Bachelor of Science (Hons)
Criminology and Social Studies
Are you interested in learning how to develop solution focussed approaches to social problems relevant to the criminal justice system? Do you want to establish a career in the criminal justice system and related social sectors?
BNU's BSc (Hons) Criminology and Social Studies programme will offer you a unique opportunity to study the social and societal factors underlying and influencing crime, criminal justice and associated social problems.

Why study this subject?
Who commits crimes, why do they commit them, what is the impact, and how do we prevent them?
Criminology and Social Studies delves into what are the factors influencing crime, criminal justice and the associated issues in society. Crime affects everyone so you could turn your desire for answers into a rewarding and successful career with the right teaching and learning experiences.
It could lead to a role in the Criminal Justice System including the courts, prisons and probation services, the civil service or voluntary and third sector organisations such as drug and alcohol services.
Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?
Studying this course at Buckinghamshire New University will give you the opportunity to learn with highly experienced and qualified staff who will work with you to develop new skills and knowledge. Throughout the course, BNU place a strong emphasis on social ‘praxis’ - developing solutions to social problems.
BNU will equip you with the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding to work in any setting where developing strategies for positive, transformative change are useful and required. This is the course to do if you are interested in understanding the present moment in our societies.
What facilities can you use?
BNU's library is packed with all the information you need for your assessments and there’s plenty of room to knuckle down for some quiet study.
What will you study?
The course is tuned to the most current of social issues surrounding crime and criminal justice in BNU's contemporary world, such as the issues around the Black Lives Matters movement.
You will develop critical thinking around such issues as the ways policing and criminal justice are situated within wider social inequalities and injustices, and also how social change for justice can be achieved through social movements, often via the latest digital technologies.
This course also includes an integrated employability module which will give you the opportunity to volunteer in an organisation relevant to your degree and interests. This module is unique in preparing students for potential careers through workplace experience.
You will also have the opportunity to work with external organisations and employers if you opt to do an Applied Dissertation at Level 6. The Applied Dissertation allows you to identify a ‘real world’ issue with employers, which you will go on to research and devise solutions to. This gives you a unique opportunity to apply your learning in ways useful to employers, therefore increasing your employability upon graduation.
How will you be taught and assessed?
Buckinghamshier New University's programme is attendance-based and includes various teaching activities such as:
- Lectures
- Interactive use of the Virtual Learning Environment
- Seminars and workshops
- Independent study
- Field Trips
- Employment forums.
There are a variety of assessment styles on this course, which at all three levels are designed to mirror ‘real world’ criminological and sociological issues as well as providing you with the opportunity to demonstrate the skills you have acquired.
Some of these assessment methods include:
- Poster presentations
- Reports
- Blogs
- Portfolios
- Media products
- More traditional forms of assessment.
What are your career prospects?
Throughout your time with Buckinghamshier New University they’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. They will help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders. BNU also help you find employment after graduation.
BNU BSc (Hons) Criminology and Social Studies course will help prepare you for a range of career possibilities. Typically, graduating students will focus on roles in various branches of the Criminal Justice System (e.g. the courts, prisons, probation services etc.), and relevant social sectors and organisations (e.g. public sector; civil service; voluntary and third sector organisations such as drug and alcohol services).
Graduates can also choose to study for a postgraduate course.
My name is Kavisha Prince Anthony, and I always had a dream of studying abroad. Thankfully, that dream came to life since I applied to the Study Advisor. I was able to receive my visa within four days. I also had some visa refusals in the past; I had about six UK visa refusals in the past, but thankfully, it was not an issue since the Study Advisor was able to make things work this time. I highly recommend Study Advisor for your dreams of going abroad, whether it be the UK or any other European country there is.