BA in Criminology
Queen's University Belfast
Key Information
Campus location
Belfast, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 18,800
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
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Introduction
The BA (Hons) in Criminology provides a unique vantage point to study crime and justice in a society transitioning from conflict. Criminologists are interested in how activities come to be defined as ‘criminal’, and why definitions and responses to crime vary over time and place. The subject includes a broad range of perspectives on understanding crime and criminal behaviour, and examines various methods in the prevention, policing and punishment of crime. The course also considers how and why people move away from crime, ways in which this might be facilitated and offender reintegration.
Criminology Degree Highlights
For 2020, Criminology at Queen’s has been ranked in the top ten criminology degrees in the Guardian League Tables, having also been the number one ranked criminology degree in UK in 2018.
Global Opportunities
- Students can spend time studying in one of our linked Universities in Europe. There is also the opportunity to study or work abroad, supported by schemes, such as Erasmus and Study USA. Additionally, students benefit for visiting international students who take criminology modules, as it increases their exposure to international criminal justice policy and practice, enhancing their understanding of criminology as an international discipline.
Career Development
- Students are offered opportunities to develop substantive knowledge and research skills through collaboration with Northern Ireland’s vibrant civil and community sector, through field trips, guest lectures, workshops, placements, research collaborations and volunteering opportunities.
World Class Facilities
- The programme is taught on Queen’s historic campus in the heart of Belfast, which has been ranked one of the most affordable Universities in the UK.
Internationally Renowned Experts
- Criminology is taught by a group of internationally-recognised criminological researchers who specialise in areas, such as criminal justice policy, prisons, policing, desistance from crime, offender reintegration, drug use, youth justice, conflict and transitional justice.
Student Experience
- We offer a high quality, supportive, student-centred learning experience in a top Russell Group University, as evidenced by our excellent National Student Survey student satisfaction rates.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
How do I fund my study?
There are different tuition fees and student financial support arrangements for students from Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales (Great Britain), and those from the rest of the European Union.
Scholarships
Each year, we offer a range of scholarships and prizes for new students.
International Scholarships
Curriculum
Course Structure
Introduction
Modules often draw on international comparisons with a strong Irish (North and South) emphasis. All of the optional modules are taught by experts in the area, who have published textbooks and research articles on the topic at hand.
Stage 1 Core Modules
These core modules aim to introduce students to the discipline of criminology, provide you with a range of intellectual and practical skills to develop your understanding of crime, criminal justice and criminalisation. These modules are delivered by our core criminology team - as experts in their respective fields - and who have published widely on the topics you will be learning. These core criminology will be taught alongside complementary optional modules in stage 1 (below) which develop student understandings of wider societal, government policy and sociological dynamics which inform understandings of, and responses to, crime.
- Introducing Criminology
- Crime and Society
- Rethinking Society
Stage 1 Optional Modules
- Visualising the Social World
- Introducing Social Policy
- Themes and Issues in Social Policy
- The Sociological Imagination
- Comparative Politics
- Issues in Contemporary Politics
- Digital Society
Stage 2 Core Modules
Year two, the criminology degree builds upon the foundational skills and knowledge developed at stage one, and begins to specialise down into specific fields of criminological interest. This includes applied theoretical considerations, considering important criminological issues in society, along with examining policing and security in society. In particular, level two focuses on providing students with key research skills - to develop applied quantitative and qualitative research approaches to criminological and societal issues. There are additional optional modules (below) which allow students to further develop areas of interest and expertise delivered by our research-active team.
- Criminological Theory
- Qualitative Research Skills
- Quantitative Research Skills
- Crime and the Media
- Policing and Society
Stage 2 Optional Modules
- Justice and Conflict
- Theory Counts
Stage 3 Core Modules
In the final year of your degree, students will further extend and deepen their criminological knowledge into specialist, research-led modules, developing analytical and critical skills, across a range of areas including border criminology, prisons and desistance, youth justice and psychology. For single BA Criminology students, you will also undertake your own research in the form of a dissertation project (on a topic of your choice), which will draw on the research and intellectual skills accrued across the various stages of the degree programme.
- Punishment, Penal Policy and Prison
- Research Project and Dissertation
- Youth, Crime and Criminal Justice
- Criminology Beyond Borders
Stage 3 Optional Modules
- Psychological Perspectives on Crime
- Reintegration after Prison
- Modeling the Social World
- The Sociology of Protest and Revolution
- The cultural politics of Memory from a global perspective
The Optional Quantitative Methods Exit Pathway
Students who wish to benefit from specialist training in advanced quantitative research skills can undertake a series of dedicated social science research modules over the course of their degree studies. Students who successfully complete four advanced quantitative research skills modules (80 CATS credits) in level 2 and level 3 of their degree will be eligible to graduate with a BSc in Criminology with Quantitative Methods.
Value Added to Your Degree
- As part of the international expertise and profile of the criminology academics at Queen’s University Belfast, you will get a range of opportunities to engage with ‘real-world’ stakeholders in the criminal justice and voluntary/community sector world. These will include expert inputs, field trips, and engagements with a range of actors and organizations with whom many of our academics work as part of their wider research. In addition, students will also become part of the vibrant research community at Queen’s University Belfast, with opportunities throughout their time at Queen’s to attend criminology talks, events, and guest speaker sessions to broaden their knowledge and understanding of the criminological field.
- A range of modules throughout the second and third years invite guest speakers from criminal justice organizations and non-government organizations to discuss various issues, such as policing, offender management, supporting victims, and the policies and practices used to manage crime. For example, guest speakers have included representatives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Prison Service, the Youth Justice System, and a range of local non-government organizations that work with victims, young people, refugees, asylum seekers, and those involved in offender reintegration.
- Students can also avail of Degree Plus, which is an opportunity for students to obtain official recognition and accreditation from their work in extra-curricular activities that may enhance their employability while completing their degree. Over 2000 students successfully complete Degree Plus each year and in doing so, they build up valuable experience and practice in articulating their development/ achievements to others (e.g. employers or activity providers via application, presentation, or interview). They also receive a certificate at graduation.
Learning and Teaching
At Queen’s University, we aim to deliver a high-quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation, and best practices in learning, teaching, and student support to enable students to achieve their full academic potential.
On the BA (Hons.) in Criminology we do this by providing a range of learning experiences that enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world-class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners.
Criminology students at Queen's University are also taught in a dynamic academic environment by an award-winning teaching staff, in a School that was rated as one of the leading departments in the United Kingdom.
Examples of the opportunities provided for learning in this course are:
E-Learning technologies
Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via our Canvas Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). A range of e-learning experiences is also embedded in the degree program through the use of, for example, online discussion forums; interactive media workshops in a flexible learning space; statistics and data analysis modules; podcasts and interactive web-based learning activities; opportunities to use IT programs associated with project-based work, etc.
Field Trips/Study Tours
Study visits and field trips are integrated into a number of core Criminology modules. The purpose of these is to examine how buildings and the urban space around us is shaped by crime and our attempts to reduce it. These present opportunities to apply theoretical ideas and concepts within real-world settings. Back in the classroom students present and discuss observations and ideas developed during the field trip.
Guest speakers
We work with criminal justice agencies and people from these agencies regularly lecture on the course. As well as studying the academic and theoretical aspects of criminology, students have opportunities to hear from senior practitioners within the Police, Courts, Prisons, and/or Probation Services.
Lectures
Introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading. Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups to all year group peers).
Peer Mentors
We offer a peer mentoring scheme for our BA students, which sees specially-trained second and third year students, under the guidance of staff and the Centre for Educational Development, help first year students settle into life at Queen’s University through social events, small group or one-to-one informal support, and learning skills workshops.
Personal Tutor
Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor from their first day at the University. The Personal Tutor is available to them to give advice and support throughout their time at Queen’s University. The Personal Tutor will meet with them on several occasions during the year to support their academic development.
Practicals
In research method modules you will have opportunities to develop research design and technical skills and apply theoretical principles to real-life research contexts.
Prizes
The highest-achieving students in the school are awarded the annual Lockheed Prize. We also support our students entering essays into the annual Undergraduate Awards.
Self-directed study
This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s University student and involves private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback on the quality of work submitted, as well as assignment research and preparation work.
Seminars/tutorials
A significant amount of teaching is carried out in medium-sized groups (typically 10-20 students). These provide an opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them, and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of peers. You should also expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups.
Supervised projects
In the final year, you will be expected to carry out a significant piece of research on a topic that you have chosen. You will receive support from a supervisor who will guide you in terms of how to carry out your research and will provide feedback to you on a one-to-one basis and via email throughout the two semesters
Assessment
Details of assessments associated with this course are outlined below:
- The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the learning objectives of each module. Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments. Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end-of-semester examinations. Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year induction. Following each element of assessed coursework, students are provided with detailed feedback on the quality of their written work and how they can improve future assignments.
Feedback
As you progress through your course you will receive both specific and general feedback on your work and the factors that can affect students’ marks from a variety of sources, including lecturers, module coordinators, personal tutors, advisers of study, and your peers. As a university student, you will be expected to take a greater role in reflecting on the quality of your work, as well as to take the initiative to continuously seek to improve your work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:
- Specific feedback on work submitted is provided via formal written comments and marks on assessments.
- Face-to-face feedback, including requested one-to-one meetings with staff to discuss assessments and/or to address a specific query.
- Online or email feedback.
- General feedback or question-and-answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
- Pre-submission advice regarding the standards students should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid. In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review.
- Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
- Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services, such as the Careers, Employability, and Skills Service or the Learning Development Service.
- Once you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work to improve the quality of your work in future assessments.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
The diversity of interests and topics covered in the discipline, plus the wide range of skills it equips you with, means that our students enter a wide range of careers on graduation. Public and private sector organisations involved in the criminal justice system continue to expand and the demand for criminology graduates is strong. The number and variety of career opportunities related to the criminal justice system has increased in recent years.
As well as the traditional criminal justice agencies such as the police, crime prevention and early intervention programmes, as well as the prison service. Criminology graduates work in a range of occupations, including the media, civil service, research, teaching, business, voluntary organisations and management. Criminology graduates also work in victim support organisations and in other social care agencies. Some graduates build on the degree by undertaking further post-graduate training in fields, such as policing, probation work, social work, law, human rights, social science research and teaching. The School has a strong post-graduate programme, offering both Master's and PhD degrees.
Studying for a Criminology degree at Queen’s University will assist you in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions. Graduates from this degree at Queen’s University are well regarded by many employers (local, national and international) and over half of all graduate jobs are now open to graduates of any discipline.
You should also take a look at www.prospects.ac.uk for further information concerning the types of jobs that attract Criminology graduates.
Further study is also an option open to Criminology graduates. You can choose from a wide range of Master's programmes as well as a comprehensive list of research topics
Employment after the Course
Typical career destinations of graduates include:
- Victim Support Worker
- Crime Analyst
- Working with people in conflict with the law (e.g. offender management, rehabilitation, etc.)
- Researcher
- Civil Servant (e.g. Police Officer, Prison Officer, etc.)
- Policy Analyst (e.g. working to shape criminal justice policy and practice)
- Charity Worker (e.g. working with the families of victims and/or offenders)
- Youth and Community Worker
Employment Links
Graduate employers include:
- NIACRO
- Extern
- Victim Support
- Political Parties
- Commission for Victims and Survivors NI
- Police Service of Northern Ireland
- Northern Ireland Prison Service
- Community and voluntary sector groups
- Northern Ireland Civil Service
- Northern Ireland Housing Executive
- National Health Service
- Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency
- PWC
- Ulster Bank
- Santander
- Belfast City Council
- Ipsos Mori
Additional Awards Gained
There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.
Prizes and Awards
The highest achieving graduates are awarded the Lockheed Prize annually.
Top-performing students are regularly awarded prizes and scholarships. One of our BA students was a Global Winner of the Undergraduate Awards (2017), the world’s leading undergraduate awards programme which recognises top undergraduate work.
Degree plus award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised by a world-leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.
Student Testimonials
English Language Requirements
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