Criminology BA
Using real-world examples, you’ll discover the most recent advancements in areas such as crime trends, restorative justice, policing and punishment.
-
A Levels
AAB -
UCAS code
M900 -
Duration
3 years -
Start date
September
- Course fee
- Funding available
- Optional placement year
- Study abroad option
- FY Foundation year entry for mature students
Explore this course:
Course description
Why study this course?
We’ll prepare you for practical studies, show you how to understand the value of research, its methods and applications, expose you to our own world-leading projects and inspire new interests and career pathways.
Do real client work, advise start-ups and small businesses, and offer advice that can make a positive difference to the people of Sheffield, all through our many pro bono schemes.
You're supported by a dedicated academic tutor who meets you regularly through your studies to offer academic, pastoral and career support. They’ll act as a key point of contact to help you navigate your degree, discuss your progress and signpost you towards the relevant personal, study and employability services.
Explore patterns in crime, punishment and policing, and learn how to think, analyse and research as a criminologist.
Over 35 years, criminology at Sheffield has built a reputation for excellence in teaching and research in this multidisciplinary field.
Drawing on real-world examples, we begin with modules that give you a critical introduction to crime and criminology. You’ll then learn how to become a criminological researcher, developing critical thinking, academic writing and library research skills.
You’ll have so much choice when it comes to modules, choosing from subjects such as justice, prison, drugs, and youth criminality; assessing the influence of gender and race on crime and punishment.
In your third year, you will have the option to complete a year abroad at one of our many partner universities. You’ll be able to tailor your degree through optional modules to suit your interests and also access relevant module choices from the School of Sociological Studies, Politics and International Relations.
You’ll graduate with theoretical understanding and practical skills – including the use of a range of qualitative research methods and quantitative data analysis software – supporting your next step into any of a diverse range of careers that call for critical analysis and problem-solving.
Modules
UCAS code: M900
Years: 2026
Core modules:
- Comprehending Criminology
- Introducing Criminological Research
- Criminal Law and Justice
- Representations of Deviance and Social Control
- Crime in Global Context
- Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice
In your second year, you’ll continue to explore key issues in Criminology. You’ll start looking in depth at materials and further developing your research skills and awareness of local and global issues.
Core modules:
- Responding to Crime
- Punishment and Penal Policy
- Analysing Quantitative Crime Data
- Qualitative Research in Criminology
You’ll also have the opportunity to conduct further study of a specialist area of your choice through a range of optional modules spanning areas such as Race, Gender and Crime, Criminal Process, The Sociology of Crime, Justice and Social Policy, and Advanced Criminal Law and Justice.
As well as working on a dissertation, in your third year you’ll continue to advance your knowledge in specific areas of Criminology.
Core modules:
- The Value of Criminology: Policy and Practice
- Dissertation
You’ll also focus your study around your chosen areas of interest through a range of optional modules spanning areas such as Drugs, Crime and Control, Criminal Process, Youth Crime and Justice, Police and Policing in a Global Context, Theoretical Foundations of Criminal Law and Sociology of Evil.
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we will inform students and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.
Learning and assessment
Learning
You'll learn through lectures, tutorials, seminars and group work. You’ll also undertake independent study involving reading and preparatory work.
In the early stages of your course you’ll be supported in developing the skills you need to carry out effective independent study.
You’ll be assigned an academic tutor who will support you throughout your degree and oversee your personal and academic progress.
Study with us and you'll receive a research-led teaching experience, in which you'll benefit from the latest thinking and teaching by experts.
We're proud that 91 percent of our research is rated in the highest two categories in the Research Excellence Framework 2021, meaning it is classed as world-leading or internationally excellent.
Assessment
We use a range of assessment methods to build your confidence and prepare you as you progress through your degree. These include:
- dissertation
- coursework (essays and reports)
- exams
- presentations (group and independent)
Entry requirements
With Access Sheffield, you could qualify for additional consideration or an alternative offer - find out if you're eligible.
The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
AAB
- A Levels + Extended Project Qualification
- ABB + B in a relevant EPQ
- International Baccalaureate
- 34; 33, with B in the extended essay
- BTEC Extended Diploma
- DDD in a relevant subject
- BTEC Diploma
- DD in a relevant subject + A at A Level
- Scottish Highers
- AAAAB
- Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels
- B + AA
- Access to HE Diploma
- Award of the Access to HE Diploma in either Law, Business Management, Humanities, Social Sciences or Criminology, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 36 at Distinction and 9 at Merit
The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
ABB
- A Levels + Extended Project Qualification
- ABB + B in a relevant EPQ
- International Baccalaureate
- 33
- BTEC Extended Diploma
- DDD in a relevant subject
- BTEC Diploma
- DD in a relevant subject + B at A Level
- Scottish Highers
- AAABB
- Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels
- B + AB
- Access to HE Diploma
- Award of the Access to HE Diploma in either Law, Business Management, Humanities, Social Sciences or Criminology, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 30 at Distinction and 15 at Merit
You must demonstrate that your English is good enough for you to successfully complete your course. For this course we require: GCSE English Language at grade 4/C; IELTS grade of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component; or an alternative acceptable English language qualification
Equivalent English language qualifications
Visa and immigration requirements
Other qualifications | UK and EU/international
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school/department.
Graduate careers
Our criminology graduates have worked in careers such as:
- Police officer
- Prison officer
- Police data analyst
- Researcher
- Social worker
- Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner
- Charity organisations
- Private sector
- Civil Service
Criminology is a multi-disciplinary subject which means that students can apply their learning far beyond these jobs, and to anything that requires critical analysis and problem-solving. These skills are widely applicable to all sorts of professions and are highly sought-after in the job market.
School of Law
- Tailor your degree - choose from a wide range of optional modules to shape your degree to your interests and career aspirations.
- Study abroad - have an unforgettable experience by choosing to study abroad in your third year at one of our partner universities.
- Learn from experts - our academic staff are researching at the forefront of criminology. Their discoveries become yours, as their research filters into teaching.
- Gain real world experience - build invaluable professional skills through hands-on legal work and benefit from our strong connections with leading law firms in the UK and across the globe.
- Become career ready - we provide you with the skills that employers value, ensuring that when you graduate you are prepared for the global workplace.
Facilities
School of Law students are based in Bartolomé House which is in close proximity to the whole University campus. Teaching takes place in Bartolomé House and across the University campus, all within walking distance.
University rankings
A world top-100 university
QS World University Rankings 2026 (92nd) and Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 (98th)
Number one in the Russell Group (based on aggregate responses)
National Student Survey 2025
92 per cent of our research is rated as world-leading or internationally excellent
Research Excellence Framework 2021
University of the Year and best for Student Life
Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024
Number one Students' Union in the UK
Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017
Number one for Students' Union
StudentCrowd 2024 University Awards
A top 20 university targeted by employers
The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers report
Fees and funding
Fees
Additional costs
The annual fee for your course includes a number of items in addition to your tuition. If an item or activity is classed as a compulsory element for your course, it will normally be included in your tuition fee. There are also other costs which you may need to consider.
Funding your study
Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for a bursary, scholarship or loan to help fund your study and enhance your learning experience.
Use our Student Funding Calculator to work out what you’re eligible for.
Placements and study abroad
Placement
Study abroad
Visit
University open days
We host five open days each year, usually in June, July, September, October and November. You can talk to staff and students, tour the campus and see inside the accommodation.
Subject tasters
If you’re considering your post-16 options, our interactive subject tasters are for you. There are a wide range of subjects to choose from and you can attend sessions online or on campus.
Offer holder days
If you've received an offer to study with us, we'll invite you to one of our offer holder days, which take place between February and April. These open days have a strong department focus and give you the chance to really explore student life here, even if you've visited us before.
Campus tours
Our weekly guided tours show you what Sheffield has to offer - both on campus and beyond. You can extend your visit with tours of our city, accommodation or sport facilities.
Events for mature students
Mature students can apply directly to our courses. We also offer degrees with a foundation year for mature students who are returning to education. We'd love to meet you at one of our events, open days, taster workshops or other events.
Apply
The awarding body for this course is the University of Sheffield.
Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.
Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.