About the course
This course examines the problem of crime, why people offend and how crime is controlled. It also gives you the practical skills you need and the confidence to apply theories of criminology in real-world settings.
Through the course, you develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the criminal mind, criminal justice system, the modern criminological environment and principles around the rehabilitation of the offender.
There is a choice of optional units for those with individual interests, such as youth justice, crime and the media, youth and crime, and violence in modern society. In your final year, you also undertake an independent research-based project, supported by expert staff who are all actively involved in research themselves.
Why choose this course?
- Develop your research skills and the ability to make sound judgements based on in-depth knowledge
- Explore your commitment to the principle of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice
- Study with academics who have world-leading research expertise in areas such as community safety, offending and youth justice
- Take the course over four years and include an optional year’s placement in industry (see below), allowing you to gain practical skills, build your CV and make contacts
- If you need to step up into higher education, start with a Foundation Year (see below) which guarantees entry to the undergraduate course
- Graduates of this degree also benefit from opportunities for postgraduate study at the Vauxhall Centre for the Study of Crime
- It can lead into careers in the criminal justice system or wider human services, including youth justice and youth work, offending teams, policing, community safety, local government and research into criminal
Course Leader - Dr Seamus Murphy

My research has focused upon criminal entrepreneurship and the development of illegal and "grey" industries which subvert legislation and regulation.
This has led to an interest in how lawmakers and governments approach illegal activity which calls into question the moral and practical legitimacy of existing law.
Find out more about Dr Seamus Murphy
Why Study in the School of Applied Social Sciences?
- Courses developed in partnership with practice agencies
- Our research involving robots, shows that they can improve mental health and loneliness in the elderly
- Part of the SASS change makers initiative
Units
- Anti-Racism: Movements And Campaigns (ASS101-1) Compulsory
- Career Planning For Social Scientists (ASS102-1) Compulsory
- Introducing Academic Skills (ASS103-1) Compulsory
- Introduction To Criminology (ASS073-1) Compulsory
- Introduction To Research And Social Enquiry (ASS100-1) Compulsory
- Law, Society And Controversy (ASS071-1) Compulsory
- Research 1: Collecting Data (ASS110-2) Compulsory
- Research 2: Exploring Data (ASS113-2) Compulsory
- The Contemporarised Criminalogical Environment (ASS117-2) Compulsory
- The Social Sciences At Work (ASS099-2) Compulsory
- Theorising Crime, Punishment And Justice (ASS100-2) Compulsory
- Crimes Of The Powerful (ASS056-2) Optional
- Cybercrime (ASS112-2) Optional
- Gangs And Serious Youth Violence (ASS067-2) Optional
- Rehabilitation Of The Offender: Probation, Restoration And Social Justice (ASS097-2) Optional
- Sonic Surveillance: 'Race', Rap, And Criminal Justice (ASS111-2) Optional
- Victims And Victimology (ASS075-2) Optional
- Sass Change Maker Project Dissertation (ASS139-3) Compulsory
- Sass Change Maker Research Dissertation (ASS142-3) Compulsory
- Urban Crime (ASS144-3) Compulsory
- Crime And Media (ASS102-3) Optional
- Green Criminology: Environmental Crime And Ecological Justice (ASS143-3) Optional
- Terrorism In A Global Context (ASS141-3) Optional
- Violence In Modern Society (ASS148-3) Optional
- Youth Justice: Models And Approaches (ASS137-3) Optional
How will this course improve my career prospects?
This course is designed to facilitate your entry to a career in the field of human services with a particular emphasis on criminal justice. Careers include teaching criminology; youth justice and youth work; offending teams; policing; community safety; local government; and research into criminal behaviour.
Typical destinations for Criminology students include:
- Criminal justice areas such as youth justice or NOMs organisations, including private-sector organisations identified by government as contributing to the Transforming Rehabilitation agenda. For example, Sodexo Justices Services and Interserve
- Local and central government (civil service)
- Charity organisations but more specifically charities committed to work with offenders, similar in nature to St Mungo's and St Giles Trust
- Research posts in the private and public sectors
You can also progress to further study at Master’s level in relevant areas – for example, the University of Bedfordshire’s Criminology MA.
*international students are eligible of receiving the VS'S scholarship of 1000GBP
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.