Criminology and Criminal Justice, BSc (Hons)

The Criminology and Criminal Justice program at Swansea University offers students the opportunity to explore the complexities of crime and the criminal justice system. This undergraduate degree provides a comprehensive understanding of the factors involved in criminal behavior and the responses of the criminal justice system.

Key Course Details

• Course Type: BSc (Hons)
• Duration: 3 years full-time, 4 years full-time with a year abroad, 4 years full-time with a year in industry
• UCAS Code: M2L4 (3 years full-time), M2LA (4 years full-time with a year abroad), M2LI (4 years full-time with a year in industry)
• Mode of Study: Campus-based
• Typical Offer: ABB-BBC
• Location: Singleton Park Campus

Tuition Fees

• UK Students: ｣9,535 (2026 entry)
• International Students: ｣20,050 (2026 entry)

Entry Requirements

• A Level: ABB-BBC
• BTEC: DDM-DMM
• UK Access: Minimum of 24 Distinctions and 21 Merits from Level 3 subjects
• T Levels: Merit
• Mixed Qualifications: 112-128 UCAS tariff points from 3 highest qualifications
• International Baccalaureate: 32 points

Modules

The program includes a range of compulsory and optional modules, providing students with a broad understanding of criminology and criminal justice. Modules cover topics such as:

• Criminology, Crime and Society
• Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
• The Sociological and Criminological Imagination
• Law, Criminal Justice and Human Rights
• Victims and Victimology
• Foundations in Social Science Research
• Research Methods in Criminology
• Criminological Theory: Content and Application
• Developing and Planning a Research Project
• Penology and Punishment
• Crime, Drugs and Alcohol
• Media, Crime & Criminal Justice
• The Criminal State: International Issues
• Culture as Deviance

Year in Industry

Students have the opportunity to spend a year in industry, either in the UK or overseas, gaining valuable workplace experience. The university advocates for paid placements, which on average have a salary of over ｣20,000.

Careers and Employability

The Careers and Employability Team at Swansea University provides support to students at each stage of their career journey. Services include employability workshops, individual advice and guidance, help with finding jobs and internships, and access to information resources on career management topics.

Academic Support

The Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops, and one-to-one support in areas such as academic writing, maths and statistics, critical thinking, and digital skills. The School of Social Sciences also offers academic support, including a dedicated Employability and Placements Officer and a Student Information Office.

Study Abroad and Global Opportunities

Swansea University offers a range of study abroad opportunities, including semester and year-long placements, summer programs, and internships. Students can study in a variety of countries, including the USA, Canada, Australia, and Europe.

Welsh Provision

While there is no formal Welsh-medium provision on this course, the university offers support for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. This includes the opportunity to receive personal correspondence in Welsh, to write and submit coursework in Welsh, and to access Welsh-speaking personal tutors.

Degree Overview:

The criminology undergraduate degree will give you the opportunity to examine the many factors involved in criminal behavior, and how society responds through the criminal justice system.

• You will study the most important theories of crime and deviance and their relevance to contemporary criminal justice policy, research, and practice.
• Alongside this, you will gain an in-depth knowledge of the structures of the criminal justice system, covering the courts, prison, the probation service, and the police.
• Throughout your studies, you will develop excellent research and analytical skills and learn to present your ideas effectively both verbally and in writing.

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Outline:

• Year 1 consists of a set of compulsory core modules, which range from the criminal justice system to crime and society.
• Year 2 will comprise of three compulsory modules, but will also give you the opportunity to study at least another three modules of your choice.
• By year 3, you will be able to shape your learning experience, choosing from a range of final year modules.

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Teaching:

• Based at the School of Social Sciences, you will benefit from being part of a lively and diverse environment, with a strong reputation for its research and teaching.
• Criminology at Swansea is ranked:
• Top 15 in the UK for Teaching Satisfaction (Guardian University Guide 2024)
• 10th in the UK for Career Prospects (Guardian University Guide 2024)
• Top 20 in the UK Overall (Guardian University Guide 2024)
• 92% of graduates in work &/or study 15 months after leaving Swansea University (HESA 2023)
• Our flexible degree structure with a range of optional modules in your second and third years gives you plenty of scope to tailor your studies to your particular interests, career goals, or ambitions for postgraduate study.
• We can support you with arranging work placement opportunities in a wide range of settings, both in the UK and abroad.

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Careers:

• Studying a BSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Swansea University can lead to a range of careers.
• Our graduates go on to a wide variety of occupations, which include working in:
• Community Development, Criminal Justice, Local Government, the Police Force, Postgraduate Study, the Prison Service, the Probation Service, Research, Social Work, Education, Training, UK Government, Victim Support and Voluntary Organisations.

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3 Year Full Time Start Date UK International September 2023 £ 9,000 £ 17,350 September 2024 September 2023 £ 9,000 £ 17,350 September 2024 £ 9,000 £ 18,200 4 Year Full Time With a Year Abroad Start Date UK International September 2023 £ 9,000 £ 17,350 September 2024 £ 9,000 £ 18,200 4 Year Full Time With a Year In Industry Start Date UK International September 2023 £ 9,000 £ 17,350 September 2024 £ 9,000 £ 18,200 Fees for full time Undergraduate UK students may be increased in subsequent years of study by an inflationary amount determined by Welsh Government. Fees for full time Undergraduate EU/International students will increase by 3% for each subsequent year of study. During a sandwich year (e.g. year in industry, year abroad or placement year) a lower fee will apply. For more information visit our tuition fees page. You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page. You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page. Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

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Overview:

• Founded in 1920 as University College of Swansea
• Received its Royal Charter in 1948, becoming Swansea University
• Consistently ranked among the top 30 universities in the UK
• Home to over 20,000 students from over 140 countries
• Notable achievements include:
  • 2019 Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education for its work in developing and delivering innovative teaching methods
  • 2018 Times Higher Education Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community
  • 2017 Research Excellence Framework (REF) results showed that 90% of Swansea University's research was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent

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Student Life:

• Over 150 student clubs and societies
• Sports teams in a variety of disciplines, including rugby, football, and basketball
• Student support services include:
  • Counseling and mental health support
  • Disability support
  • Financial advice
  • International student support
• Campus facilities include:
  • Bay Campus: Modern campus with state-of-the-art facilities, including a library, sports center, and student union
  • Singleton Campus: Historic campus with a mix of traditional and modern buildings, including the iconic Singleton Abbey
  • Tycoch Campus: Home to the College of Engineering and the School of Management

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Academics:

• Academic resources include:
  • Over 400 undergraduate and postgraduate programs
  • World-class research facilities
  • Extensive library resources
• Faculty:
  • Over 1,000 academic staff, including internationally renowned researchers and industry experts
• Teaching methodologies:
  • Focus on student-centered learning
  • Use of innovative teaching methods, such as problem-based learning and flipped classrooms
• Academic support services:
  • Academic skills workshops
  • Writing center
  • Math and statistics support
• Unique academic programs or initiatives:
  • Swansea Employability Academy: Provides students with opportunities to develop employability skills
  • Swansea University Global: Offers international study and research opportunities

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Top Reasons to Study Here:

• Top 30 UK university
• Excellent teaching and research
• World-class facilities
• Strong industry connections
• Vibrant student life
• Notable alumni include:
  • Michael Sheen, actor
  • Catherine Zeta-Jones, actress
  • Sir Terry Matthews, entrepreneur

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Services:

• Counseling and mental health support
• Health center
• Housing services
• Library resources:
  • Over 1 million books and journals
  • Access to online databases and e-resources
• Technology support:
  • Free Wi-Fi across campus
  • Computer labs and printing facilities
• Career development services:
  • Career counseling
  • Job search assistance
  • Employer networking events