BSc Criminology
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Criminology, a criminology degree exploring crime, deviance, and the social and legal frameworks of the criminal justice system. Core topics include Data Analysis, Research Methods, Fieldwork, Project Management, Policy Analysis, Communication & Writing, Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Global & Comparative Perspective. Students have the option to undertake a year abroad. Year 0 offers an optional foundation into legal principles, social issues, and research methods. Year 1 introduces core concepts through compulsory studies such as Experiencing the Criminal Justice System, Key Concepts in Crime and Justice, and Contemporary Youth Justice, alongside optional modules including Media and the Representation of Deviance and various foreign languages. Year 2 continues with compulsory modules like Criminal Representations, Race, Ethnicity, Migration and Injustice, and Mental Health, Risk and Justice, while optional pathways feature work placements, experiential learning, and language development. The final year focuses on advanced societal challenges with compulsory modules including Social Science for Social Change, Crimes of the Powerful, Punishment: Penology, Policy and Practice, and the Major Project: Applied Research Design and Analysis.
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
UCAS points: 112 A level: Typical offer – BCC-BBC IB: 28 points
What students say
Based on about 8 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 86%
- Learning opportunities: 83%
- Assessment and feedback: 87%
- Academic support: 96%
- Organisation and management: 82%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 95%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 45 students who started
- Continued on course: 80%
- Left higher education: 15%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 140 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 40%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 8%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 16%
- East of England: 5%
- South East: 5%
- Wales: 19%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 30 students who started
- A levels: 95%
- Access course: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Introduction to Law & Criminal Justice
- Social Issues and Contexts
- Research in Law & Criminology
- Experiencing the Criminal Justice System
- Key Concepts in Crime and Justice
- Contemporary Youth Justice
- Media and the Representation of Deviance
- Spanish: Communication in Practice
- French: Intermediate Language Development
- Spanish: Intermediate Language Development
- Chinese: Intermediate Language Development
- German: Communication in Practice
- French: Communication in Practice
- Subsidiary Language
- Criminal Representations
- Race, Ethnicity, Migration and Injustice
- Mental Health, Risk and Justice
- Work Placement (School of Humanities and Social Sciences)
- Experiential Learning: Social Impact Leadership in Action
- Upper Intermediate Language Development and Global Employability
- Advanced Language Development and Global Sustainability
- Post Beginner Language Development and Global Cultures
- Experiential Overseas Learning
- Developing Intercultural Literacy and Cross-Cultural Skills
- Study Abroad Immersive Year
- Social Science for Social Change
- Crimes of the Powerful
- Major Project: Applied Research Design and Analysis
- Punishment: Penology, Policy and Practice
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Criminology at University of Chester earn?
The median salary is £20,500 after 3 years, £25,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £21,000 and £29,000. The £25,000 median after five years is £1,500 less than the UK median for Sociology.
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Criminology at University of Chester?
86% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Criminology at University of Chester?
The typical offer is BCC at A level, or 28 points in the IB. The average entrant had 112 UCAS points.
Does BSc Criminology at University of Chester include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Criminology at University of Chester?
80% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.