BA Criminology

Criminology at Durham involves considering urgent and important questions such as ‘what should count as a crime?’, and ‘how should those convicted of crimes be punished?’. The BA Criminology degree programme involves studying crime, deviance and criminal justice in relation to wider society and focuses on both national and international topics. There is a strong emphasis on contemporary issues, such as youth justice and cybercrime, as well as on providing students with an understanding of theories of crime and justice. We encourage students to take a questioning approach to these issues. Criminology is strongly engaged with the real world and criminologists contribute to shaping the knowledge and practice of criminal justice agencies and relevant voluntary organisations, as well as to criminal justice policy.

In studying Criminology, students also acquire a wider range of transferable skills that are crucial for broader personal and professional development.  These skills include the capacity to assemble and evaluate evidence, to think quickly and to write efficiently, and to construct persuasive arguments. Studying at Durham also enables students to work with recognised international and national experts within specific fields of Criminology.

Criminology at Durham is included under the Sociology rankings in university guides. Sociology is ranked in the top three in the UK by The Guardian University League Tables 2012 and also in The Complete University Guide 2012.

All programmes are subject to general entry requirements.  For applicants who do not meet these, the University alternatively offers entry routes via its Foundation Centre which provides an excellent grounding in the skills and knowledge needed for undergraduate study.

Degree Structure

The degree is based on a modular structure, and in each year of study students will be required to take the equivalent of six modules (some of these are double modules). As the programme develops the modules taken become increasingly specialised in terms of criminological issues and themes.

Level 1 (i.e. year 1) modules provide students with a core grounding in sociological theory and concepts, social research methods and sociological perspectives on social change and culture. Students are also introduced to the criminological field with the modules Crime, Deviance and Society and Understanding Crime.

At Level 2, the modules Researching Crime,  Contemporary Criminological Theory, Crime Power and Inequalities and Policing and the Police develop the student’s understanding of deviance, crime and crime control-related issues and debates, whilst other modules explore research methods applicable to criminological research with a view to preparing students to undertake a dissertation at level 3.

At Level  3, students concentrate largely on criminological themes and issues, such as punishment and the criminal justice system.  The double module dissertation provides an opportunity for students to explore a criminological area in greater depth.

[Please note that the range of modules on offer in any year may change as the degree develops over time.]

For further detail about current programme structure and module content please see the programme regulations.