Sociology with Criminology BSc Hons | University of Chester

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Course Summary

Our dynamic Sociology with Criminology degree is tailor-made for those fascinated by the complexities of society and the intricacies of criminal justice.

In a world grappling with diverse social challenges, evolving crime and criminal justice dynamics, there's a growing demand for informed, critical thinkers who can navigate these issues. This course melds the study of societal structures with an in-depth exploration of criminological theories, offering a comprehensive understanding of both fields.

Our curriculum is designed to immerse you in a range of topics, from the foundations of sociological thought to contemporary debates in criminology. You will delve into areas such as social inequality, deviance, criminal behaviour, and the functioning of criminal justice institutions. The course empowers you with the analytical tools to understand and critically assess how societal forces shape criminal phenomena.

Through our interactive learning approach, you'll engage in case studies and simulations and engage with experts, gaining practical insights into real-world scenarios. Graduates are well-equipped for careers in social research, community development, criminal justice, and policy analysis or for further academic pursuits in sociology or criminology.

What you'll Study

In your first year you will develop an understanding of human behaviour, societies, and social identities. You will study the formation of both individual and collective identities within the wider context of social divisions, diversity, and inequality in relation to race, gender, social class, and sexuality. You will consider global inequalities and environmental changes enabling you to participate in debates on topics such as society, ecology, and climate change. You will explore people’s journeys through the criminal justice system from the perspectives of practitioners, victims and suspects, developing a critical understanding of differential experiences of policing, courts, prisons, and probation.

In Year Two you will engage in theoretically informed debates on contemporary social issues topics such as mobilities, globalization, status, social class, and decolonization. You will study the ideas of race, ethnicity, nationality and citizenship in a historical perspective that takes account of power and inequalities. You will explore how human mobility and the categorisations of groups of people transform societies and these social phenomena can contribute to explain social inequalities.  You will explore how historical treatments of mental illness have created false identities of mental illness being connected to crime, risk and dangerousness. You will examine how these constructions have impacted the stigmatisation of individuals who are in contact with the CJS and have a mental health vulnerability.    

You will also have opportunities to learn through real world experience for example work placements and study abroad, to study a language, or engage with a research project to support and develop your career plans.  

In your final year, you will deepen your understanding of the sociology of consumption and will be encouraged to engage in critical consideration and reflection on the rise and continued predominance of consumer culture in our everyday lives. You will debate the role of education in wider society and opportunities it can provide within the wider context of neoliberalism, capitalism and postmodern thinking. You will engage in advanced studies of global governance, diplomacy, and international policy analysis.  

You will explore how social scientists can engage the public to promote social change. You will explore the role of power in framing social issues, the challenges of public social science, and the responsibilities of social scientists to educate and advocate for marginalized communities. Students develop skills in effectively communicating to diverse audiences.

You will also undertake a major on a key social challenge with support and guidance from experienced researchers.  
Theoretical understandings also span across all three levels of study, with students building the ability to apply and appraise theory in reference to a variety of social problems

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

This course is delivered in three terms of ten weeks each. In each term, students study 40 credits comprised of either one or two modules. Scheduled contact hours range between approximately six and ten hours per week, depending upon level of study and the complexity of the material being taught. This course is primarily delivered in-person, with some online learning. You can expect to take part in interactive sessions comprising of lecture content, task-based workshops and peer-led seminar discussions. 

Outside of timetabled teaching, students should expect to spend an average of 30–34 hours per week on independent study, which might include undertaking weekly asynchronous learning, undertaking wider reading, using the University’s library, tutorial time with staff, working with peers, and preparing work for summative assessments. 

There will be a broad range of assessment methods to optimise learning and skill development for a diverse range of learners with unique needs and preferences, and to enable students to build a wide array of skills to thrive in the workplace.

These will include formative assessment such as group tasks and discussions where students can receive feedback from lecturers and their peers to build their confidence and skills. Summative assessment will include written coursework, such essays (short and long form), summaries and critical reviews of literature and/or policy, case studies/reports, and writing for public as well as academic audiences. In addition, summative assessment will focus on visual, verbal and practical skills, encompassing, for example, posters, presentations and Q&A discussions. This will help to ensure that students are exposed to the different types of tasks they might encounter in the workplace, and have opportunities to build the skills and confidence to manage these effectively.

All teaching is delivered by experienced academics and practitioners, with the fundamental principles of the Chester Future Skills Curriculum at its core - building your subject competence, confidence, and key transferable skills to shape you into a world-ready Chester graduate.

Entry requirements

112UCAS points

UCAS Tariff	112 points
GCE A Level	Typical offer – BCC-BBC
BTEC	BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM
International Baccalaureate	26 points
Irish / Scottish Highers	Irish Highers - H3 H3 H3 H3 H4 Scottish Highers - BBBB
Access requirements	Access to HE Diploma, to include 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above
T Level	Merit
OCR Cambridge Technicals	OCR Extended Diplima: DMM
Extra Information	Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.

We accept a wide range of qualifications and consider all applications individually on merit. We may also consider appropriate work experience.

English Language Requirements

IELTS Academic: Undergraduate: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each band)
Postgraduate: 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each band)

For more information on our entry requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.

72UCAS points

UCAS Tariff	72 points
GCE A level	72 points overall, including grade D in A level
BTEC	BTEC Extended Diploma: MMP
International Baccalaureate	24 points
Irish / Scottish Highers	Irish Highers: H4 H4 H4 H4 H4 Scottish Highers: CCDD
Access requirements	Access to HE Diploma – Pass overall
T Level	T Level: Pass (D or E on the core)
OCR Cambridge Technicals	OCR Extended Diploma: MMP
Extra Information	Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs. If you are a mature student (21 or over) and have been out of education for a while or do not have experience or qualifications at Level 3 (equivalent to A Levels), then our Foundation Year courses will help you to develop the skills and knowledge you will need to succeed in your chosen degree.

Fees and funding

£9,250per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2025/26 are £9,250 a year, or £1,540 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

The University may increase these fees at the start of each subsequent year of your course in line with inflation at that time, as measured by the Retail Price Index. These fee levels and increases are subject to any necessary government, and other regulatory, approvals.

Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.

Students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU will pay International Tuition Fees.

Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.

Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.

The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £13,950.

This fee is set for each year of study. All undergraduate students are eligible for international and merit-based scholarships which are applicable to each year of study.

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials.

Students often elect to purchase a laptop, where students choose to do so, the cost it likely to be around £800-£1000.

Most software specific to your course is available free to students through agreements we have with the software vendors.

Occasional, optional, field trips may be offered, depending on student demand, these are typically within the UK and where chargeable the cost is likely to be under £100. Students are not required to participate in order to successfully complete the course.

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills.

Who you’ll Learn from

Dr Nancy Evans

Programme Leader, BSc Sociology

Dr Jayne Price

Deputy Head, Social and Political Sciences

Dr Joe Rigby

Senior Lecturer; Sociology

Dr Djordje Sredanovic

Lecturer, Sociology

Dr Kim Ross

Deputy Head, Social and Political Sciences

Dr Wayne Campbell

Senior Lecturer, Criminology

Paul French

Lecturer, Criminology

Simone Benhafsi

Lecturer, Criminology

Where you'll Study Exton Park, Chester

The location

Modern learning resources and library

Seaborne library, seating and reception area.

Support Services

Fitness Facilities

A male student wearing goggles is swimming in the training pool between the red rope lane marker lines.

Chapel, Chaplaincy and Multi-Faith Spaces

Accommodation

Catering

Your future Career

Job prospects

Sociology is a diverse discipline which has several professional and vocational applications.  However, students completing the degree will exit with a range of attributes that they can apply in a vocational context. The sociology subject emphasises the skills of critical analysis, synthesis and the generation of a reflexive capacity. These are skills demanded by industry that can enable graduates to function effectively in the world of employment and to play a positive and effective role in the wider community. It is anticipated that many students who complete their studies will gain employment in a field that will have a relationship to social process and enquiry.  Sociology provides a pathway towards many possible career choices, ranging from the caring professions to business, management, the media, local government and the voluntary sector.

A Sociology with Criminology degree may also open up opportunities as follows:

Criminal Justice System Roles
Policing and Law Enforcement
Legal Professions / Paralegal / Legal Researcher / Victim Advocate
Research and Analysis
Community and Social Work
Non-Profit and Advocacy
Charity Worker
Lobbyist
Education and Training
Journalism and Media
Government and Public Policy
International Careers / Human Rights Worker / Anti-Trafficking Worker

While the above are directly related opportunities, the skills gained in a sociology and criminology programme widely apply to many fields. Skills such as critical thinking, research, and analysing societal structures are in demand in various professions.

Progression options

Gender Studies MRes

Policing, Law Enforcement and Security MSc

Careers service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.

Sociology with Criminology BSc (Hons)

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