BSc Media and Criminology
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Media and Criminology, a sociology and media studies degree focused on the interplay between criminal justice systems, media industries, and cultural practices. Core topics include Data Analysis, Research Methods, Policy Analysis, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Ethics & Professional Practice, and Global & Comparative Perspective. Students have the option to complete an industrial placement year between the second and final stage of the programme. The first year establishes foundational knowledge through compulsory studies in The Criminal Justice System, Introduction to Criminological Theory, Undertaking Criminological Research, Media Industries, Analysing Media, and Investigating Society: Truth, Ethics and Justice, alongside optional modules like Newswriting and Podcast Professional. The second year advances into applied approaches with compulsory modules including Real World Criminology, Celebrity Media and Culture, Curating Contemporary Television, Effecting Change, and Qualitative Research: Methods, Ethics and Application, supplemented by optional choices such as Policing and Society and Penology: Punishment and Rehabilitation. The final year centres on advanced media analysis through Technology, Surveillance and Screen Media, while offering diverse optional modules such as Cybercrime, Youth Justice, Criminal Intelligence Analysis, and a Media Dissertation.
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 22 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 86%
- Learning opportunities: 87%
- Assessment and feedback: 87%
- Academic support: 85%
- Organisation and management: 64%
- Learning resources: 89%
- Student voice: 81%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 70 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 87%
- Left higher education: 13%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 85%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Unemployed: 10%
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: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 90 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 8%
- East Midlands: 45%
- West Midlands: 24%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 3%
- South East: 6%
- South West: 2%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 60 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 95%
- Access course: 2%
- Other qualifications: 2%
- No formal qualifications: 2%
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
- Media Industries
- Analysing Media
- ​​Investigating Society: Truth, Ethics and Justice​
- Newswriting
- Podcast Professional
- Real World Criminology
- Celebrity Media and Culture
- Curating Contemporary Television
- Effecting Change
- Qualitative Research: Methods, Ethics and Application
- Themes in Forensic Psychology
- Policing and Society
- Penology: Punishment and Rehabilitation
- Victimology
- Print Design and Production
- Writing for Impact
- Media Research
- Technology, Surveillance and Screen Media
- 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
- Media Dissertation
- Gendered Cyberspace
- Start Up Journalism
- Data Science and Data Journalism
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Media and Criminology at University of Derby earn?
The median salary is £25,000 after 15 months, £20,000 after 3 years, £23,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £20,500 and £30,000. The £23,500 median after five years is £3,000 less than the UK median for Sociology.
What do graduates of BSc Media and Criminology at University of Derby do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Media and Criminology at University of Derby?
86% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Media and Criminology at University of Derby?
The typical offer is BBC at A level. The average entrant had 111 UCAS points.
Does BSc Media and Criminology at University of Derby include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year.
How many students continue on BSc Media and Criminology at University of Derby?
87% of students continued into their second year, and 13% left higher education.