BSc Education Studies and Criminology
About this course
The BSc (Hons) in Education Studies and Criminology is an undergraduate degree that combines the sociological and historical study of educational systems with the analysis of criminal justice institutions and criminological theory. Core topics include Research Methods, Policy Analysis, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Ethics & Professional Practice, and Global & Comparative Perspective. The course offers an optional placement year and optional study abroad opportunities. The first year establishes foundational knowledge through compulsory modules such as The Criminal Justice System, Introduction to Criminological Theory, Undertaking Criminological Research, Another Brick in the Wall: An Introduction to the Sociology of Education, Teaching, Thinking and Reasoning, Education Through the Ages, and Investigating Society: Truth, Ethics and Justice. The second year builds professional and analytical capabilities via compulsory modules like Real World Criminology, Effecting Change, and Qualitative Research: Methods, Ethics and Application, alongside optional subjects including Themes in Forensic Psychology and Policing and Society. In the final year, students can select from specialised topics such as Cybercrime, Youth Justice, Green Criminology and Global Communities, Domestic Abuse, and International Criminology, and may complete an Independent Study or Educational Independent Study project.
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 tariff: 112 A level: BBC T Level: Merit BTEC: DMM GCSE: GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6 English language: IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
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What students say
Based on about 34 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 97%
- Learning opportunities: 94%
- Assessment and feedback: 93%
- Academic support: 91%
- Organisation and management: 90%
- Learning resources: 98%
- Student voice: 88%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 60 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 66%
- Gained a higher qualification: 18%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 25 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Elementary occupations: 20%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 95%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 90%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 90%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 300 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 4%
- East Midlands: 67%
- West Midlands: 15%
- East of England: 4%
- London: 1%
- South East: 2%
- South West: 1%
- Wales: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 75 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 76%
- Access course: 7%
- A degree: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 16%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Placement Learning and Professional Development
- The Criminal Justice System
- Introduction to Criminological Theory
- Undertaking Criminological Research
- Another Brick in the Wall: An Introduction to the Sociology of Education
- Teaching, Thinking and Reasoning
- Education Through the Ages
- ​​Investigating Society: Truth, Ethics and Justice​
- Real World Criminology
- Effecting Change
- Qualitative Research: Methods, Ethics and Application
- Themes in Forensic Psychology
- Policing and Society
- Penology: Punishment and Rehabilitation
- Victimology
- Lessons from History of Education
- Motivation and Achievement
- Research Methods in Education
- Is it all just words? Language, Society and Education
- Educational Alternatives
- Education in Context: a reflection
- Independent Study
- Cybercrime
- Youth Justice
- Green Criminology and Global Communities
- Sexual Violence, Exploitation and Abuse
- Substance Misuse
- Criminal Intelligence Analysis
- Offenders with Mental and Intellectual Disabilities
- Murder: Dynamics, Pathologies and Investigation
- Working with Young Offenders
- Psychopathy
- Domestic Abuse
- Applied Working with Offenders
- International Criminology
- Investigating Crime
- The Future of Education
- Left Behind and Left out: Social Exclusion and Education
- The Science of Learning and the Art of Teaching
- ‘Entrepreneurial’ Education
- Educational Independent Study
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Education Studies and Criminology at University of Derby earn?
The median salary is £24,000 after 15 months, £20,500 after 3 years, £23,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £17,500 and £29,500. The £23,500 median after five years is £3,000 less than the UK median for Sociology.
What do graduates of BSc Education Studies and Criminology at University of Derby do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Education Studies and Criminology at University of Derby?
97% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Education Studies and Criminology at University of Derby?
The typical offer is BBC at A level. The average entrant had 105 UCAS points.
Does BSc Education Studies and Criminology at University of Derby include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Education Studies and Criminology at University of Derby?
66% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.