UDCRIMFY - BSc (Hons) Criminology (including foundation year)
Course Specification
Validation status | Validated | |||||||||||
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Highest award | Bachelor of Science | Level | Honours | |||||||||
Possible interim awards | Bachelor of Science, Diploma of Higher Education, Certificate of Higher Education, Bachelor of Science, Preparatory Diploma, Preparatory Certificate | |||||||||||
Total credits for course | 480 | |||||||||||
Awarding institution | London Metropolitan University | |||||||||||
Teaching institutions | London Metropolitan University | |||||||||||
School | School of Social Sciences and Professions | |||||||||||
Subject Area | Criminology, Sociology, Politics and International Relations | |||||||||||
Attendance options |
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Course leader |
About the course and its strategy towards teaching and learning and towards blended learning/e-learning
The course is delivered through a range of pedagogic methods including formal lectures, seminars, workshops, project-based research activity, group work and individual tutorials held in staff feedback hours. There is an emphasis upon the link between teaching and research so that staff research provides the basis for teaching on a range of modules.
The initial foundation year of this four-year degree programme is designed for students who wish to enter Higher Education and may have non-traditional qualifications, lower UCAS points or are mature students. It exemplifies the university strategies of inclusive learning, widening participation, the aims of the Education for Social Justice Framework and of serving our community. Students will explore a wide range of social science and current affairs themes, whilst also developing the academic and digital literacies that will be of benefit to them in the following three years of study.
The course integrates face-to-face with blended and online learning. All modules use Weblearn facilities making key information available and also providing a convenient place for handbook information, calendars and class announcements. Some modules, for example, Analysing Crime Statistics and Analysing Crime Narratives, focus specifically on the development of CIT skills. The course will also progressively examine ways of further developing the link between face-to-face and online learning as ideas and technology develop and as resources permit. The course encourages contact between students and lecturers and, in the course of this, encourages active learning. CIT and other media are used to encourage collaboration among the cohort of students on your course.
To accommodate research leave for academic staff and to ensure that modules are viable in terms of student numbers, the Criminology subject group may withdraw one or more optional modules for a year. To gauge the number of students on optional modules at levels 5 and 6 in the following academic year, module conferences will take place in the spring semester on the core modules SC4058 and SC5062, to ensure that students are informed about their options, are able to select their modules at the next level of study and to enable the subject group to make adjustments for any modules which need to be temporarily withdrawn.
Course aims
The course includes core modules where students learn research methods which look at how to analyse and read data, as well as core substantive modules where students learn and engage with key criminological themes and subject areas. Students must complete a final year research project where as well as gaining research skills, they will gain detailed knowledge on a topic of their choice.
The course aims to:
1. develop the intellectual skills necessary for the understanding, critical evaluation and application of a range of theoretical approaches the discipline
2. develop competence in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies
3. help students develop an ability to manage their own independent learning and research skills
4. offer the opportunity to develop a specialist area of interest culminating in the production of an in-depth piece of independent research at level 6.
Course learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1. deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within Criminology
2. devise and sustain arguments, and/or solve problems, using ideas and techniques, some of which are at the forefront of Criminology
3. describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research, or equivalent advanced scholarship in Criminology, recognising the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge
4. manage their own learning to make use of scholarly reviews and primary sources (for example, research articles and/or original materials appropriate to Criminology)
5. apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply your knowledge and understanding to initiate and carry out projects
6. critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data (that may be incomplete), to make judgements and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution - or identify a range of solutions - to a problem
7. communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences
8. exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including decision-making in complex and unpredictable contexts
9. undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature
10. demonstrate confidence, resilience, ambition and creativity and be able to act as inclusive, collaborative and socially responsible practitioners/professionals in their
discipline.
Principle QAA benchmark statements
Assessment strategy
A range of assessment methods are used, with the choice of assessment instrument chosen to test the specified learning outcomes. Overall the strategy is to promote written, oral and research skills within the context of a developing understanding of criminology.
Level 4 formative assessments help support and prepare students for summative assessments and seek to encourage students to assimilate and describe theories, facts and figures and connect with academic literature. Students are also given tools and guidance to encourage independent research and to develop your time management and critical thinking skills. Level 5 assessments require students to critically evaluate the knowledge and theories they have encountered and practically demonstrate their ability to undertake independent research. Level 6 assessments test
critical knowledge of applied areas of criminology and the ability to be an independent researcher.
Assessments are part of the learning process and confirm the outcomes of the learning process. The marking criteria for coursework and examinations are published with the assessment details for clarity and the moderating process is articulated. Each assessment offers constructive, timely
feedback to further develop your written and oral communication skills and help develop and demonstrate good academic practice. The assessment process also provides an insight into learning problems and thus triggers individual intervention and remedial action. Furthermore, the assessment process helps by providing module leaders with feedback on curriculum design and
delivery and – via the ongoing iterative process of module monitoring – make a significant
contribution to the continued development and improvement of the course.
A variety of assessment methods are used including coursework essay and reports, unseen and seen written examinations, individual and group assignments, laboratory and computer-based investigations, poster, podcast and oral presentations and a level 6 research project.
Organised work experience, work based learning, sandwich year or year abroad
At level 6 there is an optional work experience module providing students with an opportunity to apply for a placement either in the criminal justice sector or in a private, statutory or voluntary organisation related to criminal justice and criminology. If students take this module, they produce a reflective report on your experience and an appraisal of their skills and abilities in the placement to enhance their personal development.
There may also be opportunities for students to study for part of their degree in another country.
Course specific regulations
Part-time Structure
Students take 60 credits per academic year - over six years.
All modules are 15 credit core modules, unless stated otherwise.
September Starters
Level 4
Autumn – Year 1
SC4054 Traditional Criminological Theories and Concepts
SC4057 Becoming a Criminologist
Spring – Year 1
SC4058 The Development of Criminological Thought
SC4061 Shades of Deviance
Autumn – Year 2
SC4055 The Criminal Justice Framework
SC4056 Key Concepts in Policing
Spring – Year 2
SC4059 Issues in the Criminal Justice System
SC4060 Researching Crime and Deviance
February Starters
Level 4
Spring – Year 1
SC4054 Traditional Criminological Theories and Concepts
SC4057 Becoming a Criminologist
Summer – Year 1
SC4058 The Development of Criminological Thought
SC4061 Shades of Deviance
Autumn – Year 2
SC4055 The Criminal Justice Framework
SC4056 Key Concepts in Policing
Spring – Year 2
SC4059 Issues in the Criminal Justice System
SC4060 Researching Crime and Deviance
Level 5
Autumn – Year 3
SC5054 Analysing Crime Statistics
SC5053 Crime in Context
Spring – Year 3
SC5061 Analysing Crime Narratives
SC5062 Becoming a Criminal Justice Professional
Autumn – Year 4
SC5059 Option 1 from the Autumn options
Option 2 from the Autumn options
Spring – Year 4
Option 1 from the Spring options
Option 2 from the Spring options
Level 6
Autumn – Year 5
SC6054 Punishment and Prisons
Option 1 from the Autumn options
Spring – Year 5
SC6051 Serious and Serial Offenders
Option 1 from the Spring options
Autumn – Year 6
SC6P50 Criminology Project (30 credits across both semesters)
Option 2 from Autumn options
Spring – Year 6
SC6P50 Criminology Project (30 credits across both semesters)
Option 2 from Spring options
Arrangements for promoting reflective learning and personal development
At Levels 3 and 4 students begin processes of personal development planning in core modules and start to build up a record of achievements. They are encouraged to participate in workshop discussions, reflecting specifically on what they have learned from modules and the ways in which this knowledge may be used in, or applied to, the wider social world. Level 5 and level 6 modules contain embedded activities and opportunities to reflect on the learning process and personal development planning. Modules focused on research methodologies provide a forum in which students reflect on their practice as a researcher, the ethical dimensions and the ways in which this practice may be applied to solving problems in the context of volunteering activity and/or employment. Self-directed project research at level 6 provides an opportunity for students to consolidate this reflection, bringing together particular substantive areas of interest with methodological issues and considering how this might provide a basis for their further self-development and contribution to the wider social world in the future.
Other external links providing expertise and experience
N/A
Career, employability and opportunities for continuing professional development
Successful completion of this course offers improved employability in the criminal justice and security services sector as well as many career opportunities in the private and public services and charity sectors. Students will be able to apply specialist subject knowledge and professional and life skills developed during three years of study. The course is also excellent preparation for research, further professional development and postgraduate study.
Career opportunities
Graduates from our criminology related courses enter a range of careers, such as police officer, special constable, investigating analyst, support worker, senior detective constable, investigating analyst and probation officer. They now work for organisations as diverse as the Metropolitan Police, Ten Intelligence and Mears.
Continuing your studies with us
The School of Social Sciences has a wide range of exciting industry-linked postgraduate courses available on a full-time and part-time basis in criminology, security, diplomacy, international relations, sociology and psychology. The following courses would be ideal for progression after this course:
Entry requirements
In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:
- at least one A level (or a minimum of 32 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg BTEC Subsidiary/National/BTEC Extended Diploma)
- English Language GCSE at grade C (grade 4) or above (or equivalent)
If you are a mature student with significant work experience, you are invited to apply for this course on the basis of the knowledge and skills you have developed through your work.
Official use and codes
Approved to run from | 2019/20 | Specification version | 1 | Specification status | Validated |
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Original validation date | 13 Sep 2019 | Last validation date | 13 Sep 2019 | ||
Sources of funding | HE FUNDING COUNCIL FOR ENGLAND | ||||
JACS codes | |||||
Route code | CRIMFY |
Stage 1 Level 03 September start Offered
Code | Module title | Info | Type | Credits | Location | Period | Day | Time |
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IF3050 | Critical Thinking | Core | 15 | NORTH | AUT | WED | PM | |
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IF3051 | Studying London | Core | 15 | NORTH | SPR | FRI | AM | |
IF3058 | Reflecting on Self and Society | Core | 15 | NORTH | AUT | THU | AM | |
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IF3059 | Social Issues in Context: Text to Essay | Core | 15 | NORTH | SPR | THU | AM | |
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IF3060 | Researching Discrimination | Core | 15 | NORTH | AUT | WED | PM | |
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IF3061 | Researching Inequality | Core | 15 | NORTH | SPR | THU | AM | |
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IF3063 | Media, Crime and 'Race' | Core | 15 | NORTH | AUT | THU | AM | |
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IF3073 | Interventions for Change | Core | 15 | NORTH | SPR | THU | AM | |
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Stage 1 Level 03 January start Not currently offered
Code | Module title | Info | Type | Credits | Location | Period | Day | Time |
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IF3050 | Critical Thinking | Core | 15 | |||||
IF3051 | Studying London | Core | 15 | |||||
IF3058 | Reflecting on Self and Society | Core | 15 | |||||
IF3059 | Social Issues in Context: Text to Essay | Core | 15 | |||||
IF3060 | Researching Discrimination | Core | 15 | |||||
IF3061 | Researching Inequality | Core | 15 | |||||
IF3063 | Media, Crime and 'Race' | Core | 15 | |||||
IF3073 | Interventions for Change | Core | 15 |
Stage 2 Level 04 September start Offered
Code | Module title | Info | Type | Credits | Location | Period | Day | Time |
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SC4054 | Traditional Criminological Theories and Concepts | Core | 15 | NORTH | SPR | FRI | PM | |
NORTH | AUT | THU | AM | |||||
SC4055 | The Criminal Justice Framework | Core | 15 | NORTH | AUT | FRI | PM | |
NORTH | SPR | THU | AM | |||||
SC4056 | Key Concepts in Policing | Core | 15 | NORTH | SPR | FRI | AM | |
NORTH | AUT | THU | PM | |||||
SC4057 | Becoming a Criminologist | Core | 15 | NORTH | AUT | TUE | AM | |
NORTH | SPR | THU | PM | |||||
NORTH | AUT | TUE | PM | |||||
SC4058 | The Development of Criminological Thought | Core | 15 | NORTH | SUM | FRI | PM | |
NORTH | SPR | THU | AM | |||||
SC4059 | Issues in the Criminal Justice System | Core | 15 | NORTH | SPR | FRI | PM | |
NORTH | SUM | THU | AM | |||||
SC4060 | Researching Crime and Deviance | Core | 15 | NORTH | SPR | TUE | AM | |
NORTH | SUM | TUE | PM | |||||
NORTH | SPR | TUE | PM | |||||
SC4061 | Shades of Deviance | Core | 15 | NORTH | SUM | THU | PM | |
NORTH | SPR | THU | PM |
Stage 3 Level 05 September start Offered
Code | Module title | Info | Type | Credits | Location | Period | Day | Time |
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SC5053 | Crime in Context | Core | 15 | |||||
SC5054 | Analysing Crime Statistics | Core | 15 | |||||
SC5061 | Analysing Crime Narratives | Core | 15 | |||||
SC5062 | Becoming a Criminal Justice Professional | Core | 15 | |||||
SC5050 | Crime, Media and Technology | Option | 15 | NORTH | AUT | FRI | PM | |
SC5051 | Youth, Crime and Violence | Option | 15 | NORTH | SPR | FRI | PM | |
SC5055 | Perspectives on Policing | Option | 15 | |||||
SC5056 | Working with Offenders | Option | 15 | |||||
SC5057 | Crime Prevention and Environmental Design | Option | 15 | |||||
SC5058 | Drugs and Drug Policy | Option | 15 | |||||
SC5059 | Crimes of the Powerful | Option | 15 | |||||
SC5060 | Criminology Today | Option | 15 | |||||
SC5063 | Cybercrime and Surveillance | Option | 15 | |||||
SC5064 | Criminological Research in Context | Option | 15 | |||||
SC5065 | Dark Destinations - Crime and Tourism | Option | 15 | |||||
XK0000 | Extension of Knowledge Module | Option | 15 | NORTH | SPR | NA | ||
NORTH | AUT | NA |
Stage 4 Level 06 September start Offered
Code | Module title | Info | Type | Credits | Location | Period | Day | Time |
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SC6051 | Serious and Serial Offenders | Core | 15 | NORTH | AUT | THU | PM | |
SC6054 | Punishment and Prison | Core | 15 | |||||
SC6P00 | Criminology Project | Core | 30 | NORTH | AUT+SPR | WED | PM | |
GI6065 | Latin American Politics | Option | 15 | NORTH | AUT | TUE | PM | |
SC6052 | Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism | Option | 15 | NORTH | SPR | THU | PM | |
SC6053 | Victims and Crime | Option | 15 | NORTH | AUT | TUE | PM | |
SC6055 | Organised Crime | Option | 15 | |||||
SC6056 | Gender and Crime | Option | 15 | |||||
SC6057 | Policing Strategies and Investigations | Option | 15 | |||||
SC6058 | Global Crime and Disorder | Option | 15 | |||||
SC6059 | Environmental Justice | Option | 15 | |||||
SC6060 | Migration, Borders and Control | Option | 15 | |||||
SC6061 | Criminology of Pleasure | Option | 15 | |||||
SC6062 | 'The Deviant Other' - media representations of ... | Option | 15 | |||||
SC6W52 | Criminology Work-Based Learning | Option | 15 | |||||
SS6088 | Racism in the Global Context | Option | 15 |