BA (Hons) Criminology

Integrated Masters with deeper specialization and research focus
Taught in English
Duration 3 Years
Mode On Campus
Level Undergraduate
Degree Bachelors Degree
Next Intake TBA

Course Overview

The BA (Hons) Criminology at University College Cork provides you with a comprehensive understanding of crime, its causes, and its consequences within society. This undergraduate degree is designed for students interested in exploring the complexities of human behaviour, societal structures, and the justice system. You will gain critical insights into why people err, conflict arises, and how societies assign blame and administer punishment. This programme offers a unique window into human diversity and the propensity for deviance, making it ideal for those seeking to analyse complex social issues from multiple perspectives.

You will study this full-time, on-campus degree over three years, engaging with core modules in criminology, sociology, and law, alongside opportunities to explore elective subjects. Your learning will encompass key concepts in criminology, the psychology of crime, and sociological perspectives on deviance. Through a combination of lectures, seminars, and research projects, you will develop strong analytical and critical thinking skills. Graduates are prepared for diverse career pathways in policing, probation, social work, research, policy development, and the broader criminal justice sector.

Course Curriculum & Details

Detailed information for serious evaluators

Program Overview

This BA (Hons) Criminology program offers a comprehensive exploration of crime, its causes, and societal responses. Across three years, students delve into foundational criminological theories, research methodologies, and the sociology of crime and deviance. The curriculum also examines specific issues such as victims, policing, prisons, and cybercrime, alongside opportunities to develop language and cultural skills in French, Irish, German, Italian, or Spanish. The program culminates in advanced study and a dissertation, preparing students for careers in criminal justice and related fields.

1 Year 1

Criminology: a history and introduction
Criminology: key concepts, studies and issues
Introduction to the Psychology of Crime
Introduction to Sociology (Part A)
Key Issues in Sociology (Part B)
Introduction to Law and Social Control
Introduction to the Legal System for Criminology
Foundation Course in Written and Oral French
Introduction to French Studies
Bunstaidéar ar Theanga agus ar Chultúr na Gaeilge
German Language (CEFR-Level A2.1)
German Language (CEFR-Level A2.2)
Introduction to German Literature and Culture
German Language (Beginner Level A1) Part 1
German Language (Beginner Level A1) Part 2
Introduction to German Culture and Literature for Beginners
Introduction to Written and Spoken Italian
Post-Unification Italian Culture and Society
Non-Beginners' Written and Spoken Italian
Post-Unification Italian Culture and Society
Spanish Language (Beginner Level)
Research Project in Spanish, Portuguese & Latin American Studies
Introduction to Philosophy
Democracy, Ideology and Utopia
Politics and Government of Ireland
Introduction to Political Science

2 Year 2

Contemporary Criminological Theory
Introduction to Social Research
Sociology of Crime and Deviance
Women, Confinement and Social Control in Ireland
Crime, Urbanization and Cities
Policing Modern Society
Life-Course Criminology and Desistance
Victims and Victimology
Education in Prisons
Young people, trauma and the criminal justice system
Prisons in Practice
Inside-Out Criminal Justice and Social Justice
Online Hackers and Cyber-deviants
The Global Trade in Illicit Drugs and Its Regulation
Advanced French Language I
Úsáid agus Cruinneas na Gaeilge I
Integrated German Language Course
Linguistics 1
German Literature from 18th to 21st Century
Constructing and Deconstructing German National Identity: Key Texts
Memory in Contemporary German Fiction
International Politics
Public Management Concepts
Public Management in Practice
International Security
Crime and Media in Ireland
Crime, Violence, and Revolutionary Ireland, 1913-1925
Policing and Popular Justice in Ireland, 1803-1940
Hitler, Nazism and the Holocaust
Spanish Language (Improver [01] Level)
Second Year Spanish Language Course (Ex-Beginners)
Catalan Language and Culture I
Catalan Language and Culture II
Intermediate Italian Language
Italo Calvino and the Interpretation of Reality
Italian Crime Narratives
Issues in Contemporary Italian Society through Film and Documentaries
New Italians: Race, Identity and Memory in Contemporary Literature
Criminal Law
International Human Rights Law
Law of the European Convention on Human Rights
The Law of Evidence I
The Law of Evidence II
Reasoning and Argument
An Introduction to Political Philosophy
Philosophy of Mind and Consciousness
Feminist Philosophy
Philosophy of Science
Applied Ethics
Roman Political Thought: Cicero
Existentialism
Sociology of Politics, Power, and Ideology
Race, Ethnicity, Migration and Nationalism
Classical Social Theory
Critical Social Theory
Sociology of Education/Sociology for Education
The Family: Sociological and Anthropological Perspectives
Sociology of the Body, Health and Illness
Sociology of the City
Sociology of Law: Legal Justice, Human Right and Social Change
Penal Policy and Practice
Introduction to Biostatistics
Biostatistics I

3 Year 3

Research Methods for Criminology
Crime, Justice, and Policy
Women, Confinement and Social Control in Ireland
Crime, Urbanization and Cities
Policing Modern Society
Life-Course Criminology and Desistance
Victims and Victimology
Education in Prisons
Young people, trauma and the criminal justice system
The Global Trade in Illicit Drugs and Its Regulation
Prisons in Practice
Inside-Out Criminal Justice and Social Justice
Online Hackers and Cyber-deviants
Corporate Crime
Dissertation on Criminology
Advanced Use of French
Úsáid agus Cruinneas na Gaeilge
Advanced Integrated German Language Course
German Film in Focus: A Thematic Approach
Interpreting Heinrich von Kleist's Short Prose Fiction
Historical Connections: German-Irish Relations and Biographies
Nietzsche für Alle und Keinen: The Philosopher as Artist
Topographies and Fiction
Migration, Multilingualism and Literature
Language and Interpretation: The Philosophy of Making Sense
The Double Face of Germany: Representing the Holocaust
Life Writing through Technology: An Irish-German Project
Conflict and Conflict Resolution
Crime, Violence, and Revolutionary Ireland, 1913-1925
Policing and Popular Justice in Ireland, 1803-1940
Spanish Language (Post Leaving Certificate)
Final Year Spanish Language
Gender, Violence and Power on the US-Mexico Border
Human Rights, Memory and the Post-Dictatorship Generation in the Southern Cone
Advanced Italian Language
Dante, Inferno
Italian Women Writers
Renaissance Virtues and Vices in Italian Early Modern Literature
Dante's Commedia: The Poetic Path to Paradise
Cinematic Representations of the 'anni di piombo'
Unearthly Narratives: Italian Tales of the Fantastic and Apocalyptic
Minor Dissertation
Political Philosophy in Theory and Practice
Moral Psychology 2
Professional Ethics
Moral Philosophy in Theory and Practice
Human Nature and Free Will
Contemporary Social Theory
Understanding Globalisation and Development
Sociology of the Media
Sociology of the Environment
Gender, Sexuality and Inequality
Sociology of Memory, Trauma & Collective Denial
Sociology of Law: Legal Justice, Human Right and Social Change
Youth Policy and Practice
The Politics of Racism (Online)
Penal Policy and Practice
Introduction to Biostatistics
Biostatistics I

Cost & Affordability

A clear picture of what this course will cost you

Program Costs

11% off
First Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 19,413.00 USD 21,762.00
Second Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 21,762.00
Third Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 21,762.00
Total Program Cost Estimated total tuition
USD 62,938.00 USD 65,288.00

Currency note: Program costs shown in USD based on the available tuition breakdown.

Living Costs

Accommodation
USD 777.00 - USD 1,595.00
Food & Groceries USD 2,807.00 - USD 4,491.00
Transport USD 702.00 - USD 1,684.00
Utilities & Bills USD 1,404.00 - USD 2,105.00
Estimated Total USD 4,913.00 - USD 8,280.00

Living cost estimates are based on Cork Campus.

Outcomes & Employability

What happens after you graduate

93%
Graduate Employment Rate Within 6 to 12 months of graduation

Common Graduate Roles

Biotechnology & GenomicsCorrections & RehabilitationDefense & Military SecurityEducation Policy & AdministrationEmergency Services & Disaster ResponseHealthcare ConsultingHome Health & Long‑Term CareIntelligence & InvestigationsNursing & Allied HealthSales & Medical Affairs

Top Employers Hiring for this course

An Garda Síochána

Arthur Cox LLP

Cork University Hospital

Department of Education and Youth

Eli Lilly and Company

Health Service Executive

Matheson LLP

Mercy University Hospital

Why Study BA (Hons) Criminology at University College Cork

What makes this program stand out

Moderate Application response time

University College Cork typically responds to applications within 1 - 2 weeks, giving you clarity on your options quickly.

Life at University College Cork in Ireland

What daily life looks like for international students

Language

English

Primary language everywhere

Climate

Mild & Rainy

10-20°C average, pack layers

Safety (Numbeo Safety Index)

Very Safe

Exeter is one of UK's safest cities

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about BA (Hons) Criminology at University College Cork

Can I work while studying?

International students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and 40 hours during breaks. No separate work permit is required for this.

What English language score do I need for this course?

To meet English test requirements, students can choose from several tests. For example, IELTS requires an overall score of 6.5, while TOEFL needs a minimum overall score of 90.

What jobs can I get after studying this course?

This degree prepares graduates for careers in policing, social work, journalism, and more.

What will I actually study in this course?

The Criminology BA covers key topics such as crime, deviance, and justice while integrating philosophy and cultural studies. This interdisciplinary program builds critical thinking skills and offers a global perspective on social issues.

When can I start — what are the intake months?

The BA (Hons) Criminology course has an intake month of September. Make sure to apply before this date to secure your spot.
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