BA Criminology
About this course
BA (Hons) in Criminology BA (Hons), a sociology degree examining crime, criminal behaviour, and the justice system. Core topics include Research Methods, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Ethics & Professional Practice, and Global & Comparative Perspective. The programme features a gradual progression of knowledge across three years, culminating in an independent research project. The first year establishes fundamental concepts through modules such as Crime and Society, The Science of Crime and Criminals, Imagining Crime, and Research Methods for Criminologists. The second year advances theoretical and methodological understanding with compulsory modules including Crime and Justice, Advanced Criminological Theory, Criminology, Ethics and Professional Practice, and Advanced Criminological Methodologies, alongside optional studies in International Policing and Outsiders: Journeys in Deviance. The final year focuses on advanced study through compulsory modules like Crime and Punishment and Criminology Dissertation. Optional modules in the final year allow specialisation in areas such as Violence, Beyond Justice, Activism in Criminology, and Global Perspectives of Crime.
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
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. In addition, you will be expected to have achieved GCSE Maths and English at Grade C/4 or above . Other Entry Requirements: An Access Course must include 30 level 3 credits at Merit. We welcome international applications and applications from those with a range of non-traditional educational or professional qualifications. If you have a lively interest in issues of crime and justice and are prepared to pursue and develop that interest through reading and study then you will be considered for this course. Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) Entry Requirements: DEE at A level or MPP at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or Pass (D or E) at T Level . We welcome applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications. For more information on how to make an application please visit our How to Apply pages for Home and EU , and International students .
What students say
Based on about 21 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 75%
- Learning opportunities: 70%
- Assessment and feedback: 64%
- Academic support: 80%
- Organisation and management: 64%
- Learning resources: 85%
- Student voice: 64%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 55 students who started
- Continued on course: 66%
- Left higher education: 34%
What graduates do next
Based on about 18 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 55%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 15%
Most common jobs
- Administrative occupations: 15%
- Sales occupations: 15%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Caring personal services: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 50%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 100 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 1%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 43%
- West Midlands: 6%
- East of England: 15%
- London: 13%
- South East: 14%
- South West: 3%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 35 students who started
- A levels: 95%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Professional and Academic Skills for University Study
- Applied Learning Project
- Foundations in Law, Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Crime and Society
- The Science of Crime and Criminals
- Becoming a Criminologist
- Imagining Crime
- From Delinquency to Criminal Careers
- Research Methods for Criminologists
- Crime and Justice
- Advanced Criminological Theory
- Criminology, Ethics and Professional Practice
- Advanced Criminological Methodologies
- International Policing
- Outsiders: Journeys in Deviance
- Criminologists in Society
- Criminality Across the Life-course
- Crime and Punishment
- Criminology Dissertation
- Violence
- Beyond Justice
- Critiquing Criminalistics
- Intersections in Criminology
- Activism in Criminology
- Global Perspectives of Crime
- Social Injustices
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Criminology at University of Northampton earn?
The median salary is £23,500 after 15 months, £22,500 after 3 years, £26,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £21,000 and £32,000. The £26,500 median after five years is the same as the UK median for Sociology.
What do graduates of BA Criminology at University of Northampton do next?
75% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Criminology at University of Northampton?
75% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BA Criminology at University of Northampton?
The typical offer is BBC at A level. The average entrant had 95 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Criminology at University of Northampton?
66% of students continued into their second year, and 34% left higher education.