University of Chester has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
Criminology at Chester prepares you for a career in one of the largest growing areas of employment as you explore the relationship between society, the individual, crime, harm, punishment, victimisation, rights, and justice. We explore the relationship between criminological theories and criminal justice policies and practices. On this dynamic and diverse transdisciplinary course, you will gain an understanding of a range of Psychological and Sociological perspectives on society's current key challenges, such as social inequality, and crime, harm and justice case studies that occur nationally and internationally. Through our wide-ranging backgrounds and expertise, and in ensuring a rich interdisciplinary approach, we work to expand your criminological and victimological imagination. You can tailor your study to reflect your interests and develop areas of specialism. We encourage you to engage in independent learning and thought, and we equip you with the skills needed to find, retrieve and analyse an array of materials such as expert-led research, public and voluntary sector reports, personal testimonies, and documentaries. Tutors are experienced and dedicated researchers and educators with sector experience and developed links with criminal justice agencies including youth justice service and local constabularies, local authorities and community and voluntary sector groups, ensuring that your learning is underpinned by real world knowledge and experience. Our knowledge, experience and networks ensure that your learning is underpinned by real-world developments and links with agencies provide opportunities for you to experience guest lectures by experts, and gain specialist placements and voluntary experience.
Modules
This course promotes the strengths and best interests of students to prepare you to enter into the real world of criminology and criminal justice. This course develops socially aware students who learn criminology from an interdisciplinary and international perspective. You will explore theoretical and practical understandings of crime, harm and victimisation applying knowledge and building understanding of the criminal justice system and journey. There is a clear social justice focus throughout which critically reviews media landscapes and their impacts to society. We critically reflect upon marginalised communities including how stereotypes and representations can lead to disproportionately that exists within criminal justice settings. There is an exploration of experiences of punishments and injustices which are considered in a context of promoting social change. You will develop an active voice as a reflective academic and researcher with cultural awareness and sensitivity in responding to real world problems relevant to criminology and criminal justice. By the end of their course, they can articulate their varying attributes relevant to a range of employment roles and opportunities. The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.
Assessment method
This course is delivered in three terms of ten weeks each. In each term you will study 40 credits comprised of either one or two modules. Scheduled contact hours range between approximately six and ten hours per week depending upon level of study and the complexity of the material being taught. This course is delivered through a mix of in person and online learning. You can expect to take part in lectures, workshops and peer-led seminars. You should expect to spend an average of 30 – 34 hours per week on independent study which might include following asynchronous learning material, tutorial time with staff, using the University’s library, working with peers and preparing work for assessment. Teaching will be delivered by experience academics and practitioners in the subject. This will be supplemented by occasional guest lecturers and speakers. There will be a broad range of assessment methods so you are exposed to the different types of tasks that you might encounter in the workplace. These will include coursework in the form of essays (long and short form), portfolios and presentations. Assessment support is provided throughout the modules. We continuously review the assessment methods used in order that they adequately prepare students for graduate level employment.
How to apply
29Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- M904
- Institution code:
- C55
- Campus name:
- Chester
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Foundation
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 72 points
A level
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMP
Access to HE Diploma
Scottish Higher - CCDD
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 24 points
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H4, H4, H4, H4, H4
T Level - P
The University of Chester considers a wide range of Level 3 qualifications and a wide range of professional / vocational qualifications.
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £5760 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £5760 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £5760 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £5760 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £5760 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
The tuition fee for the subsequent years of study on the full-time undergraduate degree will be charged at the undergraduate degree fee level. This fee is currently £9,535 a year the University may increase these fees at the start of each subsequent year of your course in line with inflation at that time, as measured by the Retail Price Index. These fee levels and increases are subject to any necessary government, and other regulatory, approvals.
Provider information
University of Chester
Parkgate Road
Chester
CH1 4BJ