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

This joint course gives you the opportunity to explore the complexities of the world we live in through in-depth study of concepts, themes and perspectives relating to Sociology and Criminology/Criminal Justice. You will investigate social life, society and social intuitions, and examine theories and evidence relating to crime, offending behaviour, victimisation, social control, punishment and crime prevention. By understanding the social world, we gain a better understanding of ourselves and our own social situations.

Sociology investigates social life and the way it shapes people’s behaviour, beliefs and identity. Its subject matter ranges from an examination of the face-to-face interactions of daily life, to large-scale social institutions, social movements and global processes. By understanding the social world, we gain a better understanding of ourselves and our own social situations.

Sociology may also be studied through the medium of Welsh in the course BA Sociology and Social Policy (Welsh Medium). 

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.

By combining both areas of academic study students are informed of the key challenges in understanding and controlling criminal behaviour and will be able to locate these matters in the wider perspective of the study of society, and also to better understand the workings of society through the prism of looking at criminology and criminal justice in particular.

Why choose Bangor University for this course?

• Our teaching and research encompass Welsh, UK and international perspectives.
• Staff expertise enables you to critically engage and explore these two challenging and exciting disciplines.
• Our links with employers and agencies.
• Visiting speakers bring additional insights and enhances the learning experience.
• The course provides a sound foundation for a wide range of careers (e.g. in the media, administration, community work, policing, the prison service).

Additional Course Options

This joint honours degree combines the core elements of two programmes enabling students to learn the fundamentals of either discipline. You will learn through a variety of ways. You will attend weekly lectures where expert knowledge will be conveyed using power-point slides, videos and question-and-answer periods. You will engage in seminars for which you might be asked to read a scholarly article in preparation, and you will engage in guided class discussions. Occasionally there will be guest speakers including from other universities in other parts of the world. You will conduct your own research in preparation for your assignments. Assignments will be aligned with the teaching on the module. Assignments can include traditional essays as well as other approaches including presentations.

Modules for the current academic year

Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Sociology and Criminology and Criminal Justice BA (Hons) Modules page.

Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.

General University Costs

Home (UK) students

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.

Graduates on the Sociology and Criminology and Criminal Justice degree have a wide range of career pathways they can explore. Within the criminal justice system there is work in several different areas to consider such as a police officer, prison or probation officer, working in immigration control and youth justice. Like all other social science graduates, students will be able to access a wealth of career options within the policy and social field including public housing, civil service, health service, management, local government administration, education, public relations, and the voluntary sector. Beyond this, though, graduates are appreciated by employers in practically any field of work as specialists for the general: you will have learned to think about anything in a societal perspective. You will have developed your ‘sociological imagination’, a sense for how fellow members of society are likely to see you, themselves and the social world. Many would say this is the most important skill to have in any occupation, as well as in life generally. 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).