BSc Policing & Criminology
About this course
BSc (Hons) Policing & Criminology, a social science and law degree examining criminal justice systems, crime control, and policing practice. Core topics include Computer Architecture. The four-year degree includes an optional year abroad and features inputs from policing practitioners, with course content developed alongside Police Scotland. The first year introduces foundational subjects through compulsory modules such as Introduction to Sociology 1, Understanding social science research, Introduction to Criminology, and Introduction to policing: theory and practice, alongside optional choices like Criminal Law and Computer Systems 1. The second year focuses on criminal justice systems and research methods through compulsory modules including Introduction to Criminal Justice Systems in the UK, Policing in contemporary society, Quantitative Research, Youth, Crime & Deviance, and Criminological Theory, with optional modules such as Digital Forensics. The third year examines advanced themes with compulsory modules like Crime Control and Policing, Violence & Society, Researching Social Sciences, and Punishment and Penology, plus optional subjects including Understanding Cybercrime. The final year centres on independent research and advanced study through compulsory modules such as Preparing for the Honours Project, Comp and International Criminology, and The Honours Project (40 credits), complemented by optional modules like Victimisation & Victimology.
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
Scottish Higher: Standard Entry Requirement: BBBB preferably including English or Literary subject*. If no literary subject has been achieved at Higher, we will consider applications where National 5 English has been achieved at grade B or above. Minimum Offer Entry Requirement: BBCC preferably including English or Literary subject*. If no literary subject has been achieved at Higher, we will consider applications where National 5 English has been achieved at grade B or above. A level: BCC preferably including English or Literary subject*. If no literary subject has been achieved at A level, we will consider applications where GCSE English has been achieved at grade B/5 or above. Irish Leaving Certificate: Grades H2, H2, H3, H3 at Higher Level preferably including English or a Literary subject*. If no literary subject is achieved at Higher Level, English must be achieved at grade O3 or above. BTEC Extended Diploma: Minimum grades DMM (Distinction, Merit, Merit) preferably in a related subject. If not in a related subject, we will consider applications where GCSE English has been achieved at grade B/5 or above. IB: Award of Diploma with 28 points overall with three HL subjects at grades 6, 5, 4 preferably including English or a Literary subject* at minimum grade 5. If no literary subject is achieved at HL, English must be achieved at SL grade 5. HNC: Pass in preferably Social Sciences/Police Studies/Legal Services with grade B in the graded unit. Other literary based HNCs may be considered If the literary criteria has not been achieved at HNC, we will consider applications where National 5 English has been achieved at grade B or above. T Level: Grade M T Level preferably completed in a Literary subject. If not, GCSE English must be achieved at grade B/5 or above. Please contact ugadmissions@napier.ac.uk to check if you meet the subject specific requirements. *Literary subjects accepted: Modern Studies, History, Geography, Psychology, Sociology, Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies, Latin, Theology, Classics, Philosophy, A Level Government and Politics, A Level Classical Civilisation.
What students say
Based on about 22 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 79%
- Learning opportunities: 79%
- Assessment and feedback: 74%
- Academic support: 77%
- Organisation and management: 82%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 83%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 40 students who started
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 10%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 85 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East of England: 1%
- London: 2%
- Scotland: 93%
Who gets in
Based on about 55 students who started
- A levels: 68%
- Other HE qualification: 29%
- Other qualifications: 2%
- No formal qualifications: 2%
Modules
- Introduction to Sociology 1
- Understanding social science research
- Introduction to Criminology
- Introduction to policing: theory and practice
- Criminal Law
- Computer Systems 1
- Scottish Legal System
- Intercultural Organisational Management
- Contemporary Challenges in Psychology
- Behavioural Studies
- Introduction to Criminal Justice Systems in the UK
- Policing in contemporary society
- Quantitative Research
- Youth, Crime & Deviance
- Criminological Theory
- Volunteering and Employability
- Business and Management Challenges
- Digital Forensics
- Crime Control and Policing
- Violence & Society
- Researching Social Sciences
- Punishment and Penology
- Law and Evidence
- Understanding Cybercrime
- Public Health and Criminal Justice
- Race and Decolonial Theory
- History of Crime Correction and Reform
- Law and Society
- Sexuality and Gender
- Preparing for the Honours Project
- Comp and International Criminology
- The Honours Project (40 credits)
- Victimisation & Victimology
- Leadership in a changing environment
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Policing & Criminology at Edinburgh Napier University earn?
The median salary is £24,000 after 3 years, £32,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,500 and £41,000. The £32,000 median after five years is £5,500 more than the UK median for Sociology.
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Policing & Criminology at Edinburgh Napier University?
79% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Policing & Criminology at Edinburgh Napier University?
The typical offer is BCC at A level, or 28 points in the IB. The average entrant had 147 UCAS points.
Does BSc Policing & Criminology at Edinburgh Napier University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Policing & Criminology at Edinburgh Napier University?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.