BSc Criminology with Foundation
About this course
BSc (Hons) Criminology with Foundation, a criminology degree that includes a compulsory foundation year and offers an optional placement year. Core topics include Research Methods, Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Ethics & Professional Practice. The course begins with Year 0, focusing on academic foundations through modules such as Academic Foundations, Independent Project, Crime and Deviance, and Human Rights and Social Justice. Year 1 introduces core disciplinary concepts via Being a Criminologist, Introduction to Criminological Theory, Knife Crime to Terror Networks: 21st Century Crime, and Forensic Criminology: Criminal Investigations, alongside The Criminal Justice System: Police, Prosecution, Probation and Into the Field, Researching Crime and Society. Year 2 advances into Critical Perspectives on Crime Control, Forensic Criminology: Social Investigations, Security and Policing Today: Debates and Issues, Designing Research from Questions to Proposals, and Beyond the Mainstream, Critical and Alternative Perspectives, with an optional placement preparation module available. The final year centres on professional reflection and independent research through Working for Justice and the Dissertation, while optional modules allow students to explore topics such as Global Conflict, Genocide and Crimes of the State, Deviant Leisure, Gender, Sexuality and Society, Terrorism, Radicalisation and Extremism, and The Missing - Cold Case Investigations.
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: 32 points. 18 Unit BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma: PPP-MMP 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 access course (any subject) plus GCSE English and Maths grade C / 4 or above or equivalent. T level: Pass in any subject. International Baccalaureate: 24-25 overall to include 4 at any subject at Higher Level. English and Maths accepted within: Higher Level = 4, Standard Level = 5. Other: New Irish Highers: Achieve Irish Leaving Certificate with 32 UCAS points. Other: Mature students with appropriate work experience are encouraged to apply. For those who do not meet the requirements, please enquire for further details. We encourage any candidate who is unsure about the suitability of their qualifications or experience to contact Admissions in the first instance, who will then liaise with the Admissions Tutor and Programme Lead.
What students say
Based on about 96 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 86%
- Learning opportunities: 82%
- Assessment and feedback: 87%
- Academic support: 85%
- Organisation and management: 77%
- Learning resources: 89%
- Student voice: 80%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 15%
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 30 students who started
- A levels: 95%
- Access course: 5%
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
- Academic Foundations
- Independent Project
- Crime and Deviance
- Human Rights and Social Justice
- Being a Criminologist
- Introduction to Criminological Theory
- Knife Crime to Terror Networks: 21st Century Crime
- Forensic Criminology: Criminal Investigations
- The Criminal Justice System: Police, Prosecution, Probation
- Into the Field, Researching Crime and Society
- 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
- Working for Justice
- Dissertation
- Global Conflict, Genocide and Crimes of the State
- Deviant Leisure
- Gender, Sexuality and Society
- Terrorism, Radicalisation and Extremism
- The Missing - Cold Case Investigations
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Criminology with Foundation 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 with Foundation 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 with Foundation at University of Plymouth?
86% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Criminology with Foundation at University of Plymouth?
The typical offer is 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 58 UCAS points.
Does BSc Criminology with Foundation 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 with Foundation at University of Plymouth?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.