Criminology and Sociology

BA Hons

  • UCAS Code LM39
  • Entry Year 2024
  • A Level Requirements ABB
  • Duration Full time 3 Years

Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • 12

    12th for Criminology

    The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide (2024)

  • 12

    12th for Graduate Prospects (Criminology)

    The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide (2024)

  • 14

    14th for Sociology (joint)

    The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide (2024)

We have outstanding league table rankings for Criminology and Sociology, and a great track record for graduate prospects. These are just two reasons to take a Criminology and Sociology degree at Lancaster University.

What will you study?
Combine the two popular disciplines of Criminology and Sociology as you study some of the most contentious issues in contemporary life. This stimulating degree is jointly taught by the world-leading, research-active academics based in our prestigious Law School and Sociology Department.

Our Criminology and Sociology degree tackles the problems of crime, deviance, victimization and social harm and encourages critical questions about important issues in our society more broadly. This is your chance to get to grips with the big issues affecting our society. You will analyse the social, cultural, political and economic contexts of crime and criminal justice, and take an in-depth look at the social circumstances of offending, policies regulating crime, and the social response to criminal activity.

The degree draws on the expertise of two departments that are highly regarded in the fields of youth justice, policing, prisons and punishment, sex work, hate crime, inequalities, climate change, children and young people, disability, welfare and media

The Lancaster University Law School is ranked 6th in the UK for research impact in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (2021, published May 2022), with 88% of its impact rated ‘outstanding’. The Sociology Department is ranked 2nd in the UK for research outputs and 9th for research power.

Programme overview

The first year is flexible, meaning that you can choose from a range of fascinating modules to study that complement your core modules. During your second year you will explore a broad range of criminological theories and perspectives, consider how to ‘do’ criminological and sociological research and be able to choose from optional modules which explore various criminological and sociological controversies and issues.

Employability Skills

You will benefit from our excellent connections with NGOs, charities, and local criminal justice agencies such as Lancashire Police and HMP Lancaster Farms. There may be opportunities for you to visit the prison and engage in collaborative learning, and analyse data from Lancashire Police. All of this should helps you to make professional connections, learn more about criminal justice agencies, and get a head start on your career.

We’ll also support you if you wish to take on voluntary work experience, and we have previously offered opportunities with the Citizens Advice Bureau and Lancashire Constabulary's Special Constables. Additional voluntary opportunities could include community engagement organisations, media and creative industries and caring professions.

Throughout your degree, you will have the opportunity to gain important skills for a career within or beyond the criminal justice system. These include the ability to think critically, communicate, speak in public, work in teams, write for academia, carry out your own research and competently analyse data.

Careers

Your degree could open doors to a job in the private, public or voluntary sectors. Our graduates have gone on to roles with Criminal Justice Agencies (the Police, the National Probation Service, GSL UK), the Home Office, the Department for Health, Social Services, NHS Trusts, Charities and the Youth Offending Service.

A dedicated careers officer will be available to you, and you can access professional bodies and organisations through our links with them.

Undergraduate study can also lead to further study options, including our LLM/MA Criminology and Criminal Justice; MSc Criminology and Social Research Methods; MSc Criminal Justice and Social Research Methods; or PhD-level study.

Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, but that you also graduate with relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.

Entry Requirements

Grade Requirements

A Level ABB

IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. For other English language qualifications we accept, please see our English language requirements webpages.

Other Qualifications

International Baccalaureate 32 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects

BTEC Distinction, Distinction, Merit

We welcome applications from students with a range of alternative UK and international qualifications, including combinations of qualifications. Further guidance on admission to the University, including other qualifications that we accept, frequently asked questions and information on applying, can be found on our general admissions webpages.

Contact Admissions Team + 44 (0) 1524 592028 or via ugadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

Course Structure

Lancaster University offers a range of programmes, some of which follow a structured study programme, and some which offer the chance for you to devise a more flexible programme to complement your main specialism.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

Core

Core

Optional

Core

Optional

Fees and Funding

Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting in the October of your year of study.

Our Undergraduate Tuition Fees for 2024/25 are:

Home International
£9,250 £23,750

Scholarships and Bursaries

You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status:

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2024/2025 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.

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