BA Youth Justice Degree

Overview & facilities

Why do children and young people break the law? And what should we do with them? Is crime and anti-social behaviour the result of poor parenting or are there wider social causes? Are current government policies for dealing with young offenders too punitive or too liberal? Is society today a more dangerous place for children and if so, in what ways? These and many more questions are the focus of the BA Youth Justice, an area of ongoing controversy and one subject to numerous changes in policy in recent years.

The Youth Justice Degree aims to

• Support the acquisition of knowledge and skills in youth justice and criminology
• Encourage your development in a critical approach to youth justice studies and criminology, evaluating theory and evidence accordingly
• Prepare you to be participants in society through an awareness and understanding of crime and crime control in society
• Equip you in effective written, oral and IT communications skills
• Develop your analytical, research and graduate skills relevant to a range of professions
• Encourage you to develop as autonomous learners; and instil a culture of lifelong learning

The programme looks in detail at patterns of youth crime and victimisation - including looking at children as both victims and perpetrators of crime and considers the many perspectives put forward to explain youthful offending.

You will examine current policy and practice in work with young offenders and victims. We encourage students to undertake a placement within the youth justice system to gain the experience they need to pursue a career in this field.

Content & modules

The programme looks in detail at patterns of youth crime and victimisation - including looking at children as both victims and perpetrators of crime - andconsiders the many perspectives put forward to explain youthful offending. You will examinecurrent policy and practice in work with young offenders and victims. We encourage students to undertake a placement within the youth justice system to gain the experience they need to pursue a career in this field.

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.

  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.

  Youth Justice (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  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.

• Year 3

  Children as Victims and Offenders (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  Aims to examine and critically appraise the issue of children as victims and offenders. Criminology at Middlesex University in its orientation is concerned with issues of crime and interpersonal violence. Within this context crimes committed against children illustrates graphically their relative powerlessness and vulnerability. In addressing these issues the functions, roles and responsibilities of a variety of agencies whose task it is to protect children, are explored. However, this module aims to enable students to provide an in depth critical understanding regarding the contemporary issues relating to child protection and youth offending in England and Wales. To develop an understanding of the range of problems in respect of child protection including situations leading to failure in multi agency approaches, child safety and protection strategies. The module gives students knowledge of how the criminal justice system regards and deals with young people if they break the law. The aim of the module is to provide students with the knowledge of how Youth Offending Teams YOT s are structured, how they operate to try and stop young people from offending and it will contain a practice focus element. Many students wish to move on to working with young people in the criminal justice system on graduation and the module is designed to acquaint them with core knowledge and skills and some practical experience.

  Criminal Courts and Prisons (30 Credits) - Optional

  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.

  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.

  Homicide and Serious Crime Investigation (30 Credits) - Optional

  Students will be introduced to the developing science of police investigation and shown how the adoption of new public management practises influenced police procedures. The programme will begin with an explanation of how the police function changed from that of a peace keeper to a crime investigator and how science professionalized that role. It will then be followed by students assuming the role of an investigator and being presented with a murder investigation that will require them to consider the impact the law, science and management.

  Violent Crime (30 Credits) - Optional

  The module aims to discuss the dynamics of interpersonal violence and its control, the social and spatial parameters of violent crime, theoretical perspectives on violent crime and the victimology of violence together with a review of research related to such behaviour.

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

Opportunities include

• Youth offending teams
• Victim support
• Community safety
• Adult offenders
• Substance misuse.

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.

Where do our graduates go?
Based on the data from respondents of the 2009-10 Destination of Leavers in Higher Education survey, six months after graduating:

• 60% of Middlesex BA Youth Justice graduates were in employment
• 40% were in further study