UCAS Code: M930

Duration: 3 years

Intl Fee: £9,500

Criminology is a contemporary, fast growing and exciting course which will give you a comprehensive understanding of crime and criminal behaviour.

This course develops your skills as a social scientist through modules such as ‘Quantitative Methods in Criminology’ and ‘Applied Qualitative Research Methods’. You will apply these skills to analysing the criminal justice system including courts, policing, probation services and prisons.

You will examine victimology, government policy, the criminal justice system and public and media reactions to crime, along with a range of employment related and life skills. The Criminology staff have particular interests in youth, gender, police studies, punishment, rehabilitation and political theory.

Around 9 out of 10 students on Sunderland’s social studies courses agree that teaching staff are ‘good at explaining things’ and ‘enthusiastic about what they teach’, according to the National Student Survey.

Throughout the course you will explore theories and approaches to ‘Criminology’ and ‘Criminal Justice’ in ever-increasing depth. There is also a choice of modules linked to five pathways: ‘Youth Justice and Rehabilitation’, ‘Policing and Penology’, ‘Diversity and Social Justice’, ‘Applied Criminological Research’ and ‘Criminal Justice and Criminology Theory’. In addition there is opportunity to apply your new skills and knowledge during an 84-hour practical placement. This could involve working in the prisons, crime research units, probation services, police forces or agencies linked to drugs, alcohol and mental health.

88% of graduates from our social science courses enter employment or further study within six months of graduating, according to the 2010 Destination of Higher Education Leavers Survey. Potential employers include the traditional agencies related to the criminal justice system as well as a growing number of charities, social enterprises and educational organisations.