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Police tape illuminated by streetlights at night, highlighting the significance of public services and criminology education.

Criminology and Criminal Justice - Foundation Degree

Summary

Society has always had a fascination with crime and those who commit it. If you think your interest in this deeply engaging area of study could potentially lead to a satisfying and well-paid career in the crime and criminal justice system then this foundation degree will set you on the right path. The programme aims to develop your understanding of: those who commit crime, the causes and preventions of crime and the impact of crime on individuals and communities.

A degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice will enable you develop knowledge and understanding of the changing nature and extent of the crime ‘problem’ and the agencies involved in the frontline management and control of crime. Depending on your choice of career pathway, the Criminology and Criminal Justice programme is designed to prepare you for postgraduate life, whether as a practitioner in the criminal justice field, an academic researcher or criminal justice policy maker.

 

  • Course code TH1HE205
  • UCAS code M211
  • Duration 2 Years
  • Day/s of week Monday and Tuesday
  • Time 09:30 - 15:30

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
07 Sep 2026
University Centre
2 Years

Before applying, please check whether you meet the entry requirements under 'Key Information' for this course. Don't hesitate to call us on 01253 504343 if you need assistance.

  • £35,800 average annual salary in this sector
  • Well established links with local public services
  • 5,540 annual job openings in the North West

What Uni Reviews

It's an amazing way to improve employability as well as personal development, can be at university around work and family commitments. Foundation degree is a great way to get a degree without 3 years commitment. *****
- Anonymous
Knowledgeable staff, great support, excellent facilities. *****
- Kim Taylora
Fab. *****
- Rebekka Foy

Case Study - Toni

What have been the benefits of studying here?
I have made life-long friends and the support I have received with everything from enrolling to student finance to extra support to help with my assignments has been incredible. Everyone is so helpful and welcoming, I wish I had done this years ago.

What are you hoping to do in the future?
I want to work within the criminal justice system possibly on a parole board.

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

Having developed a sound knowledge of theory and practice in Criminology and Criminal Justice you will be ready for employment - or B&FC's Criminology and Criminal Justice BA Hons Top-up programme to continue your studies.

Progression and employability are pillars of this programme, as evidenced by the wide variety of graduate employment gained by alumni within criminal justice agencies and related areas. 

Graduates now work in roles spanning teaching and research and in a range of formal and informal agencies across public, private and voluntary sectors in the criminal justice field - such as:

  • Central and local government
  • The Police Service
  • The Prison Service
  • Law practices
  • The Home Office
  • The National Criminal Intelligence Service
  • Welfare charities.

 

 

Next steps at B&FC

Having developed a sound knowledge of theory and practice in Criminology and Criminal Justice you will be ready for employment - or B&FC's Criminology & Criminal Justice - BA Hons Degree Topup programme to continue your studies.

Employment Opportunities

Popular job roles include:

Case Review Manager | Court Clerk | Community Worker | Immigration Officer | Fraud Investigator | Human Rights Officer | Paralegal | Police Officer | Prison Officer | Probation Officer | Youth and Community Worker

Graduates are also prepared for work in a range of social welfare and social care posts such as:

Social Worker | Housing Officer | Victim Support | Drug Rehabilitation

Key information

Entry Requirements

A minimum of 80 UCAS points (excluding Functional Skills) in an appropriate discipline:

  • CCD from A Levels including criminology, sociology, psychology, law, forensic psychology or public services
  • MMP from Extended Diploma or DM from Diploma in appropriate discipline
  • Mathematic and English Language GCSE at grade C/4 or above
  • Pass Access to HE Diploma in related discipline

Applicants who are able to demonstrate relevant work/life skills or knowledge will also be considered on an individual basis.

Qualification obtained

FdA Criminology and Criminal Justice

Fees and funding

Visit our Tuition Fees page and Financial Support for Degrees page for more information about fees and funding, including additional financial support for those on low incomes, with dependent children or adults or with disabilities.

Extra costs and equipment

Resources required to study on the programme are largely provided by the College. There are small costs associated with printing of work and posters over the duration of the course. You are encouraged to bring your own lap-top device to lectures, seminars and workshops, but access to computer facilities is provided by the college. A one-day conference trip to a venue in the region, including conference fee and transport, typically costs around £60/student, although this will be partially funded by the college and is also subject to discount rates offered by conference organisers for group visits.

As part of the programme, you are strongly recommended to attend external events, aimed at developing your knowledge, understanding and appreciation of course material, develop practical skills and embed theoretical concepts. There will also be the opportunity to attend criminology and criminal justice conferences involving criminal justice practitioners, policy-makers and academic researchers. Costs may be incurred to cover transport, accommodation and food. Travel for local trips is paid for by the college. Though most of the course material is available online, there may be additional costs to consider, such as printing and photocopying of course material, though students will be given a photocopying allowance to cover this.

You are encouraged to purchase an introductory textbook in Criminology, in support of your studies.

Regulation and Accreditation

Accrediting Institution: N/A

Awarding Body: Lancaster University

Regulatory Body: Office for Students (OfS)

Terms and conditions

Please visit our Student Terms and Conditions page for more information.

What will I learn?

The programme:

  • will support you to engage with theoretical principles and critically evaluate both your own and others research, whilst also gaining strong practical skills to enable you to seek employment in the criminal justice field.
  • is enriched by work experience, and preparatory practical experiences to fully equip you for industry or for further study and research.
  • will prepare you for a range of employment opportunities in the criminal justice field, such as the police, probation, prison service, social work, teaching, youth justice, and the Crown Prosecution Service.
  • will also be supported and enriched throughout by a range of activities and events designed to give you valuable insight into how criminal justice agencies work and the roles and responsibilities of those working in the criminal justice system.
  • will introduce you to visiting guest speakers from relevant industries, and trips to criminology and criminal justice conferences.
  • will develop your employability skills and attributes by requiring you to complete a work placement in a professional setting.

 

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

All students will be required to undertake a work placement in the area of criminal justice. Work Based learning supports the development of higher level learning, where the learning in College can be applied to a work environment.

You are encouraged and supported to find work placements and projects throughout the programme, with the work-based learning assessment embedded in the second year.

For the work-based research project, you will undertake vocationally driven research which will in turn be used to generate a final written research report.

You will create a presentation of your work as part of an academic poster event at the college, with the further possibility of participating and presenting at conference events attended by academic researchers and industry representatives.

The work research project learning activities will allow you to demonstrate your employability skills and attributes, in a professional and supportive environment, and enable you to demonstrate your ability to research and discuss an area of your own particular interest.

  • Modules at level 4

    Module title Code Credits Optional
    Becoming a Criminologist TH4MD341 20 No
    Introduction to Criminological Theory TH4MD342 20 No
    Psychology of Crime TH4MD343 20 No
    Imprisonment and Rehabilitation TH4MD344 20 No
    Introduction to Criminal Justice TH4MD345 20 No
    Criminology in Action TH4MD346 20 No

  • Modules at level 5

    Module title Code Credits Optional
    Work Experience Criminology into Practice TH5MD357 20 No
    Critical Criminological Theory Social Divisions and Social Justice TH5MD358 20 No
    Researching Crime and Justice TH5MD359 20 No
    Psychology in the Criminal Justice System TH5MD360 20 No
    Crime Media Culture and the City TH5MD361 20 No
    Criminology and International Human Rights TH5MD362 20 No

Learning Support - at a glance

  • Higher Education Learning Mentors (HELMs)
  • One-to-one and group learning support sessions
  • Pre-degree preparation workshops
  • IT Support
Discover available Learning Support

Programme Specification

Download our Programme Specification for this course.

Tutor Profile - David Hayes

Industry Background:
David's background is academic. He regularly presents at conferences and has had articles published in peer-reviewed journals. He is a regular contributor to PRISM and is an active member of the Utopian Studies Society, an international interdisciplinary society that aims to co-ordinate and encourage the work currently taking place on the subject of utopianism.

Area of Expertise:
The Interface of Contemporary Critical Criminology and Political Philosophy, Critical Ethnography, Critical Pedagogy, Contemporary Social and Environmental Protest Movements.

How will I learn?

Scheduled Learning

Scheduled time relates to the time you spend in directed study with the guidance and support of our academic tutors. Scheduled learning can take a variety of forms and will vary from one course to the next, but may include lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, demonstrations, studio or workshop time, fieldwork and external visits.

Independent Study

Higher education courses rely on students undertaking work outside of formal, scheduled sessions and this is generally categorised as independent study. Independent study might include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks and revision.

Expert tutors

All tutors involved in the delivery of courses and apprenticeships within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and a familiarity with professional practice. The aim of this is to enrich students’ learning experience, giving them an insight into what working in the industry is really like.

Learning Methods

Learning Method Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Scheduled 306 288 0
Independent 894 882 0
Placement 0 30 0
Total 1200 1200 0
Ready to take the next step? Navigate to the top of the page and click Apply Now to continue your degree-level journey.

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How will I be assessed?

All of the assessment on this programme is based on coursework. We have designed innovative, stimulating and engaging assessments which focus on real life scenarios. From delivering podcasts and presentations, to collecting real data for research using contemporary online digital platforms and technology, your assessments will provide the bridge to fill the gap between theory and practice. This will give you the opportunity to investigate, explore and deepen your understanding of all the exciting intersections of Criminology. Our assessments are dynamic and immersive to prepare you for the complexities of real-world working in the criminal justice system.

Assessment Method Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Coursework 95% 84% 0%
Exam 0% 0% 0%
Practical 0% 0% 0%