Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

1. provide students with a critical understanding of the nature, content and scope of the discipline of criminology;
2. enable students to gain a thorough knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and empirical bases of criminology;
3. familiarise students with national and international arrangements for addressing issues of criminal justice policy and practice;
4. provide students with a knowledge and understanding of contemporary issues relating to criminal justice and agencies of criminal justice in England and Wales;
5. enable students to conduct independent enquiry in the field of criminology, using appropriate multi-disciplinary methodologies;
6. develop students’ subject-specific and transferable skills to enhance career prospects and employment opportunities on graduating.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

The QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Criminology (2014)

Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (2008)

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

K1        key concepts and theoretical approaches that have developed, and are developing within criminology, with a particular focus on contemporary UK Criminology; 

K2        the impacts of relationships among individuals, groups, agencies and institutions in relation to crime, crime control and social policy; 

K3        dimensions of social division, inequality, culture and diversity in relation to crime and criminal justice; 

K4        the operation of the Criminal Justice System of England and Wales, including how it is affected by the philosophy and politics of punishment and rehabilitation; 

K5        the ethical implications of social research, and social sciences research methods, within the specific contexts of crime and criminology;

K6        the interdisciplinary and contested nature of criminological knowledge and evidence in relation to other forms of understanding, such as other disciplines and everyday explanations.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

C1       evaluate the complexity of criminological problems considering their definition, explanation and responses;

C2       apply relevant theoretical frameworks and concepts to problems and challenges in criminology, crime and society.

C3       critically analyse and evaluate the merits of competing theories and explanations of crime and criminal justice;

C4       assess the values and practices of professional agencies that respond to criminological issues.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

P1        collect, analyse and interpret primary data to address research questions relevant to crime and society;

P2        identify, source and interrogate secondary data sets for the purposes of criminological research;

P3        source and analyse policy documents and research reports with relevance to criminology;

P4        identify and apply appropriate analytical and research methods, including qualitative, quantitative and evaluative techniques, to criminological issues;

P5        devise and undertake a Criminology research project.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

T1        recognise moral and ethical issues and act professionally and in accordance with ethical propriety;

T2        communicate and present ideas to and for different audiences, orally, visually and in writing;

T3        structure an argument with supporting evidence;

T4        identify and use a range of different sources of information including from databases, online materials and academic literature;

T5        apply appropriate statistical methods to the analysis of datasets;

T6        work collaboratively in groups to jointly explore problems and to recognise the value of working with others;

T7        manage time effectively to work independently to deadlines and to set appropriate deadlines to complete tasks.

4. Programme structure

All module choice is subject to availability, timetabling and students having taken appropriate pre-requisite modules. 

INTRODUCTORY MODULES

Part A           

Credit distribution between Semester 1 and Semester 2 should be 60:60.

Semester 1

Compulsory modules (50 credits) 

Optional modules

Students should select one 10-credit module from the following: 

Semester 2 

Compulsory modules (50 credits) 

Optional modules

Students should select one 10-credit module from the following: 

DEGREE MODULES 

Part B 

Credit distribution between Semester 1 and Semester 2 must not exceed 70 credits in any one semester.

Semester 1

Compulsory modules (40 credits)

Semester 2

Compulsory modules  (50 credits) 

Optional modules 

Students should choose 30 credits worth of options across two semesters: 

Semester 1 

Semester 2

Part I:  Placement or Study Abroad Year 

Candidates will undertake one of the following approved study and/or work placements leading to the Diploma in International Studies or Diploma in Professional Studies in accordance with Regulation XI. 

Semesters 1 and 2 

Part C

Compulsory modules ( 80 credits)  

Credit distribution between Semester 1 and Semester 2 must not exceed 70 credits in any one semester. 

Semester 1 and 2 (40 credits)

Semester 1 (20 credits)

Semester 2 (20 credits) 

Additional Core Modules

Students must also choose AT LEAST ONE of the following 20-credit modules but may choose both if they wish:

Semester 1

Semester 2 

Optional Modules 

If only one core module from the above is selected, students must select 20 credits worth of optional modules from the following: 

Semester 1 

 Semester 2 

 If a language is selected you must choose to study a language in both semesters.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the purposes of Final Degree Classification

Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level module assessments in Parts B and C. The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40%: Part C 60% to determine the final percentage mark.