Criminology at the University of Newcastle is about understanding the social implications of crime – and its impact on local and global communities.

Criminology as a discipline helps us to make sense of crime and related issues of punishment and victimisation. A unique aspect of the University of Newcastle Criminology Degree programme is the focus given on social harm to the study of crime. This will provide you with the opportunity to think more broadly and critically beyond the confines of ‘crime’ that criminology traditionally offers.

Our BA Criminology degree has been carefully constructed to provide you with a unique opportunity to develop your skills in explaining complex social problems in terms of criminological theory and to be able to apply conceptions of human rights in order to evaluate efforts to prevent harm and ensure personal safety. 

By studying a Criminology degree at the University of Newcastle you will be confident in both applying and understanding:

  • the traditional criminological questions from various standpoints. You will be able to contextualise the causes of crime within their societal context and re-evaluate criminal justice responses on the basis of the harms caused.
  • contemporary debates around harm and crime and be challenged to consider how our societies should respond to pressing problems, such as domestic violence, knife crime, or drug related crime, as well as supra national issues like genocide and transnational crime.
  • The development of the criminal justice institutions (police, prisons and courts) in the UK and a comparative context, as well as the inter-relationships between these systems, as mechanisms to respond to crimes and social harms
  • The construction and representation of crimes and social harms, and of responses to these in policy making, mass/socialmedia and public opinion
  • The understanding and appropriate use of research strategies and methods in criminological research

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.

BA Criminology

Course Level:

Undergraduate

Credits 

120

Course

CODE U451

How long it takes:

Undergraduate (3 years)

Study Mode:

Distance learning/ Campus

Course cost

Price: US$20,220

Entry requirements

Find out more about

Department:

Newcastle Law School

Year 1

   

Core modules

  • Criminological Theory I
  • Violence in a Global Context
  • Crime and Society
  • Social Research Part I
  • Social Research Part 2
  • Philosophies of Welfare
  • Social Problems and Social Policy: Social Science in Action Part 2

Year 2

    

Core modules

  • Social Research II
  • Contemporary Issues in Policing
  • Punishment in a Global Context
  • Criminological Theory II

You must choose 40 credits from the optional modules

  • Terror, Threat and Security
  • ‘Sociology of Race’ and Ethnicity – A Global Perspective
  • Gender and Sexuality
  • Doing Justice*
  • Comparative Social Policy
  • Contemporary Issues in Housing Policy
  • Managing Health and Social Care
  • Self and Society
  • Media and Society
  • Global Societies

Final Year

Core modules

  • Dissertation
  • Harmful Societies: Crime, Social Harm, Social Justice

You must choose 60 credits from the optional modules

  • Youth, Crime and Justice
  • Crime and the City
  • From Beveridge to Cameron: The Political History of the Welfare State From the Second World War to the Present Day
  • Prospects for Social Policy in the UK
  • Doing or Not Doing God? Religion, Policy & Politics
  • Quantitative Data Analysis I and Quantitative Data Analysis II
  • New Migration and Super Diversity
  • Sociology of Health and Illness
  • Sociology of Personal Life
  • Divided Publics?
  • Your Money and Your Life: From Welfare State to Personal Finance
  • Political Sociology
  • Technology and Society
  • ‘Freedom’, Control and Critique

Entry requirements

 

Applicants should normally have one of the following:

  • A non-law bachelor’s degree (from a UK university or recognised by the BSB if you wish to study the BPTC), or
  • A ‘stale’ law degree, where five or more years have elapsed since graduation, 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.

If you intend to become a Solicitor

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has reduced its requirements for pre-authorisation this year. For details of the current arrangements, see the SRA website. You should pay special attention to the Character and Suitability section. If you think you may have a character or suitability issue, you may wish to clarify with the SRA before proceeding with the GDL.

See further details of our English Language requirement

USA,UK & EU students, 2019/20 (per year)

£8,500

International students starting 2019/20 (per year)

£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.

Our courses are especially designed, at every stage, to equip you with the knowledge, academic skill and transferable skills you need for a successful career in industry or research. 

  

The Destination of Leavers from Higher Education survey 2016/17 shows that 93% of our Computer Science graduates are in graduate-level employment or further study six months after graduation.

We hold specialist careers fairs throughout the year for computer science students to help you network and find opportunities to secure placements and graduate employability once you leave us.

    

Graduates who have studied our courses:

Example employers:

  • Accenture
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Honda
  • HP
  • IBM
  • Logics
  • Rolls Royce
  • UBS
  • QinetiQ