Criminal Justice and Criminology BA

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 youth justice to war crimes, crime history to cutting-edge technological crimes, the range of optional modules on offer allows you to focus on topics that suit your interests and career ambitions.

Quantitative Research Methods (QRM) pathway

At the end of Year 2, you’ll have the opportunity to apply for a place on our BA Criminal Justice and Criminology with Quantitative Research Methods pathway. This pathway will help you develop advanced analytical skills, which are in high demand across the public, private, and third sectors. You will learn statistical analysis techniques and their application to real data (e.g. survey data, countries’ statistical data) using statistical software. You will also write a dissertation in which you will analyse quantitative data to examine questions about criminal justice or criminology.

You are not required to have done Mathematics at A level, this pathway is open to all students as long as you have attained an overall 2:1 in your second year, and a 2:1 in the Researching Crime and Criminal Justice module.

Studying in the School of Law

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Year 1 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 2 allows you 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 3, 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.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Criminal Justice and Criminology BA in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Discovery modules

Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.

This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our 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 throughout the course, and the University Library has extensive collections on Criminal Justice and Criminology that form a fantastic resource for your work.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

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

A-level: AAB excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking.

Two of your A-levels must be in traditional academic subjects. Please see our accepted 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.

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.

GCSE: grade 5/B or above in English Language, or an appropriate English language qualification.

• Access to HE Diploma

  Complete 60 credits with 45 level 3 credits at Distinction Grade.

• BTEC

  DDD

• Cambridge Pre-U

  D3,D3,M1.

• International Baccalaureate

  35 overall (6,5,5 higher).

• Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)

  AAAAAB.

• Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

  AAAAB overall (AB at advanced level).

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re 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.

Typical Access to Leeds offer:

• BBB at A level. Applicants must also meet the University’s GCSE matriculation standard and pass the Access to Leeds module.

• For alternative qualification offers please contact the admissions team.

If you do not have the formal qualifications for immediate entry to one of our degrees, we offer a foundation year for UK students who meet specific widening participation criteria. Learn more about the BA Social Science (foundation year).

Pathways to Law

Pathways to Law provides opportunities for students from state schools in England who are interested in a career in law and who will be the first generation of their family to go to university. It offers support to students from under-represented backgrounds throughout years 12 and 13 and into university. Find out more about Pathways to Law.

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.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

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

Faculty of Social Sciences Taught Admissions Policy 2021

Fees

UK: See fees section below

International: £20,250 (per year)

UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2021 entry 
For UK full-time students starting in 2021, the fee for 2021/22 will be £9,250.

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by the UK government and may vary if policy changes.

EU students starting in 2021/22 
EU students starting their course in the 2021/22 academic year or later will now be classed as international students and so will need to pay the international student tuition fee.

UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2022 entry
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2022/23 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. In other years, the government has confirmed fee levels in the summer. When the fee is confirmed we will publish an update on all course pages.

Tuition fees for new international students for 2022 entry
Tuition fees for international students are published on each individual course page. These are usually published a year in advance, so 2022 course fees should be available from September 2021.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll 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.

Brexit 
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs

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.

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. That’s 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

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.

Recently students have studied at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, Griffiths University in Brisbane, Australia, and Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.

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.

Read more about Study Year Abroad.

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.