About Criminology With Social Policy BA (hons) in University of Liverpool

Our Criminology with Social Policy programme offers students the opportunity to combine two closely related and complimentary disciplines. Criminology, the major component of this programme, involves study of crime as particular aspect of all societies. What is crime, who commits it, who are the victims, how do societies deal with crime, its perpetrators, and its victims?

Our particular approach to Criminology is critical and involves asking important questions about who gets to define the criminal, who gets to determine the measures implemented to address crime as an aspect of society, as well questions about the unequal experience of offending, victimisation, and justice within and between societies.

Social Policy, the minor component of this programme, involves study of the ways in which different societies understand and meet the needs of their members to ensure their well-being. How do societies organise the care of older people, or tackle underemployment among particular groups for instance? Again, our particular approach to Social Policy is critical and involves asking important questions about who decides which needs are met, what shape social support might take, and the effectiveness of social policies.

Studying these subjects together means tackling some of the most interesting and important social issues of our times. The programme involves critical engagement with relevant theories, concepts, and ideas, as well as the development of a wide range of critical thinking, research, and communication skills. You will be taught and supervised by world leading experts in the subject areas and experience a range of research engaged teaching, learning and assessment methods, including opportunities for applied and practice based learning. You will also be provided with opportunities to tailor your learning to suit your own particular interests and aspirations as you progress.

If you are interested in developing a critical understanding of crime as an aspect of all societies, as something that must be explored in relation to the broader inequalities and injustices that exist within and between societies, then this is the programme for you.

Programme in detail

This three year programme of study involves students undertaking a combination of mandatory and selected modules. Modules represent discrete units of teaching, learning, and assessment, with each module focussing on a different topic area, a particular set of debates or ideas, or a particular set of skills. All modules are led by academic staff who are experts in their field.

Modules in year one of the programme provide a broad introduction to the two subject areas and disciplines via a series of mandatory modules. This includes an introduction to foundational criminological theories, thinking, and debates, an introduction to key social policy issues and debates, as well as an introduction to foundational sociological thinking. Year one also involves the development of key academic study skills, and an introduction to social science research methods.

Modules in year two of the programme build on these foundations by introducing students to more advanced and contemporary criminological thinking and theorising, involves a focus on policing, punishment and prisons, as well as more advanced training in social science research methods.

In year three of the programme students are required to undertake a substantive piece of supervised but original research either in the form of a dissertation or an applied Interchange Portfolio project. Both provide students with the unique opportunity to apply the competencies they have been developing over the previous two years, and to a topic area or issue that is important to them. The third year also provides opportunities for students to further their specific interests and specialisms and via selected optional modules.

Career prospects

Our graduates have gone onto successful careers in both the public and private sectors; social welfare and criminal justice agencies such as the police and probation services and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) eg working with organisations supporting homeless people, refugees and in social research.

We will enable you to develop a range of social scientific, analytic and communication skills and a variety of transferable skills valued by many employers in a range of industries (eg media organisations, local government and charitable organisations, and commercial and financial service sectors).

Studying with us also provides a sound basis from which you will be able to pursue postgraduate studies either with a vocational orientation (MA in Social Work, Legal Practice Course, for example) or to further your research skills at masters and doctoral levels.

Recent employers

• Merseyside Police
• HM Prison Service
• National Probation Service
• Legal Services Commission
• Mencap
• IPSOS Mori
• Shell
• British Council.

Academic qualification equivalents

• Successful completion of examinations at standard X and XII (Higher Secondary School Certificate) with minimum marks of approximately 70 to 85%, according to the course and exam board.

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS: A  minimum of IELTS band 6.0–7.0, with no component below 5.5.
• TOEFL iBT: 78-88 overall with 19-Listening, Writing, Reading, 21-Speaking.
• PTE:  55-62 with minimum score of 51 in any component

University of Liverpool Highlights

University of Liverpool Average Tuition Fees And Other Expenses

The estimated fee and cost of living per year for international students is tabulated below: