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Sociology and Criminology BSc(Hons)

2024-25 (also available for 2025-26)

It’s not too late to apply for September.
It’s not too late to apply for September.

Start date

16 September 2024

Duration

3 years full-time

Entry requirements

A Level - BBC-BCC

BTEC - DMM-MMM

See full entry requirements

Places available (subject to change)

20

About the course

Reasons to study

  1. You’ll gain insight into social inequalities, criminal justice, diversity, and crime causation, enhancing your employability opportunities. 
  2. Our approach to learning positions employability and career development directly into your course content.
  3. You can gain real-world experience via a work placement in year two, putting the sociological skills and knowledge gained on the course to the test. 

If you’re interested in exploring society, personal identity, and what makes people commit crimes, this course is for you.

Combining sociology and criminology, our joint honours degree applies equal weight to both disciplines. This course is designed to help you prepare for a future career, in sectors such as the civil service, public services (like the police or probation service) and charities - sectors which support some of the most vulnerable members in society.

You’ll be taught by experts from both sociology and criminology, gaining insight into social inequalities, criminal justice, diversity, and criminality which will enhance your employability opportunities. Following this Sociology and Criminology BSc(Hons) course, you could step with confidence into a real-world role.

Why study Sociology and Criminology BSc(Hons)

You’ll be taught be lecturers who are routinely called on by local, regional, and national government policy makers, as well as organisations in the charitable sector, to provide expert opinion and evidence which shapes policies and practices in the UK and around the world.

You can gain real-world experience via a work placement in year two, putting the sociological skills and knowledge gained on the course to the test. Previous students have secured placements in community organisations, the voluntary sector, youth offending teams with the police, and within national and local government.

You may also have the opportunity to study abroad, which could help you stand out from other candidates when it comes to finding employment. You’ll also benefit from:

  • The knowledge, skills and experience of tutors who specialise in areas such as gender, activism, race and ethnicity, the body, mental health and crime, criminal investigation, crime prevention, and punishment.
  • You’ll be taught by tutors with a range of specialisms, who have professional experience working with offenders, victims, and crime prevention agencies, giving you unique insights into real-life experiences.
  • The chance to look at the causes of crime, disorder, and theories relating to crime reduction.
  • The opportunity to choose topics and develop your understanding in areas that interest you, on both sides of the course.

By studying this combined honours degree, you'll be eligible for student membership of the British Sociological Association (BSA), giving you access to resources, events, and networking opportunities via the BSA community.

Not quite ready to start Sociology and Criminology BSc(Hons)? Successful completion of our Social Science Foundation Pathway leading to a BSc(Hons) Degree will equip you with the foundation knowledge to study Sociology and Criminology.

Course detail

Core modules:

Foundations of Sociology

This module focuses on the foundation elements of sociology as a subject discipline in the social sciences. The module is devised into three parts. Firstly, you’ll explore the founding concepts and origins of sociology in the 19th and early 20th Centuries, and be introduced to key perspectives and approaches within humanist and scientific traditions. Secondly, you’ll explore the key social science subject disciplines that are connected with sociology, namely: business studies, criminology, economics, social geography, philosophy, politics and public/social policy. Thirdly, you’ll also examine different approaches to different contemporary sociological case studies with an interdisciplinary approach.

Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice

This module explores the nature of crime and deviancy, the main perspectives in explaining criminal behaviour, and the structures of the criminal justice system. You’ll start by examining the definitions of crime, followed by an exploration of the criminal legal system including the key criminal offences and defences. You’ll then be introduced to the key agencies within the criminal justice system, which include the Police, the Crown Prosecution Service, the Courts, and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service. The second half of this module introduces the key theoretical explanations for criminality, ranging from psychological explanations to sociological explanations.

Sociological Inquiry

The module aims to develop a sociological toolkit you can use throughout your studies. It covers issues related to social research methods and provides a more holistic view of 'inquiry'. You’ll have the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in four different areas of sociological inquiry including thinking, exploring, reading, and writing. You’ll explore key concepts that explain distinctive components of sociological inquiry, such as sociological sense, defamiliarization of the familiar, critical reading and being reflexive. You’ll also reflect on processes involved in the construction of sociological knowledge and consider how epistemology, personal values and biography inform sociological practices.

Choose two from a list of options that may include:

Exploring Popular Cultures and New Media

In this module you’ll explore the study of the relationship between popular culture, new media and society and consider how culture is presented in social theory. You’ll have the opportunity to explore the ways in which the relationship between popular culture, the new media and society is evidenced.

Human Rights in a Global World

You’ll examine the history of Human Rights and consider the debates which exist in contemporary global society. You’ll be introduced to several issues including genocide, the death penalty, freedom of expression, immigration, the rights of women and children, assisted suicide and abortion. Key documents including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act will also be discussed.

Remaking Social Worlds: Sociology, Social Policy and Social Problems

This module will introduce you to the study of social policy and social problems from a sociological perspective. You’ll explore key theoretical, analytical and conceptual frameworks, and apply them to contemporary case studies and social issues in the British context. As part of this, you’ll consider the ways in which organisations work together to deliver policy interventions in relation to specific social issues such as child poverty. The module will enrich your understanding of marginalised communities and the ways in which different groups experience social problems, as well as developing your knowledge of current approaches to tackle these issues.

Social Issues and Structural Sociology

In this module you’ll explore the relationship between structural social theory and contemporary social issues. You’ll have the opportunity to explore the ways in which structural social theory can be deployed to understand a range of contemporary social issues.

Entry requirements

BBC-BCCat A Level .

112-104 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications

Merit at T Level

DMM-MMM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.

  • Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits at Merit or above.
  • 112-104 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications.

If you do not have the appropriate qualifications for direct entry to this degree you may be able to apply to our Social Science Foundation Pathway leading to a BSc(Hons) Degree.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our Where are you from information pages. If you have alternative qualifications or do not meet the IELTS requirement we also offer a range of Pre-Sessional English Programmes.

You may be eligible to gain accreditation for your prior learning towards this course.

We are keen to support a wide and diverse range of applicants on to our courses. Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered. For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

Placements


This course includes a compulsory work experience in the second year. You'll be expected to undertake at least 30 hours of work experience relevant to your course during that year. The module is designed to enhance your academic and personal development through work experience that shapes your key skills and increases your confidence for future employability.

Your work and careers module tutor, as well as your personal academic tutor, will be on hand to support you in finding suitable work opportunities. They will assist you with preparing your CV and with interview techniques. They'll also be in contact with you during your work experience so that you'll be fully supported while you gain the skills that employer’s value so highly.

Previous work experiences have included working in community organisations, the voluntary sector, youth offending teams, with the police and within national and local government.

For more information visit our placements page.[

My work placement at a local community support group helped me to engage with people of all abilities, including those with mental health problems and learning difficulties, and understand the policies and methods employed to empower them in a community setting. 

Oliver Fidgeon, Sociology graduate

Oliver Fidgeon, graduated from Sociology BSc(Hons) in 2020 and is now a Team Leader for Community Mental Health

Your career


Previous Huddersfield Social Science graduates have gone on to work in roles within a range of organisations, including education and legal services, national media, public services, Information Technology, recruitment services, healthcare and the Criminal Justice System as well as charities and rehabilitation services.**

 

*Percentage of graduates from this course who are in work and/or further study within fifteen months after graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2020/21, including both UK and non-UK domiciled, other activities excluded).

**LinkedIn.

90% Graduates employed*

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.

A wide range of resources are also offered within the School of Human and Health Sciences, which provides you with support in a variety of areas. These include:

Student Hub: a one stop shop for students, studying within the School. Their services include offering advice on extenuating circumstances, extension requests, course progression, suspension and welfare support, organising appointments with academic staff and signposting to other support networks.

Academic Skills Development Team: support students to develop their academic skills and build their confidence in order to improve their grades. The team provide support with academic skills including essay writing, being critical, reflective writing, numeracy, research skills, presentations and group work skills; as well as personal development for example time management.

Learning Technology Support Unit: helps students with any problems they experience with the University’s Brightspace Learning System, including logging on or difficulties experienced when accessing and using modules, and with the PebblePad platform, which is used by students when they go out on placements.

Important information

We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

Changes to a course you have applied for

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

Cancellation of a course you have applied for

Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

Termination of course

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

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