Overview
This course is subject to revalidation.
What is criminology? Criminology takes a social science approach by studying crime and exploring theories around criminal behaviour.
If you're interested in the problem of crime in contemporary societies, our criminology and criminal justice degree is for you.
With this criminology and criminal justice degree, you will explore the nature of crime and criminality, studying society's response through the criminal justice system.
You will:
enhance your theoretical and practical understanding of crime
learn how societies try to control and punish crime and disorder
learn how society deals with criminal behaviour by studying institutions and roles such as the police, courts, prisons, and probation service.
This course is in Clearing
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Course modules
The Criminology and Criminal Justice BA (Hons) foundation year encompasses core modules that enhance employability through skills development, community engagement, and critical thinking. You explore the interplay of crime, justice, and surveillance while investigating societal changes and digital sociology to prepare you for a future criminology career.
We recently revised this criminology degree course to ensure you benefit from the most up-to-date ideas, concepts, and research in the evolving field of criminology. In the first two years, you'll gain a solid grounding in the subject through an introduction to criminology and criminal justice. You'll study contemporary issues in criminology, the legal framework, research methods, crime, deviance, and social history.
The Year 2 Criminology and Criminal Justice BA (Hons) degree programme delves into theoretical criminology, exploring historical and cultural contexts of crime. Core modules focus on crime as a social construct, essential skills for justice, and the interplay between crime policy and practice. You'll critically examine policing in contemporary society, fostering independent thought on the role of law enforcement within the criminal justice system.
This criminology course offers the opportunity of a year-long placement between years two and three, preparing you for future criminology jobs. If you choose to take this option, you’ll spend your third year on a placement with a relevant company or organisation, adding valuable practical experience to your growing academic knowledge.
In Year 3, you'll build on your foundational knowledge by developing leadership skills and exploring critical issues such as cybercrime, race and ethnicity in the justice system, and youth crime policies. You'll also examine the roles of policing and mental health in relation to crime, integrating psychological perspectives that enhance your understanding and employability in criminology and related sectors.
NOTE: Modules are subject to change. For those studying part time courses the modules may vary.
Download course specification
Entry requirements
What makes this course different

Highly rated by our students
Our exceptional NSS results testify to RDSBL's student-led approach, bridging the gap between classroom learning and practical application via experiential workshops and industry simulations.

Satisfied graduates
87% of students surveyed on this course responded positively to questions on “Satisfied with Teaching” in the 2026 Guardian University Guide (Results published 13 September 2025)

Flexible study
You can tailor your criminology degree to your own interests with a choice of optional modules in your final year of the degree programme.
Your future career
A degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice prepares you for careers across the justice system, public services and the voluntary sector. You’ll develop the knowledge and practical skills employers value, opening routes into roles that influence policy, protect communities and support social change.
Industry links
You will be taught by practitioners and world-renowned experts and advisors in criminology and policing.
Graduate employers
Our graduates work in policing, probation, prisons, youth justice, research and community safety, as well as in voluntary, non-governmental and international development organisations.
Job roles
What jobs can you get with a criminology degree? Typical career paths include:
Criminal justice and policing: Police officer, detective, crime analyst, intelligence officer, probation officer or prison officer
Policy, research and governance: Policy advisor, researcher, civil service or local authority roles
Voluntary and NGO sector: Youth justice worker, victim support specialist, community safety officer, or advocacy roles within human rights and rehabilitation organisations
Further study
Many graduates choose to continue into postgraduate study to deepen their expertise or specialise in a particular area of criminology, criminal justice or human rights. Popular routes include a MSc in Criminology, a MA in Human Rights, or a Master of Laws (LLM).
Postgraduate study can support careers in policy development, research, academia, law, and specialist criminal justice roles. Graduates may progress into research posts within universities, think tanks, charities, or government departments, where advanced analytical and methodological skills are essential.
Further study also strengthens your professional profile, particularly for roles that require evidence-based decision-making, critical evaluation of policy, or advanced legal and ethical understanding.

Presenting evidence at the United Nations in Geneva was an extraordinary experience not just for me, but for what it represents. It’s proof that students from East London can stand on international platforms, challenge injustice and be part of shaping the global conversation on human rights.”Zoe Allen
BA (Hons) Criminology and Criminal Justice, First-Class Graduate
How you'll learn
Studying criminology and criminal justice at UEL means learning through analysis, discussion and real-world experience. You will explore key ideas about crime, punishment and social harm, and learn how these theories apply to contemporary justice systems and lived realities.
Teaching combines lectures with small, discussion-based seminars where you can debate current issues, test ideas and develop your own critical voice. You will also take part in tutorials, workshops, presentations and research projects designed to build confidence, professional communication skills and analytical thinking.
A work-based learning module allows you to put theory into practice. This may include volunteering with local community organisations, supporting youth justice initiatives, or working alongside partners in policing and social policy. This experience can count towards your degree and adds practical value to your CV.
Your learning is enriched through field trips, guest lectures and conferences, connecting you with professionals across the criminal justice, voluntary and NGO sectors. Throughout your studies, you’ll receive structured learning materials, online resources and personalised academic guidance from staff engaged in active criminological research. By graduation, you won’t just understand criminology, you’ll know how to use it to contribute to fairer, more effective justice systems.
Guided independent study
When not attending timetabled lectures or workshops, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This will typically involve skills development through online study, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects and preparing coursework assignments and presentations.
Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, and specialist facilities, such as edit suites, the library, the full Microsoft Office software, including MS Teams, and Moodle: our Virtual Learning Environment.
Academic support
Our academic support team provides help in a range of areas - including learning and disability support.
Dedicated personal tutor
When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of the academic course team who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at UEL and who will show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer.
Workload
Each year you will spend around 300 hours of timetabled learning and teaching activities. These may be lectures, workshops, seminars, and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary depending on each module.
The approximate hours for this course are:
- Year 1: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours
- Year 2: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours
- Year 3: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours
Your timetable
Your individualised timetable is normally available within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9.00am and 6.00pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.
Class sizes
To give you an indication of class sizes, this course normally attracts 40 - 50 students a year. Lecture sizes are normally 40 plus students.
In workshops, you will be taught in groups of 12 - 15 students. However, this can vary by academic year.
How you'll be assessed
We'll assess you through coursework, including essays, reflective reports and group and seminar presentations. You'll be given plenty of feedback to help you improve. You will also have the chance to complete a work-based learning module, where you'll be assessed on your practical work. In your final year, you'll complete a project based on your own independent research.
More details will be included in the student handbook and module guides. You will always receive detailed feedback outlining your strengths and how you can improve. We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 15 working days, although you will receive immediate feedback following many of our face-to-face assessments.
Campus and facilities
University Square Stratford, London, E15 1NF
University Square Stratford is one of London's most modern and well-equipped campuses. It serves 3,400 students and is the base for our courses in law and criminology, dance and performing arts, and the Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Modern facilities include: performing arts spaces; three performance studios; the Harvard lecture theatre, with live lecture capture technology; the multimedia Weston Learning Centre; a dedicated MBA suite and teaching space; a 300-seat specialised tiered lecture; and a simulated courtroom for mooting experience.
The campus is close to Stratford developments such as Westfield Stratford City and the Theatre Royal. You can be in Canary Wharf in 20 minutes, the English National Ballet in 15 minutes and Sadler's Wells East in 8 minutes.
Who teaches this course
This course is delivered by the Royal Docks School of Business and Law
The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.
What our students and staff say

It was fantastic - a really good course. My degree was essential in helping me to get a full-time job with the Met and I'd encourage anyone to volunteer in the community early on as it backs up your theoretical learning."
Besnik Vrapi
BA (Hons) Criminology and Criminal Justice graduate

I love teaching Criminology to my UEL students, as well as using the amazing facilities on campus. I find that they have something new to teach me each year, too."
Dr Emma Cunningham
Senior lecturer, Criminology









