University of Portsmouth United Kingdom

Sociology with Criminology BSc (Hons)

Integrated Masters with deeper specialization and research focus
Taught in English
Duration 3 Years
Mode On Campus
Level Undergraduate
Degree Bachelors Degree
Closing soon September 2026

Course Overview

The Sociology with Criminology BSc (Hons) at the University of Portsmouth invites you to explore the intricate relationship between societal structures and criminal behaviour. This degree is designed for students keen to understand the root causes of crime, the dynamics of social inequality, and the functioning of criminal justice systems. You will develop a critical sociological imagination, enabling you to analyse complex social issues from historical perspectives to contemporary challenges, such as understanding criminology, theorising social life, and examining criminal justice processes.

This full-time, on-campus undergraduate degree is studied over three years, offering you a comprehensive journey through sociological and criminological thought. You will engage with research design and analysis, allowing you to conduct your own sociological investigations, and choose from a wide array of optional modules covering topics like gang crime, hate crime, and victims of crime. The course culminates in a significant independent project or dissertation in your final year, preparing you for diverse career paths in research, policy, social work, or the legal profession.

Course Curriculum & Details

Detailed information for serious evaluators

Program Overview

This BSc (Hons) program in Sociology with Criminology offers a comprehensive exploration of social structures and criminal behavior. You will develop a strong sociological imagination and gain foundational knowledge in criminal justice and criminology theory. The curriculum progresses to advanced research methods and allows for specialization through a wide array of optional modules covering diverse topics such as digital cultures, global security, and the sociology of education, culminating in a dissertation or major project.

1 Year 1

Criminal justice
Developing your sociological imagination
Research design and analysis
Theorising social life
Understanding criminology

2 Year 2

Doing sociological research
Questioning criminology

3 Optional modules

Consumer society: Critical themes and issues
Digital cultures: Exploring the digital in the humanities and social sciences
Drugs and society
Gang crime
Gender and sexuality
Global environmental justice
Hate crime
Health, wellbeing and happiness
Race and racism
Sociology of culture: Taste, value and celebrity
Victims of crime: Key players in criminal justice
Work, employment and society
Youth crime, youth justice
Empire and its afterlives in Britain, Europe and Africa
Engaged citizenship in humanities and social sciences
Global security
Intercultural perspectives on communication
Marketing and communication
News, discourse and media
Principles of economic crime investigation
Puritans to postmodernists: American literature
Transitional justice and human rights
Wildlife crime: Threats and response
Contemporary terrorism and the global response
Crimes of the powerful
Emotions and social life
Equality or liberation? Theorising social justice
Family, career and generation
Modernity and globalisation
Nationalism and migration: Chaos, crisis and the everyday
Penology and prison
Policing and society
Professional experience
Risk and society
Social power, elites and dissent
The sociology of education
Understanding personal life

4 Year 3

Dissertation (Sociology)
Major project
Consumer society: Critical themes and issues
Crime and new technologies: Theory and practice
Dangerous offenders and public protection
Economic crime and fraud examination
Gender and sexuality
Green crime and environmental justice
Health, wellbeing and happiness
Introduction to teaching
Policing: Law, policy and practice
Political extremism
Professional development: Recruiters and candidates
Race and racism
Sociology of culture: Taste, value and celebrity
Black criminology, race and the criminal justice system
Contemporary terrorism and the global response
Emotions and social life
Equality or liberation? Theorising social justice
Family, career and generation
Gender and crime
Miscarriages of justice
Money laundering and compliance
Nationalism and migration: Chaos, crisis and the everyday
Policing: Communities, intelligence and information
Professional experience
Social power, elites and dissent
The sociology of education
Treatment and rehabilitation of offenders
True crime - the making of a genre
Understanding personal life

Cost & Affordability

A clear picture of what this course will cost you

Program Costs

First Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 24,195.00
Second Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 24,195.00
Third Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 24,195.00
Total Program Cost Estimated total tuition
USD 72,586.00

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

Living Costs

Accommodation
USD 912.00 - USD 2,400.00
Food & Groceries USD 2,417.00 - USD 4,028.00
Transport USD 645.00 - USD 1,289.00
Utilities & Bills USD 1,128.00 - USD 1,934.00
Estimated Total USD 4,190.00 - USD 7,251.00

Living cost estimates are based on Portsmouth Campus.

Outcomes & Employability

What happens after you graduate

94%
Graduate Employment Rate Within 6 to 12 months of graduation

Common Graduate Roles

Consumer Finance & Credit ServicesCurriculum & Instructional DesignEarly Childhood & Primary EducationEconomic Research & PolicyFinancial Technology (Fintech)Food Marketing & Brand ManagementHome Health & Long‑Term CareInvestment Management & Asset ManagementSecondary & High School EducationSpecial & Inclusive Education

Top Employers Hiring for this course

Legal & General

NHS

Nuffield Health

Tesco

University of Portsmouth

Why Study Sociology with Criminology BSc (Hons) at University of Portsmouth

What makes this program stand out

September 2026 Closing soon

Next intake is in September 2026

Life at University of Portsmouth in United Kingdom

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 Sociology with Criminology BSc (Hons) at University of Portsmouth

Can I work while studying?

International students in degree courses can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during breaks. A separate work permit is not required for this.

What English language score do I need for this course?

To meet English language requirements, TOEFL scores must include a minimum overall score of 91, while IELTS requires a minimum overall score of 6.5. Check specific subject scores for other tests like PTE.

What jobs can I get after studying this course?

Potential job titles include Crime Analyst, Social Worker, Policy Advisor, Researcher, and Law Enforcement Officer.

What will I actually study in this course?

This course examines how sociology and crime interact, particularly through power dynamics and social structures. You'll explore a range of topics, including identity issues, happiness, gang crime, and serial killing.

When can I start — what are the intake months?

The intake month for the Sociology with Criminology BSc (Hons) program is September. Be sure to apply in advance to secure your spot.
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