BSc Criminology
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Criminology, a criminology degree exploring the criminal justice system, crime control, and theoretical approaches to societal issues and social justice. Core topics include Research Methods, Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Ethics & Professional Practice. Students can choose to undertake an optional placement year or a year abroad during their studies. The first year covers core foundations through Being a Criminologist, Into the Field, Researching Crime and Society, Introduction to Criminological Theory, and Knife Crime to Terror Networks: 21st Century Crime. The second year progresses to topics like Critical Perspectives on Crime Control, Forensic Criminology: Social Investigations, Security and Policing Today: Debates and Issues, and Designing Research from Questions to Proposals, alongside optional choices such as Crime, Criminology and Film. The final year includes compulsory modules Working for Justice and Dissertation, while optional modules allow students to explore areas such as Security Management, Global Conflict, Genocide and Crimes of the State, and Terrorism, Radicalisation and Extremism.
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: 104 points from a minimum of 2 A levels. Excluding general studies. 18 Unit BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM in any subject. BTEC National Diploma modules: If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application. All Access courses: Pass a named Access to HE Diploma in any subject with at least 33 credits at merit/distinction. T level: Merit in any subject. International Baccalaureate: 26 overall. English and Maths accepted within: Higher Level = 4 Standard Level = 5. Other: 14-19 Diploma a ccepted – please enquire. Other combinations and non-A level qualifications also considered.
What students say
Based on about 29 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 86%
- Assessment and feedback: 92%
- Academic support: 88%
- Organisation and management: 86%
- Learning resources: 91%
- Student voice: 83%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 70 students who started
- Continued on course: 93%
- Left higher education: 6%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 1%
What graduates do next
Based on about 78 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 62%
- Working and studying: 13%
- Further study: 6%
- Unemployed: 9%
Most common jobs
- Elementary occupations: 13%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Protective service occupations: 8%
- Find their work meaningful: 72%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 51%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 38%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 240 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 4%
- London: 6%
- South East: 12%
- South West: 68%
- Wales: 3%
Who gets in
Based on about 60 students who started
- A levels: 97%
- Other HE qualification: 3%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences Placement Year
- Being a Criminologist
- Into the Field, Researching Crime and Society
- Introduction to Criminological Theory
- Knife Crime to Terror Networks: 21st Century Crime
- Forensic Criminology: Criminal Investigations
- The Criminal Justice System: Police, Prosecution, Probation
- Critical Perspectives on Crime Control
- Forensic Criminology: Social Investigations
- Security and Policing Today: Debates and Issues
- Designing Research from Questions to Proposals
- Beyond the Mainstream, Critical and Alternative Perspectives
- Stage 2 Professional Development, Placement Preparation and identifying opportunities
- Crime, Criminology and Film
- Working for Justice
- Dissertation
- Security Management
- Global Conflict, Genocide and Crimes of the State
- Green Criminology: Climate Justice and the Planetary Crisis
- The Missing - Cold Case Investigations
- Deviant Leisure
- Gender, Sexuality and Society
- Terrorism, Radicalisation and Extremism
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Criminology at University of Plymouth earn?
The median salary is £25,000 after 15 months, £22,500 after 3 years, £26,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £21,000 and £32,000. The £26,500 median after five years is the same as the UK median for Sociology.
What do graduates of BSc Criminology at University of Plymouth do next?
80% 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 Plymouth?
88% 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 Plymouth?
The average entrant had 119 UCAS points.
Does BSc Criminology at University of Plymouth 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 University of Plymouth?
93% of students continued into their second year, and 6% left higher education.