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BSc (Hons) Criminology and Forensic Studies

Name: BSc (Hons) Criminology and Forensic Studies
Availability: InStock

UCAS CODE: CJF1 (Full-time) or CJF4 (Foundation Year)

TARIFF: 88 - 112 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)

Develop skills that enhance your employability, with critical skills for the forensics and criminology sector. We will build up your knowledge of forensics and criminology from a range of different perspectives, with professional insight and in demand skills to empower you in this competitive area.

Our BSc (Hons) Criminology and Forensics Studies specialism has been given conditional Educational Accreditation by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.

No. 1 in England for Student Satisfaction*

*Measured by % of positivity across all questions within the larger providers only: taught or registered population (NSS 2023)

No. 1 Students' Union in the UK*

*As ranked among taught students at non-specialist HEIs (NSS 2023)

Top for our response to the cost-of-living-crisis*

*Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

5th for learning opportunities*

*NSS 2023

Top 10 for student support*

*Whatuni Student Choice Award 2023

Why study this subject?

Who commits crimes, why do they do it, what is the impact on victims and themselves, and how do we prevent them? Studying criminology means investigating all these questions and understanding the place crime and criminal justice has in our societies.

After graduation you could be entering a role that is fulfilling and providing high value to society. You could be tackling crime, investigating why people break the law and improving the policies and systems within education, rehabilitation, law and crime policy. If you want to play a big part in keeping people safe, this could be the subject you’ve been looking for.

A degree in Criminology could lead to a career in the police, prison and probation services, the court or security services or with charities that work with young offenders. If you want to make a difference in this area, studying Criminology will equip you with the skills for a rewarding and successful career.

Criminology and Forensic Studies working at table with items

table of items for criminology and forensic studies sessions

Criminology and Forensic Studies students in protective clothing

student holding criminology items during forensic studies

Criminology and Forensic Studies students acting out a scenario

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

If you are interested in a range of topics related to crime, BNU gives you a unique opportunity to identify your career goals and set out a clear path to achieving them.

Our university is close to London and the capital is on your doorstep, this is perfect if you want to commute to university while remaining close to friends and family.

In addition to all the great benefits to studying at BNU, your course has some great benefits too, such as a passionate teaching team made up of former industry professionals, great facilities and links to professional organizations that keep us up to date with the latest research and statistics.

With opportunity to apply the skills you learn to practice; you can graduate from BNU with the skills and experience you need to succeed, as we work with our academics to provide you with what is required to fulfil national and local demand with employers.

Our specialisms

We believe in giving you the freedom to make your career your own. That's why we introduce you to various different subjects in your first year, and then allow you to choose a course after you've got a taste of them all, if your goals change. You can choose to stay on BSc (Hons) Criminology and Forensic Studies or switch to BSc (Hons) Criminology or BSc (Hons) Criminology and Law.

These specialisms are also offered as four-year programmes, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate programme and are available if you didn't meet the entry requirements.

Criminology testing equipment of table shown as evidence

What facilities can I use?

Our criminology degree has a wealth of opportunities for you to get stuck into thanks to our diverse range of facilities. You can get access to a simulated crime scene and learn how to collect forensic evidence or can test your own theories and get to grips with VR, police interviews and more. This facility is complete with bloodstains, fingerprints and a range of evidence. It is lead by a former member of the police detective unit.

We have a full range of facilities that can help prepare you for whatever career you choose to pursue within criminology. Our library is packed with all the information you need for your assessments, with diverse reading material and there’s plenty of room to knuckle down for some quiet study.

You can also use our AppsAnywhere web service, which provides access to many of the software applications you use for learning and studying. AppsAnywhere can be used from your own device or from a University owned PC or laptop, from any location.

What will I study?

Our criminology course shares its first year with the other criminology courses. This means we can introduce you to various specialisms at the start, and if you want to study a different specialism you can choose to switch to a different criminology course after the first year.

On this course you will be able to combine the study of criminology with the study of forensic science. This course will give you the opportunity to examine skills necessary for the collection and preserving of forensic evidence, reporting and analysing this information for practical application in court, prison services and other areas.

Opportunity modules are a key part of the BNU curriculum. You’ll choose modules in both your first and second year from a broad selection in areas such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, creativity, digital skills, personal growth, civic engagement, health & wellbeing and employment.

Opportunity modules are designed to enable you to develop outside the traditional boundaries of your discipline and help you to further stand out from the crowd to future employers.

Current issues and challenges faced in this sector are all discussed within a scientific and evidence-based framework with a focus on applied actions and potential solutions. Criminological theories are therefore applied to potential practice scenarios throughout the degree, which you may encounter throughout the course of your career.

You’ll be able to benefit from skills, experience and our knowledge from industry, as we prepare you with the confidence and ability to pursue a career in the subject you love. We will ensure you leave BNU prepared the best you can be to chase your dreams after graduation.

How will I be taught and assessed?

Assessments vary according to modules and are designed to test your understanding of the modules. Some of the ways you will be assessed include:

reports
exams
presentations
workshops

Opportunity modules are a key part of the BNU curriculum. You’ll choose modules in both your first and second year from a selection of areas such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, creativity, digital skills, personal growth, civic engagement, health & wellbeing and employment.

Opportunity modules are designed to enable you to develop outside your discipline and help you to further stand out from the crowd to future employers.

BSc (Hons) Criminology Programme Specification

students walking around in the high wycombe library

Two male students reading at the library

BNU female student in library with lots pf books round her and laptop

What are the course entry requirements?

A typical offer will require a UCAS tariff score of: 88 - 112 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)

UCAS points can be obtained through qualifications such as A levels, T levels, BTEC or an Access to Higher Education course in a relevant subject. Please list all your qualifications on the application form as you will be asked to provide copies when we receive your application.

For details of our international English entry requirements, please visit our international pages.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for the three-year undergraduate programme, or those who do not feel fully prepared for a degree course, can apply for a four-year programme including a Foundation Year; find out more.

Modules

This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.

This course has Opportunity modules.

Opportunity modules are a key part of the BNU curriculum. You’ll choose modules in both your first and second year from a broad selection in areas such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, creativity, digital skills, personal growth, civic engagement, health & wellbeing and employment. Opportunity modules are designed to enable you to develop outside the traditional boundaries of your discipline and help you to further stand out from the crowd to future employers. Find out more.

Foundation Year

Core Modules

Preparing for Success: Knowledge and Creativity

On this module, we will prepare you for successful progression into academic study while allowing you to learn about and prepare yourself for employment in the twenty-first century through inquiry-based learning, problem solving and critical and creative thinking.

Preparing for Success: Self Development and Responsibility

This module enables you to begin developing the Bucks Graduate Attributes associated with leadership and self-development and social and ethical awareness and responsibility, which are essential for success in higher education and in the world of work.

Inquiry Based Learning

Delivery of this module is based on ‘confirmation inquiry’ – a foundational level of inquiry geared for developing your understanding of key concepts and themes as well as basic methodologies and approaches to academic work, relevant to your discipline. You’ll then have the opportunity to analyse a problem or question that relates to your subject a...

Ways of learning about the social world

The aim of the module is to introduce you to the social world. The module will introduce you to key themes, concepts and approaches in the social sciences, including criminology, sociology and applied areas such as sociology of Health. It introduces standard disciplinary language, definitions and ways of investigating society.

Year 1

Core Modules

Credits

Crime, Criminology and Criminal Justice

20

Credits: 20

This module introduces you to the core concepts of ‘crime’, ‘harm’ and ‘justice’, and debates around these that form the foundation of understanding in criminology. You’ll explore key criminological approaches/theories to understanding ‘crime’, ‘harm’ and ‘justice’ and the impact of the historical and social contexts within which they have emerged....

Making Sense of Society

20

Credits: 20

This module has two strands, the first introduces you to issues in contemporary British (and other) societies. You’ll explore debates relating to society, identity and diverse social groups. The second strand is the ‘Academic Skills’ programme which introduces you to the use of academic evidence and integrity as well as other key academic skills.

Policy and Society

20

Credits: 20

On this module, you’ll examine the scope of policy and the policy-making process.  You’ll discuss what is meant by a ‘social problem’ by examining political ideologies and the shifting relationship between state and citizen. We’ll explore policy issues and how research is used to produce evidence to influence governments and other agencies.&nb...

Media, Communication and Society

20

Credits: 20

This module introduces you to the key debates, issues and relevance of the character, role and impact of all forms of media in contemporary societies. You’ll explore the many ways in which media infiltrates and shapes our social worlds, giving you a working understanding of the social science of the many-sided facets of media. As most workplaces n...

Punishment, Justice and Victims

20

Credits: 20

This module covers the core concepts of ‘punishment’, ‘justice’ and ‘victimisation’ and debates around these that form the basis of understanding in criminology and criminal justice. A history of punishment and penology will focus in particular on the question of how and why punishment has changed over time including the ways in which punishment fo...

Opportunity Modules

You must choose 2 x 10 credit Level 4 Opportunity modules from the Opportunity module catalogue.

Year 2

Core Modules

Credits

Crime, Harm and Power in Late Modernity

20

Credits: 20

This module covers ‘forms of crime’ in contemporary late modern societies. Taking a critical approach to the notion of ‘crime’, we’ll explore role of power in processes of criminalisation, crime, social harm and responses to ‘crime’. You’ll analyse ways criminal justice and societal processes are implicated in hierarchies of crime and criminality.

Employability and Professional Development

20

Credits: 20

On this module, we’ll support your work-related learning activities and encourage you to reflect on your development as future graduate employees. You’ll apply learning from your degree to practice and set goals for your development as future professionals. You’ll be supported in setting goals and developing plans for your work- related activities....

Contemporary Social Research

20

Credits: 20

This module builds your knowledge of research methods. You’ll examine key concepts from social research and discuss the important contribution of research to your discipline area. You’ll be introduced to research issues and gain a foundation for the understanding of research methods required for your dissertation and career development. 

Introduction to forensic science

20

Credits: 20

This module introduces forensic science, with a focus on crime scene evidence and its subsequent laboratory-based forensic examination or analysis. You’ll gain an understanding of the techniques involved in crime scene investigation, the processing order of evidence gathering and the preservation and documentation of the crime scene.

Evidence in court

20

Credits: 20

We’ll help you advance your knowledge on the requirements of continuity of evidence, allowing you to develop the specific and generic research, as well as the analytical and critical skills, that are required for effective evidence handling and interpretation within, and for the purposes of, a courtroom setting. 

Opportunity Modules

In addition, you must choose 2 x 10 credit Level 5 Opportunity modules from the Opportunity module catalogue.

Year 3

Core Modules

Credits

Comparative Criminal Justice Policy

20

Credits: 20

The module deepens your understanding of criminal justice and penal systems through the analysis of policy issues in criminal justice systems, in particular parts of the UK, Europe, the USA and east Asia. You’ll consider the usefulness of studying cross-national issues, understanding different ways that justice is operationalised around the world.

Dissertation

40

Credits: 40

This module provides a supportive framework for undertaking an independent extended research study. You’ll choose which type and methodology of research to follow in this project, such as a literature-based project; an empirical project using various methods; or an applied dissertation. The bulk of teaching involves individual supervision sessions....

Forensic professional practice issues

20

Credits: 20

You’ll gain an understanding of the legislative and regulatory nature of the Forensic Science profession and professionalism required within any forensic-setting work. We’ll debate contemporary issues, including personal integrity, technical competence, decision-making, solving dilemmas, and the current political and ethical context of the field.&n...

Investigative and forensic psychology

20

Credits: 20

This module helps you to understand the relationship between psychology and criminal investigations and punishment and rehabilitation by showing how psychological research and theory can inform the investigative process. It covers the application of psychological knowledge to the investigative processes and the role of the Forensic Psychologist.

Optional Modules

Credits

Cybercrime OR

20

Credits: 20

On this module, you’ll explore the rise of technology, its impact on criminal behaviour, attempts to use it to reduce crime, and the debate on the extent to which it can be used as a form of social control and correction. We’ll identify examples of emerging forms of human activity classified as criminal as a result of developments in technology.

Disability, Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System OR

20

Credits: 20

This module critically examines the issue of vulnerability in relation to the criminal justice system. It focuses on issues pertaining to disability and mental health, both in the context of offenders and victims. You’ll develop a critical analytical approach by applying relevant concepts to contemporary practices to aid understanding.

Environmental Justice OR

20

Credits: 20

The aim of this module is to allow you to explore and analyse contemporary environmental issues within the framework of green criminology and social harm. The changing nature of the planet is one of the most pressing issues facing humanity and you’ll examine the nature of environmental changes alongside the consequences of environmental change.

Radicalisation

20

Credits: 20

This module introduces you to the study of radicalisation, including gaining an understanding of the evolution of the concept and related concerns about, different manifestations of radicalisation, terrorism and threats to security. We’ll explore and challenge your knowledge of the controversial aspects of this subject.

What are the tuition fees

Home

Home, Academic Year 2024 - 2025: £9,250 per year

International

Overseas/International, Academic Year 2024 - 2025: £15,150 per year

Additional course costs and financial support

Most courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees.
You could benefit from financial support through a bursary or scholarship during your time as a student. For more details visit our financial support, bursaries and scholarships section.

What are my career prospects?

Throughout your time with us we’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. We’ll help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders.

We also help you find employment after graduation. Have a look at our Careers and Employability pages to find out more.

Our Criminology programme is a springboard for entry into probation and related roles in the criminal justice system, whether that’s in the police, the court, probation, prison or crime related research organisation. Some of the careers you could pursue include: