Course specification and structure
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UDCRIPOL - BSc Criminology and Policing

Course Specification


Validation status Validated
Highest award Bachelor of Science Level Honours
Possible interim awards Bachelor of Science, Diploma of Higher Education, Certificate of Higher Education, Bachelor of Science
Total credits for course 360
Awarding institution London Metropolitan University
Teaching institutions London Metropolitan University
School School of Social Sciences
Subject Area Criminology and Sociology
Attendance options
Option Minimum duration Maximum duration
Full-time 3 YEARS  
Part-time 4 YEARS  
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, groupwork and individual tutorials held in staff 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, as does staff expertise derived from experience as practitioners in relevant fields.

The course integrates face-to-face with online learning. All modules use Web learn /Blackboard facilities making key information available, also providing a convenient place for handbook information, calendars and class announcements. Some modules, for example Researching Crime and Deviance, 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 tutors and, in the course of this, encourages active learning. CIT and other media are used to encourage collaboration among students.

Course aims

The course aims to:
1. offer a course relevant to a range of careers in criminal justice and/or policing
2. develop the intellectual skills necessary for the understanding, critical evaluation and application of a range of theoretical approaches to the study of crime, deviance, policing and conceptions of rights and justice
3. develop students’ competence in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies
4. provide a framework in which students identify and distinguish between some comparative models of policing and for understanding the differing forms of policing systems
5. explore practical applications of operational policing
6. offer the opportunity to develop the above in relation to specialist areas of interest culminating in the production of an in-depth piece of independent research focussed on criminology and/or policing at level 6.

Course learning outcomes

The following learning outcomes incorporate and depend on systematic understanding of the key aspects of the knowledge base of Criminology and Policing, including a coherent and detailed knowledge of some specialist areas in depth.

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within Criminology and Policing;

2. devise and sustain arguments, and/or to solve problems, using ideas and techniques, some of which are at the forefront of Criminology and Policing;

3. describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research, or equivalent advanced scholarship, in Criminology and Policing recognising the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge;

4. manage their own learning, and to make use of scholarly reviews and primary sources (for example, refereed research articles and/or original materials appropriate to Criminology and Policing);

5. apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding, and 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

Course learning outcomes / Module cross reference

SC4000
SC4003
SC5000
SC5001
SC6000
SC6P01
SC4001
SC5003
SC5002
SC6052
SC6P01
SC5051
SC6051
SC4003
SC6004
SC4002

Learning Outcomes cover LO1-9

Principle QAA benchmark statements

Criminology
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/AssuringStandardsAndQuality/subject-guidance/Pages/Honours-degree-benchmark-statements.aspx)

Assessment strategy

Students are assessed through a combination of essays, module-specific research projects, seen and unseen examinations and an individual largely self-directed project focussed upon Policing. At level 4 assessments seek to encourage students to specify and describe theories and institutions. At level 5 assessments require students to extend and critically to evaluate the knowledge they have encountered. Students at this level are also required to produce research reports including data analysis and interpretation. At level 6 assessments test students’ critical knowledge of applied areas of Policing and Criminal Justice and their ability to think and research independently.

Organised work experience, work based learning, sandwich year or year abroad

Opportunities may arise within London based Police Services to apply to become Special Constables (voluntary), subject to force requirements at the time. There is also a compulsory work experience module in the final year to ensure that anyone without relevant work experience is assisted to find relevant work experience as a volunteer.

There may be opportunities for students to study for part of their degree in another European country. ERASMUS is part of the European Union SOCRATES programme for cooperation in the field of education. Under ERASMUS the university has student exchange agreements with 16 different European countries.

Arrangements for promoting reflective learning and personal development

In the first year students begin processes of personal development planning in core modules and start to build up a record of achievements. They are encouraged to reflect in workshop contexts and individually on specifically what they have learned from modules and the ways in which this knowledge may be used in, or applied to, the wider social world. Specific modules focussed on social research methodologies provide a forum in which students reflect upon their practice as social researchers, its ethical dimensions and the ways in which this practice may be applied to solving problems in the context of volunteering activity and/or employment. The module Perspectives on Policing focuses explicitly on practical aspects of policing and so encourages students to reflect on the practical application of their knowledge. Self-directed project work at level 6 provides the opportunity for students to focus on a particular problem or issue in relation to criminology and/or policing and in this context to bring together a substantive area of interest with methodological issues and to consider how this might provide a basis for further self-development and/or vocational activity in the future.

Other external links providing expertise and experience

College of Policing

Career, employability and opportunities for continuing professional development

Comment briefly on potential career/further study destinations and how the skills and abilities gained through the course contribute to employability and career development.

The course is designed to provide a useful foundation for students wishing to take up careers in the police service or other areas of law enforcement and the Criminal Justice System. It delivers a comprehensive grounding in these fields and also provides an excellent preparation for undertaking a higher degree in the fields of law enforcement, security, intelligence and Criminology.

Career opportunities

Successful completion of this course offers improved career opportunities in policing and within the Criminal Justice System more generally.

The programme is also excellent preparation for further research or study.

Entry requirements

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have at least:

  • a minimum of grades BBC in three A levels (or minimum of 112 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg Advanced Diploma)
  • GCSE English at grade C/grade 4 or above, or Higher Diploma (or equivalent)

Applications are welcome from mature students who have passed appropriate access or other preparatory courses or have appropriate work experience.

If you don’t have traditional qualifications or can’t meet the entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, you may still be able to gain entry by completing the BSC Criminology, Policing and Law Extended Degree.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

Official use and codes

Approved to run from 2015/16 Specification version 1 Specification status Validated
Original validation date 01 Sep 2014 Last validation date 01 Sep 2014  
Sources of funding HE FUNDING COUNCIL FOR ENGLAND
JACS codes L300 (Sociology): 100%
Route code CRIPOL

Course Structure

Stage 1 Level 04 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
SC4000 Introduction to Criminological Theory Core 30        
SC4001 Introduction to the Criminal Justice System Core 30        
SC4002 Introduction to Policing Core 30        
SC4003 Researching Crime and Deviance Core 30        

Stage 1 Level 04 January start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
SC4000 Introduction to Criminological Theory Core 30        
SC4001 Introduction to the Criminal Justice System Core 30        
SC4002 Introduction to Policing Core 30        
SC4003 Researching Crime and Deviance Core 30        

Stage 2 Level 05 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
SC5000 Crime in Context Core 30 NORTH AUT+SPR THU PM
SC5001 Measuring and Interpreting Crime Core 30 NORTH AUT+SPR WED PM
          NORTH AUT+SPR WED AM
SC5002 Perspectives on Policing Core 30 NORTH AUT+SPR FRI AM
SC5008 Policing in Practice Option 30 NORTH AUT+SPR THU AM
SC5050 Crime, Media and Technology Option 15 NORTH AUT FRI PM
SC5051 Youth, Crime and Violence Option 15 NORTH SPR FRI PM
XK0000 Extension of Knowledge Module Option 15 NORTH SPR NA  
          NORTH AUT NA  

Stage 3 Level 06 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
SC6000 Crime Control and Penology Core 30 NORTH AUT+SPR FRI PM
SC6053 Victims and Crime Core 15 NORTH AUT TUE PM
SC6P00 Criminology Project Core 30 NORTH AUT+SPR WED PM
SC6004 Social Control, Drugs and Organised Crime Option 30 NORTH AUT+SPR FRI AM
SC6051 Serious and Serial Offenders Option 15 NORTH AUT THU PM
SC6052 Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism Option 15 NORTH SPR THU PM
SC6W51 Criminology Work Experience Option 15 NORTH SPR WED PM
SS6063 Religion and the State Option 15 NORTH AUT MON AM