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Get set to have your understanding of crime and society challenged on this fascinating Criminology and Sociology degree. TOP in Scotland for overall satisfaction (National Student Survey 2024).
This thought-provoking Criminology and Sociology degree teaches you to think critically about crime and how people engage and interact with the world. It covers everything from addiction and criminalisation to human rights and climate change.
You’ll be at the forefront of the critical social debates defining the 21st century, learning how crime is defined, controlled and regulated in modern society.
External speakers form a key part of the course. There’s a work placement option, giving you valuable work experience and networking opportunities. Plus you’ll develop a strong grounding in research methods.
Work placement option
You'll get an opportunity to do a placement that relates to the causes or the effects of crime. This gives you essential work experience and networking opportunities.
Our students have been on work placements with organisations like SACRO, Victim Support, Perth Prison, and Police Scotland (Special Constables). Others have worked with Tayside Council on Alcohol, With You (substance abuse support) and ones that support young people at risk of getting involved in crime.
Flexible degree pathway
Criminology and Sociology is a flexible degree. For the first two years, everyone studies the same curriculum. In years three and four our academics help you explore areas such as:
Gender, crime and victimology.
Race and ethnicity.
The process of criminalisation.
Human rights and politics.
After the first two years of study, you can choose to specialise in other areas or carry on studying this pathway. See more in the 'How the Course Works' section below.
You will receive a strong grounding in theory and research methods, along with training in specialist data-analysis software.
This degree equips you to succeed by developing your critical thinking skills and enhancing your employability, opening up a wide variety of career options.
Top in Scotland for overall student satisfaction (Sociology - National Student Survey 2024).
Study Crime From Every Angle
Your Criminology and Sociology degree will put you at the forefront of the critical social debates defining the 21st century, from crime and addiction to human rights and climate change.
This covers all aspects of crime, so you’ll learn how it is defined, controlled and regulated in modern societies.
You will deep dive into key criminal issues and learn about the relationship between crime, society, politics, media and criminal justice policy.
Potential Careers
Some of our graduates go onto further study in areas like police, social policy/social work, criminology, law or criminal justice system. Scotland needs people trained in these areas, so it’s good news for your future. Potential roles include:
Community development worker.
Police staff (various roles).
Policy officer.
Social worker.
Youth worker.
Teacher or Lecturer.
Whatever you choose, we help you to become a confident, knowledgeable graduate with a great set of transferable skills, ready to start your career.
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.
Scotland's first Adobe Creative Campus
All Abertay students have access to Adobe Express, empowering you to enhance digital skills with industry-leading tools.
In late 2024, Abertay proudly became the first institution in Scotland to achieve the designation of Adobe Creative Campus.
The Adobe Creative Campus programme is an initiative involving a select group of colleges and universities dedicated to empowering staff and students across all disciplines with essential digital skills for success in both the workplace and the classroom.
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:
At the end of year two you choose from one of these pathways:
Carry on studying BA (Hons) Criminology and Sociology
Your chosen course will be reflected in your degree title e.g. BA (Hons) Criminology and Sociology. 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, online discussion forums, 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.
All applicants must have passes in English and Maths - National 5 English grade C or GCSE grade C/4 or equivalent. National 5 ESOL is accepted in lieu of National 5 English. National 5 Lifeskill Maths/Applications of Maths/National 4 Maths/National 4 Lifeskill Maths or Chemistry, Biology or Physics IS accepted in lieu of Maths. GCSE Maths or numerate subject such as Science, Biology, Chemistry at grade C/4.
Higher Application of Maths at grade C accepted.
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
None
A-Level
CCC
None
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
None
International Baccalaureate Diploma Based Programme (IBDP)
28 Points
None
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
Any
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.