BA Criminology and Sociology with Foundation Year
About this course
BA (Hons) in Criminology and Sociology with Foundation Year, an undergraduate degree integrating foundational academic study with sociological and criminological analysis of crime, justice, and social structures. Core topics include Microelectronics, Statistics, Research Methods, Policy Analysis, Historical Research, Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Social & Cultural Analysis. The curriculum includes a compulsory foundation year and a placement year typically completed between the second and final stage of the programme. Year 0 begins with foundational academic preparation through compulsory modules Study Skills, Culture and Ideas, Political Studies, and Sociology, alongside optional subjects like Mathematics and History. Year 1 introduces core disciplinary concepts through Urban Crime: Criminological Questions, Sociological Answers, Introduction to Criminological Theory, Making Modern Britain, and Patterns of Inequality. Year 2 develops methodological and practical capabilities via Social Theory, Activism and Change, The Sociology of Diverse Societies, Effecting Change, and Qualitative Research: Methods, Ethics and Application, with options such as Policing and Society and Penology: Punishment and Rehabilitation. The final year centres on independent research via the Independent Study module, complemented by optional modules covering areas such as Green Criminology and Global Communities, Youth Justice, and Domestic Abuse.
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: 72 A level: DDD T Level: Pass BTEC: MMP GCSE: GCSE Maths and English are preferred, however if you don't have these qualifications you will be able to undertake Maths and English at Level 2 as part of your course of study Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 30, Pass: 15 English language: IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
What students say
Based on about 53 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 81%
- Learning opportunities: 80%
- Assessment and feedback: 87%
- Academic support: 88%
- Organisation and management: 82%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 74%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 135 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 86%
- Gained a higher qualification: 1%
- Left higher education: 14%
What graduates do next
Based on about 32 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 5%
- 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: 65%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 40%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 25%
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 80 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 87%
- Access course: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 9%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Placement Learning and Professional Development
- Study Skills
- Culture and Ideas
- Political Studies
- Sociology
- English
- Mathematics
- History
- Law
- Urban Crime: Criminological Questions, Sociological Answers
- Introduction to Criminological Theory
- Making Modern Britain
- Crime, Justice and Society
- Patterns of Inequality
- ​​Investigating Society: Truth, Ethics and Justice​
- Social Theory, Activism and Change
- The Sociology of Diverse Societies
- Effecting Change
- Qualitative Research: Methods, Ethics and Application
- Policing and Society
- Globalisation and Social Change
- Penology: Punishment and Rehabilitation
- Victimology
- Independent Study
- Green Criminology and Global Communities
- Sexual Violence, Exploitation and Abuse
- Crime, Media and Culture
- Youth Justice
- World in Conflict: War, Terrorism and Societies
- The Sociology of Politics and Protest
- Working with Young Offenders
- Populism, Extremism & Violence
- Domestic Abuse
- Digital Futures and the Global Networked Society
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Criminology and Sociology with Foundation Year 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 BA Criminology and Sociology with Foundation Year at University of Derby do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Criminology and Sociology with Foundation Year at University of Derby?
81% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Criminology and Sociology with Foundation Year at University of Derby?
The typical offer is DDD at A level. The average entrant had 100 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Criminology and Sociology with Foundation Year at University of Derby?
86% of students continued into their second year, and 14% left higher education.