4 years with placement
Your first year will give you a strong grounding in the key ideas of sociology and criminology. You’ll be introduced to sociological ideas about the relations that connect individuals, groups and institutions within societies, find out how sociology has helped us understand the past, present and possible futures of modern societies, and learn about the skills required of a sociologist.
We’ll teach you about the inner workings, strengths and weaknesses of the police, courts, prisons, Probation Service and youth justice system of England and Wales. You’ll also explore how news reports and other media shape our perception of crime, and learn how to critically analyse news reports.
You’ll have the chance to learn how theories of globalisation and ‘connected societies’ have led to the revision of classical sociological ideas, covering topics such as postcolonial studies, modernisation theory, and migration and diaspora.
You could also explore how the media uses crime as a propaganda tool to persuade people to take certain actions or to push political and/or ideological agendas.
Modules are subject to change and availability.
Assessment
We’ll assess you using a combination of case studies, presentations, essays, patchwork texts (short pieces of writing, or ‘patches’, built up week-by-week), portfolios, poster presentations, data analysis exercises, exams and group projects.
Introduction
Explore pressing crime and social issues and prepare careers including policing, probation, youth offending and government by studying for our Criminology and Sociology degree in Cambridge.
On this degree you will explore the most recent ideas, issues and debates in Criminology and Sociology such as the media, its moral panics and promotion of fear; sex, violence and the profiling of such offenders; deviant behaviour; youth offending; war and terror and genocide, giving you a specialist perspective on crime and society.
You can tailor your BA (Hons) Criminology and Sociology degree to your interests and career goals through a wide choice of optional modules. You might choose to focus on issues from corporate crime to human rights, and sexual violence to burglary. Or you might want to explore the link between intoxicants and crime, or religion and crime.
Read more
We have a supportive community of staff and students at ARU. Throughout your BA (Hons) Criminology and Sociology degree, you’ll benefit from one-to-one personal tutoring and dedicated Criminology social media groups.
Through real-life case studies, academic research, and interactive learning sessions, you’ll develop your research and critical thinking skills. You could learn outside of the lecture theatre too, with visits to courts and prisons, where you’ll examine the trial process and methods of rehabilitation, punishment and retribution (historical and modern), deviance, race and gender. You’ll have the chance to travel abroad on one of our international field trips and examine crime and crime control in different geographical and cultural contexts. Or you might choose to study abroad for a semester to gain a more in-depth perspective on alternative criminal justice systems and societies - with funding on offer to cover the cost.
You’ll prepare for your future career from the first semester: building a portfolio and CV, attending volunteer and employment fairs, taking part in our annual Criminology conference, and hearing from key figures in criminal justice debates and the authors of important criminology texts.
Once you’ve graduated, you can continue to develop your skills with one of our Masters degrees, such as MA Sociology or MA Criminology.
Hands-on learning
All our BA (Hons) Criminology and Sociology students have the opportunity to:
- go on field trips in the UK and overseas
- study abroad for a semester, with funding available to help cover the cost
- choose from a range of optional modules and pursue your own areas of interest.
Outstanding student support
Join our student community and:
- benefit from award-winning learning facilities, including extensive library and IT resources
- learn from expert staff who will guide your research interests and career development
- access support, should you need it, with study skills, careers advice, health and wellbeing, and more.
Take a closer look
Our Creative Showcase shines a spotlight on what makes ARU creative and cultural – our spaces, places and people. Find out more about our community, the difference we make, the stories we tell, and the things that inspire us.
Meanwhile, Present is an exhibition that you curate for yourself. Explore the work of our graduating students in this eye-catching virtual degree show.
Careers
Our Criminology and Sociology degree will equip you with skills in independent, creative, critical and analytical thinking. These are valued in industries as wide-ranging as journalism and the media, business administration and management, health management, the Civil Service, teaching, social care, social research, the police, prison and probation services.
Specialist modules in years 2 and 3 and our excellent links with employers such as Cambridgeshire Police, the National Crime Agency and the Probation Service will help you tailor your degree towards your career goals.
You could also learn more about sociology, develop a specialism or start an exciting career in research with our MA Sociology or MA Criminology. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.
Placement year
£1,250Placement year
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.