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BA (Hons)Criminology and Sociology

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Starting in2025
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UCAS code: CAS1
Institution code: S30
Campus: Southampton City CentreView on Google Maps

Why study a criminology and sociology degree at Solent University

This degree helps you develop critical perspectives on social behaviours, exploring justice, crime and inequality, to prepare you for a successful career and make a meaningful contribution to society.

  • 0st
    out of 89 UK institutions for criminology (Guardian League Table 2024)
  • 0th
    in the top 20 best student cities (StudentCrowd, 2023)
  • £0m
    invested in our campus estate and facilities
  • Solent ranked in the top 20% of UK universities for teaching quality (out of 131 institutions) (The Times Good University Guide 2025).
  • The course is designed, taught and assessed in partnership with social work practitioners, service users, and carers, ensuring you are up to date with the latest developments in the field.
  • Students have access to the Solent Library, with an extensive range of criminology resources, journals and online materials. You will also be able to use our portable crime scene and mock courtroom, in the Investigating Crime Scenes, and Forensic Evidence modules.
  • Benefit from a strong mentoring support network which in the past has led directly to employment for students, and extended beyond employment, into pastoral and welfare care.
  • This course offers lecturing staff who are current within the industry and have strong industry connections that offer employment opportunities.
  • You’ll be assigned a personal tutor who can assist you with pastoral support to help you make the most of your learning.
Video transcript, with a description of visuals available.

Course overview

The course is informed by and regularly updated to incorporate current industry thinking, with lecturing staff who have connections and ongoing practice within the sector – ensuring what you study is current, relevant and practically linked to real-world developments and issues.

The curriculum includes key areas of criminology and sociology, you’ll study subjects such as; crime; social behaviours; media, social inequalities, migration and race and ethnicity. You’ll develop scientific approaches to researching key issues, applying concepts from sociology and criminology. You’ll also develop a range of key skills which will help you become analytical and enable problem solving. You’ll become an excellent communicator with a good understanding of empathy. These skills will provide useful tools for a range of careers in healthcare, public sector, leadership, law enforcement, finance, research and IT.

This degree emphasises the practical application of criminology and sociology, with real-world assessments integrated throughout. In sociology and criminology modules you’ll reflect on real issues such as community empowerment, justice, and, applied sociology. You’ll develop knowledge and skills to become competent in critically understanding justice, crime, social issues and equity.

To reflect the wide range of careers that are open to graduates, the course can be tailored with optional modules that suit your specific ambitions.

Any questions?

Contact UK admissions

Email: admissions@solent.ac.ukCall: 023 8201 5066

Contact international admissions

Email: admissions.international@solent.ac.ukCall: +44 (0)23 8201 5066

Course features

  • Foundation year available

    If you're not quite ready for a full undergraduate degree, there's alternative entry through one of our foundation years

  • Further studies

    After successfully completing your studies, there's an opportunity to continue your studies at Solent

  • Study abroad

    You have the opportunity to study abroad in one of our partner universities for a semester on this course

Who is this course for?

This course is for students who want to study criminology and sociology developing a excellent knowledge of sociology and criminology that can be applied to their future development and careers.

What does this course lead to?

This degree will give you the skills and knowledge to be able to work in many roles in the voluntary, public and private sector. The skills you learn and develop when you study sociology and criminology can be used in a diverse range of careers.

For example, being a critical thinker and being able to assess different viewpoints, asking critical questions about social issues has meant that employers in a range of sectors see sociology and criminology degrees as desirable.

More specifically, sociology and criminology graduates develop communication skills, analytical skills, and cross-cultural understanding, which can be utilised in a number of employment opportunities.

Graduate stories

Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.

I feel very lucky to study at Solent University and have always felt valued by the academic team.

Nasima Khalique

Current student

Meet the team

The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.

Facilities

Students have access to our portable crime scene and mock courtroom. You'll also find an extensive range of criminology resources, journals and online materials in the Solent Library.

Our vibrant campus brings state-of-the-art facilities to enhance your learning and elevate your student experience. Our award-winning teaching building, The Spark is centred around students and offers a stimulating study environment with flexible learning spaces. Away from studying, why not try out the gyms, fitness studios and sports halls in our £28 million Sports Complex, or watch a blockbuster film at our student-run cinema with Dolby Atmos audio.

    International opportunities

    Broaden your horizons by adding an international dimension to your CV – essential to achieving success in today’s fast-changing, global environment.

    Studying, working or volunteering in another country could be the experience of a lifetime. Enhance your degree by developing important global skills such as knowledge of other countries, language skills, intercultural awareness, adaptability and confidence.

    For more information, please email international.mobility@solent.ac.uk.

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