Northumbria University Newcastle - Criminology and Sociology BSc (Hons)

Northumbria University Newcastle

Criminology and Sociology BSc (Hons)


Our Criminology and Sociology degree will develop your intellectual curiosity. You will explore the relationship between crime, justice and society on the one hand, and link individual actions to social structures on the other, all through an examination of contemporary theories, policies and practice.  As an active and responsible member of global society, you will use your knowledge to think independently, as well as to challenge the opinions and conduct of others. You will recognise the value of your discipline in shaping society, through critical evidence-based responses to crime and criminal justice problems.

You will have the option to apply for a relevant work placement – for instance, in a prison or police station – and learn from lecturers who are also leading researchers in a variety of cutting-edge research fields in criminology and sociology.  



Entry Requirements

Standard Entry

120 UCAS Tariff points

From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-level, T Level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.

Find out how many points your qualifications are worth by using the UCAS Tariff calculator: www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator

Subject Requirements:

There are no specific subject requirements for this course.

GCSE Requirements:

Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or an equivalent.

Additional Requirements:

There are no additional requirements for this course.

International Qualifications:

We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications which may not match those shown above.

If you have qualifications from outside the UK, find out what you need by visiting www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry

English Language Requirements:

International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent*).

Career Prospects

Our graduates stand out from their peers. You will be equipped with the intellectual and practical skills to be a critical and reflective member of society, and a desirable candidate to employers.

We place a very real emphasis on skills that are eminently transferable and that will be valuable in future employment. You will develop writing, communication, analytical and problem-solving skills, quantitative and qualitative research skills, as well as the ability to work individually and in groups, all of which will be vitally important in your career. You will also learn about the ways in which criminal justice agencies operate and about the challenges faced by these agencies, giving you an excellent grounding for jobs within related organisations. 

Our graduates have a mature intellectual curiosity which allows them to explore the relationship between crime, justice and society on the one hand, and link individual actions to social structures on the other. 

Course Details

This course is designed to be responsive to your needs in providing a learning environment that is both challenging and supportive. You will study core modules aimed at developing your understanding of social and criminological theory as well as deepening your research skills.

This combination of modules is designed to help you to engage with contemporary debates, drawing on lectures and seminars which will allow you to explore how the divisions of Criminology and Sociology undertake research through critically assessing the work of others as well as conducting original empirical research.

An example of our innovative modules is our module “Radical Ideas”. The aim of the module is to demonstrate the distinctive character and power of Sociology as a discipline for understanding, critically analysing and intervening within some of the most interesting, pressing and contemporary social issues. During the module, students interact with sociologists and practitioners from around the UK whose work is internationally recognized as ‘world leading’ within the discipline. and the policy field.

Year 1

Explaining Crime (Core,20 Credits)
Real World Research 1 (Core,20 Credits)
The Criminal Justice System 1 (Core,20 Credits)
Thinking Sociologically 1 (Core,20 Credits)
Thinking Sociologically 2 (Core,20 Credits)
Social Problems: Myths and Realities (Core,20 Credits)
Academic Language Skills for Humanities and Social Sciences (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Year 2

Social Sciences Study Abroad (60 credit) (Optional,60 Credits)
Sex Work: Theory, Practice, Regulation (Optional,20 Credits)
Youth, Crime and Deviance (Optional,20 Credits)
Contemporary Issues in Criminality (Core,20 Credits)
The Criminal Justice System 2 (Core,20 Credits)
Crime and Media (Optional,20 Credits)
Drugs, Crime and Society (Optional,20 Credits)
Contemporary Social Theory (Core,20 Credits)
Sex and Gender in Society (Optional,20 Credits)
Real World Research 2 (Core,20 Credits)
Growing Up: Youth and Education (Optional,20 Credits)
Families and Households: Value, Place and Culture (Optional,20 Credits)
Activism and Advocacy (Optional,20 Credits)
Live Project: Sociology in Action (Optional,20 Credits)
Academic Language Skills for Humanities and Social Sciences (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Year 3

Social Sciences Work Placement Year (Optional,120 Credits)
Social Sciences Study Abroad Year (Optional,120 Credits)
Year in International Business (This is made up of modules studied in Newcastle (Semester 1) & Amsterdam (Semester 2) (Optional,120 Credits)
Year in International Multidisciplinary Innovation (4 modules studied in Amsterdam (Semester 1) & Newcastle (Semester 2) (Optional,120 Credits)

Year 4

Contemporary Policing and Security (Optional,20 Credits)
Mentally Disordered Offenders (Optional,20 Credits)
Work Experience Dissertation (Optional,40 Credits)
Crime, Animals and the Environment (Optional,20 Credits)
Life after Crime (Optional,20 Credits)
Crime, Technology and Surveillance (Optional,20 Credits)
Social Harm (Optional,20 Credits)
Social Sciences Dissertation (Optional,40 Credits)
Radical Ideas in Sociology (Optional,20 Credits)
Workers and 'Chavs': The British Working Class (Optional,20 Credits)
Making Sense of Happiness and Wellbeing (Optional,20 Credits)
Gender, Violence and Abuse (Optional,20 Credits)
Bodies in Social Worlds (Optional,20 Credits)
Academic Language Skills for Humanities and Social Sciences (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

*The information’s are correct at the time of publishing, however it may change if university makes any changes after we have published the information. While we try our best to provide correct information, It is advisable to call us or visit university website for up to date information.

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