Course Details

Criminology with International Study BA

Course overview

 

This course offers a comprehensive foundation for students pursuing careers in criminal justice-related fields. Key highlights include:

  1. Academic Foundation: You will gain a strong academic understanding of criminal justice, criminology, and related fields, equipping you with the theoretical and practical knowledge needed for a variety of roles.
  2. Professional Networking: The course provides opportunities to connect with agencies and professionals in the criminal justice sector, enhancing career prospects and building valuable professional relationships.
  3. Seminars in a Local Prison: You will take part in seminars held within a local prison, studying alongside incarcerated students. This unique experience offers insight into the challenges faced by the criminal justice system from multiple perspectives.
  4. Field Trips: The course includes visits to criminal justice-related sites. These trips help contextualize the theory and provide firsthand exposure to the workings of the justice system.
  5. Analytical Skill Development: Students will develop strong analytical skills to critically assess complex data, particularly related to criminality, crime trends, and justice system operations.
  6. Global Perspective: A year abroad offers the opportunity to broaden your understanding of criminal justice systems globally. This international experience will deepen your knowledge of criminology and its application across different cultural and legal frameworks.

This course is designed for those aiming to work in law enforcement, criminal law, corrections, policy-making, or other criminal justice-related professions.

Course Overview

A Criminology with International Study BA is an undergraduate degree program that combines the study of criminology with a focus on international perspectives. Criminology, as a field, examines the causes, effects, and social reactions to crime, as well as the functioning of criminal justice systems. When combined with international study, the program typically involves exploring how crime and criminal justice systems vary across different countries and cultures, often including an opportunity for study abroad or cross-cultural learning experiences.

Here are the modules you will encounter in a Criminology program:

1. Introduction to Criminology

  • Basic concepts and definitions of criminology
  • Theories of crime and criminal behavior
  • Overview of crime trends and patterns

2. Theories of Crime

  • Classical and positivist criminological theories
  • Social and psychological theories of crime
  • Critical and conflict theories (e.g., Marxist criminology)

3. Research Methods in Criminology

  • Quantitative and qualitative research methods
  • Data collection techniques (surveys, interviews, ethnography)
  • Research design and ethical considerations

4. Criminal Justice System

  • Overview of the criminal justice system (police, courts, corrections)
  • Roles of various criminal justice agencies
  • Procedural justice and the rights of the accused

5. Penology and Punishment

  • Theories of punishment and rehabilitation
  • Prisons, alternatives to imprisonment, and community sentencing
  • The impact of punishment on offenders and society

6. Victimology

  • Study of victims of crime
  • Theories of victimization
  • Victim support systems and policies

7. Policing and Law Enforcement

  • History and evolution of policing
  • Policing strategies and ethics
  • Issues related to police powers, accountability, and reforms

8. Criminal Law

  • Basic principles of criminal law
  • Offenses and defenses in criminal law
  • Law enforcement practices and legal procedures

9. Youth Crime and Juvenile Justice

  • Factors influencing juvenile delinquency
  • Juvenile justice system
  • Policies and interventions aimed at reducing youth crime

10. Crime and Society

  • Relationship between crime and social structures
  • Social inequality, poverty, and crime
  • The role of family, education, and media in shaping crime

11. Cybercrime and Technology

  • Types of cybercrime (hacking, fraud, identity theft)
  • Law enforcement and legal issues in cyberspace
  • Prevention and response to cybercrime

12. Global Crime and International Law

  • Transnational crime (drug trafficking, human trafficking, terrorism)
  • International law enforcement agencies (e.g., INTERPOL, UNODC)
  • Global crime prevention and human rights

13. Drugs and Crime

  • The relationship between drug use and criminal behavior
  • Drug policy and decriminalization debates
  • Impact of drug laws on society and criminal justice systems

14. Social Control and Deviance

  • Theories of social control
  • Deviance and societal reactions
  • Control mechanisms in societies (laws, norms, institutions)

15. Forensic Psychology

  • Application of psychology to criminal justice
  • Criminal profiling and behavior analysis
  • Mental illness and criminal responsibility

16. Criminal Profiling

  • Techniques used to identify criminal behavior patterns
  • Understanding of offender types and motivations
  • Methods of profiling in law enforcement

17. Hate Crime and Discrimination

  • Study of crimes based on race, gender, sexual orientation, etc.
  • Legal frameworks around hate crime
  • Social impacts and prevention strategies

18. Comparative Criminology

  • Comparative study of crime and justice systems across different countries
  • Cross-cultural crime patterns
  • International crime control efforts

19. Ethics and Crime

  • Ethical dilemmas in criminology and criminal justice
  • Moral perspectives on crime and punishment
  • Ethical issues faced by criminal justice professionals

20. Criminological Theory and Contemporary Issues

  • Examining the current state of criminological theories
  • Discussion of emerging crime trends and new approaches
  • Future directions of criminology

21. Dissertation

Applicants should normally have one of the following:

  • As & A Levels,
  • A Level 4 diploma or Year 1 Bachelor Degree or any equivalent overseas qualification
  • Or an academic or professional qualification at degree equivalent level

If English is not your first language, you will also need to demonstrate your English Language proficiency. For example, you should have IELTS 7.5 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all components.

 


·USA, UK & EU students, 2024/25 (per year)

 

  • USD 8,500

·International students starting 2024/25 (per year)

 

  • USD 13,100


Assessment

 

  • You’ll show your progress through a combination of written essays, problem-solving assignments and presentations.
  • All students take our core modules, but please note that the availability of optional modules is subject to demand.

 


Criminology offers many career opportunities, thanks to the transferable skills developed during study. Recent graduates have found careers in areas like:

  • Criminal Justice System (e.g., police, probation services, offender management)
  • Community Justice
  • National Intelligence and Security Agencies
  • Charity and Voluntary Sector Organizations
  • Government Roles
  • Teaching

The BA Criminology programme emphasizes employability, with a specialist careers and employability programme that includes workshops and networking opportunities. Students have access to events such as Criminology Question Time, where they can learn from professionals in the police, probation services, intelligence analysis, and the third sector. Additional career-focused sessions cover topics like the business of law, civil procedure, CV and application support, mock interviews, and networking with professionals.


  • Credit 120
  • Course CODE U6547
  • Duration 3 YEARS
  • Study Mode DISTANCE LEARNING/ AFFILIATE CAMPUS
  • Fee USD 20000
  • Departement SOCIOLOGY