BSc Sociology and Criminology
About this course
BSc Sociology and Criminology, a social science degree exploring the relationship between crime, criminal justice, and broader social structures. Core topics include Research Methods and Global & Comparative Perspective. Students can optionally undertake an industrial placement year. The first year introduces foundational concepts through compulsory modules such as Thinking Sociologically, Gender, Race, and Class: Social Differentiation and Stratification, British Society, Introduction to Criminology, and Introduction to Criminal Justice. The second year deepens understanding with modules including Research Methods, Sociological Theory, Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice, and Advanced Criminological Theory, alongside optional choices such as Work Placement and Project or Crime and the Media. The final year involves independent research through the Dissertation in Sociology or Dissertation in Criminology, complemented by optional modules covering topics such as Global Justice, Crimes of the Powerful, and Prisons in Crisis.
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: CCD IB: 24 points
What students say
Based on about 16 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 91%
- Learning opportunities: 89%
- Assessment and feedback: 79%
- Academic support: 89%
- Organisation and management: 83%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 90%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 45 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 11 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 80%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 5%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 25%
- Teaching Professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 50%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 30%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 240 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 13%
- London: 31%
- South East: 28%
- South West: 12%
- Wales: 4%
Who gets in
Based on about 50 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Thinking Sociologically
- Gender, Race, and Class: Social Differentiation and Stratification
- British Society
- Introduction to Criminology
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Inequality
- Law and Society
- Global Justice
- Introduction to Political Ideas
- Research Methods
- Sociological Theory
- Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice
- Advanced Criminological Theory
- Work Placement and Project
- Families and Society
- Learning Gender: Exploring the links between gender, education, and society
- Crime and the Media
- Critical Victimology
- The Media, Society, and Politics
- Global Historical Sociology
- Women, Crime, and Justice
- Society, Thought, and Art in Modern Europe
- Dissertation in Sociology
- Dissertation in Criminology
- Global Justice
- Experiencing War
- Feminism and Political Theory
- Young People, Crime, and Justice
- Crimes of the Powerful
- Marx, Durkheim, Weber
- Gender and Politics
- Prisons in Crisis
- Police and Society
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Sociology and Criminology at University of Reading earn?
The median salary is £31,000 after 15 months, £31,000 after 3 years, £40,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £30,000 and £53,500. The £40,000 median after five years is £13,500 more than the UK median for Sociology.
What do graduates of BSc Sociology and Criminology at University of Reading do next?
100% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Sociology and Criminology at University of Reading?
91% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Sociology and Criminology at University of Reading?
The typical offer is CCD at A level, or 24 points in the IB. The average entrant had 118 UCAS points.
Does BSc Sociology and Criminology at University of Reading include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year.
How many students continue on BSc Sociology and Criminology at University of Reading?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.