BA Criminal Justice
About this course
BA (Hons) Criminal Justice is a social policy degree examining the institutions, processes, and theoretical frameworks of the criminal justice system. Core topics include Research Methods, Communication & Writing, Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Ethics & Professional Practice. Students undertake work placements within local criminal justice agencies as part of the curriculum. The first year establishes academic foundations and covers Forensic Investigation, Hate Crime and Extremism, Technology and Criminal Justice, and Safeguarding and Vulnerability. The second year progresses to examine operational responses through Journey Through the Criminal Justice System, Offending Behaviours, Exploitation and Youth Offending, and Penology: Just Desserts?. The final year concentrates on professional practice and advanced topics through Risk Assessment and Risk Management, Leadership in Criminal Justice, Rehabilitation, and Miscarriages of Justice, alongside a practical work placement module.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A typical offer to study this Criminal Justice course would be: BBC at A Level or DMM at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or Merit at T Level. We welcome applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications. Other Entry Requirements: We welcome international applications and applications from those with a range of non-traditional educational or professional qualifications. Mature students with relevant experience as practitioners will be considered without normal entry requirements. There are opportunities for current practitioners to gain accreditation for prior certificated or experiential learning; these will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
What students say
Based on about 9 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 98%
- Learning opportunities: 96%
- Assessment and feedback: 94%
- Academic support: 97%
- Organisation and management: 88%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 90%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 20%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Protective service occupations: 20%
- Sales occupations: 20%
- Caring personal services: 15%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 10%
- Welfare Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 85%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 65%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 20 graduates, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- East Midlands: 30%
- West Midlands: 10%
- East of England: 10%
- London: 15%
- South East: 20%
- South West: 10%
Who gets in
Based on about 40 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 95%
- Access course: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Skills for Criminal Justice Professionals
- Forensic Investigation
- Hate Crime and Extremism
- Technology and Criminal Justice
- Victims and Survivors Perspectives
- Safeguarding and Vulnerability
- Journey Through the Criminal Justice System
- Offending Behaviours
- Exploitation and Youth Offending
- Evidence Based Practice and Research Methods
- Penology: Just Desserts?
- Offender Management: Working with Offenders
- Risk Assessment and Risk Management
- Leadership in Criminal Justice
- Rehabilitation
- Miscarriages of Justice
- Criminal Justice Practice Placement
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Criminal Justice at University of Northampton earn?
The median salary is £24,000 after 15 months, £22,000 after 3 years, £25,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £20,000 and £29,000. The £25,000 median after five years is £2,500 less than the UK median for Social policy.
What do graduates of BA Criminal Justice at University of Northampton do next?
95% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Criminal Justice at University of Northampton?
98% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BA Criminal Justice at University of Northampton?
The typical offer is BBC at A level. The average entrant had 96 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Criminal Justice at University of Northampton?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.