Course summary

This course is subject to validation for September 2026 entry. Are you naturally curious about why people commit crime and what can motivate them to cause serious harm? Would you like to explore these issues in real criminal justice settings working alongside professionals? These are just some of the experiences that are on offer during the BA Criminal Justice course. Our Criminal Justice System is underpinned by theories of retribution, punishment and deterrence but the impact of these on reducing crime deserves some critical thought. Criminal justice policies, practices and legislation have not been modernised or developed for decades, if not centuries, despite an abundance of research. Do you want to be part of a new era of criminal justice that can challenge the current ethos? If you want to make a difference and gain real experience working within this exciting field this degree course has been designed with you in mind. The course material has been developed using the skills, knowledge and expertise of our multi-disciplinary team. The course will take you on a journey through the criminal justice system; the good, the bad and the ugly, exploring key areas such as the legal system, policing, sentencing, rehabilitation, prisons, forensic psychology and risk and harm. You will explore the intricacies and controversies of current practice, critically considering where improvements can be made. Using a mix of classroom-based learning, skills practice, shadowing opportunities and voluntary placements with local criminal justice agencies this course will develop you into a confident and knowledgeable practitioner, ready for employment in many criminal justice-based fields. You will have the chance to apply your learning in the real world fully preparing you for your future criminal justice career. By studying at the University of Northampton, you can be sure that:

• If you join us, you will experience student life at the University’s new £330 million Waterside Campus. Come along to an Open Day and find out more.

• Students enrolling on this course at Northampton will be provided with their own brand new laptop* to keep at no additional cost. All sports clubs and societies are free to join at Northampton and every essential course text book is available via the library, meaning you won’t have to purchase copies. For more information on this visit our website (northampton.ac.uk/benefits).

• At UON we guarantee a room in our Halls of Residence for all new full-time, first year students who apply and accept their room offer by June 2025 - and we won't ask for a deposit for September 2025**.

• Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd.

• In fact, we’re so confident in our careers and employability support that If you achieve at least a 2:2 degree and complete either our Employability Plus Gold programme or achieve a Changemaker Gold Certificate during your time studying with us, but still haven’t secured full-time employment 12 months after graduating, we will secure a three – six month paid internship for you or support you into postgraduate study.