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Criminal Justice and Criminology looks at the key elements of contemporary crime policy: policing, the courts, punishment and prevention. The programme modules address many contemporary issues in criminal justice, including: poverty, hate crime, illegal drug use, restorative justice, the care of victims, community safety, domestic violence, political responses to crime, anti-social behaviour, penal policy, social justice and human rights.
Overview
The degree contains four elements at Stage 1: criminology and criminal justice; social policy; sociology and law. The Stage 2 and 3 modules build on these to reflect a more vocational approach, focusing on criminal law, community safety, youth justice, policing and crime prevention, and systems of punishment and social control, supplemented by options in the social sciences and/or law.
This degree programme also includes the option of a year in professional practice at the end of Stage 2 depending on academic performance. See the 'Year in industry' section on the 'Course structure' tab for more details.
The Year in Professional Practice is an excellent opportunity to gain real work experience in a professional setting by putting theory into practice and developing networks and contacts in your area of interest. Employers also greatly value, and seek evidence of, relevant work experience when selecting candidates for posts. Graduates from our degrees with a year in Professional Practice will leave the School with the much sought after combination of the skills and competency gained through a university education, and the ability to demonstrate these in a practical work setting.
The year abroad option available with this degree programme is an excellent opportunity to experience learning in a different cultural context and educational setting; providing the opportunity to develop your skills, confidence and networks internationally.
The programme is run at the Medway campus and is part of the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research – one of the top schools in the country, staffed by highly rated and internationally recognised researchers.
Skillsmark® endorsement shows that learning programmes are up to date and fit for purpose, designed with employers' needs in mind.
Independent rankings
Criminology at Kent was ranked 2nd overall, 2nd for graduate prospects and and 1st for research quality in The Times Good University Guide 2017. In the National Student Survey 2016, 91% of Kent students studying Law and related subjects such as Criminology were satisfied with the overall quality of their course.
Of students taking Law and related subjects such as Criminology, who graduated from Kent in 2015, 94% were in work or further study within six months (DLHE).
Course structure
The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
On most programmes, you study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also be able to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes so you can customise your programme and explore other subjects that interest you.
Year in industry
The placement year is taken between Stage 2 and 3 and is an opportunity to apply your criminological learning in practice. You will learn about the pragmatic contexts in which state, private or voluntary sector providers of justice operate and also develop your knowledge about employment opportunities in these areas. Not only will a placement year help you to gain work experience and contacts, it will also encourage you to look at your studies in a new light. The option of a placement year is open to students on the Criminal Justice and Criminology degree programme who have attained a good academic record at Stages 1 and 2, and have successfully completed an interview process.
Year abroad
Going abroad as part of your degree is an amazing experience and a chance to develop personally, academically and professionally. You experience a different culture, gain a new academic perspective, establish international contacts and enhance your employability.
You can apply to add a Year Abroad to your degree programme from your arrival at Kent until the autumn term of your second year. The Year Abroad takes place between Stages 2 and 3 at one of our partner universities. Places and destination are subject to availability, language and degree programme. For a full list, please see Go Abroad.
You are expected to adhere to any academic progression requirements in Stages 1 and 2 to proceed to the Year Abroad. The Year Abroad is assessed on a pass/fail basis and will not count towards your final degree classification
Teaching and assessment
We use a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, case-study analysis, group projects and presentations and individual and group tutorials. Study groups are normally no more than 15-20 students and give you the opportunity to discuss a topic in detail.
Modules are usually assessed by a combination of coursework and written examinations. Some modules take the form of an extended dissertation or essay. Both Stage 2 and 3 marks count towards your final degree result.
If you choose to take the placement year, you will have the opportunity to spend 900 hours in a relevant professional setting, approved in advance to be suitable for your respective degree. Although you are responsible for obtaining your own placement, guidance will be offered in the form of tutorial support and access to networks of providers developed and maintained by the School. You will be visited once (where possible) during your placement, to ensure that the placement activities are suitable and achieving the programme learning outcomes. Assessment is on a pass or fail basis and the marks gained do not contribute to the final degree classification.
Programme aims
The programme aims to:
- produce graduates with analytical and knowledge-based skills relevant to employment in the criminal justice professions, public service and the private sector
- produce students who have acquired an in-depth understanding of the complexities of the way the criminal justice system operates and develops
- ensure that students acquire a solid understanding of methodologies for the study of social science in general
- develop new areas of teaching in response to needs of the community
- provide learning opportunities that are enjoyable, informed by a research environment and which offer appropriate support for students from a diverse range of backgrounds
- promote an understanding of contemporary social issues and of the impact of diversity and inequality on local and national communities
- provide an understanding of the social processes that influence the relationship between individuals, groups and institutions
- understand the emergence of social problems (including crime) and the responses of welfare and criminal justice institutions, including analysis of the theoretical, political and economic underpinnings of these responses
- help students to link theoretical knowledge with empirical enquiry and to identify and understand different ideological positions
- allow all students to develop the analytical and research skills necessary to understand and use social science knowledge effectively
- give students the opportunities to develop and practice a range of transferable or key skills that will be of use in future work and employment
- give students the skills and abilities to enable them to become informed citizens, capable of participating in the policy process and equipped for a dynamic labour market
- provide high-quality teaching by experienced and qualified staff in a pleasant environment.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- the principal concepts and theoretical approaches in criminology
- the social processes that shape contemporary society and the relationships between groups
- the key international policy developments around human rights
- the origins and development of UK criminal justice policy institutions
- the principles that underlie criminal justice policy, how they have changed over time and how they relate to the workings of particular agencies of welfare and crime control
- contemporary issues and debates in specific areas of criminal justice
- the main sources of data about crime and social welfare and a grasp of the research methods used to collect and analyse data
- patterns of social diversity and inequality and their origins and consequences
- interdisciplinary approaches to issues in criminal justice and the ability to use ideas from other social sciences
- the competing theories of punishment and social control
- crime prevention issues and practices
- the English legal system and its practices.
Intellectual skills
You develop the following intellectual skills:
- problem-solving and the ability to seek solutions to criminal justice issues and other social problems and individual needs
- research, including the ability to identify a research question and to collect and manipulate data to answer that question
- evaluation and analysis, to assess the outcomes of criminal justice, crime prevention and social policy intervention on individuals and communities
- sensitivity to the values and interests of others and to the dimensions of difference
- interpretation of both research data and official statistics
- identification and gathering of appropriate library and web-based resources, making judgements about their merits and using the available evidence to construct an argument to be presented orally or in writing.
Subject-specific skills
You gain the following subject-specific skills:
- identification and use of theories and concepts in criminology to analyse issues of crime and criminal justice
- analysing and providing a critique of specific criminal justice policies and practices to create new policies
- seeking out and using statistical data relevant to issues of crime and criminal justice
- seeking out and using statistical data relevant to social issues
- undertaking an investigation of an empirical issue, either on your own or with other students
- understanding the nature and appropriate use, including the ethical implications, of diverse social research strategies and methods
- distinguishing between technical, normative, moral and political questions
- understanding the socio-legal context in which the criminal justice system and other agencies operate
Transferable skills
You gain the following transferable skills:
- communication: communicating ideas and arguments to others, both in written and spoken form for both specialist and non-specialist audiences making short presentations to fellow students and staff; preparing essays and referencing the material quoted according to conventions in social policy
- numeracy: analysing and utilising basic statistical data drawn from research and official sources at a rudimentary level
- information technology: using IT to wordprocess, conduct online searches, communicate by email and access data sources
- working with others: developing interpersonal and teamworking skills to enable you to work collaboratively, negotiate, listen and deliver results
- improving own learning: exploring own strengths and weaknesses; having an appetite for learning and being reflective, adaptive and collaborative in your approach; studying and learning independently, using library and internet sources; developing skills in time management by delivering academic work on time and to the required standard
- problem-solving: developing the ability to identify and define problems, exploring alternative solutions and discriminating between them.
Careers
Through studying Criminal Justice and Criminology you acquire many of the transferable skills such as the ability to work independently and in a team, the ability to analyse and interpret complex information, and the confidence to present your arguments persuasively and with sensitivity, that are considered essential for a successful graduate career.
Graduates of the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research are adaptable and flexible in their thinking, and approach tasks in a rigorous, ethical, yet creative and reflective fashion. They develop key transferable skills including: communication, organisational and research skills; the ability to analyse complex information and to make it accessible to non-specialist readers, write reports and use data analysis computer programs, and adopting positions of leadership, in addition to working effectively and considerately in teams. These skills and attributes are valued in a wide range of professions.
Many career paths are open to you, including crime prevention, the probation service, the prison service, courts, the police, community safety, social services departments, and drug and alcohol services. Some of our students have gone on to postgraduate courses to become lawyers. Others have gone into postgraduate research or jobs with voluntary sector organisations. The School also has excellent links with local outside agencies, such as the probation and youth justice services, the police and social services.
Criminal Justice and Criminology graduates are found in professions such as crime prevention, the probation service, the prison service, courts, the police, community safety, social services departments, and drug and alcohol services.
If you choose to take the year abroad option you will have the opportunity to further increase your portfolio of skills by gaining experience of living and studying in a different culture. You will learn to appreciate and assess different approaches to criminal justice and criminal policy giving you a uniquely global perspective.
Entry requirements
Home/EU students
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications. Students offering alternative qualifications should contact us for further advice.
It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.
New GCSE grades
If you’ve taken exams under the new GCSE grading system, please see our conversion table to convert your GCSE grades.
| Qualification | Typical offer/minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| A level | BBC |
| GCSE | Grade C or above in Mathematics |
| Access to HE Diploma | The University will not necessarily make conditional offers to all Access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If we make you an offer, you will need to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above |
| BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma) | Distinction, Merit, Merit |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points overall or 14 points at HL |
International students
The University welcomes applications from international students. Our international recruitment team can guide you on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about entry requirements for your country.
If you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes.
Meet our staff in your country
For more advise about applying to Kent, you can meet our staff at a range of international events.
English Language Requirements
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of 'pre-sessional' courses in English for Academic Purposes. You attend these courses before starting your degree programme.
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
Fees
The 2017/18 tuition fees for this programme are:
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | ||
| Part-time |
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
UK/EU fee paying students
The Government has announced changes to allow undergraduate tuition fees to rise in line with inflation from 2017/18.
In accordance with changes announced by the UK Government, we are increasing our 2017/18 regulated full-time tuition fees for new and returning UK/EU fee paying undergraduates from £9,000 to £9,250. The equivalent part-time fees for these courses will also rise from £4,500 to £4,625. This was subject to us satisfying the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework and the access regulator's requirements. This fee will ensure the continued provision of high-quality education.
For students continuing on this programme, fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.*
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
Fees for Year Abroad/Industry
As a guide only, UK/EU/International students on an approved year abroad for the full 2017/18 academic year pay an annual fee of £1,350 to Kent for that year. Students studying abroad for less than one academic year will pay full fees according to their fee status.
Please note that for 2017/18 entrants the University will increase the standard year in industry fee for home/EU/international students to £1,350.
General additional costs
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Funding
University funding
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details.
Government funding
You may be eligible for government finance to help pay for the costs of studying. See the Government's student finance website.
The Government has confirmed that EU students applying for university places in the 2017 to 2018 academic year will still have access to student funding support for the duration of their course.
Scholarships
General scholarships
Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.
The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence
At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence. The scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications (including BTEC and IB) as specified on our scholarships pages.
The scholarship is also extended to those who achieve AAB at A level (or specified equivalents) where one of the subjects is either Mathematics or a Modern Foreign Language. Please review the eligibility criteria.