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Have your understanding of crime, deviance and the criminal justice process challenged on this fascinating and flexible Criminology degree, which is ranked top 10 in the UK for course satisfaction (Criminology, The Guardian University Guide 2023).
Gain a deeper understanding of how we define, classify and respond to crime, and why people commit crimes on this fascinating Criminology degree.
Criminology is a social science examining the nature of law making and how society is 'policed'. Gain a deeper understanding of how we define, classify and respond to crime, and why people break the law. You’ll study all aspects of crime, learning how crime is controlled and regulated in modern societies.
This is a flexible degree. In the first two years you will concentrate on the fundamentals of criminology and sociology. In years three and four you will specialise, working with our academics to explore:
Contemporary Criminological Theory.
Penal Institutions.
Ethnicity, Gender and Crime.
Human Rights.
Green Criminology.
Drugs and Addiction.
We place a strong emphasis on developing your research skills, which are highly valued in the workplace. There is a real-world work placement option in third year, giving you work experience and networking opportunities.
Whether it is team collaboration, assessing evidence, writing reports, researching or completing project work, this criminology degree will make you extremely employable.
This course was in the UK Top 10 for Course Satisfaction in the 2023 Guardian University Guide and scored nearly 85% for Teaching and Learning Resources in the 2021 National Student Survey.
Study crime from every angle
Criminology focuses on the study of crimes and their causes, effects, and social impact.
You will study key criminal issues and learn about the relationship between crime, society, politics, the media and criminal justice policy.
Hear what our students have to say about this fascinating course.
Potential Careers
We are extremely proud of our alumni, who have gone into a variety of different roles such as:
Community development worker
Crime scene investigator
Police officer
Police staff
Detective
Prison officer
Probation officer
Social worker
Youth worker
Teacher
A graduate of this programme can expect to have the knowledge and skills to enter a range of professions.
Industry links & networking
We actively incorporate external speakers into the curriculum. These come from the media, business, the criminal justice system, the voluntary sector and local community groups.
There is a real-world work placement option in third year, giving you work experience and networking opportunities. Some graduates have gone on to get a job in the organisation where they did their placement or through the contacts they have made there.
Gain in-demand skills
Our criminology degrees equip you with the skills needed for a successful and varied career, especially if you want to work with or manage groups of people.
Some graduates go onto further study, often in social policy and social work, criminology, law or criminal justice policy. Scotland has a great demand for people trained in these areas, so it’s good news for your future.
Whatever you choose, we help you to become a confident, knowledgeable graduate with a great set of transferable skills, ready to start your career.
How the Course Works
This degree is part of a larger portfolio of three courses covering Criminology, Policing and Sociology.
The first two years of each course follow the same curriculum. This initial two-year curriculum covers the fundamentals of criminology and sociology, recognising the deep interplay between the two.
Our two-year foundation approach means you can keep your options open until you’ve learnt more about what really interests you. Having gained two years of knowledge, at the end of year two you choose from one of these pathways:
Your chosen course will be reflected in your degree title e.g. BA (Hons) Criminology and Policing. And, of course, we’re here to help if you need help deciding which path to take.
Remember, you only need to apply for ONE course, as the first two years are the same for everyone.
You’ll learn through a blend of lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops, video screenings, guest speaker presentations, directed and private study, and student-focussed group work.
Other assessment methods include supervised examinations, essays, reports, portfolios, presentations, project work, class and online tests, and reflective analyses. In your final year, you’ll design and produce a research project under the dedicated supervision of an academic staff member.
Around one third of the course is assessed through examination, although the exact proportion depends on your module choices.
Put simply, we aim to give you all the skills you need to move straight into a job or further study when you graduate.
Please note: All applicants must have passes in English and Maths - National 5 English grade C or GCSE grade C/4 or equivalent. National 4 Maths or Lifeskill Maths (Pass) or National 5 numerate subject as such Biology, Chemistry or Physics at C.
Higher Application of Maths at grade C accepted.
You may be eligible to take ABE111: Numbers for Everyday Life in lieu of a National 5 Maths qualification at grade C or GCSE grade C/4 or an acceptable equivalent.
Below are the literate subjects we accept for entry on this course:
One of the following: Business Management; Classical Studies; Economics; English; ESOL; Geography; History; Media Studies; Modern Studies; Philosophy; Politics; Psychology; Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies; Sociology
If there is a subject that does not appear, please contact our Admissions Office (admissions@abertay.ac.uk) who will be able to confirm whether or not it would be considered for entry.
Higher (minimum entry) We may make you an offer at the minimum entry grades if you meet the criteria. Find out if you're eligible for minimum entry (see below).
BBC
Literate subject at B
A-Level
CCC
Literate subject
T Level
C or higher
in Core Component in one of the following:- Education & Early Years, Health, Healthcare Science, Legal Services or Management & Administration
Irish Highers
H3H3H3H3
Literate subject
International Baccalaureate Diploma Based Programme (IBDP)
28 Points
Literate subject at S5 or H4
International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP)
We encourage applications with the IBCP but understand that your combination of qualifications may differ depending on where you are studying.
We accept the International Baccalaureate Careers-related Programme (IBCP). Any subject requirements must be met as per our published IB Diploma requirements.
BTEC Extended Diploma
MMM
Health & Social Care/Public Services/Travel & Tourism
AHEAD
Successful completion of the relevant stream of our AHEAD programme
SWAP
ABB
Access to: Humanities, Arts & Humanities and Primary Education, University Study, Community, Education & Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences and Primary Teaching, Languages, Arts & Social Science, Degree Studies, Celtic Studies
International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP)
See next column
If you are taking HNC/HND with one or more Higher Levels IB subjects, your offer will be similar to our BTEC + A Level offer (see 'BTEC National Diploma / Diploma') but with an HL requirement of 6 for A, 5 for B, or 4 for C.
About your modules
All modules shown are indicative and reflect course content for the current academic year. Modules are reviewed annually and may be subject to change. If you receive an offer to study with us we will send you a Programme document that sets out exactly which modules you can expect to take as part of your Abertay University degree programme. Please see Terms and Conditions for more information.
If you have the potential and motivation to study at university, regardless of your background or personal circumstances, we welcome your application.
We understand some people have faced extra challenges before applying to university, which is why we consider the background in which your academic grades have been achieved when making an offer.
If you expect to receive passes in three Scottish Highers (grades A-C) and have...
been in care, or are a young carer yourself
attended a school or lived in an area where not many people go to university
are eligible for free school meals
are a young person estranged from your family
are a government-recognised refugee or have asylum seeker status
are a registered pupil with sustained engagement in a targeted aspiration-raising programme such as LIFT OFF, LEAPS, FOCUS West or Aspire North
... we encourage you to submit an application.
Fees and funding
The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you depends on factors such as your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying.
We offer a range of scholarships to help support your studies with us.
As well as Abertay scholarships for English, Welsh, Northern Irish and international students, there are a range of corporate and philanthropic scholarships available. Some are course specific, many are not. There are some listed below or you can visit the Undergraduate scholarship pages.
The Discover Uni dataset (formerly Unistats) is an official source of information about higher education. It collates comparable information in areas students have identified as important in making decisions about what and where to study.
We're keen to offer help to Ukrainian students who may wish to transfer from their existing institution in Ukraine or to register with us as new students for intake in September. There will be no tuition fees charged for the duration of the degree programme, as those with refugee status are treated as ‘Home/Scottish’ students and will also have access to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland bursary and student loans. Our Recruitment Team can help guide applicants.