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Criminology and Sociology (with a Placement Year) BSc (Hons)

Start date

September

UCAS code

4J26

Duration

4 years

UCAS points

96 - 112

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023: Top 10 for Student ExperienceThe Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023: Top 5 for Teaching Quality

Challenge perspectives and instigate change with our Criminology and Sociology degree

Investigate crime, punishment, and social inequality with our hands-on Criminology and Sociology degree. You will examine classical, radical, and emerging thought as you cover topics like:

  • modern slavery
  • terrorism
  • migration
  • human rights
  • policing
  • race
  • cyber-crime.

Take your learning outside the classroom

With our criminology and sociology course, you can participate in field trips and workshops. You can also attend talks by guest speakers, discussing the latest research on subjects like:

  • human trafficking
  • organised crime
  • prisons
  • youth violence
  • gangs
  • media representation of crime and social issues.

Expert teaching and support

You will learn from academics currently influencing government policy. Our student, Jo, tells us that our “teaching staff helped bring the subjects alive and offered invaluable support”.

Find out how our Student Success Team ensures you reach your goals while prioritising your wellbeing.

Build professional experience

You can complete placements and voluntary work to build your network and professional experience.

Previous students have worked within:

  • the charitable sector
  • schools.

About the Placement Year

A placement year enables you to undertake a year of experience in an organisation between your second and final year.

It will enable you to:

  • apply the knowledge and skills you gain from your course in a work setting
  • build your commercial awareness and insights into organisations and industries you might want to work in
  • develop your professional skills through company training, networking skills and confidence in the workplace
  • get some great experience for future job applications or even land a graduate job.

Support from St Mary’s every step of the way

Securing a placement can really help you develop your job search skills and the Employability Service placement and Careers Teams can support you to find and apply for available opportunities.

Please note: in the event that you cannot secure a placement you will be able to transfer onto the three year version of your degree programme.

Please note: this course is subject to validation.

Dr Diem-Tu Tran

Course Lead

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Course content

Modules

These modules are the modules that were available to students in the 2023/24 academic year and are illustrative of what may be offered for 2024/25. 

Please note: it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our course information disclaimer.

Entry requirements

96 - 112

We understand that sometimes barriers you can't control get in the way of academic achievement. You are more than just your grades. We'll consider your application as a whole, taking into account things like:

  • subjects studied at Level 3
  • your GCSEs (or equivalent) profile
  • non-academic achievements you mention in your personal statement
  • your references and motivation.

UCAS Personal statement support

Create your UCAS personal statement through our online builder and we'll email you a copy of your completed version at the end.

Further Information

For more information about entry requirements please email apply@stmarys.ac.uk.

Fees & funding

Tuition fees

Home

£9,250

International

£17,100

1200 during placement year)

*Please note: these fees are annual and may increase in line with inflation each year subject to the Government's review of Higher Education Funding.

Information about tuition fees, student loans, and funding your studies can be found within our fees and funding section.

Additional costs

Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your programme.

Additional costs could be incurred depending on optional modules chosen and other projects undertaken.

For further information about additional costs please see our additional costs webpage

Scholarships

Find out more about our range of scholarships and bursaries available to undergraduate students .

Living costs

A guide to your living costs has been created by our Student Funding Team.

Accommodation costs vary depending on whether you opt for an en suite room and on-site catering. Take a look at our accommodation options and the prices you can expect to pay.

How the degree is taught

Contact time - 17%

Independent study - 83%

Teaching methods

You'll be taught on our beautiful and historic campus located in Twickenham, London.

We adopt a range of teaching methods including lectures, seminars, workshops and field trips.

Usually, a larger (core) module may be taught by lecture (one hour) followed by smaller seminar groups where students are able to discuss the topic informed by set readings. Other modules might be taught in two-hour workshops where additional methods may be used, such as lecturing, film, student presentations and small group discussion.

Tutorial sessions are arranged for you to meet with tutors, to discuss your progress and offer support and guidance during the planning stages of essay writing and other assessment preparation. Lecture notes, course information and assessments are all placed online.

Class sizes usually range between 25 and 30 students.

Assessment methods

We use a wide range of methods of assessment to support students in meeting the learning objectives. These include essays and reports, student presentations, in class tests, formal examinations and a variety of resource-based assessments.

Essays are typically 1,000-2,000 words in length, although at Level 6 there is an opportunity to conduct your own research (with the agreement of a supervising tutor) which requires a 5,000 words essay or a dissertation of 10,000 words.

Feedback

We adhere to the university’s policy of providing feedback on assessments within 15 working days.

Career opportunities

On our Criminology and Sociology degree, you will build essential transferrable skills like critical thinking, communication, and attention to detail.

Contact our Career Services at careers@stmarys.ac.uk for further information on work and postgraduate opportunities.

Some examples of job roles and areas of work for graduates of undefined include:

government departmentspolicy and administrationcampaign groups linked to social and criminal justiceprisonsyouth justiceorganisations linked to migrationresearch

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Open Days

Open Days are a fantastic opportunity for you to meet academic staff. You'll also be able to look around the campus, speak to current students and find out more about services such as Accommodation and Student Wellbeing.