BA Criminal Justice and Criminology Degree

Overview & facilities

The Criminal Justice and Criminology degree at Middlesex in London provides a thorough grounding in all the major areas in the study of criminal justice and criminology and develops student's critical understanding of a range of contemporary issues.

This degree will encourage you to develop a critical approach to your studies, evaluating theory and evidence accordingly. It will also prepare you to participate in society through an awareness and understanding of crime, crime control and the agents of criminal justice in society.

The Criminal Justice and Criminology degree examines the structures of governance and accountability within the Criminal Justice System related to the study of crime, justice and crime control. It will provide you with the opportunity to develop your knowledge and understanding of the various institutions of criminal justice and other aspects of criminology.

Should you choose to take a placement year, you will benefit from our excellent links with London based criminal justice organisations which have led to excellent opportunities for our students.Based at our Hendon Campus in London you will benefit from some of the UK's most innovative and up-to-date teaching in criminology.

Why study Criminology at Middlesex:

• 12 active researchers in the Crime and Conflict Research Centre, involved in projects such as trans-national organised crime; youth crime; community safety strategies; crime and deviance, inter-ethnic conflict
• Work based projects possible for those with experience in the criminal justice system
• Placement year available - our excellent links with London-based criminal justice organisations have lead to superb placement opportunities.
  

Partnerships
Metropolitan Police Crime Academy
Dr Robin Fletcher has developed close links with the Metropolitan Police Crime Academy at Hendon, formally the MPS Detective Training School. The most senior homicide detectives have enrolled onto a validated postgraduate work based learning course. This new course has allowed senior police officers to gain academic merit from skills developed in the work place.

Content & modules

This programme is based at our flagship Hendon campus.

Modules

• Year 1

  Contemporary Social Structures (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module introduces first year students to the study of contemporary social structures and the specialised institutions and associated organizations which comprise such. In particular, the module examines the established institutions which regulate the various activities that make up social life and help shape the culture and beliefs of society. The interrelationship between different institutions, organizations and social groups is also explored.

  Crime and Control in Social Context (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  Crime forms part of our everyday lives and the key objective of the module will be to introduce students to the relationship between crime, control and society. It will examine key issues such as how we define crime and deviance, how we know about crime, and how crime is represented by the media. It will examine how crime is responded to and controlled within the criminal justice system and by society, and will look into dimensions of crime such as gender, age, ethnicity, social and economic disadvantage.

  Explaining Crime (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  To introduce students to the leading criminological explanations of crime as developed from the late 19th century to the late 1970s. The module focuses upon levels of explanation examining individualistic, sociological, political and radical theories of crime.

  Skills and Methods in Criminology and Sociology (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills required for their level 2 and level 3 studies. Working through the medium of substantive criminological and sociological materials, this module aims to equip students with the required level one learning they will need for further study, and introduces them to the building-blocks of academic work, knowledge and understanding in criminology and sociology.

• Year 2

  Approaches to Research in Social Science (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  The module is designed for students studying programmes in the social sciences, particularly in sociology and criminology. The module aims to develop students critical evaluation of the range of appropriate quantitative and qualitative research methodologies available, and the underlying philosophical and ethical principles of social research. The module aims to make clear the links between theory, method and data as well as defining what data is within different research paradigms and the various ways of generating and analysing it. The module aims to evaluate and critique published research. Emphasis is placed on developing awareness and critique of secondary sources and especially the use of official statistics. The module will also provide an overview of the theoretical basis of social research. The module also aims to prepare students for the development of a proposal for their final year project. Throughout the module students will apply the various components of research methods to the specific subject of the programme they are studying.

  Criminal Courts and Prisons (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  The module has two distinct blocks of study - the criminal courts and imprisonment, and aims to: 1 study the higher and lower courts in the English Legal System and detail the powers, procedures and personnel of each court. At the same time the module will be considering notions of justice and will critically investigate the role of the courts in the administration of justice in light of empirical evidence on the workings of the courts; and 2 provide a critical understanding of contemporary issues relating to punishment and imprisonment and the historical development of imprisonment. The module will further examine the dynamics which influence the use of imprisonment and will also consider the social and individual effects of this form of punishment.

  Criminology in Late Modernity (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module will build upon the content of CRM1310 to provide an assessment of recent developments after 1979 in criminological theory. This assessment will, firstly, re-consider classic theories with regard to their contemporary relevance and, secondly relate recent theoretical developments to the Late Modern social, political and cultural context. Learning outcomes are assessed through a series of formative and summative coursework.

  Institutions of Criminal Justice (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module provides an introduction to some of the key institutions involved in the criminal justice process and a critical understanding of contemporary issues in criminal justice. The main focus of the module will be on the criminal justice system in England and Wales, though other material will be drawn upon for comparative purposes. At the end of the module you should be familiar with recent policy debates around such issues as relations between the police and public, the working of the criminal courts and reform of the prison and probation systems.

• Year 3

  Dissertation (60 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module aims to synthesise learning from the criminology programmes of study, providing an opportunity for students to study independently and investigate a topic in depth, in accordance with the Criminology Benchmark Statement. It fosters academic curiosity, an inquiry based approach, the employment and application of research skills thus facilitating the development of a higher level of theorising. Students will select a topic of personal interest on which they wish to undertake a substantial in-depth study. They will manage their own learning during this module, with the support of an allocated supervisor for this period of independent study. Furhter, students in criminology will have criminology specific dissertation workshops to support their independent study; and formative assessments throughout the dissertation year to assist with the development and completion of the dissertation.

  Drugs, Crime and Criminal Justice (30 Credits) - Optional

  This module aims to introduce students to the contemporary debates surrounding drugs, drug use and its control. It will develop students knowledge and understanding of the processes involved in social definitions of drugs and drug users and their skills in applying criminological theories to drug issues. It aims to facilitate critical analysis and evaluation of the laws, policies and institutions of drugs control and their social, economic and political contexts. The module also aims to foster and develop students critical interest in the reform of drugs control policy.

  Organised Crime and Corporate Offenders (30 Credits) - Optional

  This module will introduce students to the critical debates on Organised Crime and Corporate Offenders. They also become acquainted with the issues of defining these areas of criminality and the problems of conducting meaningful research. The programme will begin with explanations of how social, political and economic conditions allowed organised crime to develop and discuss the links with White Collar and Corporate Crime

  Policing (30 Credits) - Optional

  The aim of this module is to provide a critical understanding of contemporary issues in policing. It is centrally concerned with relations within the police and between the police and public. The module will examine structures of governance and accountability and contemporary controversies associated with policing styles in the contemporary context. Criminology at Middlesex University in its orientation is concerned with issues of crime and interpersonal violence. The police are the gatekeepers of the Criminal Justice system and this module examines the role of police, its organisation, culture and position in society. To develop an understanding of the range of problems facing policing and the methods used to combat them. The module gives students knowledge designed to acquaint them with core knowledge and skills and some practical experience.

  Youth Justice (30 Credits) - Optional

  To explore issues in youth crime and youth justice from historical, theoretical, policy and practice perspectives. To critically examine what is known about youth crime and young offenders. To introduce debates around troubled and troublesome youth and to describe and evaluate theories as to why young people offend. To describe and critically review the elements of the Youth Justice system including the role and structure of different agencies the police, courts, Youth Offending Teams etc. faced by young offenders. To review the evidence as to what works and what doesn t in terms of interventions.

Download the course specification

Entry & applying

We normally make offers on a minimum of 260 UCAS tariff points, plus GCSE English Language at grade C. BTEC National Diploma/International Baccalaureate/Advanced Progression Diplomas at equivalent tariff. Access to HE - Pass. Applications from candidates without formal qualifications are welcomed. Additionally overseas students whose first language is not English will need a qualification that demonstrates competence in English, eg IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 550 paper-based or 213 computer based.

For a comprehensive list of qualifications accepted by Middlesex, see further information under entry requirements

English language requirements

You must have competence in English language and we normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. The most common English Language requirements for international students are IELTS 6.0 (with minimum 5.5 in all four components) or TOEFL internet based 72 (with at least 17 in listening & writing, 20 in speaking and 18 in reading).

Middlesex also offers an Intensive Academic English course (Pre-Sessional) that ranges from 5-17 weeks depending on your level of English. Successful completion of this course would meet English language entry requirements. For more information on applying for the pre-sessional please email english@mdx.ac.uk.

Entry into year two or three (transfer students)

If you have achieved a qualification such as a foundation degree or HND, or have gained credit at another university, you may be able to enter a Middlesex course in year two or three. For full details of how this works see transfer students

UK/EU applicants with existing higher education qualifications

If you have already been awarded a qualification at the same level as the course you are applying for, you may not be eligible for a tuition fee loan, see fees and funding for more information.

Applying

Applications for UK and EU students should be made to UCAS – the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. The institution code for Middlesex is M80, and the code name is MIDDX. You also need the code for the course you wish to apply for – this is found in the 'at a glance' box above.

International students from outside the EU can make a direct application.  We have a network of regional offices across the world to assist you with your application.  They have worked with people from your region coming to Middlesex before and can help. Read more on international applications

Fees & funding

The tuition fee for the 2012/2013 academic year for UK/EU students is £9,000.
The tuition fee for the 2012/2013 academic year for International students is £10,400.

Click here to find out more about fees, funding and our scholarships in 2012.

Careers & placements

The programme would be of interest to those considering employment in one of these areas The Local Authority; the National Offender Management System (NOMS), formally the prison service and the probation service; The Police; The Legal System; The Voluntary Sector and Agencies.

Volunteering and work based Learning
We encourage all students to take part in voluntary work within the community. We encourage employers to work with the university and take students part time to develop their work based skills. For example, Dr Anthony Goodman has developed a pioneering opportunity with Les Quinn of the Islington Youth Offending Team (YOT) to enable students to gain experience with young Offenders. Since employers increasingly require prior experience this allows students to become more marketable when seeking employment once they have graduated.

Careers
 A variety of careers are open to criminology graduates. These include:

• Local Authorities: including, for example Community Safety; Youth services; Youth Offending Team; Social work; research; crime analyst; housing and environmental health DAAT worker (Drugs and Alcohol case worker)
• The National Offender Management System (NOMS). Formerly the prison service and the probation service, now re-named and re-organised. Opportunities include offender managers to supervise offenders in the community. (Training provided)
• The police. This can take the form of either police officer, police community support officer, member of the civilian staff who support the police or other support worker
• The legal system (with possibly some legal training) either as a support or case worker for the Crown Prosecution service (CPS) or solicitors' offices as a legal representative or in private chambers.
• The voluntary sector as a Victim support worker and care worker
• Agencies also advertise for students who graduate in Criminology in areas relating to community based private projects often with the young and the elderly.