Course overview
- Build an academic base, links with agencies and professionals suitable for a range of careers in criminal justice-related professions.
- Take seminars in a local prison and study alongside prison-based students.
- Participate in field trips to criminal justice-related locations, including Newcastle Crown Court.
- Develop analytical skills to assess complex data related to experiences of criminality.
- Broaden your understanding of criminal justice systems and understanding of criminology across the world with a year abroad.
Institutional Accreditation
University of Newcastle is accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission (DETC), www.detc.org.uk Since , University of Newcastle has been continually accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission and its predecessor.
Course Level:
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
Course
CODE U12010
How long it takes:
4 years
Study Mode:
Distance learning/ Campus
Entry requirements
Find out more about
Department:
Newcastle Law School
Course content for year 1
Common compulsory course units allow you to develop an understanding of the sociological and psychological explanations for crime and criminal behaviour. Study the criminal justice system and criminal law alongside the theories of social behaviour.
Course units for year 1
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crime and Society | LAWS10001 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Criminological Research Methods | LAWS10072 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Criminal Law (Criminology) | LAWS10082 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Foundations of Criminal Justice | LAWS10421 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Psychology, Crime and Criminal Justice | LAWS10432 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Enhanced Study Skills for Criminology | LAWS10441 | 20 | Mandatory |
Course content for year 2
Extend your understanding of criminological theory and your knowledge of the practices and techniques used in contemporary criminal justice systems. Develop your knowledge of specific patterns of crime and criminality, as well as your understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods.
Course units for year 2
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Policing and the Police | LAWS20051 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Explaining Crime and Deviance | LAWS20412 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Making Sense of Criminological Data | LAWS20441 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Modelling Criminological Data | LAWS20452 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Understanding Punishment | LAWS20692 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Criminology and Criminal Justice in Action | LAWS20701 | 20 | Optional |
| Youth, Crime and Justice | LAWS31101 | 20 | Optional |
Course content for year 3
Your third year of study will be completed in a host university in another country in Europe or further afield.
You will normally be expected to complete Criminology course units during this period of study but, depending on the options available at the host university, you may also pursue other subjects of interest.
Course content for year 4
In Year 4, you will develop your knowledge of current research issues in selected areas of crime and criminal justice, together with a further understanding and appreciation of the inter-relationships between crime, law, criminal justice, and society.
The final year also allows you the opportunity to develop specialised knowledge in particular areas of criminology and/or law. A range of specialist options is available on a wide range of criminological topics.
A key element of final year work is the opportunity to undertake a short or long dissertation. The dissertation allows you to develop an extended piece of writing on a research topic that really interests you; perhaps doing fieldwork and then analysing and making sense of the data that you have collected. You will be supported by experienced academic staff.
A-level
- ABB
- We do not accept two A/S Levels grades in place of one A Level.
- We accept the Level 3 Diploma in Financial Studies (DipFS) as equivalent to an A-level if taken alongside two full A-levels that are in different subject areas of the Diploma.
AS-level
Unit grade information
The University of Newcastle welcomes the provision of unit information where available. Like all other information provided by applicants this may be taken into consideration when assessing your application. Unit grades will not normally form part of an offer conditions.
GCSE
Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade C or 4 in GCSE/iGCSE English Language and Mathematics. GCSE/iGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/iGCSE English Language. We would normally expect to see a good GCSE profile with at least 5 grade A/7, with the remainder at a minimum grade of C/4.
Tuition fees for home/EU students commencing their studies in September 2020 will be £9,250 per annum. Tuition fees for international students will be £19,000 per annum.
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.
Career opportunities
Criminology is a diverse and fascinating subject, and the transferable skills you develop during your time with us will set you up for a number of paths you may not even have considered.
Recent graduates have gone on to work in areas such as criminal justice system-related professions, police and offender management (eg Probation Service), community justice, national intelligence and security agencies, charity and voluntary sector organisations, government and teaching.
Our BA Criminology programme has employability skills embedded throughout, and you will have access to our specialist careers and employability programme with regular workshops run by careers events throughout your degree. These sessions cover careers ranging across a broad range of professions, and the opportunity to network with our previous graduates.
If you plan to pursue a career in Criminology and areas related to criminal justice, our extensive Criminology Careers Programme will help. This includes Criminology Question Time, which gives you the chance to learn from and network with panellists from the police, probation, intelligence analysing and the third sector.
We also offer a specialist careers and employability programme with regular workshops delivered by practitioners and in-house specialists including The Business of Law, Civil Procedure, CV Application Support, Mock Interviews and Meet the Professionals.
Studying abroad widens your horizons, gives a unique intercultural experience, allows you to build an international network and enhances employability. Returning students often describe their year abroad as the best time of their degree.