BSc Criminology and Sociology
Royal Holloway, University of London
About this course
BSc in Criminology and Sociology, a social science degree exploring the relationship between crime, criminal justice systems, and broader societal structures. Core topics include Research Methods, Social & Cultural Analysis, and Global & Comparative Perspective. Students can also choose to undertake an optional placement year or spend a year abroad. The first year introduces foundational concepts through Criminal Justice System, Introduction to Criminology, Introduction to Sociology, and Social Problems and Social Policy. The second year builds on these themes with Key Perspectives and Debates in Criminology, Research Methods for Social Scientists, and Sociology of Contemporary Society, alongside optional choices such as Crime and the Law, Youth and Crime, and Drugs, Crime and Society. The final year requires students to complete a Dissertation, while offering advanced optional modules such as Cybercrime, Crimes of the Powerful, and Race, Ethnicity and Migration.
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: ABB-BBB (Required subjects: We require English Language and Mathematics GCSE at grade 4 (C)) IB: 6,5,5 at Higher Level subjects or a minimum of 32 points overall.
What students say
Based on about 20 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 86%
- Learning opportunities: 81%
- Assessment and feedback: 77%
- Academic support: 85%
- Organisation and management: 66%
- Learning resources: 87%
- Student voice: 78%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 55 students who started
- Continued on course: 83%
- Left higher education: 15%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 2%
What graduates do next
Based on about 30 graduates who answered
- Working: 70%
- Working and studying: 11%
- Further study: 7%
- Unemployed: 7%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 5%
- Customer service occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 75%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 50 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 10%
- London: 30%
- South East: 40%
- South West: 5%
- Wales: 5%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Criminal Justice System
- Introduction to Criminology
- Introduction to Sociology
- Social Problems and Social Policy
- Academic Integrity
- Key Perspectives and Debates in Criminology
- Research Methods for Social Scientists
- Sociology of Contemporary Society
- Criminologists in Action
- Sociology of the Family
- Crime and the Law
- Youth and Crime
- Crime and Literature
- Crime, Media and Culture
- Drugs, Crime and Society
- Housing and Homelessness
- Sentencing and Penal Policy
- Sociology of Health and Illness
- Terrorism Studies Part 1
- Dissertation
- Race, Crime and Justice
- Cybercrime
- Lost in Music: The Sociology of Popular Music
- Terrorism Studies Part 2
- Youth in Society: Culture, Subculture & Transgression
- Children, Society and Risk
- Crimes of the Powerful
- Gender, Sexuality and Crime
- Interpersonal violence and harm
- Madness and Society
- Policing Turning Points: Scandals and Reform
- Prisons
- Race, Ethnicity and Migration
- Victims and Witnesses
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Criminology and Sociology at Royal Holloway, University of London earn?
The median salary is £28,000 after 15 months, £24,000 after 3 years, £28,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £24,500 and £34,000. The £28,500 median after five years is £2,000 more than the UK median for Sociology.
What do graduates of BSc Criminology and Sociology at Royal Holloway, University of London do next?
88% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Criminology and Sociology at Royal Holloway, University of London?
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 and Sociology at Royal Holloway, University of London?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 111 UCAS points.
Does BSc Criminology and Sociology at Royal Holloway, University of London 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 Royal Holloway, University of London?
83% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.