BSc Criminology with Foundation Year
About this course
BSc (Hons) Criminology with Foundation Year, a criminology degree that examines the causes of crime and the operation of criminal justice systems. Core topics include Research Methods, Legal Analysis, Communication & Writing, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Human Behaviour, and Global & Comparative Perspective. The course includes a compulsory foundation year and a requirement for practical experience through applied criminal justice settings. The first year establishes academic foundations through modules such as Digital Society, Introduction to Social Sciences, People and Society, Sustainable Futures, Personalised Learning, and Study Skills for Success. The second year focuses on legal procedures, theoretical perspectives, and policing via Criminal Process and Responsibility, Applying Criminological Skills in the Real World, Criminological Theory, Victims of Crime: Safeguarding Society, Researching Criminal Worlds, and Policing Society. The third year covers diversity, cybercrime, research methods, and psychological aspects through Justice Through Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Cybercrime and Cyber Security, Criminal Justice in Practice, Methods and Analysis in Criminological Practice, Explaining Criminal Behaviour, and Global and Environmental Crime. The final year involves an independent research project alongside core study in offender management, with optional modules allowing specialisation in topics such as Understanding and Preventing Corruption: Theory and Practice (A), Critical Perspectives on Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism (A), Criminal Law and Youth Justice (A), Mental Health, Wellbeing and Resilience in Criminal Justice (B), Crime Scene Investigation (B), Law and Court Room Skills: Expert Evidence Testimony (B), Hate Crime (B), and Drugs and Crime in Criminal Justice (B), culminating in the Dissertation module.
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
72 UCAS points required from level 3 qualifications. These can include: A-Levels at grades B and C (if you have two A-Levels) or grades D, D and D (if you have three), or above BTEC Extended Diploma with Merit, Merit, Pass Access to HE Diploma T-Levels You also need GCSE English and Maths (grade 9-4 / A*-C) or Level 2 equivalents.
What students say
Based on about 65 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 89%
- Learning opportunities: 89%
- Assessment and feedback: 86%
- Academic support: 89%
- Organisation and management: 90%
- Learning resources: 87%
- Student voice: 86%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 140 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 74%
- Gained a higher qualification: 3%
- Left higher education: 20%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 3%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 60 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 2%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 68%
- South East: 15%
Who gets in
Based on about 120 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 66%
- Baccalaureate: 1%
- Access course: 1%
- A degree: 2%
- Other HE qualification: 13%
- Other qualifications: 2%
- No formal qualifications: 16%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Gold for student experience, Bronze for student outcomes.
Modules
- Digital Society
- Introduction to Social Sciences
- People and Society
- Sustainable Futures
- Personalised Learning
- Study Skills for Success
- Criminal Process and Responsibility
- Applying Criminological Skills in the Real World
- Criminological Theory
- Victims of Crime: Safeguarding Society
- Researching Criminal Worlds
- Policing Society
- Justice Through Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
- Cybercrime and Cyber Security
- Criminal Justice in Practice
- Methods and Analysis in Criminological Practice
- Explaining Criminal Behaviour
- Global and Environmental Crime
- Dissertation
- Punishment, Rehabilitation and Offender Management
- Understanding and Preventing Corruption: Theory and Practice (A)
- Critical Perspectives on Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism (A)
- Criminal Law and Youth Justice (A)
- Mental Health, Wellbeing and Resilience in Criminal Justice (B)
- Crime Scene Investigation (B)
- Law and Court Room Skills: Expert Evidence Testimony (B)
- Hate Crime (B)
- Drugs and Crime in Criminal Justice (B)
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Criminology with Foundation Year at University of West London earn?
The median salary is £22,500 after 3 years, £26,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £15,000 and £34,500. The £26,500 median after five years is the same as the UK median for Sociology.
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Criminology with Foundation Year at University of West London?
89% 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 Year at University of West London?
The typical offer is BC at A level. The average entrant had 88 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BSc Criminology with Foundation Year at University of West London?
74% of students continued into their second year, and 20% left higher education.