The published course and module descriptions were accurate when first published and remain the basis of the course, but the University has had to modify some course and module content in response to government restrictions and social distancing requirements
Criminology
BSc (Hons)
Key facts
UCAS code
LL31
Start dates
September 2022 / September 2023
Location
Course length
Full time: 3 years
Part time: up to 6 years
Department
UCAS Tariff Points
104
Overview
Are you interested in exploring the fascinating world of criminology? Would you like to learn about how crime impacts the world today?
By studying Criminology at Oxford Brookes, you'll be:
- investigating the root causes of criminal behaviour and its impact on society
- exploring pressing issues such as policing, sentencing and the criminal justice system
- considering how race, gender and class shape our perceptions of crime today.
You’ll experience an exciting blend of theoretical and practical study as you explore criminology in real world situations. You'll investigate who commits crime, why they commit it and how to prevent it.
You’ll be taught in a student-led, active and inclusive environment by world class academics. Your tutors are experts in their fields - and are committed to your success.
Throughout your studies, you’ll gain valuable practitioner skills. And our work placement module means you’ll be employment-ready by the time you graduate.
Joint honours options
You can also study this course as part of a joint honours degree. This course can be joined with:
How to apply
Wherever possible we make our conditional offers using the UCAS Tariff. The combination of A-level grades listed here would be just one way of achieving the UCAS Tariff points for this course.
Standard offer
UCAS Tariff Points: 104
A Level: BCC
IB Points: 29
BTEC: DMM
Contextual offer
UCAS Tariff Points: 88
A Level: CCD
IB Points: 27
BTEC: MMM
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
Please also see the University's general entry requirements.
English requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Pathways courses for international and EU students
If you do not meet the entry requirements for this degree, or if you would like more preparation before you start, you can take an international foundation course. Once you enrol, you will have a guaranteed pathway to this degree if you pass your foundation course with the required grades.
If you only need to meet the language requirements, you can take our pre-sessional English course. You will develop key language and study skills for academic success and you will not need to take an external language test to progress to your degree.
Terms and Conditions of Enrolment
When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Credit transfer
Many of our courses consider applications for entry part-way through the course for students who have credit from previous learning or relevant professional experience.
Find out more about transferring to Brookes. If you'd like to talk through your options, please contact our Admissions team.
Application process
Full time Home (UK) applicants
Apply through UCASPart time Home (UK) applicants
Apply direct to the UniversityInternational applicants
Apply direct to the UniversityFull time international applicants can also apply through UCAS
Tuition fees
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
Please note tuition fees for Home students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by government. Tuition fees for International students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students.
Oxford Brookes University intends to maintain its fees for new and returning Home students at the maximum permitted level.
Financial support and scholarships
Additional costs
Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course, if any, are detailed below.
Most modules included a recommended reading list. All recommended texts are available from the library. We recommend our students purchase The Oxford Handbook of Criminology (Oxford University Press, fifth edition) as a core course textbook. It retails for under £50 if bought new, and considerably less if bought second-hand.
Learning and assessment
As a criminology student, you'll develop a deep understanding of some of the biggest crime-related issues. You’ll cover topics like immigration, knife crime, policing and much more.
You’ll develop a solid foundation of knowledge in Year 1. This is where you'll discover the key principles of criminology. You’ll explore a range of topics including how criminologists make sense of crime.
You’ll take more advanced criminology modules in Year 2. For example, our Researching Crime module lets you delve into the practical application of criminology. This is where you’ll examine how modern trends affect our understanding of crime.
In Year 3, you’ll start to specialise. You’ll carry out your own research project as part of the dissertation module. And you’ll be able to select more practical modules, like Picturing the Criminal, where you’ll examine images to understand what influences our perceptions of criminals.

Learning and teaching
On this course you’ll explore why crimes occur in our society. You will learn through a variety of teaching and learning methods including seminars, workshops and tutorials.
The programme is flexible enough to encourage you to study your own areas of interest. This may include green criminology. Or you may choose to examine medieval crime and punishment.
You’ll also have the opportunity to gain practical skills through a work placement. This could include a work-based activity withThames Valley Police.
Typical contact time is 24 hours per module. You will be expected to undertake 126 hours of independent study per module.
Assessment
Assessment methods used on this course
Various assessment methods are used, including:
- exams
- essays
- individual and group presentations
- critical reviews
- portfolios.
This variety gives you the opportunity to show your abilities across a number of different skill sets.
You will have access to:
- essay clinics
- assessment workshops
- preparatory classroom based activities, for example exam workshops.
Study Abroad
You may be able to go on a European or international study exchange while you are at Oxford Brookes. Although we will help as much as we can with your plans, ultimately you are responsible for organising and funding this study abroad.
After you graduate
Career prospects
Our Criminology degree is designed to get you ready for work.
You'll gain practical experience through our work placement module. And you'll gain an excellent foundation from which to pursue a career as a criminology practitioner or in any other field.
Criminology graduates go on to work in:
- crime consultation
- the local authority
- policing
- NGO voluntary sector
- human rightscriminal justice
- community support services
And much more.
Further study
Our criminology course will provide you with a solid degree from which to pursue further postgraduate study. Our graduates can go on to study a variety of specialisations in areas such as law, business or humanities.
And our university’s careers centre provides specialist guidance and support to graduating students and recent alumni as they plan their career journeys.
Our Staff
Dr Liviu Alexandrescu
Liviu is leading on, and contributing to, taught modules on the political economy of crime, transnational comparative criminology, crime and the media, cultural criminology, drug cultures and policy, criminological research methods and other subject areas.
Read more about LiviuFree language courses
Free language courses are available to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students on many of our courses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.
Related courses
Information from Discover Uni
Full-time study
Part-time study
Programme Changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website.For more information, please visit our Changes to programmes page.