structured ideas about criminal law cases. It focuses on legal investigation research in terms of methods, processes, and skills for finding information about crimes, particularly the retrieval and use of primary and secondary legal sources. Emphasis will be placed on the links between theory, policy, and practice and preparing you for assessing their impact on criminal law issues. You will be encouraged to develop a critical and evaluative approach to the issues raised.

Compulsory

In your second year you will continue to build on your knowledge and understanding of crime and criminal justice by looking deeper at key institutions, such as youth crime and justice, policing, and systems of punishment. You will also be introduced to the concept of victimology, as well as cybercrime and security, a major feature of our contemporary online world. Finally, you will begin preparing for your final year research project by exploring methods and processes for researching crime.

Modules

Researching Crime – 20 credits

The aim of this module is to develop your knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice involved in researching crime. You will be provided with the tools to develop your own thoughts and ideas about criminological matters, review criminological literature, plan and conduct research, and present research outcomes to diverse audiences. In addition, you will acquire digital literacy and transferable skills that will be benefit you in other learning and employment environments.

Compulsory

Victims and Victimology – 20 credits

This module focuses on political, social, cultural, and popular constructions of victims of crime and wider social harms. The module places particular 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 affects the way people experience being victims of crimes today on an international scale.

Compulsory

Cybersecurity and Crime Prevention – 20 credits

This module considers motivations, opportunities and solutions for crime involving digital media in the information age. Types of criminal activity will be explored at individual and state levels, from cyber-criminals, such as hackers, to cyber-warfare involving insurgency and terrorism. You will critically evaluate policies and methods of prevention, and areas of debate relating to surveillance and security in tackling cybercrime.

Compulsory

Youth Crime and Justice – 20 credits

The aim of this module is to develop your understanding of a range of perspectives within youth justice work. You will explore sociological concepts of childhood and youth and the criminological issues associated with both life stages and examine the way 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 as well as the wider debates over the age of criminal responsibility and welfare versus justice approaches.

Compulsory

Policing and Society – 20 credits

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

Compulsory

Punishment and Control – 20 credits

This module focuses on historical developments and contemporary issues surrounding the use of criminal sanctions. It covers the theoretical underpinning of punishments and risk management whilst aiming to equip you with a critical understanding of the effectiveness of custodial and community sentences. You will explore key issues relating to punishment and control, such as the complexities of managing a diverse prison population, privatisation, and reintegration, and will demonstrate your understanding through group exercises in an assessment centre environment.

Compulsory

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement² can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee³ of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or participating institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Modules

UK Work Placement – 0 credits

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

International Study/Work Placement – 0 credits

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

In your final year you will apply the knowledge from your first two years in the more specialised areas of violence and exploitation, organised crime, state crime, and deviant forms of leisure, such as drugs and dark tourism. You will also have the opportunity to develop specific interests and expertise to suit your career plans through a research project in which you will produce a research paper on your own analysis in an area that interests you.

Modules

Global Organised Crime – 20 credits

This module aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of contemporary global organised crime. It will examine organised crime as a transnational phenomenon and the need for major organised criminal activities, such as drugs, weapons, and human trafficking, to cross borders. A broader analysis will explore how the expansion of global trade and lowering of barriers to free movement that have enabled the world economy to grow have also provided parallel opportunities for illegal trade. A detailed comparative analysis will also be made of traditional criminal organisations, such as the American and Sicilian mafia, Japanese Yakuza, and Chinese Triads, and new organised criminal groups in the Balkans, Eastern Europe, Africa, South America, and the United Kingdom as well as terrorist groups. Particular attention will be given to international and domestic organisations involved in fighting organised crime and the impact of globalisation on organised criminal groups.

Compulsory

Rehabilitation and Criminal Justice – 20 credits

This module examines rehabilitation in the criminal justice system and responses to the criminogenic factors impacting offenders from diverse background. It will critically explore, applying crime desistance research, the role of preventive rehabilitation with people at risk of becoming offenders and factors that reduce criminal behaviour. The module further examines legislation such as the Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014, courts and rehabilitation activity and treatment requirements in sentencing and the role of multi-agency professionals in probation, prisons, and allied services.

Compulsory

State Crime and Corruption – 20 credits

This module aims to equip you with a critical understanding of the crimes of the powerful, with a focus on criminal actions and corrupt practices carried out by states and state actors in positions of governance. Using theories and real-world examples, you'll look at how the combination of power and knowledge works. This will help you understand the broader consequences of harmful state actions.

Compulsory

Deviant Leisure – 20 credits

This module explores a range of contemporary criminological issues related to the intersection between crime, leisure, and harm against a backdrop of global consumer capitalism. The module breaks open disciplinary boundaries, drawing on criminology, sociology, youth studies, tourism industries and cultural geography to explore different forms of deviant leisure in the 21st century.

Compulsory

Research Project in Criminology – 40 credits

This module aims to help you build and use the skills needed to thoroughly study a crime-related topic while also concentrating on a particular aspect of criminology. Throughout this module you will conduct independent learning, communicate effectively and appropriately retrieve, and use information from a variety of sources, and develop time management skills.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

Teaching and the way you learn will be provided in various ways, including the following:

lectures are normally up to one-hour in duration and may be delivered online or face-to-face plenary-style
seminars involve smaller groups and include working with problems or holding discussions and debates about issues arising in the lectures
workshops may involve a combination of content delivery and group working
individual tutorials may also be arranged.

The current teaching team comes from a range of specialist backgrounds including mental health, psychology, sociology, and criminal justice to name a few and these feed in to a rich and varied range of teaching and learning approaches (staff may be subject to change). The course also emphasises a global perspective on criminological and criminal justice issues.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours:

Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional 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'll be digging deeper into topics, review what you've learnt and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you'll spend more time in independent study.

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:

short writing exercises such as abstracts, opinion pieces, and precis
extended writing exercises such as essays, reports and research papers
group and individual presentations
posters and infographics
problem-solving scenarios such as assessment.

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

International experience opportunities

Emphasising inter-cultural awareness in all our students, the course content situates issues in a global context. It offers opportunity for international experience through collaborative international online learning projects where students work on a task jointly with students from an institution abroad (subject to availability). Study abroad forms part of the optional sandwich year which students normally take after successful completion of their second year².

Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability, and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements, and are therefore not guaranteed².

The Criminology degrees at Coventry University really offer students a unique and exciting opportunity to delve into a range of fascinating topics, from criminal behaviour, policing and the prison system to global issues like the corrupt, illicit activities of states and other powerful actors. With an extensive and diverse collective experience in teaching and working in the field, the academic team bring a passion for helping students to achieve their potential from start through to graduation.
Dr Gabrielle Nugent-Stephens, Lecturer, quoted 2022

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

Requirement	What we're looking for
UCAS points	112
A level	BBC. Excludes General Studies
GCSE	5 GCSEs at grade 9-4 / A*-C including English and Mathematics
BTEC	DMM
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 offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

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.

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, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year	Not available
EU	2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary 2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £16,800 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £16,800 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 of £1,250 to cover your academic support.

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 above table 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 inflation.

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) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

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 ﬁeld trips or visits: £50+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*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.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

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

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

Teaching and learning take place in state-of-the art facilities on the main Coventry University campus near to the University Hub, Students' Union and library. Extensive use is made of seminar and workshop rooms for smaller groups to facilitate active group learning.

Prison cells

Two prison cells, one single and one double, are in the Richard Crossman Building on main campus and used to give a sense of the real-life experiences of inmates, and for role play learning.

Library

Our dedicated subject librarian on main campus will provide guidance on searching and retrieving academic sources using the library systems and databases, as well as assistance and support with individual enquiries.

Centre for Academic Writing

The Centre for Academic Writing next to the Library will offer individual advice on developing writing skills or dealing with writing problems.

Facilities are subject to availability. 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

With a view to shaping your prospects as a graduate, teaching, learning, and assessments take a problem-based approach which means you get to deal with real-world issues and scenarios combining theory and practice delivered by our current teaching team who have a diverse range of experience including mental health, sexual offending, imprisonment, and probation to name a few. External speakers and visiting lecturer/practitioners also bring expertise to the classroom and help guide your choices towards a specific career path (subject to availability)².

Assessments are coursework based and varied to test independent and team-working, communication, analytical and critical thinking, and other transferable skills designed to enhance your employment prospects within or outside the criminological sphere. With an emphasis on inter-cultural awareness, the course also offers opportunity for overseas experience through field trips and study abroad with the aim of making you a strong contender for a graduate level career in the global jobs market².

Criminology not only provides you with the knowledge and skills for working within the criminological sphere – in areas such as the police in uniformed and civilian roles, courts, prison staff and outreach, probation, victim support, security, and community safety – but also develops transferable skills that equip you for a wide range of graduate level careers. For example, some roles previous students have undertaken have included teaching, retail management, and fraud investigation for the financial industry. Many students opt for postgraduate level study.

Where our graduates work

Previous graduates have gone on to pursue postgraduate qualifications and work for a range of organisations, including The National Crime Agency, the Independent Police Complaints Commission, HM Prison Service, Coventry Cyrenians, West Midlands Police and the Metropolitan Police.

Further study

Progression routes to courses for further study within Coventry University include:

My academic journey has been filled with encouragement from the moment it began. From supportive staff members to the structure and insight within the modules, my learning experience has helped me develop new skills and further understanding of not just criminology, but the world around.
Siobhan Super, Criminology BA (Hons) student, quoted 2022

close up of hands holding a criminology textbook

Two students sat at a desk working on a laptop

Discover Phoenix+

Phoenix+ brings you together with other students to learn, experience and develop essential knowledge and skills. Whatever destination you choose, it's about preparing you for life after university.

Learn more about Phoenix+

How to apply

BA (Hons) with foundation year

Apply via UCAS

C85

Institution code

View our courses on UCAS

Visit UCAS

UK students

Full-time students can apply for this course through UCAS. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

Apply via UCAS

If this course has a part-time option you will need to apply directly to the university.

Apply via the portal

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

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

International students

International codes:
HLSU257

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 2152

ioadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with 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

The majority 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). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

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. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

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 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.

⁴Facilities

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 2024/2025 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2025/2026 contract will apply for the 2025/2026 intake. 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 Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.