BSc Criminology
About this course
BSc (Hons) Criminology, a criminology degree focused on the study of crime, victimisation, and the operation of the criminal justice system. Core topics include Statistics and Critical & Analytical Thinking. Students can choose to undertake an optional placement year or a year abroad as part of their studies. The first year covers foundational concepts through compulsory modules including Explaining Crime, Victims and Victimisation, Real World Research 1, and Introduction to the Criminal Justice System. Explaining Crime introduces definitions and theories of offending, while Victims and Victimisation shifts attention toward those affected by unlawful acts. Real World Research 1 builds quantitative literacy for social research, and Introduction to the Criminal Justice System examines the institutions responsible for managing state responses to crime and disorder. Additional compulsory study includes Crime Myths and Realities, Identity and Diversity in Criminology, and Skills for Academic Success in a UK University.
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 92 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 84%
- Learning opportunities: 81%
- Assessment and feedback: 77%
- Academic support: 78%
- Organisation and management: 75%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 67%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 100 students who started
- Continued on course: 81%
- Left higher education: 9%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 10%
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 85 students who started
- A levels: 91%
- Foundation course: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 8%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Explaining Crime
- Victims and Victimisation
- Real World Research 1
- Crime Myths and Realities
- Identity and Diversity in Criminology
- Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
- Skills for Academic Success in a UK University
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Criminology 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 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 at Northumbria University?
The typical offer is CA at A level. The average entrant had 121 UCAS points.
Does BSc Criminology 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 at Northumbria University?
81% of students continued into their second year, and 9% left higher education.