Curious about studying Criminology - BSc (Hons)at Bucks New University? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
High Wycombe Campus
Full Time
Oct 2026
3 Year
This course shares its first year with our Criminology & Forensic Studies and Criminology & Law courses. After your first year you can choose to change to one of these courses if you enjoy them.
Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?Throughout your time with us we’ll support you in setting and achieving your goals. We will develop your skills, encourage you to become enterprising, boost your employability and become a leader. BNU gives you an opportunity to develop your interest in criminology and learn what it takes to gain a career you really care about. We have everything you need to feel welcome, with our student union ranked 2nd in the UK (NSS 2022) you will have no trouble feeling at home here. Our university is close to all the main attractions of London so the capital is within easy reach, We are perfectly suited if you want to commute to university while remaining close to friends and family or you want to explore London. In addition to all these great benefits to studying at BNU, your Criminology course has some great benefits, with a passionate teaching team made up of former industry professionals, professional facilities and staff with links to organisations that keep us current and up to date with the latest research and statistics, and provide a gateway into the profession for many of our graduates.
What facilities can I use?Our criminology programme has a wealth of opportunities for you to get stuck into thanks to our diverse range of facilities. You can get access to a simulated crime scene and learn how to collect forensic evidence or have the opportunity to test your own theories and get to grips with VR, police interviews and more. We have a full range of facilities that can help prepare you for whatever career you choose to pursue within criminology.Our library is packed with all the information you need for your assessments and there’s plenty of room to knuckle down for some quiet study. Whilst studying with us you will also use our AppsAnywhere web service, which provides access to many of the software applications you use for learning and studying. AppsAnywhere can be used from your own device or from a University owned PC or laptop, from any location.
What will I study?On the core criminology specialism, you take a more holistic approach to criminological practice. Our modules are cutting edge and cover issues such as crime, criminals, criminal behaviour, corrections, human social behaviour, origins, organisations, institutions and the development of human society. These issues are all discussed within a scientific and evidence-based framework. Criminological theories are applied to potential practice scenarios throughout the degree.
Career ProspectsThroughout your time with us we’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. We’ll help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders. We also help you find employment after graduation. Have a look at our Careers and Employability pages to find out more.Our Criminology programme is a springboard for entry into probation and related roles in the criminal justice system, whether that’s in the police, the court, probation, prison or crime related research organisation. Some of the careers you could pursue include:- probation services- national security- police force- cybercrime and prevention- criminal justice- law and forensicsGraduates can also choose to study for a postgraduate course at BNU.
This module introduces you to the core concepts of ‘crime’, ‘harm’ and ‘justice’, and debates around these that form the foundation of understanding in criminology. You’ll explore key criminological approaches/theories to understanding ‘crime’, ‘harm’ and ‘justice’ and the impact of the historical and social contexts within which they have emerged.
This module has two strands, the first introduces you to issues in contemporary British (and other) societies. You’ll explore debates relating to society, identity and diverse social groups. The second strand is the ‘Academic Skills’ programme which introduces you to the use of academic evidence and integrity as well as other key academic skills.
On this module, you’ll examine the scope of policy and the policy-making process. You’ll discuss what is meant by a ‘social problem’ by examining political ideologies and the shifting relationship between state and citizen. We’ll explore policy issues and how research is used to produce evidence to influence governments and other agencies.
This module introduces you to the key debates, issues and relevance of the character, role and impact of all forms of media in contemporary societies. You’ll explore the many ways in which media infiltrates and shapes our social worlds, giving you a working understanding of the social science of the many-sided facets of media.As most workplaces need to develop a media presence, alongside the academic and theoretical content, this module will introduce you to the evaluation and production of relevant media content through practical tasks on a variety of media platforms. This will help you develop a working knowledge of using media to communicate effectively for a variety of purposes.Throughout the module, you’ll analyse real-world examples and cases of relevant media products. You’ll investigate the value of theory in understanding the most contemporary of media issues. You’ll also be required to reflect on your own media use, using the new tools of analysis you have gained.
This module covers the core concepts of ‘punishment’, ‘justice’ and ‘victimisation’ and debates around these that form the basis of understanding in criminology and criminal justice. A history of punishment and penology will focus in particular on the question of how and why punishment has changed over time including the ways in which punishment for crime is linked with wider social processes.The key justifications, models and types of punishment in contemporary societies will be explored and discussed, including in terms of their effects and effectiveness in controlling or preventing crime and providing justice for victims and how these fit into society and the Criminal Justice System as a whole. The social processes of criminalisation and victimisation are key to understanding ‘justice’ and ‘punishment’. These core concepts will be explored and discussed in relation to 21st Century societies, in particular the UK.The module will enable you to explore processes of victimisation, the experience of victims of crime, the management of victims of crime within criminal justice processes, the relationship between methods of punishment and victims experience of justice. We’ll introduce you to the key approaches within penology and victimology, exploring recently emerging themes in research and theory into victimisation and punishment.
This module will explore the concept of justice and theorise what makes a just society. We will explore the idea of justice as "fairness" and what is meant by a free and equal citizen. Domains of injustice will be explored, for example, injustice within social institutions, injustice in opportunities and injustice in private, family lives. We will also explore contending conceptions of social justice, and the concrete efforts of political parties, charities, social movements and ordinary people to oppose and transform unfair and harmful social arrangements, so as to achieve more just outcomes.Distinctively, we will adopt a ‘hands-on’ approach to addressing these issues, whereby we examine how best to embed our understanding of justice in active, practical strategies to oppose the injustices we encounter and help transform the social world.
This module covers ‘forms of crime’ in contemporary late modern societies. Taking a critical approach to the notion of ‘crime’, we’ll explore role of power in processes of criminalisation, crime, social harm and responses to ‘crime’. You’ll analyse ways criminal justice and societal processes are implicated in hierarchies of crime and criminality.
On this module, we’ll support your work-related learning activities and encourage you to reflect on your development as future graduate employees. You’ll apply learning from your degree to practice and set goals for your development as future professionals. You’ll be supported in setting goals and developing plans for your work-related activities.
This module builds your knowledge of research methods. You’ll examine key concepts from social research and discuss the important contribution of research to your discipline area. You’ll be introduced to research issues and gain a foundation for the understanding of research methods required for your dissertation and career development.
Building on your understanding of theoretical perspectives in criminology, on this module you’ll apply the analytic and investigative skills developed in the first year. We emphasises lecturer-learner interaction, introducing cross fertilization of contemporary theoretical perspectives in the mainstream and on the maverick fringes of criminology.
This module explores the concepts, significance and lived realities of social diversity in contemporary societies. It draws on everyday experiences of social diversity. The module makes sense of these by critically engaging with academic work on discrimination, late modernity, feminisms, social harm, and multi-culturalism/integration and identity.
The module deepens your understanding of criminal justice and penal systems through the analysis of policy issues in criminal justice systems, in particular parts of the UK, Europe, the USA and east Asia. You’ll consider the usefulness of studying cross-national issues, understanding different ways that justice is operationalised around the world.
This module provides a supportive framework for undertaking an independent extended research study. You’ll choose which type and methodology of research to follow in this project, such as a literature-based project; an empirical project using various methods; or an applied dissertation. The bulk of teaching involves individual supervision sessions.
4.4Bucks New University (BNU) is a student-focused university based in High Wycombe, with over 130 years of educational his...
