BSc Criminology
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Criminology, combining sociology with law, psychology and philosophy. Core topics include Research Methods, Policy Analysis, and Global & Comparative Perspective. A placement year option is available with professional partners including police, probation services and prisons. The final year includes 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: 120 A level: BBB T Level: Merit BTEC: DDM 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)
What students say
Based on about 28 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 77%
- Learning opportunities: 79%
- Assessment and feedback: 83%
- Academic support: 85%
- Organisation and management: 85%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 76%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 75 students who started
- Continued on course: 89%
- Left higher education: 11%
What graduates do next
Based on about 18 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Elementary occupations: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 15%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 5%
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 65%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 50%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 20%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 195 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 1%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East Midlands: 58%
- West Midlands: 18%
- East of England: 8%
- London: 4%
- South East: 3%
- Wales: 2%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 40 students who started
- A levels: 90%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Placement Learning and Professional Development
- Introduction to Criminological Theory
- Understanding Crime and Criminology
- The Criminal Justice System
- Undertaking Criminological Research
- Crime, Justice and Society
- ​​Investigating Society: Truth, Ethics and Justice​
- Policing and Society
- Penology: Punishment and Rehabilitation
- Themes in Forensic Psychology
- Victimology
- Effecting Change
- Qualitative Research: Methods, Ethics and Application
- Independent Study
- Youth Justice
- 6CJ535
- International Criminology
- Investigation of Crime
- Sexual Violence, Exploitation and Abuse
- Substance Misuse
- Murder: Dynamics, Pathologies and Investigation
- Advanced Knowledge Production
- Psychopathy
- Domestic Abuse
- Populism, Extremism & Violence
- The Psychology of Intimate Partner Abuse
- The Use and Abuse of Psychological Theory
- Psychological Perspectives of Serious and Dangerous Offenders
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Criminology at University of Derby earn?
The median salary is £25,500 after 15 months, £20,500 after 3 years, £24,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £19,500 and £29,500. The £24,000 median after five years is £2,500 less than the UK median for Sociology.
What do graduates of BSc 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 Criminology at University of Derby?
77% 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 Derby?
The typical offer is BBB at A level. The average entrant had 100 UCAS points.
Does BSc Criminology at University of Derby include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Criminology at University of Derby?
89% of students continued into their second year, and 11% left higher education.