BSc Criminology
About this course
BSc in Criminology is a sociology degree focused on the study of crime, the criminal justice system, and social life. Core topics include Data Analysis, Statistics, Research Methods, Marketing, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, and Social & Cultural Analysis. Students can undertake a short work placement lasting between three and six weeks with a bursary from a range of organisations. The first year covers foundational concepts through compulsory modules such as Social Issues: Part I - Introducing Crime and Deviance, Social Issues: Part II - Themes in Criminology, Social Analysis, Introduction to Social Data, and Data Analysis in Social Science 1, alongside optional choices like Introduction to Criminal Justice. The second year examines comparative and transnational perspectives via compulsory modules including International Criminal Justice: Comparative Criminology, International Criminal Justice: Application of Theory to Transnational and International Crime, Research Design in the Social Sciences, and Data Analysis in Social Science 2. Optional modules in the second year allow students to explore topics such as The Anthropology of Prisons, Organised Crime and Criminal Networks, Police and Policing, and Data Science in Society.
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
A level: ABB-BBB. IB: 32/655-30/555.
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 40%: 117 offers from 293 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 6 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 75%
- Learning opportunities: 77%
- Assessment and feedback: 72%
- Academic support: 67%
- Organisation and management: 71%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 72%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 388 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 66%
- Working and studying: 14%
- Further study: 7%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Finance Professionals: 23%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 6%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 82%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 795 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 47%
- South East: 24%
- South West: 12%
- Wales: 2%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 35 students who started
- A levels: 90%
- Foundation course: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Social Issues: Part I - Introducing Crime and Deviance
- Social Issues: Part II - Themes in Criminology
- Social Analysis
- Introduction to Social Data
- Data Analysis in Social Science 1
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Population and Society
- Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
- International Criminal Justice: Comparative Criminology
- International Criminal Justice: Application of Theory to Transnational and International Crime
- Research Design in the Social Sciences
- Data Analysis in Social Science 2
- The Anthropology of Prisons
- Organised Crime and Criminal Networks
- Race, Ethnicity and Criminalisation
- Police and Policing
- Victimology
- Forensic Science, Conflict and Justice
- Deprivation of Liberty: Imprisonment and Beyond
- Introduction to Terrorism Studies
- Crime Science
- Crimes of the Powerful
- On Violence
- Forensics in Policing
- Deviance: Interdisciplinary Perspectives
- Power and Domination
- Deception
- Digital Society
- Data Science in Society
- Data Justice and Surveillance Capitalism
- Social Networks
- Data Analysis in Social Science 3
- Mapping the Social World: Introduction to Spatial Analysis in the Social Sciences
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Criminology at University of Exeter earn?
The median salary is £33,500 after 15 months, £34,500 after 3 years, £50,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £35,000 and £69,500. The £50,500 median after five years is £24,000 more than the UK median for Sociology.
What do graduates of BSc Criminology at University of Exeter do next?
87% 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 Exeter?
75% 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 Exeter?
The typical offer is BBB at A level. The average entrant had 144 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BSc Criminology at University of Exeter?
40% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 117 offers from 293 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BSc Criminology at University of Exeter include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Criminology at University of Exeter?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.