BSc Criminology and Sociology
About this course
BSc (Hons) Criminology and Sociology, an undergraduate degree combining the study of crime, the criminal justice system, and social theory. Core topics include Statistics, Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Social & Cultural Analysis. Students may choose to undertake an optional placement year or a year abroad. The first year covers foundational concepts through compulsory modules including Explaining Crime, Real World Research 1, Introduction to the Criminal Justice System, and Thinking Sociologically 1. These modules introduce definitions of crime, quantitative methods for social research, institutions of the criminal justice system, and historical perspectives in social theory. Additional compulsory first-year study includes Thinking Sociologically 2, Social Problems: Myths and Realities, and Skills for Academic Success in a UK University. Later stages allow specialisation in areas such as victimisation, sex work, happiness, race, and migration through optional modules.
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: 96 to 112 Tariff Points Subject requirements: There are no specific subject requirements for this course.
What students say
Based on about 13 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 84%
- Learning opportunities: 86%
- Assessment and feedback: 82%
- Academic support: 78%
- Organisation and management: 74%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 67%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 35 students who started
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 265 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 54%
- North West: 9%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 21%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 1%
- London: 4%
- South East: 2%
- South West: 1%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 35 students who started
- A levels: 85%
- Access course: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Explaining Crime
- Real World Research 1
- Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
- Skills for Academic Success in a UK University
- Thinking Sociologically 1
- Thinking Sociologically 2
- Social Problems: Myths and Realities
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Criminology and Sociology at Northumbria University earn?
The median salary is £21,000 after 3 years, £25,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £21,500 and £30,500. The £25,500 median after five years is £1,000 less than the UK median for Sociology.
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Criminology and Sociology at Northumbria University?
84% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Criminology and Sociology at Northumbria University?
The typical offer is CA at A level. The average entrant had 119 UCAS points.
Does BSc Criminology and Sociology at Northumbria University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Criminology and Sociology at Northumbria University?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.