BA Sociology and Criminology with Year Abroad
About this course
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Criminology with Year Abroad, a sociology degree examining social life, crime, and justice systems. Core topics include Data Analysis, Research Methods, and Social & Cultural Analysis. Students complete a study period abroad during the third year before returning for advanced study and a final-year dissertation. The first year introduces foundational themes through Causes of Crime, The Sociological Imagination, Discovering Social Problems, and Social Research I. The second year expands theoretical and empirical knowledge via Criminology and its Critics, Modern Sociological Theory, Social Research II, and Gender and Sexuality. Optional modules across intermediate and final stages cover topics such as Prisons, Punishment and Penality, Media and Society, Psychology and Crime, and Wrongful Conviction. The final year centres on the Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology Dissertation alongside advanced specialist study.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A Level: ABB. IB: 6,5,5 at Higher Level with a minimum of 32 points overall.. BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma, Diploma and Subsidiary Diploma are all considered.considered. T Level: all subjects considered; Standard offer: Distinction overall with A in the Core Component.
What students say
Based on about 98 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 89%
- Learning opportunities: 89%
- Assessment and feedback: 83%
- Academic support: 92%
- Organisation and management: 94%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 88%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 48 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 72%
- Working and studying: 8%
- Further study: 6%
- Unemployed: 4%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 12%
- Teaching Professionals: 11%
- Sales occupations: 9%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 65 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 42%
- East of England: 15%
- London: 23%
- South East: 9%
- South West: 5%
- Wales: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Causes of Crime
- The Sociological Imagination
- Discovering Social Problems
- Social Research I
- Introduction to Social Divisions
- Violence in a Global Context
- Criminology and its Critics
- Modern Sociological Theory
- Social Research II
- Gender and Sexuality
- Poverty, Class and Inequality
- Race and Racism
- Prisons, Punishment and Penality
- Histories of Criminal Justice and Empire
- Housing, Home and Place: Issues in Policy
- Media and Society
- Social Psychology
- Education, Policy and Social Justice
- Enterprising Solutions to Social Problems
- Terror, Threat and Security
- Youth, Crime and Justice
- Contemporary Issues in Policing
- Victimology
- Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology Year Abroad
- Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology Dissertation
- Crime and the City
- Genocide and Mass Atrocities
- Harmful Societies: Crime, Social Harm and Social Justice
- Psychology and Crime
- Drugs: Society, Politics and Policy
- Wrongful Conviction
- Selling the Self? Sex, Gender and Consumer Culture
- Mental Health and Society
- Sociology of Success and Spectacle
- Social Policy, Inequality and the Life Course
- Professional Development
- Contemporary Social Theory
- Technology & Society
- Power, Control and Resistance
- Quantitative Data Analysis
- Policing Migration: Victims, Villains and Global Border Regimes
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Sociology and Criminology with Year Abroad at University of Birmingham earn?
The median salary is £29,000 after 15 months, £24,500 after 3 years, £31,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,500 and £39,000. The £31,000 median after five years is £4,500 more than the UK median for Sociology.
What do graduates of BA Sociology and Criminology with Year Abroad at University of Birmingham do next?
87% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Sociology and Criminology with Year Abroad at University of Birmingham?
89% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Sociology and Criminology with Year Abroad at University of Birmingham?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 141 UCAS points.
Does BA Sociology and Criminology with Year Abroad at University of Birmingham include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Sociology and Criminology with Year Abroad at University of Birmingham?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.