Criminology and Criminal Justice BA (Hons) Undergraduate - September 2025/26* Entry

This course provides you with the opportunity to study two main subject areas; Criminology and Criminal Justice. Criminology examines theories and evidence relating to crime, criminals and victims, while Criminal Justice studies explore the various responses to crime and victims, from informal to formal legislative measures of social control and crime prevention; and examine the way in which the criminal justice system works - from policing through to imprisonment and rehabilitation.

The degree is designed to provide students with the practical knowledge and understanding of how criminal justice system works as well as an opportunity to consider the social and cultural factors that influence people’s decision to engage in criminal activity. Within the degree students gain a broad knowledge base of crime and crime control but also have the opportunity to focus on several distinct and complex areas of human behaviour such as drug abuse, interpersonal violence and organised criminality.

Why choose Bangor University for this course?

• During the course you will be taught by staff who combine research careers with a real dedication for teaching which takes place in a friendly and informal environment.
• We have good links with criminal justice agencies (locally, nationally and internationally) and our courses are innovative and reflect the topicality of the subject area.
• A range of visiting speakers adds to the learning experience.
• The structure of the degree allows you to specialise as well as to cover a broad range of options and to rise to the intellectual challenges of the subject area. The first year is designed to build your confidence, whatever your background.
• The degree includes discussion of a diverse range of complex subject and areas within the study of crime and criminality. Including the study of youth offending, victimology and organised crime.

Additional Course Options

Modules on this course utilise a combination of weekly hour-long lectures, seminars and workshop sessions. Criminology focuses on contentious and challenging topics so lively discussion and debate is encouraged as we consider various challenges of crime control and motivations for why people offend.

Students will be directed over the course of the degree to academic studies and reports on crime and crime control using our online learning platform ‘Blackboard’ and Bangor University Library which provides access to a range of resources.

Throughout the degree we include sessions from guest speakers such as representatives from the criminal justice system and visiting academics, to provide students with a dynamic learning experience. We use a mixture of different assessment strategies during the degree from presentation tasks to essay and reports.

What will you study on this course?

In Year 1, students will take the compulsory modules an Introduction to Criminology* and an Introduction to Criminal Justice*. Students will choose a further 80 credits (four modules) from a list of options that includes topics such as: the Principles of Politics, Introducing Human Geographies, Social Divisions*, an Introduction to Sociology*, Social Policy and Society, Britain – Blitz to Brexit, Modern History, and Living the Good Life.

In Year 2 and Year 3, students will take compulsory modules in the following: Crime & Justice in Modern Britain*; Criminological Theory*; Social & Political Research*; Power, Crime and Punishment; Perspectives on Youth Crime.

Across Years 2 and 3, students will also be able to choose further criminology and criminal justice modules from a list of options that may include: Serial Killers; Organised Crime and Counter-terrorism; Crime and the Media; Digital Policing and E-Crime. Further optional modules will also be available in a range of closely related subjects, such as:  Forensic Psychology, Criminal Law, Gender Perspectives,  Globalisation & Social Change,  Housing Policy, Race Democracy & Political Ideology, Social Issues, Addysg yn y Gymru Gyfoes**, Classical Social Theory, Contemporary Social & Political Debates,  Poverty and Inequality,  Pwer, Cyfalaf a Chymdeithas**. 

The Year 3 Dissertation also offers students the opportunity to complete an independent research project in a topic of their choosing, under the supervision of an experienced staff member. There is also the opportunity to take a Work Placement module in either Year 2 or 3.

*Welsh-medium equivalent of this module also available. **Welsh-medium module.

Please note course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.

General University Costs

Home (UK) students

• The cost of a full-time undergraduate course is £9,250 per year (2025/26).
• The fee for all integrated study abroad years is  £1,385 (2025/26).
• The fee for an integrated year in industry as part of a sandwich programme is £1,850 (2025/26).

More information on fees and finance for Home (UK) students.

International (including EU) students

• International Student Tuition Fees
• International Student Living Costs and Scholarships

Additional Costs
There are also some common additional costs that are likely to arise for students on all courses, for example:

• If you choose to study abroad or take the International Experience Year as part of your course.
• If you attend your Graduation Ceremony, there will be a cost for gown hire (£25-£75) and cost for additional guest tickets (c.£12 each).

Course-specific additional costs
Depending on the course you are studying, there may be additional course-specific costs that you will be required to meet. These fall into three categories:

1. Mandatory Costs: these are related to a particular core or compulsory module that you’ll be required to complete to achieve your qualification e.g. compulsory field trips, uniforms for students on placement, DBS Check.
2. Necessarily Incurred Costs: these may not be experienced by all students, and will vary depending on the course e.g. professional body membership, travel to placements, specialist software, personal safety equipment.
3. Optional Costs: these depend on your choice of modules or activity and they are shown to give you an indication of the optional costs that may arise to make sure your choice is as informed as possible. These can include graduation events for your course, optional field trips, Welcome Week trips.

General University Requirements

To study for a degree, you’ll be asked for a minimum of UCAS Tariff points. For a fuller explanation of the UCAS Tariff Points, please see www.ucas.com.

We accept students with a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds and consider each application individually.

All students need to have good basic skills and the University also values IT and communication skills.

As part of the University’s policy, we consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same grounds as all other students.

We also consider applications from mature students who can demonstrate the motivation and commitment to study a university programme. Each year we enrol a significant number of mature students. For more information about studying as a mature student, see our Studying at Bangor section of the website.

EU and International Students' Entry Requirements

For detailed guidance on the entry requirements for EU and International Students, including the minimum English Language entry requirement, please visit the Entry Requirements by Country pages. International applicants can also visit the International Education Centre section of our website for further details.

Bangor University offers International Incorporated Bachelor Degrees for International students whose High School qualification is not equivalent to the UK school leaving qualification. The first year (or Year 0) is studied at Bangor University International College, an embedded College on our University campus and delivered by Oxford International Education Group.

Bangor Criminology and Criminal justice graduates have a range of career pathways they can explore. Within the criminal justice system there is work in a number of different areas to consider such as a police officer, prison or probation officer, working in immigration control and youth justice. Along with these routes there are several support roles within these organisations available for graduates to pursue. During the degree students will learn how to conduct social science research which provides them with several transferrable skills useful in a variety of careers. Being able to design and manage research projects as well as highly developed communication skills and skills in critical analysis mean this degree has a great deal of versatility. Graduates can also look for work in local and national government and within the private security sector where their knowledge of policing and criminal justice are useful. Students can also go on to study at postgraduate level on one of our many MA courses.

Opportunities at Bangor

The University’s Careers and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions. 

Internships

Bangor University runs a paid internship scheme within the university’s academic and service departments.

Student Volunteering

Volunteering widens your experience and improves your employability. Find out more about volunteering on the Students’ Union’s website.

A ‘with Foundation Year’ option is available for this course. Apply for Sociology (with Foundation Year).