BA (Hons) Criminology

at Edinburgh Napier University

During the four year course, you will develop a clear understanding of the key disciplines which will inform your criminological studies, such as sociology, psychology and history. You will also develop your skills in research methods, including collecting and analysing both quantitative and qualitative data, and will have an understanding of the ethical issues in criminological research.

As you progress through the course, you will gain theoretical knowledge of key criminological theories, issues in crime control and punishment, as well as specific forms of crime such as violence. You will also have the opportunity to study a number of optional modules including cybercrime, giving you further insight into the interdisciplinary nature of criminology. You will put this knowledge and your understanding of research methodologies into practice in your final year by conducting and writing up your Honours Project.

Popular modules

Year 1

• Introduction to Sociology
• Contemporary British History
• Understanding Social Science Research
• Introduction to Criminology
• Understanding Social Change
• One option from modules such as:
• Behavioural Studies
• Family Law
• Introduction to the Web

Year 2

• Introduction to Criminal Justice Systems in the UK
• Introduction to Psychology
• Quantitative Research Methods Criminological Theory
• Youth, Crime & Deviance
• An option from the following:
• Volunteering & Employability
• Exploring Culture
• Society, Space and Place

Year 3

• Crime
• Control & Punishment
• Violence & Society
• Researching the Social Sciences
• Three options from the following:
• History of Crime
• Correction & Reform
• Cybercrime
• Law & Society
• Human Rights
• Forensic Psychology
• Counselling Psychology
• Sexuality & Gender
• Environment, Politics & Society
• Child Protection

Year 4

• Preparing for the Honours Project
• Honours Project
• Comparative & International Criminology
• Two options from the following:
• Victimisation & Victimology
• Cybercrime
• Surveillance & Society
• Forensic Psychology
• Social Identities
• Abnormal Psychology

Undergraduate and postgraduate taught degrees 

IELTS (Academic)
6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5

TOEFL Internet Based Test
80 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing

Pearson’s Test of Academic English
56 overall with a minimum of 51 in each component

Cambridge C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE))
169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each component

Cambridge B2 First (formerly Cambridge English First (FCE))
169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each component

Cambridge C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge English Advanced (CAE))
169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each component

Trinity Integrated Skills Test (ISE)
ISEII, ISEIII, ISEIV with a pass in each component

LanguageCert English language qualification
B2 Communicator Test with overall 39 or above, and 25 or above in all skills

Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland will be invoiced the tuition fees for 3 years of their 4 years of study. Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by mainland EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2022 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here. For EU students who commenced their studies prior to 1 August 2022 or hold pre or settled status in the UK, fees will remain the same as Scottish Students

If additional compulsory costs other than the tuition fees are applicable, these will be detailed in the course details.                    

Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2022 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.

Career opportunities include:

• Local or national government
• Voluntary sector
• Policing
• Offender supervision
• Youth justice and youth work