Course summary

BA (Hons) Criminology offers an exciting opportunity to study the cutting-edge discipline of criminology in the vibrant city of Manchester. It is aimed at students who want to study crime from a critical perspective, investigating the causes, patterns, consequences and responses in a social context. The first year introduces you to the building blocks of criminology: key concepts and theories explaining crime, key institutions of the criminal justice system, crime policy, law and practice. You will receive training in a wide range of research methods during the first two years, to become equipped to undertake your own independent research project in the final year. Our large, multi-disciplinary department believes in offering extensive optionality to study specific areas of criminology in-depth. Throughout the degree, there is an emphasis on developing skills and experiences that are relevant to professional careers, including work experience, study-abroad schemes, and independent project work. In your final year, you have the option of moving onto the BSc route, which means receiving extensive quantitative methods training and graduating with a BSc title. You may also have the opportunity to spend an extra year expanding your horizons studying with one of our partner universities overseas.* This course has a foundation year available. *Placement and/or study abroad options may be available, potentially extending the duration of study up to 4 years. Study abroad will be subject to any international travel restrictions and/or availability. Features and Benefits

• Increasing levels of flexibility throughout the course with a broad range of option units, so you can choose to focus on areas that interest you.

• Get practical knowledge and experience with a range of volunteering and research opportunities in the residential and professional communities of Greater Manchester.

• Teaching staff have national and international reputations within criminology and are actively engaged in research as well as being involved in government consultation, policy development and evaluation which feeds directly into what you will be taught.

• We’re one of only 18 universities in the UK taking part in a £20 million scheme to develop and deliver new programmes that equip graduates with quantitative analysis skills.

• Finish your degree without taking pressurised exams. Assessment is 100% coursework with opportunities to explore case studies, project work, critical media analysis, literature reviews and more.

• The Department of Sociology is home to a number of research centres including The Manchester Centre for Youth Studies which has a particular focus on youth justice, Crime and Wellbeing Big Data Centre which explores issues of crime, policing, and health and well-being, the Policy Evaluation and Research Unit which advises government departments and local delivery organisations including police forces, probation services and more, and SUAB (Substance Use and Associated Behaviours) Research Centre.

• You may have the opportunity to take the four-year route, spending a year studying abroad.