Programme Specification for Criminology & Criminal Justice BA (Hons)
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BA (Hons) |
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Intermediate awards available |
Cert HE, Dip HE |
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UCAS code |
M930 |
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Details of professional body accreditation |
N/A |
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Relevant QAA Benchmark statements |
Sociology and Law |
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Date specification last up-dated |
January 2013 |
Profile
The summary - UCAS programme profile
BANNER BOX:
This programme integrates a practical legal approach with the social science of criminology.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Typical Offer: 240 UCAS tariff points (of which a maximum of 160 points must be for 6 and/or 12 module awards).
Our admissions policy is to consider each applicant on their merits, guided by progressive principles, including a commitment to the UEL aim of widening access to higher education to non-traditional groups.
Normal requirements for the full-time undergraduate programme include:
- 240 UCAS points together with 3 subjects at GCSE grade C or above, including English Language.
- BTEC National Certificates and Diplomas or appropriate GNVQ's.
- International qualifications of equivalent standing.
- Access to Higher Education
- Introduction to Law & Criminology Short Programme, contact School of Law for details 020 8223 2132/2108.
All applicants are considered in the light of their previous education and work experience.
Students may be admitted through Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes.
In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS 6.0 overall with 6.0 in all components (or equivalent) is required. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education undergraduate programmes.
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
What is Criminology & Criminal Justice?
Criminology is the study of crime and Criminal Justice is the study of society's response to criminality.
This degree is concerned with the investigation of formal and informal responses to social transgressions, the classification and definition of crimes, explanations of criminal and deviant behaviour and the occurrence and experience of crime and punishment. It is an exciting inter-disciplinary subject, combining a number of social sciences, notably sociology, social psychology, law and politics.
If you are interested in the 'problem of crime' then this is the programme for you.
Criminology & Criminal Justice at UEL
The BA (Hons) degree is aimed at students who are interested in all aspects of Criminology and the Criminal Justice process. 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. It provides both a strong theoretical grounding through a variety of criminology options, and also a comprehensive coverage of criminal law and 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.
Programme structure
The BA Criminology and Criminal Justice can be studied on a full time (3years) or part time (5years) basis. There are two semesters in the academic year and part-time students study two modules each semester.
Students take six core level one modules covering foundational subject knowledge and skills. At level 3 they may choose from a number of option modules e.g. police studies, prison studies, crime and the media, crime and the city. In order to provide flexible study arrangements, it is generally possible for students who successfully complete their assessments, to change from full-time to part-time study, or vice versa, after the first year.
Criminology and Criminal Justice can also be combined with other subjects offered at UEL as a major, joint or minor element of an honours programme. For example we have recently introduced the possibility of combining Criminology and Criminal Justice with the Law field, which allows students to benefit from two core areas of expertise within the School of Law. Other combinations include Criminology with Psycho-social Studies, Psychology and Sociology. For further information see http://www.uel.ac.uk/combined/
Learning environment
Most modules are taught by way of a lecture/seminar or workshop format, with the exception of the project module (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.
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
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 incomplete elements in August /September.
On the BA Criminology and Criminal Justice the majority of level one modules are assessed by coursework. Students are required to pass all six level one modules but their overall degree classification is calculated on their performance at levels two and three.
Project work
All students on the single honours degree are required to undertake a 15,000 word research project on a criminological subject of their choice at level 3. This enables specialisation in a key area of personal interest and allows students to put into practice the research skills acquired during the programme. Students may choose to focus their project work for the purposes of career development or simply to broaden their areas of expertise.
IS THIS THE PROGRAMME FOR ME?
If you are interested in...
- The problem of crime
- Offenders and their victims
- The workings of the Criminal Justice System
- Criminal Justice and Social Policy
- Punishment
- Miscarriages of justice
- Social exclusion
- Social theory
- Individual rights
If you enjoy...
- Engaging in critical debate
- Keeping abreast of current affairs
- Discussing social issues
- Investigating the causes of crime
- Inter-disciplinary studies
- Research
If you want...
- To know more about crime, justice and the society in which we live
- To study these issues in the vibrant, multicultural setting that is East London
- To specialise in an area without limiting yourself to one discipline (eg Sociology/Philosophy/Psychology/Law).
- To develop social research skills
- To have a degree with vocational relevance whilst not limiting your career options
- To follow a flexible programme which can fit in around your outside commitments.
Your future career
There are a number of opportunities open to our graduates including:
- The Police Force
- The Probation Service
- Social Work
- The Prison Service
- The Private Security Industry
- Community and Voluntary Organisations
- Local Government
- Civil Service
- Research
- Journalism
Some of our students are already working within the criminal justice field and are seeking to enhance their career or use their existing expertise to acquire a degree and facilitate a change in direction.
How we support you
The University offers facilities for advice on residential matters, student finance, employability, ICT, careers, study skills and training, counselling 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 Criminology Field 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 Employment and Placement Officer.
Outcomes
Programme aims and learning outcomes
What is this programme designed to achieve?
This programme is designed to give you the opportunity to:
- Engage in a critical and inter-disciplinary approach to the study of crime and criminal justice practice.
In addition the School of Law aims:
- To provide a high quality of education and research which is responsive to the needs of individuals and communities within the region.
- To provide students with a stimulating, challenging and supportive learning experience.
- To maximise the potential of students through the provision of flexible and responsive patterns and modes of learning.
- To enhance the employability of our students by equipping them with a range of substantive and transferable skills.
- To provide equal opportunities in our teaching and learning provision.
- To widen access to Higher Education for mature, non-traditionally qualified and ethnic minority students.
- To provide our students with the necessary skills and enthusiasm to engage with the lifelong learning experience.
What will you learn?
Knowledge and understanding
- An understanding of the key concepts and theoretical perspectives which relate to the study of crime and criminal justice.
- An understanding of the distinctive characteristics of criminal justice and the discipline of criminology
- An awareness of the interdisciplinary nature of criminological inquiry.
- An understanding of criminological theory in its cultural and socio-political context.
- An understanding of the relationship between argument and evidence in criminological discourse.
- An understanding of the historical context of crime and punishment
- An understanding of the structure, role and function of the criminal justice process.
- An understanding of the substantive criminal law.
- An understanding of crime and criminal justice policy.
'Thinking' skills
- How to gather, retrieve and synthesise information
- How to evaluate evidence
- How to develop a reasoned argument
- How to demonstrate individual judgement and self reflection.
Subject-Based Practical skills
- An ability to report and evaluate empirical criminological research findings.
- An ability to formulate criminological questions
- An ability to use different methods of criminological enquiry
- An ability to identify the ethical issues in social research
- An ability to examine the relevance of criminological theory in relation to criminal justice policy and practice.
- An ability to apply legal concepts to provide arguable conclusions to concrete problems (actual and hypothetical)
- An ability to undertake socio-legal research
Skills for life and work
- An ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
- An ability to evaluate basic statistical information
- An ability to use information technology for presentation and research
- An ability to participate in group work
Structure
The programme structure
Introduction
All programmes are credit-rated to help you to understand the amount and level of study that is needed.
One credit is equal to 10 hours of directed study time (this includes everything you do e.g. lecture, seminar and private study).
Credits are assigned to one of 5 levels:
- 0 - equivalent in standard to GCE 'A' level and is intended to prepare students for year one of an undergraduate degree programme
- 1 - equivalent in standard to the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- 2 - equivalent in standard to the second year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- 3 - equivalent in standard to the third year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- M - equivalent in standard to a Masters degree
Credit rating
The overall credit-rating of this programme is 360 credits.
Typical duration
The typical duration of this programme is 3 years when attended in full-time mode or 4 ½ years in part-time mode. It is possible to move from a full-time mode of study to a part-time mode of study and vice-versa to accommodate any external factors such as financial constraints or domestic commitments. Many of our students make use of this flexibility and this may impact on the overall duration of their study period.
How the teaching year is divided
The teaching year begins in September and ends in June but some programmes also allow students to join at the start of Semester B, in February. A typical student, in full-time attendance mode of study will register for 120 credits in an academic year. A student in a part-time mode of study may register for up to 80 credits in any academic year.
What you will study when
This programme is part of a modular degree scheme. A student registered in a full-time attendance mode will take six 20 credit modules (or fewer, if any are 40 credit modules) per year. An honours degree student will complete modules totalling 120 credits at level one, modules totalling 120 credits at level 2 and modules totalling 120 credits at level 3.
It is possible to bring together modules from one subject with modules from another to produce a combined programme. Subjects are offered in a variety of combinations:
- Single - 120 credits at levels one, two and three
- Major - 80 credits at levels one, two and three
- Joint - 60 credits at levels one, two and three
- Minor - 40 credits at levels one, two and three
Modules are defined as:
- Core - Must be taken
- Option - Select from a range of identified modules within the field
- University wide option - Select from a wide range of modules across the University
The following are the core and optional requirements for the single and major pathways for this programme.
| LEVEL | UEL Module Code | TITLE | SKILLS MODULES (Insert Y where appropriate) | CREDITS | STATUS SINGLE | STATUS MAJOR | STATUS JOINT | STATUS MINOR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
CR1000 |
Criminal Justice Process |
|
20 |
Core |
Core |
Core |
Core |
|
1 |
CR1100 |
Developing Criminological Skills |
Y |
20 |
Core |
Core |
N/A |
N/A |
|
1 |
IS1206 |
Thinking Sociologically |
|
20 |
Core |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
1 |
CR1600 |
Contemporary Issues in Criminology |
|
20 |
Core |
Core |
Core |
Core |
|
1 |
CR1200 |
Youth Justice |
|
20 |
Core |
Core |
Core |
N/A |
|
1 |
LA1050 |
Constitutional & Administrative Law |
|
20 |
Core |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
2 |
CR2210 |
Research Methods in Criminology |
Y |
20 |
Core |
Core |
Core |
N/A |
|
2 |
CR2550 |
Theoretical Criminology |
|
20 |
Core |
Core |
Core |
Core |
|
2 |
LA2300 |
Criminal Law |
|
20 |
Core |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
2 |
CR2000 |
Crime & Social History |
|
20 |
Core |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
2 |
CR2180 |
Applied Criminology & Professional Practice |
Y |
20 |
Core |
Core |
N/A |
N/A |
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2 |
CR2190 |
Crime, Deviance and Culture |
|
20 |
Core |
Core |
Core |
Core |
|
3 |
CR3902 |
Project |
|
40 |
Core |
Core |
N/A |
N/A |
|
3 |
CR3170 |
Terrorism Studies |
|
20 |
Option |
Option |
Option |
Option |
|
3 |
CR3100 |
Police Studies |
|
20 |
Option |
Option |
Option |
Option |
|
3 |
CR3150 |
Prison Studies |
|
20 |
Option |
Option |
Option |
Option |
|
3 |
CR3320 |
Race, Ethnicity, Crime & Justice |
|
20 |
Option |
Option |
Option |
Option |
|
3 |
CR3800 |
Psychological Criminology |
|
20 |
Option |
Option |
Option |
Option |
|
3 |
CR3600 |
Community based Crime Prevention |
|
20 |
Option |
Option |
Option |
Option |
|
3 |
CR3160 |
Crime and the City |
|
20 |
Option |
Option |
Option |
Option |
|
3 |
CR3700 |
Crime and the Media |
|
20 |
Option |
Option |
Option |
Option |
|
3 |
LA3310 |
Evidence |
|
20 |
Option |
Option |
Option |
Option |
|
3 |
CR3620 |
Mentally Disordered Suspects Defendants and Offenders |
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20 |
Option |
Option |
Option |
Option |
The Skills Modules listed in the Joint Route are Core, unless the equivalent Skills Modules are taken in your other combined subject.
Requirements for gaining an award
In order to gain an honours degree you will need to obtain 360 credits including:
- A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
- A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
- A minimum of 120 credits at level three or higher
In order to gain an ordinary degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 300 credits including:
- A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
- A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
- A minimum of 60 credits at level three or higher
In order to gain a Diploma of Higher Education you will need to obtain at least 240 credits including a minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher and 120 credits at level two or higher
In order to gain a Certificate of Higher Education you will need to obtain 120 credits at level one or higher.
In order to gain an Associate Certificate you will need to obtain a minimum if 20 credits at level one or higher.
Degree Classification
Where a student is eligible for an Honours degree, and has gained a minimum of 240 UEL credits at level 2 or level 3 on the programme, including a minimum of 120 UEL credits at level 3, the award classification is determined by calculating:
|
The arithmetic mean of the best 100 credits at level 3 |
× |
2/3 |
+ |
The arithmetic mean of the next best 100 credits at levels 2 and/or 3 |
× |
1/3 |
and applying the mark obtained as a percentage, with all decimals points rounded up to the nearest whole number, to the following classification
|
70% - 100% |
First Class Honours |
|
60% - 69% |
Second Class Honours, First Division |
|
50% - 59% |
Second Class Honours, Second Division |
|
40% - 49% |
Third Class Honours |
|
0% - 39% |
Not passed |
Assessment
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching and learning
Knowledge and understanding is developed through
- Module design and content
- Lectures
- Guided independent study
- Seminar and workshop discussion and debate
- Group work
- Worked examples
- Formative assessment
'Thinking' skills are developed through
- Foundation subjects at level one e.g. CR1100 Developing Criminological Skills
- Additional core-skills provision
- Seminar work and feedback
- Profiling and the personal tutor system
Practical skills are developed through
- Research Methods teaching e.g. CR2210 Research Methods in Criminology
- Seminar work and feedback
- Project work and supervision
General skills are developed through
- Seminar participation
- Formative assessment and feedback
- Core skills tuition and referral support
Assessment
Knowledge is assessed by
- Coursework essays, problems and case studies
- Seen/unseen Examinations
- Project work
'Thinking' skills are assessed by
- Attention to structure, evidence and critique in the marking criteria
Practical skills are assessed by
- Subject specific assessment design e.g. practical exercises for methods programmes.
- Completion of project/dissertation
Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by
- Clear marking criteria for all assessments in relation to expression, spelling, grammar and presentation.
Quality
How we assure the quality of this programme
Before this programme started
Before the programme started, the following was checked:
- there would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme;
- adequate resources would be in place;
- the overall aims and objectives were appropriate;
- the content of the programme met national benchmark requirements;
- the programme met any professional/statutory body requirements;
- the proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms.
This is done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academic experts including some subject specialists from other institutions.
How we monitor the quality of this programme
The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating:
- external examiner reports (considering quality and standards);
- statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate);
- student feedback.
Drawing on this and other information programme teams undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student participation. The process is monitored by the Quality and Standards Committee.
Once every six years an in-depth review of the whole field is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists. The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions. The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.
The role of the programme committee
This programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme (e.g. library/technician staff). The committee has responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality. The programme committee plays a critical role in the University's quality assurance procedures.
The role of external examiners
The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one external examiner. External examiners have two primary responsibilities:
- To ensure the standard of the programme;
- To ensure that justice is done to individual students.
External examiners fulfil these responsibilities in a variety of ways including:
- Approving exam papers/assignments;
- Attending assessment boards;
- Reviewing samples of student work and moderating marks;
- Ensuring that regulations are followed;
- Providing feedback through an annual report that enables us to make improvements for the future.
Listening to the views of students
The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this programme:
- Module evaluations
- Student representation on programme/field committees
- Student representation on School committees e.g. School Board.
- Effective personal tutor system and year representation
- Accessible staff office hours
Students are notified of the action taken through:
- Communication to student representatives
- Circulating the minutes of the programme committees
- Providing details on the programme notice board and UEL Plus
Listening to the views of others
The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties:
- Annual student satisfaction questionnaire
- Questionnaires to former students
- Market research for developing programme provision
- Professional links e.g. with Essex Constabulary and the British Society of Criminology.
Further Information
Alternative locations for studying this programme
| Location | Which elements? | Taught by UEL staff | Taught by local staff | Method of Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Where you can find further information
Further information about this programme is available from:
- The UEL web site (http://www.uel.ac.uk)
- The programme handbook
- Module study guides
- UEL Manual of General Regulations http:// www. uel.ac.uk/qa/
- UEL Quality Manual http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
- Regulations for the Academic Framework http://www.uel.ac.uk/academicframework/
- UEL Guide to Undergraduate Programmes
- School web pages http://www.uel.ac.uk/law/
- Current External examiners
- External examiner reports (available from UEL virtual learning environment (UELPlus or Moodle))
