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Crime and Criminal Justice BSc(Hons)

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    Overview

    Our Crime and Criminal Justice BSc(Hons) course prepares you for an fascinating and rewarding career in the criminal justice sector. You’ll cover key areas of knowledge needed to support you in applying for work within the statutory prison and probation sectors, as well as allied organisations.

    Why study Crime and Criminal Justice BSc(Hons)

    This course is designed to develop your skills and understanding of how the Criminal Justice System works and it’s effectiveness in managing offenders and supporting victims. You’ll have the opportunity to explore important topical problems within the system, such as prison overcrowding, trends in sentencing rates, ethics and impacts of different punishments and sentencing decisions. You’ll be able to focus on how we work with different offenders, offences and victims, such as mentally disordered offenders, high risk and violent offenders, or in respect to sexual offences.

    Throughout the course you’ll be supported to develop key employability skills and graduate attributes necessary to work in the criminal justice system. You’ll gain core professional skills in group work, analysis and assessment of data, critical thinking, report writing and presentation of recommendations, verbal and written presentation, digital skills. These culminate in a supported independent piece of research in an area that you are passionate about and which demonstrates your project management and researching skills.

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

    Entry requirements

    To find out if you’re eligible to start this course in September 2025 and get more information on how to apply, please see our Clearing pages or call our Clearing Helpline on 0333 987 9000.

    If you’re interested in studying this course in September 2026, please view the 2026-27 course information.

    Course Detail

    Myths and Realities of Crime

    You'll explore both the myths and realities of crime. The realities of crime are examined by considering how we measure the amount and types of crime being committed in England and Wales, who by, against whom and where. The myths of crime are studied through media (mis)representations of crime, offending and victimisation, considering the factors that shape crime reporting. The effects of these representations on the public will be considered by exploring research undertaken linking media reporting of crime to fear of crime, violent behaviour or aggression.

    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.

    Exploring the Social Sciences

    This module guides you through the process of exploring social science subjects at university and provides the opportunity for you to develop your ability to be a successful student. You’ll have the opportunity to strengthen your academic study skills, as well as your knowledge of research approaches and methods, using subject-specific topics and case studies. You’ll explore ways to assess your learning needs, set learning goals, develop learning action plans and produce effective academic assignments. You’ll also be introduced to the philosophies, methods and ethics of social research processes.

    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.

    Working with Offenders and Victims

    You’ll be introduced to critical perspectives of the methods and processes of work undertaken with offenders and victims within the criminal justice process. This will include an exploration of factors that may influence criminal offending and how these may be addressed with strategies to reduce and manage offending. You'll also explore patterns of victimisation and repeat victimisation and strategies to address the needs of victims.

    Exploring Work and Careers

    You’ll have the opportunity to plan and complete a practical work based experience related to your course. This will give you the chance to apply your theoretical subject knowledge to a professional setting, helping to develop your employability skills in preparation for your future career.

    Doing Social Research

    In this module you’ll explore these questions and study qualitative and quantitative research approaches. You’ll explore philosophical underpinnings of social research, key considerations concerning research ethics and researcher reflexivity, a range of data collection methods and techniques for data analysis, and how social research can be evaluated.

    Criminological Explanations

    This module explores the explanations for crime and disorder, which you will relate to the ways that criminological thought has developed over time. These issues will be set in a social, political, theoretical and historical context.

    Option modules. Choose two from a list which may include:

    Violent Crime

    You'll explore the nature, variety and extent of violent crime and its prevention (for example terrorism, homicide, work-placed bullying, and stalking). You'll demonstrate your knowledge of theoretical explanations for violent crime and violence prevention methods.

    Organised and International Crime

    You’ll explore two aspects of organised crime. Firstly, you'll study white-collar, financial crimes and the damaging impact that they can have on the economy of a country. Secondly you’ll examine how organised crime can drive people trafficking and trading of drugs and illegal arms, which enables ‘rogue’ states to wage war on their own people. Finally you‘ll explore how both kinds of crime relate to your own life.

    Reducing Crime

    This module explores the strategies of crime reduction and prevention. You’ll explore a range of different reduction responses and investigate the evidence regarding their effectiveness in different situations. You’ll also consider explanations for the different ways that society responds to crime, setting these in a social, political and theoretical context.

    Experiencing Punishment and the Penal System

    This module critically examines the key elements of the penal or 'punishment' system. Time is spent considering the penal system for adults in England and Wales including the courts, prisons and non-custodial penalties. Focus is placed on how people working in the system, and caught in the system, experience this. Diversity of experiences and perspectives is explored alongside theoretical consideration of these experiences in the context of the formal structures and role of the system.

    Offenders and Mental Disorder

    In this module you'll be supported to develop your knowledge of the relationship between mental illness and criminal activity. You'll explore a range of mental illnesses and disorders as a cause of offending and have the opportunity to consider the links between theory and practice.

    Final Year Project for the Social Sciences

    You'll research a topic of your choice in depth, giving you the opportunity to develop your own research interests. Drawing on the area you have chosen to study, you'll engage with issues of project design and research methods. You'll discuss your project proposal in a presentation and produce a dissertation about your research topic. Throughout you will be supported by one-to-one supervision.

    Race; Ethnicity and Difference

    In this module you’ll consider contemporary British society in relation to issues of race, ethnicity and difference. You’ll explore the extent to which race and ethnicity continue to shape contemporary society, in relation to education, health, employment, government policies and popular culture such as films and music.

    Think Family and Strength Based Approaches

    This module introduces two approaches that underpin much of current social care and social work policy and practice in the UK; Think Family and Strength Based approaches. You’ll be encouraged to develop your awareness, knowledge and understanding of the importance of practitioners taking account of the wider family circumstances, needs and responsibilities when working with an individual adult or child and when developing services within a community. You’ll be supported to develop a systematic understanding of the impact of issues such as mental health, domestic abuse, substance misuse, disability, illness and dementia on individuals, family members and communities. You’ll have the opportunity to develop your skills in formulating judgements and framing questions to achieve solutions.

    On average 17% of study time on this course is spent with your tutors in lectures, seminars and tutorials. You’ll be taught through interactive lectures, discussions and debates, workshops, group work, project supervision, problem-solving activities and practical experience. Your module specifications and course handbook will provide the full details of the assessment criteria applying to your course. These are designed to support your learning and development of key skills core to your future employability.

    Feedback (usually written) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term weeks. Feedback on exam performance us available on request after the publication of results.

    Further information

    The teaching year normally starts in September with breaks at Christmas and Easter, finishing with a main examination/assessment period around May/June. Timetables are normally available one month before registration. As this is a full-time course, you may have to attend every day of the week.

    Your course is made up of modules and each module is worth a number of credits. Each year you study modules to the value of 120 credits, adding up to 360 credits in total for a bachelor’s qualification. These credits can come from a combination of core, compulsory and optional modules but please note that optional modules may not run if we do not have enough students interested.

    If you achieve 120 credits for the current stage you are at, you may progress to the next stage of your course, subject to any professional, statutory or regulatory body guidelines.

    1. The University of Huddersfield has been rated Gold in all three aspects of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023. We were the only university in Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West to achieve Gold ratings in all three aspects of the TEF among those announced in September 2023. In fact only 13 Universities, out of the 96 that were announced in September 2023, were Gold in all three ratings.

    2. Our teaching staff rank first in England for the proportion with higher degrees and teaching qualifications, as well as being top five for those holding doctorates (HESA 2025). So you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.

    3. We are second in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 24 since 2008 (2025 data).

    4. We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).

    Visit ‘Our experts’ page where you’ll find in-depth profiles of all our academic staff

    At Huddersfield, you'll study the Global Professional Award (GPA) alongside your degree* so that you gain valuable qualities and experiences that could help you to get the career you want, no matter what your field of study is. On completion of the Award, you'll receive a GPA certificate from the University of Huddersfield, alongside the specialist subject skills and knowledge you gain as part of your degree, which may help to set you apart from other graduates.

    Giving students access to the Global Professional Award is one of the reasons the University won ‘Best University Employability Strategy’ award at the National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2021. Find out more on the Global Professional Award webpage.

    *full-time, undergraduate first degrees with a minimum duration of three years. This does not include postgraduate, foundation, top-up, accelerated or apprenticeship degrees.

    Placements

    This course includes 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 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 within the criminology and policing subject area have included working with the police in roles such as being a special constable, translator and appropriate adult. As well as departments and organisations such as the police visitor scheme, youth offending teams, prisons, restorative justice organisations, CCTV units, Local Authority anti-social behaviour units and courts as well as in voluntary agencies that provide support to adult and juvenile offenders and victims in the community.

    For more information visit our placements page.

    I gained valuable experience calling vulnerable individuals in West Yorkshire, assessing their needs, and reporting any safeguarding issues so that support could be provided. Assessing individuals’ needs and referring them to services will benefit my career as a Probation Officer.

    None

    Lauren Bradshaw, graduated from Criminology BSc(Hons) in 2022, now Trainee Probation Officer at NPS Salford

    Simulated trial in our on-campus Mock Court Room
    Mock Court Room in the Business School
    Crime prevention activity using Virtual Reality
    University campus.
    Library.
    Inside the University's extensive library.
    Student Central Building.

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    Research Excellence

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    Important information

    When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by our terms and conditions, Handbook of Regulations and associated policies. It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan.

    Although we always try and ensure we deliver our courses as described, sometimes we may have to make changes for the following reasons:

    Changes to a course you have applied for but are not yet enrolled on

    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. 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. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and if you are unhappy with the change we will discuss with you other suitable courses we can transfer your application to. If 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

    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 an equivalent range of options to that advertised for the course. 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 non-optional modules on a course if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change is a change that substantially changes 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), 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 or a commissioning or accrediting body. We may also make changes to improve the course in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback or to ensure you are being taught current best practice. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff being unable to teach due to illness, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to pandemics, other disasters (such as fire, flood or war) or changes made by the government.

    Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but may happen sooner in an emergency. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will consult with affected groups of students and any changes would only be made in accordance with our regulations. 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 let us know before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for any additional tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so and you may be eligible for an exit award depending on how far through your course you are.

    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 in accordance with the student protection plan.

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

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