The BA (Hons) Criminology and Criminal Justice is studied by distance learning with ICS, in collaboration with UEL. This programme integrates a practical legal approach with the social science of criminology

Entry to Level 1 or the Full Programme

To enrol on the first Level or the Full Programme you must normally hold 240 UCAS tariff points or equivalent.

Entry on a Modular Basis

If you do not hold the required tariff points for Level 1 or Full Programme entry, studies will be permitted on a modular basis, following a guidance interview with a student advisor.

In order to be able to complete this programme, a good level of English is required. Where English is not your first language, then IELTS 6.0 overall with 6.0 in Writing and Speaking and 5.5 Reaing and Listening (or equivalent) is required.  International qualitifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education undergraduate programmes.

Overseas students should be aware that all exams MUST be taken in the UK at one of the six listed exam venues. Students should also be aware that they are expected to cover all costs in attending the exams.

• Engage in a critical and inter-disciplinary approach to the study of crime and criminal justice practice.

In addition ICS, in collaboration with UEL, aims:

• To provide a high quality of education which is responsive to the needs of the student.
• 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.

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
• Convey ideas in an appropriate format, including, where appropriate, the presentation of data
• Participate in groups to achieve joint learning outcomes
• Manage time effectively
• Critically reflect on the value of one's own work
• The ability to select and utilise appropriate computer software.
• Set goals, plan a work programme
• The development of your own style of independent learning
• Work independently

The expected duration of this programme is 3 years when attended in full-time mode or 4-5 years in part-time mode.

There are three entry points per year onto the programme: September, February and May. A student, normally registering for 6 modules in one year would do so in a full-time attendance mode of study and a student registering for up to 4 modules in one year would do so in part-time attendance mode of study.

A typical full-time student will take six 20-credit modules per year, but you may choose to take fewer. To graduate as an honours degree student you will need to have completed 120 credits at level one, 120 credits at level 2 and 120 credits at level 3.

For the BA (Hons) Criminology and Criminal Justice single honours programme all six modules at Levels 1 and 2 are core modules. At Level 3 students must study two core modules and three modules from a choice of seven.

To study Criminology and Criminal Justice as a Major, you must take four core modules at Levels 1 and 2. At Level 3, you will study 2 core modules (including the Project module, which is a 40 credit module) and one other module from a choice of seven.

To take Criminology and Criminal Justice as part of a Joint degree, students must study three core modules at Levels 1, three core modules at Level 2 and the equivalent of three core modules at Level 3.

To study Criminology and Criminal Justice as a Minor, you will take two core modules at Levels 1 and 2. At Level 3 you will study one core module and choose another one from a choice of seven.

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 a Foundation Degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 240 credits including:

• A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher

(A foundation degree is linked to a named Honours degree onto which a student may progress after successful completion of the Foundation degree.)

Knowledge and understanding is developed through

• Guided independent study
• Group work
• Worked examples
• Formative assessment
• Guided reading
• Knowledge-based activities with feedback
• On-line question/ answer forum

'Thinking' skills are developed through

• Reflective/ thinking activities with feedback
• Analytical activities with feedback
• Evaluative activities with feedback
• Problem-solving activities with feedback
• On-line question/ answer forums
• Additional core-skills provision

Practical skills are developed through

• Practical/ physical activities with feedback
• IT activities with feedback
• Research skills-based activities with feedback
• Project work and supervision

General skills are developed through

• The study medium, i.e. distance learning
• Planning activities with feedback
• IT activities with feedback
• Formative assessment with feedback
• Project work

Knowledge and understanding is assessed by

• Coursework essays, problems and case studies
• Seen/unseen Examinations
• Project work

'Thinking' skills are assessed by

• Coursework
• Examinations
• Project work

Practical skills are assessed by

• Practical reports
• Portfolio compilation
• IT exercises
• Case study exercises
• Completion of Project

General skills are assessed by

• Project work
• Group work
• IT exercises