FdA Criminology and Criminal Justice (HTQ)

Year 1 

Looking Beyond Crime and Criminology (20 Credits) 
This module begins by exploring the realities of crime in our society, looking at how crime is defined, measured and represented. We then move on to explore alternative conceptions of ‘crime’ through the social harm approach, investigating how the idea of ‘social harm’, affects our perceptions of crime, the criminal, and criminalisation and with what effect. 

Skills, Research, and Employability (20 Credits) 
This module supports students to develop a range of transferrable skills which will underpin future research and assessments, alongside facilitating independent learning and reflective practice. 

The History of Criminal Justice (20 Credits) 
This module outlines the history of punishment and criminal justice in the UK and shows how systems of criminal justice are, and have been, influenced by the social, political, religious, cultural, and theoretical trends and themes. Within this module we explore the importance of these contexts to the development of criminal justice and acknowledge that such development cannot be understood outside that context. 

Crime and Morality (20 Credits) 
This module is designed to introduce students to the wider and often controversial issues in criminology alongside exploration of the theoretical context in which enquiry about crime is located. The module examines several political, moral and legal concepts such as obligation to obey the law, disobedience, criminalisation, policing, human rights and justifications of punishment. 

Key Approaches in Criminology (20 Credits) 
The module is designed to stimulate, challenge and provoke thought and debate and to introduce students to the key theorists and ideas within criminology, so they can engage critically with the framework ideas, theories and practices that inform their respective approaches. 

Criminal Justice in Action (20 Credits) 
This module introduces the major stages, processes, procedures and personnel comprising the Criminal Justice system in England and Wales. The module includes guest lectures from practitioners within the CJS and a visit to the Crown Court. 

Year 2 

Mandatory Modules 

Research Methods and Theory 1 (20 credits) 

This module will support your development and understanding of methodological topics and theories within criminology. Learn how to utilise this to inform a historical understanding of the development of criminology as a colonial enterprise, and current debates around decolonising research at universities. 

Research Methods and Theory 2 (20 credits) 

Develop and extend your understanding of current debates in theory and research. To support the application of strategies and decisions in relation to research practice and planning. 

Understanding Policing and Security (20 credits) 

Explore developments in policing history and the sociology of policing and security. Apply explanations and frameworks critically to current issues in policing and security. 

Youth Justice (20 credits) 

Explore critical explanations of how the state responds to young people breaking, or at risk of breaking, the law or acting in an antisocial way. 

Punishment and the Penal System (20 credits) 

This module aims to introduce you to key issues and debates relating to the justification and use of punishment following a conviction for a criminal offence. 

Optional modules* 

Violence Against Women and Girls (20 credits) 

Explore domestic and international policy, and theoretical debates, relating to violence against women and girls (VAWG). 

Drugs, Crime and Society (20 credits) 

In this module, you'll explore the use of recreational drugs within an historical context to reflect on the construction of the distinction legal/illegal drugs use. As well as evaluate the effectiveness of policies designed to control drug use from a comparative perspective. 

Work Placement (20 credits) 

Develop informed insights into career progression and translate this knowledge into practice. While increasing your understanding of how policy is operationalised in workplace settings. 

*Depending on the number of students it is not always possible to deliver all the optional modules. 

Graduates may wish to progress to the BA (Hons) Criminology and Criminal Justice top up where you will further apply your criminological understanding to key issues such as crimes of the powerful, human trafficking, as well as developing a dissertation project of your choosing. 

Graduates can pursue careers in areas such as Youth Offending Services within Local Authorities, the police, the probation service, prisons and branches of the Home Office such as the Border Agency and the Criminal Justice Social Work. Students might also consider community development work, youth offending teams, educational institutions and adult guidance work with ex-offenders. Paid employment in the voluntary sector is an increasingly important area with positions in victim support and women’s refuges. 

80 UCAS points. 

From A-Level, BTEC national qualifications, T-Levels, Access to Higer Education, or a combination of qualifications, which may include AS levels.  

English Language at a grade C or 4, or equivalent. 

Mathematics at grade C or 4, or equivalent.  

Non-standard applications, industry professional qualifications, relevant work or life experience and who can demonstrate the ability to cope with and benefit from degree-level studies are considered on an individual basis, and applicants may be interviewed.