(Full time) 2019 start
Criminal Justice and Criminology BA

Overview
Drawing on the world-leading research of the Centre for Criminal Justice Studies, this course will give you an advanced understanding of crime and its control.
You’ll explore the complex questions around why crime happens, how offenders should be dealt with and how crime can be prevented. You will examine the individual, social, legal and political forces that shape both crime and how it is controlled. In addition, you’ll study the workings of criminal justice agencies like the police, courts, prisons and probation as well as the private companies and voluntary groups who have increasing roles in offender management and crime prevention.
Core modules will give you a firm grounding in the substantive, methodological and theoretical components of criminology as well as related aspects of the disciplines of law, sociology and psychology. You will gain both the subject knowledge and research skills needed to understand and contribute to wider knowledge of crime and criminal justice. From anti-social behaviour to war crimes and from drug use to terrorism, the range of optional modules on offer will also allow you to focus on topics that suit your interests and career ambitions.
Course content
Year one lays the foundations of your degree. You’ll explore crucial issues around how crime is defined, how it is measured and how key social issues, such as inequality, impact upon it. You’ll be introduced to the study of criminal law, sociology and forensic psychology. You’ll develop the academic and research skills needed to study criminal justice at undergraduate level.
Year two allows to consolidate and extend what you have learned. You’ll build your understanding of criminological theory and, through learning about research methods, you will also gain valuable research skills and experiences. To give you a different perspective on criminal justice, further compulsory modules will examine crime prevention and crime science, as well as evolving issues of transnational and international crime. Optional modules will allow you to explore a wide range of related topics in the social sciences, from youth crime to race and ethnicity studies.
In year three, the core modules will give you in-depth knowledge of policing institutions and operations in the UK, in addition to penology – the study of how offenders are punished. You’ll also choose from further optional modules, exploring diverse topics including crime history, mass atrocities, technology and crime, and sex work. In addition, the year culminates with your dissertation – an independent research project on a topic of your choice, which allows you to demonstrate your knowledge and skills.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Introduction to Criminal Justice 20 credits
- Criminal Justice Study Skills 10 credits
- Understanding Crime 20 credits
- Introduction to Criminal Law 20 credits
- Crime, Inequality and Social Issues 20 credits
- Forensic Psychology 10 credits
- Sociology of Modern Societies 20 credits
Year 2
Compulsory modules
- Criminology: Theories and Concepts 20 credits
- Transnational and Comparative Criminology 20 credits
- Crime Prevention and Crime Science 20 credits
- Researching Crime and Criminal Justice (for undergraduates) 20 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
You will study 20-40 credits from a list which may include:
- International Human Rights Law 20 credits
- Lawyers, Ethics and Society 20 credits
- Youth Crime and Justice 20 credits
- Disability Studies: An Introduction 20 credits
- Crime, Race and Ethnicity 20 credits
- The Sociology of Culture 20 credits
- Urban Disorders, Social Divisions and Social Control 20 credits
Discovery modules
You may study up to 20 credits of discovery modules.
Year 3
Compulsory modules
- Long Dissertation (Criminal Justice and Criminology) 40 credits
- Penology 20 credits
- Policing 20 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
You will study 20-40 credits from a list which may include:
- Cyberlaw: Law and the Regulation of the Information Society 20 credits
- Evidence 20 credits
- Gender and the Law 20 credits
- Crime, Law and Social Change: Crime and Criminal Justice in Historical Perspective 10 credits
- Media Law 20 credits
- State Crime and Immorality 20 credits
- Global Terrorism and Violence 20 credits
- Protest and Social Movements 20 credits
Discovery modules
You may study up to 20 credits of discovery modules.
Broadening your academic horizons
At Leeds we want you to benefit from the depth and breadth of the University's expertise, to prepare you for success in an ever-changing and challenging world. This course gives you the opportunity to broaden your learning by studying discovery modules. Find out more on the Broadening webpages.
Learning and teaching
We use a wide range of learning and teaching methods, including seminars and workshops where you can discuss in greater depth the topics introduced in traditional lectures. There will also be chances to hear guest speakers from local criminal institutions and visit criminal justice agencies.
However, independent learning is the basis of the course and you will spend much of your time reading around and researching the topics covered in your modules. We help you to develop academic skills through modules such as Criminal Justice Study Skills, and the University Library has extensive collections on Criminal Justice and Criminology that form a fantastic resource for your work.
Assessment
Modules are assessed using various methods including exams, coursework, group presentations and research-based activities. In your final year, you’ll also submit a 12,000 word dissertation.
Entry requirements, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: AAB excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking.
Two of your A-levels must be in traditional academic subjects. Please see our accepted A-level subjects document to check your subjects.
If your choice of A-level subjects has been constrained by factors outside your control (such as if your school or college did not offer certain subjects), please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office to discuss your application.
GCSE: grade B or above in English Language, or an appropriate English language qualification.
Other course specific tests:When an applicant is taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) this can be considered alongside A-levels and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A-levels, this would be ABB at A-level including grade A in the EPQ.
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Access to HE Diploma
Complete 60 credits with 45 level 3 credits at Distinction Grade.
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BTEC
DDD.
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Cambridge Pre-U
D3,D3,M1.
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International Baccalaureate
35 overall (6,5,5 higher).
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Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)
AAAAAB.
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Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
AAAAB overall (AB at advanced level).
Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the Schools Undergraduate Admissions Team.
Alternative entry
Were committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.
Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.
Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.
International
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For information contact the School of Law Undergraduate Admissions Team.
International foundation year
If you have the ability to study for a degree but don’t have the qualifications to enter directly to level one, you might consider studying a foundation year. We have formal links with the following foundation year programmes:
- University of Leeds International Foundation Year (IFY)
- Northern Consortium of UK Universities (NCUK)
- Study Group Leeds International Study Centre (LISC)
If you are applying from an alternative foundation year provider, please contact our admissions team to find out if your qualification is suitable for entry to our courses.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
How to apply
Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK/EU students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
School Of Law Undergraduate Admissions Policy 2019
Fees
UK/EU: See fees section below
International: £18,500 (per year)
For UK and non-UK EU full-time students starting in 2018, the fee for 2018/19 will be £9,250.
For UK and non-UK EU full-time students starting in 2019, the fee for 2019/20 will be £9,250.
The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. For example, the increase of 2.8% in 2017/18 was based on the government’s forecast for the RPI-X measure of inflation.
The UK government has confirmed that non-UK EU students starting in the 2019/20 academic year will have home fee status and be eligible for UK government student loans. The UK government has not confirmed the situation for future years, so keep checking our website for updates.
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, youll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.
Read more about paying fees and charges.
Part-time fees are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.
Financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.
Career opportunities
This flexible degree will equip you with valuable subject knowledge and a wide range of transferable skills. It lends itself to careers in criminal justice, such as the police, prison or probation services, or as researchers in this area. Many of our graduates pursue postgraduate study in related fields.
We also see students pursue a wide range of careers, from the Civil Service to the media.
As a student in the School of Law we will provide you with a host of opportunities to help boost your career prospects; from developing skills in negotiating, hearing from prospective employers at specialist talks or career fairs or taking part in career mentoring. The support you will receive at the School of Law will help you kickstart your career, whether in criminal justice or another field.
Careers Support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. Thats one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.
Study abroad and work placements
Study abroad
On this course you can apply to extend your degree by a year and spend Year 3 studying at one of our partner institutions abroad.
Why study abroad?
Studying criminal justice and criminology in a different jurisdiction will provide you with a new perspective on your studies, as well as gaining an insight into life in another country with new social and cultural experiences.
Studying abroad gives you the opportunity to improve your confidence and increase your employability by developing your skills and experience.
You don’t need to be fluent in another language to study abroad - in some partner institutions the teaching is in English. Over 900 Leeds students study abroad each year and more than half of these are not studying a language degree. If you do need support, our Language Centre could help you to learn a language before you go.
Where can you study?
You could study at one of our partner universities; currently these are Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, Griffiths University in Brisbane, Australia, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand and Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
Work placements
Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.
Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.