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Criminology and Criminal Justice (Distance Learning) at University of Portsmouth - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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University of Portsmouth has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Open days

7Dec
University of Portsmouth Open Day
Undergraduate

Course summary

Overview Develop your interest in criminology and the justice system to an advanced level or gain the qualification you need to start or advance your career in areas such as policing, probation or security on this BSc (Hons) Criminology and Criminal Justice course. Studying by distance learning, you'll examine the causes and consequences of crime and how this intersects with related disciplines such as law, sociology and psychology. You'll also develop the knowledge to assist you with a successful career in a criminal justice profession or for organisations that seek to reform and change the justice system and responses to crime. Don't worry if you're new to University learning or returning to study after a break – you'll get a grounding in the key academic and research skills you need for studying at degree level. Course highlights

  • Debate and question contemporary crime, control and punishment and criminal justice system issues such as investigation methods and forms of policing
  • Explore responses to crime from multiple perspectives as you study its relationship with other disciplines including law, sociology, psychology and the history of police science
  • Shape your learning to match your interests or career ambitions with modules covering specialist topics like organised crime, forensic psychology, cybercrime and terrorism
  • Be taught by leading academics from the University's School of Criminology and Criminal Justice who are experts in fields such as victimisation, policing and surveillance
  • Gain a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE ) after 18 months and a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) after 36 months, even if you don't complete the full course
  • Have the chance to achieve your degree more quickly if you have relevant prior learning or work experience
  • Study modules that allow you to qualify for Probation Officer training after the course
Careers and opportunities Crime will unfortunately always be part of society. So there will always be a demand for graduates with the specialist skills you learn on this course. What areas can you work in with a criminology and criminal justice degree? With your degree, you can start or advance your career in areas such as:
  • probation service
  • the police
  • crime prevention
  • community safety
  • security
  • campaign and reform groups related to justice
  • youth justice
  • crime analysis and research
  • victim support
  • post-conviction support
  • the courts and legal system
The transferable critical thinking, analytical and communications skills you learn will also be in demand in other industries. Our Careers and Employability service can help you find a job that puts your skills to work in the industry or support you in getting a promotion. After you leave the University, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years as you advance in your career.

Modules

Year 1 Core modules include:

  • Criminal Justice and the Legal System (40 credits)
  • Essential Skills in Criminal Justice Studies (40 credits)
There are no optional modules in this year. Year 2 Core modules include:
  • Understanding Criminology (40 credits)
  • Questioning Criminology and Justice (40 credits)
There are no optional modules in this year. Year 3 Core modules include:
  • Research Methods and Analysis (40 credits)
Optional modules include:
  • Advanced Investigation and Operational Policing (20 credits)
  • Contemporary Terrorism and the Global Response (20 credits)
  • Cybercrime and Security (20 credits)
  • Forensic Psychology: Investigation (20 credits)
  • Fundamentals of Forensic Investigation (20 credits)
  • Organised Crime (20 credits)
  • Rehabilitation of Offenders (20 credits)
  • Victimology - Victimisation and the Criminal Justice System (20 credits)
Year 4 Core modules include:
  • Contemporary Criminologies (40 credits)
Optional modules:
  • Advanced Investigation and Operational Policing (20 credits)
  • Contemporary Terrorism and Global Response (20 credits)
  • Cybercrime and Security (20 credits)
  • Forensic Psychology: Investigation (20 credits)
  • Fundamentals of Forensic Investigation (20 credits)
  • Organised Crime (20 credits)
  • Rehabilitation of Offenders (20 credits)
  • Victimology - Victimisation and the Criminal Justice System (20 credits)
Year 5 Core modules include:
  • Dissertation (40 credits)
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies. Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry and some optional modules may not run every year. If a module doesn’t run, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

Assessment method

You’ll be assessed through essays and reports, with essay titles provided at the beginning of the academic year. You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark. You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future. The way you’re assessed may depend on the modules you select. As a guide, students on this course last year were typically assessed as follows: Stage 1 students: 100% by coursework Stage 2 students: 100% by coursework Stage 3 students: 100% by coursework

How to apply

To apply for this course you will be taken to the provider's website, where you can find out more information and make an application.

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

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

We welcome applications for advanced entry. If you’d like to apply for advanced entry, you need to select the required year when you complete your application.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

There are no specific qualification requirements, we will assess your application on its own merits. Applicants may be required to produce a short written artefact to better assist the course leader as to the suitability of the applicant.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
Cambridge English AdvancedCambridge English: Advanced (CAE) (taken after January 2015). An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.
Cambridge English ProficiencyCambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) (taken after January 2015). An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.
PTE Academic62An overall score of 62 with a minimum of 59 in each skill.
TOEFL (iBT)7979 with a minimum of 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing.
Trinity ISEPassTrinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III with a Pass in all 4 components.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

EU £3080 Year 1
International £3080 Year 1
England £3080 Year 1
Northern Ireland £3080 Year 1
Scotland £3080 Year 1
Wales £3080 Year 1
Channel Islands £3080 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £3080 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

Fees are accurate at the time of publishing and are subject to change at any time without notice. Fees may also go up in later years, in line with inflation. For more information about fees, go to: https://www.port.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/undergraduate-fees-and-student-finance/tuition-fees-living-costs-and-other-study-costs
Criminology and Criminal Justice (Distance Learning) at University of Portsmouth - UCAS