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Sociology and Criminology with Foundation Year at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

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

Course summary

Our BA Sociology and Criminology degree gives you the opportunity to combine the study of social life and social relations with the field of criminology. On this joint course you will:

  • explore the ideas, social processes and social forces that give shape to the contemporary world
  • investigate key criminology topics, methods and theories.
You will confront and seek to understand the most challenging social questions of our time by examining social relations and social change alongside the critical analysis of policies, institutions and practices related to crime and its control. Themes of study include migration, human rights, inequalities, policing, deportation, security, institutions, racial justice, and organised, corporate and state crime. In the study of sociological and criminological theories and practices, you are encouraged to develop rigorous, critical and self-reflective thought. We will also equip you with a wealth of analytical skills that are transferable to a range of settings and career opportunities. To give you a rich, varied and interdisciplinary approach, as well as enabling you to pursue particular interests, we also offer you a wide range of option modules from disciplines including politics, psychosocial studies, geography, history, philosophy and criminology. The BA Sociology and Criminology at Birkbeck is led by leading academics and develops your independence of thought in confronting the social realities of the contemporary period. If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. This course has an evening timetable with lectures, seminars and classes taking place in the evening. Highlights
  • Birkbeck's innovative, creative and interdisciplinary courses will help you become a competent, critical and responsible student of the social world and the psychological and social forces that shape individuals.
  • Follow your interests and choose to specialise in communication, geography, history, politics, psychosocial studies, social anthropology or social policy.
  • Ours is a vibrant research culture, powered by a shared passion for learning and intellectual engagement among our academics and students.
Careers and employability Graduates can pursue career paths in local or national government, education, social work or research. Possible professions include:
  • charity officer
  • journalist
  • social researcher
  • further education lecturer.
We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.

Assessment method

Assessment methods include non-assessed written exercises and assessed essays. In your final year you will complete a dissertation.

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

Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Foundation

International applicants

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
75%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
75%
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 £9535 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9535 Year 1
Scotland £9535 Year 1
Wales £9535 Year 1
International £18060 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

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
Sociology and Criminology with Foundation Year at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS