BSc Sport Studies and Criminology
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Sport Studies and Criminology, an undergraduate degree combining the scientific and social study of sport performance with the analysis of crime, criminal justice, and offender management. Core topics include 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 covers core foundations through The Criminal Justice System, Introduction to Criminological Theory, Undertaking Criminological Research, Principles of Sport and Exercise Psychology, Introduction to Sport Management, Introduction to Anatomy for Sport & Exercise, and Investigating Society: Truth, Ethics and Justice. The second year introduces more applied perspectives with modules such as Applied Sport Business Management, Effecting Change, and Qualitative Research: Methods, Ethics and Application, alongside optional choices including Themes in Forensic Psychology, Policing and Society, and Penology: Punishment and Rehabilitation. Final-year studies focus on advanced concepts through Contemporary Issues in Sport Management and Development, complemented by extensive optional modules spanning cybercrime, youth justice, green criminology, strength and conditioning, and advanced sports coaching, with opportunities to undertake an independent research 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 in Science 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: 21, Merit: 24, Pass: 0. Must include passes in compulsory Level 3 subjects English language: IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
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What students say
Based on about 12 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 99%
- Learning opportunities: 99%
- Assessment and feedback: 98%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 97%
- Learning resources: 96%
- Student voice: 88%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 40 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 80%
- Left higher education: 15%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 13 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 20%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 25%
- Customer service occupations: 20%
- Sales occupations: 20%
- Teaching Professionals: 5%
- Legal professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 55%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 20%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 75 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 1%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 9%
- East Midlands: 61%
- West Midlands: 14%
- East of England: 6%
- London: 2%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 40 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 95%
- Access course: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
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
- Principles of Sport and Exercise Psychology
- Introduction to Sport Management
- Introduction to Anatomy for Sport & Exercise
- ​​Investigating Society: Truth, Ethics and Justice​
- Applied Sport Business Management
- Effecting Change
- Qualitative Research: Methods, Ethics and Application
- Themes in Forensic Psychology
- Policing and Society
- Penology: Punishment and Rehabilitation
- Victimology
- Nutrition and Metabolism for Sport and Exercise
- Strength and Conditioning
- Physical Activity and Health
- Research Methods for Sport and Exercise
- Sport and Exercise Psychology
- The Learning Coach
- Contemporary Issues in Sport Management and Development
- 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
- 6CJ535
- Investigating Crime
- Applied Strength and Conditioning
- Advanced Sports Coaching
- Working in High Performance Sport and Talent Identification
- Applied Sport Psychology and Behaviour Change
- Biomedical Implications of Exercise, Activity and Health
- Advanced Nutrition and Metabolism for Sport and Exercise
- Independent Study for Sport and Exercise
- Independent Study
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Sport Studies and Criminology at University of Derby earn?
The median salary is £24,000 after 15 months, £19,500 after 3 years, £23,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £20,000 and £27,500. The £23,500 median after five years is £4,500 less than the UK median for English language.
What do graduates of BSc Sport 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 Sport Studies and Criminology at University of Derby?
99% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Sport Studies and Criminology at University of Derby?
The typical offer is BBC at A level. The average entrant had 98 UCAS points.
Does BSc Sport Studies 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 Sport Studies and Criminology at University of Derby?
80% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.