Course Overview
Attendance
* Price per academic year
Course summary
Our degree courses with Foundation year offer the opportunity to prepare you for advanced study before you progress onto a full honours degree at the University of Westminster. Whether you do not feel ready for degree-level study, don’t have the right qualifications, want to change your subject specialism or return to study after an absence from education, we aim to encourage a broad range of students to undertake our Foundation year in order to progress onto their full honours degree with us.
The Foundation year is designed to give you the opportunity to explore new ideas, opening up new perspectives on the key debates within your chosen field. Core modules accelerate your academic and professional development and you will also take modules from areas closely related to your chosen field, giving you the chance to develop a cross-disciplinary perspective on your course.
On successful completion of the Foundation year, you will be able to move on to study for the Criminology BA Honours degree.
With crime frequently in the news and always an important issue, criminology has never been more relevant. The Criminology BA Honours aims to enthuse, inspire and equip you with the skills for a successful career in today's competitive job market.
Criminology draws on a wide range of human and social science disciplines, and the course has been designed to develop your knowledge and understanding of criminology as an interdisciplinary subject area. It will also equip you with the transferable and cognitive skills necessary for lifelong personal and professional development.
Westminster's criminologists are concerned with who commits crimes and how offenders should be punished, but at the heart of criminology are fundamental questions about how 'crime' is defined, how criminal law is made, and how definitions of crime and justice vary historically and cross-culturally.
Where better to study this fascinating discipline than in the heart of the UK's policing and criminal justice systems? Contemporary concerns are reflected as the subject engages with globalisation and culture across theoretical, qualitative and empirical domains.
Our graduates go on to develop careers in a wide range of sectors including the police and policing-support organisations, the National Probation Service, local government and crime prevention.
The course investigates the impact of power, societal structures and inequalities on processes and patterns of criminalisation, crime, harm, victimisation and criminal justice, as well as on knowledge production within criminology. Core and optional subjects cover an extensive range of topics, including processes of criminalisation and victimisation; the social, legal and cultural meanings of crime; the causes and organisation of crime and deviance at all levels; understanding crime in relation to class, gender, race and ethnicity, religious faith, and sexuality; and the practical and political processes of preventing and managing crime.
We make use of Westminster’s central London location to facilitate off-site learning, with visits to the High Court of Justice, theatres and a prison. In Year 3, you'll have the opportunity to take part in a field trip, which, for example, in 2023 took students to the Baltic states, visiting criminal justice institutions.
Top reasons to study with us
- Work experience opportunities – our work experience module in Year 3 will allow you to gain valuable practical experience. Many of our students find placements in a range of criminal justice agencies
- Field trips – In Year 3, you'll have the opportunity to take part in a field trip, which, for example, in 2023 took students to the Baltic states. You'll also be able to take part in field walks around London including visits to theatres, prisons and the High Court of Justice
- Award-winning leadership – former course leader David Manlow was awarded the British Society of Criminology award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (2016) for his design and implementation of the curriculum, which provides the basis for the course studied today
Course structure
Teaching and learning methods include lectures, seminars, independent study, and off-site learning such as visits and field walks which make use of Westminster's central London location.
Assessment methods may include essays, debates, criminal justice policy analysis, individual and group presentations, exams, statistical analyses, and your dissertation.
The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.
Subjects of study include:
- Introduction to Academic Practice
- Law, Power and Authority
- Society, Risk and Crime: Sociological Perspectives
- Critical Thinking for Academic and Professional Development
- Crime and Society
- Rights and the Law
There are no optional or elective modules offered at Level 3, as the focus is on the development of key academic skills through a broad understanding of social sciences and humanities.
Credit Level 3
Subjects of study include:
- Controversies in Criminal Justice
- Criminological Imagination
- Criminological Perspectives
- Justice and Human Rights
- Researching Crime and Justice
- Crime and the London Underworld
- Psychology and Crime
Credit Level 4
Subjects of study include:
- Globalisation, Crime and Control
- Radical Criminology
- Research Methods in Sociology and Criminology
- Work-based Learning
- Forensic Criminal Psychology
- Gender, Crime and Justice
- Race, Power and Criminal Justice
- Youth, Crime and Justice
Credit Level 5
Professional experience or study abroad year
Between Years 2 and 3, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a professional placement year in industry. Completing the placement year will lead to the final award Bachelor of Arts with Honours - Criminology with Professional Experience.
Alternatively, you can undertake a period of study abroad at one of Westminster’s partner institutions. Successful completion will lead to the final award Bachelor of Arts with Honours - Criminology with International Experience.
Find out more about the costs involved in taking a study abroad or placement year.
Subjects of study include:
- Dissertation in Criminology
- Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice
- Critical Policing
- Human Rights and Global Injustice
- Immigration, Borders and (In)Justice
- Issues in State Crime
- Media and Crime
- Psychology, Crime and the Popular Imagination
- Punishment and Modern Society
- Work Experience in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Credit Level 6
For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).
To request an accessible version please email [email protected]
Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.
Contact us for general course enquiries:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm GMT)
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Open days
Join us at an open day online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.
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Careers
With a growing global network of 3,000 employers, our Careers and Employability Service is here to support you to achieve your full potential.
Student satisfaction
96% of our students agreed that they were satisfied with the course.
(Source: Discover Uni, accessed in December 2020)
Transferable skills
You'll gain the knowledge and experience to work in sectors such as crime prevention, local government, the police and policing-support organisations.
Graduates in work or further study
90% of our Criminology BA graduates are in work and/or further study 15 months after finishing their course. (Source: Discover Uni - site accessed in December 2020)
Career development
Many of our graduates are currently pursuing successful careers in teaching, the civil service, criminal justice agencies, law, and higher education administration.
Many of our graduates go on to further study and a number are now pursuing successful academic careers of their own.
Job roles
This course will prepare you for roles such as:
- Charity/third sector worker
- Civil Service roles
- Local government officer
- Police officer
- Probation officer
- Youth justice worker
- Social researcher
Graduate employment
Graduates from this course have found employment in sectors including:
- Crime prevention
- Local government
- National Probation Service
- Police
- Policing-support organisations
International Opportunities
Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for - so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.
Opportunities could include:
- Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
- Attending an international summer school or field trip
- Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad
International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.
Find out more about our international opportunities, including funding options and where you can go.
Course Leaders
Mark Cambridge
Senior Lecturer
Mark Cambridge has been a member of the criminology team at University of Westminster for just over 16 years. Mark studied LLB (Hons) Law at Kingston University and obtained a MSc in Legal Studies at Edinburgh University. Mark started as a part-time tutor at Westminster, teaching on a wide range of modules in the department before becoming a full-time member of staff.
Course Team
- Dr Lea Sitkin - Lecturer and Deputy Course Leader, Criminology
- Dr Shamila Ahmed - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Andreas Aresti - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Sally Atkinson-Sheppard - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Morwenna Bennallick - Senior Lecturer
- Mark Cambridge - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Sacha Darke - Reader
- Dr Jeane Gerard - Lecturer in Criminology and Deputy Course Leader for BSc Psychology and Criminology
- Dr Charlotte English - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Emma McCluskey - Lecturer
- Dr Francesca Esposito - Lecturer
- Dr Sinem Bozkurt - Lecturer
Why study this course?
Fantastic central London location
Based in our Regent Campus in central London, you’ll enjoy the benefits of studying in a major global city.
Field trips
You'll have the opportunity to take part in a field trip abroad and field walks around London including visits to theatres, prisons and the High Court of Justice.
A supportive environment
We provide our students with the right environment, support and guidance throughout their studies to keep them motivated.
Studying Criminology at Westminster
Entry Requirements
- A Levels - DDE (64 UCAS Tariff points)
- T levels – 64 UCAS Tariff points
- International Baccalaureate - 64 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
- BTEC Extended Diploma - MPP
- BTEC Diploma - MM
- Access - 64 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course
In addition to one of the above, you should have:
- GCSE English Language grade 4/C – IB grade 4 Higher level, GCSE Maths grade 4/C – IB grade 4
If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.
We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combination of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.
View more information about our entry requirements and the application process.
- International Baccalaureate – 64 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You can refer to the UCAS calculator to determine your point score
- We accept a wide range of international high school level qualifications. Please see information on Country-specific entry requirements
- We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London who provide International Foundation Certificate courses for students who don’t meet our entry requirements. Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Westminster. Find out about a range of university preparation courses that are accepted for entry.
English language requirements
- If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with a score of 5.5 in each component. Please note we accept a wide range of English language qualifications and assessments. Find out more at English language requirements.
- If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, then we offer online and on campus pre-sessional English programmes to help develop your English language skills to the required level before you start your course. Find out more about our pre-sessional English programmes.
More information
Learn new skills
Learn a new language
From Arabic to Spanish, you can learn a new language alongside your degree with our Polylang programme.
Develop your entrepreneurial skills
Our award-winning Westminster Enterprise Network offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your startup projects.
Gain extra qualifications
We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.
Fees and Funding
UK tuition fee: £9,250 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Funding
As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.
Find out about undergraduate student funding options.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
International tuition fee: £17,000 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme
If you are an international student accepted on an undergraduate programme starting in September 2024 or September 2025 at level 3 (Foundation) or level 4 (first year) on the basis of an eligible EU qualification only, you will be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to the one for UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme.
International student funding
Find out about funding for international students.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
Teaching and Assessment
Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable. Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.
How you'll be taught
Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:
- Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
- Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
- Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
How you'll be assessed
Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.
Assessments typically fall into three broad categories:
- Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts
- Written exams: end of semester exams
- Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
Data from the academic year 2022/23
Supporting you
Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.
- Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
- Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
- Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
- Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more
Course location
Our Regent Campus is comprised of two sites, situated on and around Regent Street – one of the most famous and vibrant streets in London.
Subjects including Criminology and Sociology, English and Creative Writing, History, Languages, Politics and International Relations and Visual Culture are based at 309 Regent Street, which includes recently refurbished social spaces, gym facilities and our Regent Street Cinema.
For more details, visit our locations page.
Contact us
Call our dedicated team on:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
More information
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