BA (Hons) Criminology and Criminal Justice

What studying Criminology and Criminal Justice involves

This BA (Hons) degree is designed to cover all aspects of criminology and the criminal justice process.  An exciting branch of the social sciences, Criminology draws on a wide range of disciplines to look at the social causes of crime, as well as the psychology of crime and punishment.  But through your legal studies, you’ll also gain an understanding of how the law deals with crime.

Get a deeper insight into crime and punishment

This degree’s combination of legal and criminological studies makes it different from many traditional criminology programmes.  Often, these only look at the social science aspects of crime, rather than covering the legal issues too.  It’s an excellent choice for anyone who wants to gain a deeper insight into crime that they can apply in a practical way.

What’s different about studying Criminology and Criminal Justice with ICS? 

As well as helping you to understand the theoretical and academic aspects of criminology, this course focuses on the real-world legal system from the very start – and all the course materials are designed by experts in Criminology.  This is a degree that will prepare you for a wide range of careers. 

You don’t need entry qualifications to start a module.   And because your degree is built up by individual modules, you could achieve your goal step by step – whether you want to do it quickly or take your time.  And that’s not all:

• There are no set term times and no classes to attend
• There’s a choice of flexible, affordable ways to pay
• Help and guidance from your mentor and ICS student advisers
• Academic support from your tutor
• Access to the ICS Online Student Community for support and networking

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Is this the right degree for me?

If you can answer yes to the questions below, then you’ll find that studying for a Criminology and Criminal Justice degree could be the right move for your career.

>Would you like to know more about the workings of the Criminal Justice System?

>Do subjects like social exclusion, the problem of crime and individual rights interest you?

>Do you enjoy discussing social issues, investigating the causes of crime and following of current affairs?

>Do you have an interest in crime, justice and the society we live in?

>Are you interested in developing social research skills?

>Would you like to develop skills that apply to a wide range of careers?

Start your Criminology and Criminal Justice Degree today - enrol on the first 2 modules here!

* equivalent to two modules

Where could a Criminology and Criminal Justice degree take your career?

Whether you’re already working within the criminal justice field, or want to get into this challenging area, this degree could take you in a number of different directions.  It would obviously be suited to law enforcement, the security industry, social or probation work.  But it could also open doors to local government, research, journalism or the civil service too. 

And if you have a career in the Police Force or Prison Service for example, it’s an excellent way to enhance your existing skills and knowledge, and have them recognised with a highly-relevant qualification. 

What this course can do for you

The BA (Hons) Criminology and Criminal Justice degree is designed to open up a wide range of options for you, giving you more choice and control over your future career.  What you learn on this course will allow you more freedom to decide what’s right for you:

• Choose a successful and useful career in a number of areas of social work or law enforcement
• Move on to further study
• Use your skills in other areas

How this course will build your skills

As with any degree, your course will do more than increase your understanding of criminological issues and the justice system.   As well as building your specific skills and knowledge, you’ll find it helps in broader areas too – for example, improving your thinking and communication abilities.

Gain specialist knowledge

• Develop an understanding of the key concepts and theoretical perspectives in the study of crime and criminal justice
• Gain an awareness of the interdisciplinary nature of criminological inquiry
• Understand the relationship between argument and evidence in criminological discourse
• Learn about the historical context of crime and punishment and understand substantive criminal law

Improve your thinking skills

• Learn how to gather, retrieve and synthesise information
• Discover how to evaluate evidence and develop a reasoned argument
• Find effective ways to exercise your individual judgement

Learn specific criminology-related and legal skills

• Be able to report and evaluate empirical criminological research findings
• Find out how criminological theory applies to criminal justice policy and practice
• Discover how to use legal concepts in practical situations 
• Know how to confidently undertake socio-legal research

Enhance your general life and work skills

• Develop both your oral and written communication skills
• Be able to work effectively in groups
• Increase your computer literacy, including word-processing, e-communication, database and internet searching skills
• Improve your planning and time-management
• Be able to express your ideas in the most effective and appropriate way, including the presentation of data

For more information or to enrol call 0800 096 8436