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Sociology and Criminology BA (Hons)

Undergraduate

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Combining two exciting and complementary disciplines, this fascinating interdisciplinary degree explores social issues and problems, focusing on crime, victimisation, justice and punishment.

Year of entry

2025-26 2026-27

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Part-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
Flexible part-time

Course code

LM39

Start date

September 2025

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Course overview

You will study how sociology and criminology intersect and explore key issues such as how crime relates to inequality, marginality, identity, power and control.

Consider the individual motivations which cause criminal behaviour in order to gain an understanding of the reasons for and consequences of crime.
Gain knowledge and skills that can help you pursue a career in criminal justice or related fields.

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Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

Engage with content that challenges typical preconceptions about the nature of crime and disorder (e.g. about who commits crime, the harm it entails and how it is punished). In doing so, you can develop strong analytical and critical abilities.
Visiting speakers and links with organisations and practitioners will give you insight into the real world of practice in criminal justice, community organisations, the public and charitable voluntary sectors (subject to availability)².
Optional modules in your final year allow you to tailor your degree to suit your interests in sociology and criminology.
Our course has been designed by experienced teaching staff, qualified educationalists, former criminal justice practitioners, active researchers and experts in areas such as race, gender, media, sexuality and class.
Student support is one of our top priorities and you’ll be joining a lively, welcoming and friendly community.

What you'll study

This course has a common first year.

The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Common first year courses

Sociology BA (Hons)
Sociology and Criminology BA (Hons)

In the first year, the curriculum is shared across related courses allowing you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline before going on, in the second and third years, to specialist modules in your chosen field.

Modules

Understanding Society - 20 credits

This module will provide an introduction to critical areas of theory and analysis in contemporary sociology. It introduces you to the basic concepts, theories, and methods that sociologists use. You will gain an understanding of leading-edge research and debates within the discipline, and of how sociology engages with real-world problems.

Compulsory

Crime, Disorder and Social Control - 20 credits

This module introduces you to key concepts, issues and theories in criminology, through the examination of different types of crime and disorder and the response to those crimes. You will become familiar with different approaches to the explanation of crime and victimisation and come to see how crime and social control are socially and historically constituted.

Compulsory

Keys to Study in Sociology and Criminology - 20 credits

This module has two aims – to introduce some of the fundamental concepts, big ideas and methodological tools in sociology and criminology and to develop your academic, study, and digital technology skills. Together, these create a firm base of knowledge and skills to build upon throughout your degree and which are pivotal towards your future career.

Compulsory

Diversity and Divisions - 20 credits

This module explores long-established identities and divisions such as class, gender and ‘race’/ethnicity as well as more contemporary sociological developments such as sexuality and disability. It will examine the impact of social divisions, the emergence of existing and emerging social divisions, and how they adapt and develop.

Compulsory

Media and Popular Culture - 20 credits

Social Policy and Social Change - 20 credits

This module examines social policy as both an academic subject and a dynamic field of politics, practice and social action. Social policies aim to sustain or improve human well-being and cover areas of government such as crime and justice, benefits and pensions, health and disabilities, education, transport, immigration, law and order.

Compulsory

In your second year, you will develop more advanced knowledge and skills including critical issues in crime and justice, policing and political activism, among others topics.

Modules

Traditions and Controversies in Social Theory - 20 credits

This module aims to provide you with a deeper appreciation of 'classical' social theory as well as explore a set of more contemporary theoretical perspectives – including Postcolonial Theory, Critical Race Theory, and Queer Theory – which shed new light on how our societies operate.

Compulsory

Researching Social Life - 20 credits

The aim of this module is to develop your understanding of the rationale for and methodological issues associated with research. This module helps you prepare for your final year dissertation developing the core employability skills such as research design, fieldwork and presentation of research.

Compulsory

Contemporary and Critical Issues in Crime and Justice - 20 credits

This module explores central problems, key debates and contemporary research issues in criminology, alongside the dynamic policy landscape in policing, criminal justice and corrections. You will critically engage with developments in criminological theory, current research problems and debates and changes in policy and practice.

Compulsory

Policing and Criminal Justice - 20 credits

21st Century Lifestyles - 20 credits

This module explores life in the 21st century and how people navigate meaning, purpose, happiness, and belonging within an ever-shifting local, national, and global set of circumstances. It outlines and interrogates some of the main theories relating to individual purpose and happiness as well as exploring the perspectives of different cultural groups across the world.

Compulsory

Political Activism #TheAgeOfEmpowerment - 20 credits

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement² can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final years of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

Modules

UK Work Placement – 0 credits

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

International Study/Work Placement – 0 credits

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

Your final year prepares you to enter the world of work by consolidating your knowledge and skills from your first and second years. You could also work on a large final project in an area of your interest, with the support of a mentor.

You will be asked to choose optional modules on top of the compulsory modules, ‘Final Project’, ‘Crime, Victimisation and Harm’ and ‘Punishment and Penology’, to total 120 credits in your final year.

Modules

Crime, Victimisation and Harm - 20 credits

Criminology was historically concerned with crime and the offender. However, over the course of its development, attention has shifted towards victims, victimisation and to include additional types of harm. This shift provides the starting point for this module, which is designed to equip you with an in-depth understanding of the interplay between crime, victimisation and harm.

Compulsory

Final Project - 40 credits

The module encourages you to employ your sociological skills in the gathering, synthesis and interpretation of information and knowledge. This enables you to pursue an in-depth analysis of a subject of your own choosing within the context of your programme of study. This can take the form of an extended piece of writing, or a new media project such as a documentary film.

Compulsory

Punishment and Penology - 20 credits

This module examines the development of modern penal systems from a comparative perspective. You will gain an understanding of how the experience of punishment can be shaped by social divisions and examine the goals of punishment. This will enable you to evaluate the success of modern penal institutions and the problems of crisis, legitimacy and resourcing that they face.

Compulsory

Race and Racism - 20 credits

This module will introduce you to the theoretical and practical importance of race and racism in the historical and contemporary construction of modern societies. Topics will focus on the ways race and racism are socially constructed phenomena with very real implications for people’s lives.

Optional

Gender and Society - 20 credits

This module explores and interrogates the impact of gender from both real-world and theoretical perspectives. It critically assesses some of the main theories of gender, illuminating how gender underpins and influences social institutions across the world. You will explore the everyday settings in which people encounter and experience gendered ideas.

Optional

Disability in Society - 20 credits

This module will explore the construction of disability as identity, and the experience of being disabled, through a critical disability studies approach. The module will give you a grounding in disability theory and its application, while challenging you to critically consider the role ableism plays in your own lived experience.

Optional

Sex, Sexuality, Power and Oppression - 20 credits

This module examines the shifting attitudes towards sexuality and critically evaluates the role discourse has played in these changes. It explores the relationship between sex, sexuality and political and moral definitions of crime and deviance. You will consider a range of issues from the viewpoint of both victim and perpetrator.

Optional

Global Organised Crime - 20 credits

This module will examine the recent evolution of the traditional criminal organisations (Sicilian mafia, American Cosa Nostra) from a comparative perspective, and the new wave of organised criminal groups. It will explore the nature of criminality behind human trade and piracy, the emergence of youth gangs and the evolution of organised crime in the UK.

Optional

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours:

Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and Independent study:

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning:

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Part-time study:

This course can be offered on a part-time basis. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Request further information about part-time study.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

The assessment methods may include:

phase tests
essays
group work
presentations
reports
projects
coursework
individual assignments.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

International experience opportunities

There are opportunities for study or placements abroad². For example, in recent years, students have studied on a range of courses at universities in Sweden, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands.

Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability, and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements, and are therefore not guaranteed².

Entry requirements

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UCAS details

1

Course name: Sociology and Criminology BA (Hons)

2

Course code: LM39

3

Course location: Coventry University (Coventry)

Typical entry requirements:

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£9,535 per year	Request fee information
EU	£9,535 per year with EU Support Bursary £16,800 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	£16,800 per year	Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement² or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee³ to cover your academic support throughout your placement year. Students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2027/28 will pay £1,500 if they are paying UK fees, or £1,800 if they are paying international fees.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2027/28. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

Students will benefit from studying on our well-equipped, modern campus^4.

The entrance of Lanchester Library

Lanchester Library

The library offers a team of academic liaison librarians who provide specialist help and support. You’ll also have access to subject specific databases of journal articles related to criminology and forensics.

A student taking notes in a prison cell

Prison cells

Criminology students can use our mock cells to experience the practical aspects of life in prison.

Academic support staff assisting student at desk

Academic support

No matter which degree you’re studying, you’ll find a lot of support on campus, including the Centre of Academic Writing and sigma, which offers mathematics and statistics support.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to:

demonstrate systematic knowledge and understanding of criminological and sociological thought and how this develops from empirical research and theorising.
evidence systematic knowledge and critical understanding of social issues and problems that are central to sociological and criminological debates.
develop critical knowledge and awareness of the ethical, political, socio-economic, cultural and global contexts that frame criminological and sociological investigation.
recognise and demonstrate your ability to locate, generate, critically analyse and interpret data and information and construct evidence-based and theoretically informed arguments.
reflect on your own perspectives and positionality in relation to the viewpoints expressed in the learning community of social science.

Our courses have been designed to provide practical hands-on experience and to give you an opportunity to develop a range of skills and competencies that will help to make you attractive to potential employers².

We’re committed to preparing you for your future career and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The university's dedicated careers and employability support, Talent Team, provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career (subject to availability).

Where our graduates work

Recent graduates are now employed in a range of private and public sector industries. Examples include banking, finance, media, education, the civil service, police local authorities and in community and non-governmental organisations in the charitable and voluntary sectors.

Further study

You can choose to continue your studies at Coventry University with the Sociology and Social Research MA. You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study.

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How to apply

Institution code

View our courses on UCAS

UK students

Full-time students can apply for this course through UCAS. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

If this course has a part-time option you will need to apply directly to the university.

Apply via the portal

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

International students

International codes:
AHU117

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.

You can also download our International mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

ioadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2027/28. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2025/2026 contract is available on the website. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

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