In keeping with the growing importance of graduate employability, lifelong learning and flexible learning, this new FdA in Applied Criminology will provide potential students (those already in work and those with little or no employment experience) with the opportunity to obtain a qualification that combines workplace skills, academic knowledge, generic skills and employability skills. Through the embedded work based learning modules the FdA will provide students with the opportunity to gain knowledge / understanding and skills (of some National Occupational Standards relevant to their area of interest) that are directly linked to the employer needs of the various strands of Justice Sector - Community Justice, Custodial Care, Policing and Law Enforcement and Youth Justice.

The Foundation degree is aimed at students who are interested in all aspects of Criminology and the Justice Sector. It provides a dual understanding of crime and the criminal justice system, integrating a legal justice approach with the social science of criminology.

Traditionally, criminology programmes are offered by social science departments and do not include related legal studies. Here at UEL however, the programme is taught within the School of Law and students acquire additional legal training on the more vocationally relevant aspects of this field and the Justice Sector. It provides both a strong theoretical grounding integrated with work based learning through a variety of criminology options and criminal law, and also a comprehensive coverage of criminal justice practice.

The School of Law has a long history of teaching and research which places law in its wider social context and the Criminology and Criminal Justice Degree is an extension of this expertise.

Criminology at UEL has a dynamic and diverse student body, from all sections of the community as well as from overseas.

The Foundation Degree in Applied Criminology is a two year, full time programme of study; or can be studied on a three year part-time basis. There are two semesters per year, and full time students will take three modules per semester. Part-time students are currently required to attend day-time classes, studying two modules each semester. This programme will also be offered as a part-time evening programme. In order to be awarded the Foundation degree qualification, you will need to achieve a total of 240 credits over two years. Each single module is worth 20 credits, with the exception of the final module of the first year, which is worth 40 credits.

In the first year of the degree programme students will study four modules worth 20 credits each, and one module worth 40 credits, making a total of 120 credits. In the second year, students will study six modules worth 20 credits each, making a total of 120 credits. Upon successful completion of two years’ study (240 credits); students will be awarded the Foundation Degree.

In the first year of study, all students will study the following core modules covering foundational knowledge and skills: Criminal Justice Process, Developing Criminological Skills, Work-Based Learning (40 credit module spread over two semesters), Youth Justice, and Contemporary Issues in Criminology.

In the second year you will study four core modules which Research Methods in Criminology, Theoretical Criminology, Work-Based Learning, Youth Crime &Subculture crime.

Foundation Degree in Applied Criminology

Full time – 2 years: Part time – 3 years

In the second year students will be able to choose a further two option modules (see below) including Criminal Law, Crime & Social History and Crime in the City.

*Option Modules

NOTE: Students must pass all level 1 modules in order to progress to level 2 modules in the second year. Students must pass all level 1 and level 2 modules in order to achieve the Foundation Degree qualification.

Having achieved the Foundation Degree, students will be eligible to undertake a third year of study at the University of East London, successful completion of which will enable the awarding of a BA (Hons) Degree in Criminology & Criminal Justice.

BA (Hons) Criminology & Criminal Justice

Full time – 1 year: Part time – 18 months

* Foundation degree students who wish to progress onto level 3 of the BA (Hons) Criminology and Criminal Justice programme are required take (CR2180) Applied Criminology & Professional Practice as a core module at level 2.

Students opting to continue onto level 3 of the BA (Hons) Criminology & Criminal Justice programme will study two core modules of students choice spread over two semesters (40 credit Research Project, and Crime Deviance and Culture). In addition, level 3 students will be able to choose a further four option modules (see below) including Police Studies, Civil liberties, and Community-based Crime Prevention.

*Option Modules

Most modules are taught by way of a lecture/seminar or workshop format, with the exception of the work-based learning modules (see below). The emphasis is on student participation and small group work within a supportive learning environment. All students are provided with a module guide for each programme and additional reading packs are available at cost price.
The School of Law is committed to the development of key transferable academic and research skills, which are integrated into our teaching and assessment throughout the degree. Level one students are also provided with additional study skills support to assist them in the early stages of their university career.

Assessment methods vary across the degree according to the learning outcomes of the individual module. Assessment takes place at the end of each semester with an opportunity to re-sit failed elements in August /September.

On the FdA in Applied Criminology the majority of level one modules are assessed by coursework. Students are required to pass all five level one modules to progress on to level 2.

All students on the programme will be required to undertake a 40 credit work-based learning module at level 1, and a 20 credit work-based learning module at level 2. This module will provide students with the opportunity to develop transferable and lifelong learning skills. Working with an allocated tutor, work-based learners will plan, negotiate and manage their own study. The student will be able to examine appropriate learning of direct relevance and application to their workplace. The module aims to enhance organisational, personal and professional development within the work environment. The module will be assessed by the completion of a portfolio that includes a reflective learning log.

In addition to this, the Law School has established links with external local Justice Sector agencies / organizations covering: Crime Prevention & Community Safety, Youth Offending Services, Police, Probation, and the Prison Service. All those Justice Sector agencies / organizations that are able to provide work placement opportunities will be included in the students’ work-based learning module handbooks.
Availability of placements will depend on employer need and successful student interview and therefore we cannot guarantee you a placement with these agencies / organizations. Alternatively, placement opportunities may be organized independently by individual students. If you organize such a placement, it must be approved by the programme.

Work placements with participating agencies / organisations will be overseen by the FdA in Applied Criminology Programme Leader in conjunction with the Law School’s Employability Manager. Work-Based learning tutor(s) will liaise and maintain regular contact with our external employers. It is expected that work placements will be allocated as and when they arise, throughout the year. All students will be eligible for work placements, however allocation of placements will be decided by students’ interviews with the employer concerned. More than one student therefore will be competing for each placement.

It will be necessary for all employers to demonstrate an ability to meet all relevant regulations and legal obligations regarding employees; this will be ascertained by the work-based learning tutor. All employers participating in the placement scheme must hold employers’ liability insurance.

All student work-based learning/placement opportunities will be organized to comply with the QAA Code of Practice for Work-Based and Learning Placement. The current UEL policy concerning Work-Based and Learning Placement can be found at http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/manual/placement.htm

• extensive personal support throughout the programme
• embedded work-based learning as well as academic training
• enhanced employability skills and job prospects for all students at the end of the program within regards the Justice Sector
• graduates can continue to the final year of the BA (Hons) Degree in Criminology & Criminal Justice

• the Youth Justice sector
• the Police Service
• the Prison & Probation Service
• Criminal Courts & Crown Prosecution Service
• Local Authority Crime Prevention and Community Safety Units
• Charities and Voluntary Sector agencies working with Victims and Offenders

• Professional practice in the Justice Sector
• Engaging in critical debate
• Keeping abreast of current affairs
• Discussing policy developments within Criminal Justice System
• Investigating the causes of crime
• Applying academic theory to professional practice
• Applied Research

• to learn by working in an area of the Justice Sector
• to gain two years of vocational experience in your chosen area of Justice Sector
• to increase your chances of employment in an important sector that requires well trained and reflective practitioners
• to understand the history of the Justice Sector and the many challenges that it faces in contemporary society
• to improve your academic skills
• To gain a valuable degree with vocational relevance whilst not limiting your career options
• To follow a flexible programme which can fit in around your outside commitments

Some examples of future career routes that you can follow after taking this programme include:

• The Police Service
• The Probation Service
• Youth Offending Services
• The Prison Service
• The Private Security Industry
• Community and Voluntary Organisations
• Local Government
• Crime Prevention & Community Safety
• Research & Policy Development

The University offers facilities for advice on residential matters, student finance, employability, ICT, careers, study skills and training, counseling and student union support. In addition to these general services the School of Law provides:

• A proactive personal tutoring system with student profiling
• Students can also seek help in their first year from the first year tutor and at all levels from the Programme Leader
• Additional support for level one students in Core Study Skills
• A dedicated and confidential Student Support Tutor who can liaise between programme tutors and the university for those experiencing personal difficulties.
• Approachable and efficient teaching and administrative staff.
• The School, in consort with the UEL Careers Service, offers comprehensive careers advice, including the provision of talks from external speakers. The School benefits from a full time Employability Manager.

• Close links with all areas of Justice Sector
• Working within a professional Practice context

Your work experience will be something that you build on throughout the programme. Your learning will start to impact on your professional practice / employability skills from the moment that you start the programme.