BA (Hons)

Criminology with Law

L375

There are few subjects more compelling than crime and law. Together, they capture the public imagination, dominate the news headlines and rule the bestseller and TV box-set charts.  

criminology with law

Course overview

Our fascinating Criminology with Law programme allows you to explore a wide range of criminal justice and penological concepts and issues. While focusing on a criminological approach to such topics, the legal learning offers additional depth to your studies. By bringing together political, social, cultural and philosophical perspectives on law and order, the programme offers an applied consideration of the contemporary justice issues faced in society. 

This popular course has been designed to include the methodological, academic and practical skills essential to enhance your professional development and career opportunities. As such, you engage with crime related professionals, agencies and organisations to develop your understanding of how they work and apply newly-learnt theories. 

During the course you also acquire skills of gathering data using quantitative and qualitative methods, synthesising and interpreting evidence and assembling arguments, presenting evidence and formulating findings and conclusions. 

You have the opportunity, too, to become a member of The British Society of Criminology, which has been in existence for 50 years, and is the society for criminologists, both academic and professional, within the United Kingdom. 
 
Find out more about the Department for Applied Social Science, Forensics and Politics 

What you need to know

Course start date

September

Location

Winchester campus

Course length

  • 3 years full-time
  • 6 years part-time

Apply

L375

Typical offer

104-120 points

Fees

From £9,250 pa

Course features

  • Become proficient at using both legal and criminological approaches to solve complex problems in real casework on cold cases and case reviews 
  • Consider in-depth many aspects of criminology, including miscarriages of justice and investigating serious crimes 
  • Learn from a teaching team with wide ranging practitioner experience offering genuine insight into the criminal justice system 
  • Benefit from interactive and practical teaching approaches that bring theory and practice to life 
  • Opportunities for field trips to places such as Belfast and Turin 

Course details

In Year 1, you gain an awareness of the key principles and concepts underpinning the study of crime. You also study modules on Crime Through Time, Police and Police Work, Victimology and Public Law. 

In Year 2, you develop your understanding of contemporary criminological theory and study Penology. Optional modules may include Comparative Criminal Justice, Writings on Crime, Morality and Deviance, and Violent Crime. You also develop your ability to approach research in criminology. 

In Year 3, you broaden your knowledge of topics in the field and put into practice your independent research skills by specialising in a topic of your own choice for your final year project. You can choose from a wide range of special interests from both fields, including Organised Crime, the Politics of Crime, Human Rights, and Media Law. 

Learning and Teaching

Our aim is to shape 'confident learners' by enabling you to develop the skills needed to excel in your studies here and as well as onto further studies or the employment market.

You are taught primarily through a combination of lectures and seminars, allowing opportunities to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups.

In addition to the formally scheduled contact time such as lectures and seminars etc.), you are encouraged to access academic support from staff within the course team and the wide range of services available to you within the University.

Independent Learning

Over the duration of your course, you will be expected to develop independent and critical learning, progressively building confidence and expertise through independent and collaborative research, problem-solving and analysis with the support of staff. You take responsibility for your own learning and are encouraged to make use of the wide range of available learning resources available.

Overall workload

Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning and assessment activity.

While your actual contact hours may depend on the optional modules you select, the following information gives an indication of how much time you will need to allocate to different activities at each level of the course.

Year 1 (Level 4): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*

Teaching, learning and assessment: 288
Independent learning: 912

Year 2 (Level 5): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*

Teaching, learning and assessment: 264
Independent learning: 936

Year 3 (Level 6): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*

Teaching, learning and assessment: 192
Independent learning: 1008

*Please note these are indicative hours for the course. 

Teaching Hours

All class based teaching takes places between 9am – 6pm, Monday to Friday during term time. Wednesday afternoons are kept free from timetabled teaching for personal study time and for sports clubs and societies to train, meet and play matches. There may be some occasional learning opportunities (for example, an evening guest lecturer or performance) that take places outside of these hours for which you will be given forewarning.

Assessment

Percentage of the course assessed by coursework

The assessment balance between examination and coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose. The approximate percentage of the course assessed by different assessment modes is as follows:

Year 1 (Level 4)*:

75% coursework
25% written exams
0% practical assessment

Year 2 (Level 5)*:

62% coursework
13% written exams
25% practical assessment

Year 3 (Level 6)*:

100% coursework

*Please note these are indicative percentages and modes for the programme.

Modules

Please note the modules listed are correct at the time of publishing. The University cannot guarantee the availability of all modules listed and modules may be subject to change. The University will notify applicants of any changes made to the core modules listed. For further information please refer to winchester.ac.uk/termsandconditions

Modules

Introduction to Criminology 15 Credits

Criminology is considered as a ‘rendezvous’ but specialist discipline; a study of crime and criminal activity that serves as a meeting point for Social Science disciplines. This module introduces and explores the various disciplinary approaches to the study of crime. However, it will have as its starting point an exploration of common-sense and everyday perceptions and the social construction of crime, as well as the representation of crime and the criminal justice system. The module will also begin to introduce and explore the range and scope of issues and topics examined by the specialist discipline of Criminology.

Being a Criminologist 15 Credits

This module aims to support students in the transition from previous studies or employment into university level study. The module is practical and linked to the other modules that students will be studying throughout their first year at Winchester. Students will explore the start of their professional development also through talks from Careers and engagement with practitioners and voluntary organisations. Alongside the skills development sessions, students will develop independent research skills in a group format. They will design, execute and analyse a small research project through workshops throughout the semester.

Law, Government and Policy 15 Credits

Law, Government and Policy offers a foundation approach to the legal and political processes for criminology students. To be able analyse and critically assess crime, law and order approaches within the wider studies of criminology, it is essential for students to have an appreciation of the processes through which legislation is created and the political influences on them. This module aims to take both a practical and theoretical look at the legal system through the analysis of existing policy and legislation along with experiencing the criminal justice system through court visits. The aim is to bring in guest speakers who are legal practitioners to offer an authentic and realistic element to the programme of teaching. The module will be delivered through interactive lectures making use of case studies, practical applications and policy/legislation analysis.

Police and Police Work 15 Credits

The police are one of the most important parts of the criminal justice system and also one of the most scrutinised. This module will introduce students to the work conducted by the police in England and Wales and focus on key debates on the role of the police with respect to the rest of society.

The module will also examine and explore issues such as policing by consent, the arming of police and contemporary issues such as community policing and the policing of terrorism. Other issues will include the policing approaches to protests and demonstrations. Challenges around police and youth groups and policing culture will be further considered. There will also be some comparisons with police forces outside the United Kingdom.

Crime, Media and Culture 15 Credits

In this module you will have an opportunity to explore the mediation of crime and ‘deviant’ behaviour. Crime has always been a theme for popular media but in the contemporary world new and old media have become tools for policing and social control. At the same time, critics suggest that that the popular media have an important role in the construction of particular discourses or ideologies of crime and punishment. This module explores these themes using a range of contemporary and established theoretical approaches.

The module itself is divided into two related parts. Part One is aimed to introduce to the main theoretical concepts of ‘crime’, ‘media’ and ‘culture’ in order that you have strong theoretical knowledge and are better able to produce informed academic arguments. Part Two uses case studies of various aspects of crime, media and culture, to encourage you to examine and critically reflect on the inter-related nature of crime, culture and media representations.

Victimology 15 Credits

Victims play a vital role within the criminal justice system with the ‘state’ often taking the role of representative of the victim within formal justice processes. Victims hold a number of different statuses within society – from the ‘ideal victim’ to the victim who ‘asked’ for what has happened to them. Social, legal and political motivations underpin how victims are both treated and portrayed.

This module seeks to explore, appreciate and understand what role victims have within justice systems, how they are represented by both themselves and stakeholders and what challenges and issues are involved with such roles. Through engagement with academic literature, media reporting and political documentation, students will explore the many facets of ‘victimhood’.

Introduction to Public Law 15 Credits

This module explores core issues relating to the UK constitution, such as the role of parliament and the monarchy within a parliamentary democracy. We will examine the balance of power between parliament and the courts, as well as the powers of government and its limitations. The module introduces students to the legal and political sources of the British constitution, the relationship of the State towards its citizens and to other States, and to the scope of the courts to review government action. 

Public Law: Judicial Review and Human Rights 15 Credits

This module continues to explore the constitutional role of the courts in examining the actions of government, as well as the steps a petitioner must take when asking a court review the legality of government action. We will examine the legal analysis used by the courts in the process of judicial review of the government. This module will encourage you to examine the individual human rights afforded to citizens, as well as the protections provided by the common law.

Modules

Penology 15 Credits

What constitutes ‘justice’ and how is this ‘delivered’? How did we come to contemporary concepts of “just punishment”? You will be introduced to the most important philosophical interpretations of the concept of punishment, and will discover the birth, evolution and socio-criminological characteristics of the main form of punishment (prison) and its alternatives.  Finally, contemporary penological approaches to the punishment of offenders will be analysed, from community penalties to restorative justice. You will be invited to practice and maintain a critical approach to the subject, in order to understand that theory and reality in criminal justice practice may be two different things, and to identify where some change in the policies could be needed.

Criminological Theory 15 Credits

This module will introduce students to the range of ways by which crime has been conceptualised within Criminology and to critically explore the wide range of theoretical perspectives that those researching crime and criminality view the key issues and challenges from. You will become familiar with a range of key themes that run through the array of Criminological theory and develop a core understanding of how these varied views complement and contradict one another.

The module will be delivered through two sessions per week with a focus on exploring the range of Criminological theories and understanding the role that such positions have in practice, the construction of understanding of the criminal justice and their role in pushing forward reform and change.

Criminological Research 30 Credits

The early stages of this module will seek to explore some of the traditions, principles and philosophies of conducting research within social sciences and with a specific focus on criminological research. It will aim to challenge the fundamental understanding of the nature and purpose of criminological research. The teaching will enable students to develop understanding of contextualised, considered and critical application of research within criminological settings. The later stages of the module will focus on the design and proposal for the student’s own Extended Independent Study in their final year. They will experience the initial stages of the research process through deciding on topics, issues, methodological and analytical approaches that they will use.

Underpinning the whole module will be exposure to real life research projects, how they were executed and the decisions and challenges faced. This forms part of the critical understanding of the ‘realities’ and ‘practicalities’ of conducting research. Overall, students will develop a working knowledge of the relevant research skills they will need to complete their Extended Independent Study as well employment post-graduation.

Criminal Law - Principles and Personal Offences 15 Credits

The criminal law provides citizens with a framework set of rules for conducting day to day activities. Under the criminal law, those people who have been found to fail to comply to these rules are punished. The state – through legislation and common law – uses its power to uphold these rules and award punishments to those who offend. The criminal law covers a wide range of behaviours that vary in severity and regularity. This module focuses on the fundamental principles of criminal law. It explores key offences against the person, including non-fatal offences against the person, homicide, and sexual offences, and examines legal and moral issues relating to these offences.

Optional Modules Credits
  • Comparative Criminal Justice - 15 Credits
  • Volunteering in Criminology - 15 Credits
  • Violent Crime - 15 Credits
  • Criminal and Social Justice in Practice - 15 Credits
  • Crime Mapping and Geographical Information Systems - 15 Credits
  • Young People, Deviance and Crime - 15 Credits
  • Criminological Narratives and Stories - 15 Credits
  • Digital Crime and Investigation - 15 credits
Criminal Law - Property Related Offences 15 Credits

The criminal law provides citizens with a framework set of rules for conducting day to day activities. Under the criminal law, those people who have been found to fail to comply to these rules are punished. The state – through legislation and common law – uses its power to uphold these rules and award punishments to those who offend. The criminal law covers a wide range of behaviours that vary in severity and regularity. This module focuses on the fundamental principles of criminal law. It also explores key offences against property, including theft, criminal damage, burglary, robbery and fraud, and examines legal and moral issues relating to these offences.

Modules

Extended Independent Study 30 Credits

Following two years of criminological study, the Extended Independent Study (EIS) provides an opportunity for students to develop further study into an area or topic of their own choice and interest, and to undertake a piece of independent research. The student will identify a topic of interest, provide a rationale for the research, devise and submit a research proposal, conduct a piece of research and write up and present the project and main findings following the appropriate scholarly conventions.

There can be a range of approaches and associated outputs from this independent research. For example, students can opt for the traditional inquiry module with a 10,000 word dissertation report. Alternatively, a student can complete an industry problem led project where there is partnership working with an organisation to address a particular issue in their operations. There will be flexibility in the output created to allow for students to make the most out of the research process.

The EIS is a double module which spans Semesters 1 and 2 and provides the student with an opportunity to develop their interests in a specific aspect of Criminology as well as developing their research and communication skills.

Optional modules Credits
  • Criminological Investigation: Miscarriages of Justice: The Justice Project - 15 Credits
  • Organised Crime - 15 Credits
  • Politics of Crime - 15 Credits
  • Drugs and Alcohol: Use and Control - 15 Credits
  • Criminology Independent Project - 15 Credits
  • Controlling and Preventing Crime and Deviance - 15 Credits
  • Riots, Protest and the Law - 15 Credits
  • Understanding Political Violence: The contradictions of Terrorism - 15 credits
  • Criminal Bodies - 15 Credits
  • Sport and Crime - 15 Credits
  • Crime and Humanity - 15 Credits
  • Criminological Psychology - 15 Credits
  • Mental Health Law - 15 Credits
  • Human Rights Law - 15 Credits
  • Child Law and Policy - 15 Credits
  • Technology and Cyber Law - 15 Credits
  • Modern Slavery - 15 Credits
  • Identity, Equality and Crime - 15 Credits
  • Geographies of Crime - 15 Credits
  • Modern Slavery - 15 Credits
  • Identity, Equality and Crime - 15 Credits
  • International Criminal Law - 15 Credits
  • Immigration Law and Policy - 15 Credits
  • Criminal Justice - 15 Credits
  • Desistance from Crime: From Theory to Practice - 15 Credits

Entry requirements

104-120 points

Our offers are typically made using UCAS tariff points to allow you to include a range of level 3 qualifications and as a guide, the requirements for this course are equivalent to:

  • A-Levels: BCC-BBB from 3 A Levels or equivalent grade combinations (e.g. BBB is comparable to ABC in terms of tariff points)
  • BTEC/CTEC: DMM from BTEC or Cambridge Technical (CTEC) qualifications
  • International Baccalaureate: To include a minimum of 2 Higher Level certificates at grade H4
  • T Level: Merit in a T Level

Additionally, we accept tariff points achieved for many other qualifications, such as the Access to Higher Education Diploma, Scottish Highers, UAL  Diploma/Extended Diploma and WJEC Applied Certificate/Diploma, to name a few. We also accept tariff points from smaller level 3 qualifications, up to a maximum of 32,   from qualifications like the Extended Project (EP/EPQ), music or dance qualifications. To find out more about UCAS tariff points, including what your qualifications are worth, please visit UCAS.

In addition to level 3 study, the following GCSE’s are required:

GCSE English Language at grade 4 or C, or higher. Functional Skills at level 2 is accepted as an alternative, however Key Skills qualifications are not. If you hold another qualification, please get in touch and we will advise further.

If you will be over the age of 21 years of age at the beginning of your undergraduate study, you will be considered as a mature student. This means our offer may be different and any work or life experiences you have will be considered together with any qualifications you hold. UCAS have further information about studying as a mature student on the UCAS website which may be of interest.

International points required

If English is not your first language, a formal English language test will most likely be required and you will need to achieve the following:

  • IELTS Academic at 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all four components (for year 1 entry).
  • We also accept other English language qualifications, such as IELTS Indicator, Oxford ELLT, Pearson PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and TOEFL iBT.

If you are living outside of the UK or Europe, you can find out more about how to join this course by contacting our International Recruitment Team via our International Apply Pages. 

 

2025 Course Tuition Fees

  UK / Channel Islands /
Isle of Man / Republic of Ireland 

International

Year 1 £9,250 £16,700
Year 2 £9,250 £16,700
Year 3 £9,250 £16,700
Total £27,750 £50,100
Optional Sandwich Year* £1,850 £3,340
Total with Sandwich Year £29,600 £53,440

Additional tuition fee information

If you are a UK student starting your degree in September 2025, the first year will cost you £9,250**. Based on this fee level, the indicative fees for a three-year degree would be £27,750 for UK students.

Remember, you don’t have to pay any of this upfront if you are able to get a tuition fee loan from the UK Government to cover the full cost of your fees each year.

UK Part-Time fees are calculated on a pro rata basis of the full-time fee for a 120 credit course. The fee for a single credit is £77.08 and a 15 credit module is £1,156. Part-time students can take up to a maximum 90 credits per year, so the maximum fee in a given year will be the government permitted maximum fee of £6,935.

International part-time fees are calculated on a pro rata basis of the full-time fee for a 120 credit course. The fee for a single credit is £139.14 and a 15 credit module is £2,087.

* Please note that not all courses offer an optional sandwich year.

**The University of Winchester will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year.

Additional costs

As one of our students all of your teaching and assessments are included in your tuition fees, including, lectures/guest lectures and tutorials, seminars, laboratory sessions and specialist teaching facilities. You will also have access to a wide range of student support and IT services.

There might be additional costs you may encounter whilst studying. The following highlights the mandatory and optional costs for this course:

Optional

Textbooks
For some modules, students are strongly recommended that they purchase one or two books (usually a general textbook or a sourcebook that is used weekly across a module). Indicative cost is £150 per academic year.

Field trips
Some optional criminology modules may involve a field trip. Indicative cost is £500 for each trip.

 

SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES AND AWARDS

We have a variety of scholarship and bursaries available to support you financially with the cost of your course. To see if you’re eligible, please see our Scholarships and Awards.

CAREER PROSPECTS

Graduates are equipped for a wide range of criminal justice careers including the police service, youth and probation work, and the prison service. The Home Office, HM Revenue and Customs, legal firms and other relevant support roles in crime-related work are also potential employment routes.

The University of Winchester ranks in the top 10 in the UK for graduates in employment or further study according to the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023, HESA.

Pre-approved for a Masters 

If you study a Bachelor Honours degree with us, you will be pre-approved to start a Masters degree at Winchester. To be eligible, you will need to apply by the end of March in the final year of your degree and meet the entry requirements of your chosen Masters degree. 

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18 January 2025