Criminology (with Foundation Year)

University of Winchester has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework.These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

What does this TEF outcome mean?

Open days

11Jun

University of Winchester - Open Day (2025 entry)

Undergraduate

6Jul

University of Winchester - Open Day (2025 entry)

Undergraduate

28Sep

University of Winchester - Open Day (2025 entry)

Undergraduate

Course summary

Learn from a teaching team with wide-ranging practitioner experience offering genuine insight into the criminal justice system

Become involved in real casework on cold cases and case reviews

Opportunities for field trips to places such as Belfast and Turin

Benefit from interactive and practical teaching approaches that bring theory and practice to life

There are few subjects more compelling than crime. It is rarely out of the news headlines and dominates our TV schedules with crime boxsets regularly outperforming other genres. We are, as a nation, gripped by crime. Because it is such a topical, and often hugely divisive, social and political issue, crime makes great material for a lively and engaging degree to equip you with a wide range of inter-disciplinary skills. We draw in local, national and global considerations of criminology. From policing society to global terrorism and from miscarriage of justice to cybercrime, on our Criminology programme at Winchester you take a forensic look at the key perspectives on crime and the criminal justice system. This popular course has been designed to bring together the methodological, academic and practical skills essential to enhance your professional development and career opportunities. As such, you engage with crime related professionals, agencies and organisations to develop your understanding of how they work and apply newly-learnt theories. The Foundation Year (first year of study) gives you the chance to commence your studies with us if you have not quite achieved the degree qualifications required or if you feel you would benefit from the opportunity to develop your study skills and subject knowledge prior to embarking on your degree. Through a range of engaging, small-group lessons and practical placements, you will be equipped with the academic, professional and personal skills to help you succeed at university. Modules will cover broad topics as well as an introduction to your chosen subject area. You will also have the opportunity to study alongside students undertaking a range of degree programmes. In Year 1, you gain an awareness of the key principles and concepts underpinning the study of crime. You explore the central theories and methodologies encountered within the social sciences and within criminology, and gain an understanding of key ideas underlying social policy and the criminal justice system. In Year 2, you develop your understanding of criminological and social theory and explore a range of topics addressing significant and current themes from youth to violent crime. You also develop your ability to approach research in criminology. In Year 3, you broaden your knowledge of topics in the field and put into practice your independent research skills by specialising in a topic of your own choice in completing your final year project. In the course of three years, you gain an understanding of wide-ranging topics including crime and punishment, crime and the media, policing, crimes against humanity, gender and crime, and organised crime. You also acquire skills of gathering data using quantitative and qualitative methods, synthesising and interpreting evidence and assembling arguments, presenting evidence and formulating findings and conclusions.

Qualified teacher status (QTS)

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

Course does not award QTS

How to apply

31Jan

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:: L37X

Institution code:: W76

Campus name:: Main Site

Campus code:: -

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

Foundation
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3

Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)

Applicants who wish to apply for advanced standing (exemption from part of a programme) based on previous study are considered on an individual basis. Applicants are required to provide transcripts. confirming the module titles and grades they have already achieved, as well as module handbooks and/or programme specifications showing the learning outcomes of the modules completed.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 48 points

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Applicants are usually required to hold a minimum of 1 x A-level or equivalent qualifications (e.g. 1 x BTEC National Subsidiary Diplomas) and we accept all A-level subjects, including Critical Thinking, General Studies and own-language A-levels. If you are a mature student, your application will be considered on its individual merits and work or other professional experience may be taken into consideration in lieu of other published requirements.

English language requirements

Test	Grade	Additional details
IELTS (Academic)	6	An overall score of 6.0, including 5.5 in writing is required. If you require Tier 4 sponsorship, you will require a minimum of 5.5 in all 4 components.

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	£9250	Year 1
Northern Ireland	£9250	Year 1
Scotland	£9250	Year 1
Wales	£9250	Year 1
Republic of Ireland	£9250	Year 1
Channel Islands	£9250	Year 1
EU	£16700	Year 1
International	£16700	Year 1

Additional fee information

For further information about any additional costs associated with this course please see the individual course page on the University of Winchester website (www.winchester.ac.uk).