BA in Criminology

Looking to study a criminology degree at university? Our BA (Hons) Criminology course is supported by our close links with local criminal justice organisations in the voluntary, public, and private sectors, including West Midlands Police Force.

Make sense of the world of criminal justice by getting the big-picture perspective on crime, punishment and victimisation.

This course aims to develop knowledge and understanding of the core schools of criminological thought, their historical and political foundations and practical application.

What's covered in this course?

Our curriculum offers you a variety of subjects, through which you will be able to develop your interests before focusing on specialised fields within criminology, such as homicide and the harms of the powerful. This is an exciting and dynamic course that explores real-world problems, focusing on cutting-edge and topical issues relating to crime and social justice.

The course uses research-informed teaching and learning to develop a range of transferable academic and practical skills which will be attractive to employers. The course also uses external visits, as well as unique assessments to enhance your understanding of the discipline.

The course's real-world applications are supported by its close links with local and national agencies, including police forces, charities, criminal justice agencies, probation services and prisons. You will have opportunities to gain work experience with relevant organisations, and there is an option for you to undertake the international study.

You will be taught by expert staff in the fields of criminology, policing, and security, and you will also enjoy regular guest lectures from highly influential voices in the discipline.

Professional placement year

This course offers a professional placement year. This allows you to spend a whole year with an employer, between the second and third years of your degree and is a great way to find out more about your chosen career. Some students even return to the same employers after completing their studies.

The University will draw on its extensive network of local, regional and national employers to support you in finding a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. If you do not find a suitable placement, you will be automatically transferred back to the standard, non-placement version of the course.

Please note that fees are payable during your placement year, equivalent to 20% of the total full-time course fee for that year (£1,850 for UK students).

Why choose us?

We have a strong relationship with the British Society of Criminology. We hosted the 2018 British Society of Criminology Conference at our City Centre Campus. In all of our courses, you will gain a professional focus and real-world experience, ensuring you are equipped to make an immediate impact in your career. You have the opportunity to embark on a year-long professional placement as part of your degree course. The course’s professional relevance is supported by our close links with local criminal justice organisations, including West Midlands Police Force and Birmingham Community Safety Partnership. All our courses have an international focus. This is embedded throughout the curriculum, giving you the opportunity to transform your experience with us into a global one. There are a variety of exciting possibilities open to you, including our many overseas study exchange programmes. As a student on one of our undergraduate degrees, you will be able to benefit from our Graduate+ initiative. This three-year award course enables you to gain award levels for all the extra-curricular activities you undertake so that you can stand out from the crowd at graduation. You will be taught by industry-leading experts, including Dr Imran Awan, who was recently appointed as a UK Government advisor and whose work focuses on the impact of Islamophobia and the effects of counterterrorism.

With around 29,000 students from 100 countries, (HESA Student Record 2020/21 © Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited) Birmingham City University is a large and diverse place to study. We put students at the heart of everything we do, giving them the best opportunities for future success.

The University for Birmingham

We put £270 million into the regional economy and support thousands of jobs in the area. We're investing £340 million in our estate, including a major expansion of our city-centre campus at Eastside, providing students with an enviable range of facilities.

Social responsibility

At Birmingham City University we are committed to transforming students’ lives and enhancing opportunity through education and advancement. We play a key role in supporting the economy and public sector in Birmingham and the West Midlands, as the University for the city of Birmingham.

Whether developing research to enable people to lead healthier lives, decrease bullying in schools or help talented children in South Africa reach their musical potential, Birmingham City University undertakes a wide variety of work to ensure that we operate as a socially responsible University.

On Monday 17 September 2018, we announced that staff had voted for Acorn’s Children’s Hospice and Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid to be the University’s Chosen Charities.