BA (Hons) Criminology and Social Policy
University of Lincoln
Key Information
Campus location
Lincoln, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 - 6 years
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
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Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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Introduction
Drawing on insights from sociology, policy, law, and the social sciences more generally, criminologists specialising in social policy not only consider how crime is defined, experienced, or explained: they explore society's responses to it, tackling the complex social problems that can lead to crime.
This degree enables students to study the nature, causes, control, and prevention of crime, alongside an examination of how social policy is developed and how it influences the way we live. Students may use a variety of approaches to examine crime, criminal justice, poverty, social exclusion and inequality, and other social issues, tackling difficult and often controversial topics.
Throughout the course, students can explore issues such as identity, citizenship, and social justice in order to evidence the ways in which criminal justice approaches are dependent on a broad network of political, economical, and social controls. These subjects draw on links with local employers, such as criminal justice agencies and councils, to enable students to learn from real-world knowledge and practices.
Teaching is informed by the research expertise of academic staff, who regularly contribute to national policy debates in these fields.
"This information was correct at the time of publishing (July 2023)"
Admissions
Curriculum
How You Study
The first year of the degree provides students with a solid knowledge base, covering images of crime and criminal justice, key social science concepts, social issues and justice, and the application of research skills to social problems. A range of optional modules builds on these foundations in year two, enabling students to tailor their degrees to match their individual interests. In their third and final year, students can go on to study punishment theory and policies, community, and policy making. They can also choose to specialise in diverse topics including families, human rights, genocide, and civil society.
Studying Criminology and Social Policy at the University of Lincoln aims to combine aspects of both directed and independent learning. Each module is delivered by means of a weekly lecture and an associated seminar. These seminars are a space for students to discuss and debate issues raised in the lecture and engage in critical reflection on the set readings related to such issues. Further methods of delivery include visits from practitioners and guest speakers, collaborative workshops, and hands-on IT sessions.
Students also have the opportunity to meet with staff in individual tutorial sessions to explore in greater detail their own individual learning needs. As well as this directed study, students are expected to undertake independent learning utilising traditional library material as well as a wide range of electronic resources.
First Year
- Applying Research (Social Sciences) (Core)
- Images of Crime and Criminal Justice (Core)
- Key Social Science Concepts (Core)
- Social Issues and Social Justice (Core)
Second Year
- Applying Criminology (Core)
- Comparative Politics and Policy (Core)
- Debating Welfare States (Core)
- Researching in Social Science (Core)
- (Re)Reading the Sociological Canon I (Option)†
- (Re)reading the Sociological Canon II (Option)†
- Challenges of European Politics (Option)†
- Conceptualising Sex Work (Option)†
- Criminology in the Professions (Option)†
- Ideology into Practice (Option)†
- Model United Nations (Option)†
- Policing Crime and Deviance (Option)†
- Political Parties (Option)†
- Psychology in the Criminal Justice Process (Option)†
- Social Engagement (Option)†
- Sociology of Education (Option)†
- The Vigilant State: intelligence and national security (Option)†
- Thinking Politics (Option)†
- Transnational Security Studies (Option)†
- Understanding Domestic Abuse (Option)†
- Understanding the City (Option)†
- Understanding the European Union (Option)†
- Welfare Policy and Work (Option)†
- Work and Society (Option)†
- Youth Justice (Option)†
- Youth, Culture and Resistance (Option)†
Third Year
- Analysing the Policy Process (Core)
- Human Rights (Social Sciences) (Core)
- Independent Study (Core)
- Penology and Penal Policy (Core)
- Understanding the Policy Process (Core)
- Body Politics (Option)†
- Care or control? Welfare institutions in Britain before the welfare state (Option)†
- Children, Families and the State (Option)†
- Counter-Terrorism Studies (Option)†
- Crimes of the Powerful (Option)†
- Experiencing Prison (Option)†
- Gender and Violence (Option)†
- Global Civil Society (Option)†
- Global Governance (Option)†
- Multiculturalism and Britishness (Option)†
- Parliamentary Studies (Option)†
- Police Studies (Option)†
- Race and Racism (Option)†
- Terrorism and Extremism in the United Kingdom (Option)†
- The Developing World (Option)†
- The Politics of Global Health (Option)†
- The Politics of Masculinity (Option)†
- War Crimes and Genocide (Option)†
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
How You Are Assessed
The assessment on the course is designed to test and enhance students' knowledge, skills and abilities, and aims to help prepare them for the demands of work.
The way students are assessed in this course may vary for each module. The course aims to develop written communication skills through essays and examinations, oral communication skills through presentations, literature searching and review through essays, examinations and presentations, and computer literacy skills through word processing and the use of electronic resources. In the final year, students have the opportunity to combine their skills and undertake their own chosen area of study in preparation for an Independent Study.
A notable feature of Criminology at Lincoln is the way in which the degree is both taught and assessed involving student-centred work. This might include group-based and individual research projects, multimedia presentations, case studies, auto-critiques, self-appraisal, vocationally relevant 'live' projects, oral examinations, and conferences. In the final year, students have the opportunity to combine their skills and undertake their own chosen area of study in preparation for an Independent Study.
These methods are designed to make a significant contribution to the consolidation of important transferable skills - all of which are valued by employers across a range of sectors.
The University of Lincoln's policy is to ensure that staff return assessments to students promptly.
Gallery
Program Outcome
How You Study
The first year of the degree provides students with a solid knowledge base, covering images of crime and criminal justice, key social science concepts, social issues and justice, and the application of research skills to social problems. A range of optional modules builds on these foundations in year two, enabling students to tailor their degree to match their individual interests. In their third and final year, students can go on to study punishment theory and policies, community, and policy making. They can also choose to specialise in diverse topics including families, human rights, genocide, and civil society.
Studying Criminology and Social Policy at the University of Lincoln aims to combine aspects of both directed and independent learning. Each module is delivered by means of a weekly lecture and an associated seminar. These seminars are a space for students to discuss and debate issues raised in the lecture and engage in critical reflection on the set readings related to such issues. Further methods of delivery include visits from practitioners and guest speakers, collaborative workshops, and hands-on IT sessions.
Students also have the opportunity to meet with staff in individual tutorial sessions to explore in greater details their own individual learning needs. As well as this directed study, students are expected to undertake independent learning utilising traditional library material as well as a wide range of electronic resources.
Scholarships and Funding
For eligible undergraduate students going to university for the first time, scholarships and bursaries are available to help cover costs. The University of Lincoln offers a variety of merit-based and subject-specific bursaries and scholarships.
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the university website for more information.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Graduates have gone on to positions in a a diverse range of areas, including roles in the probation and prison services, health and social services, police authorities, youth work, victim support, government policy, and education. Some students progress to further study at Master’s and doctoral level.