BA Hons Criminology and Social Policy

at University of Stirling

In Semesters 1-4, you’re required to take the following core modules:
 

• Social Differentiation - the effects that gender, age, ethnicity and status have on the way people are treated in different societies.

• Social Problems - contemporary social issues and policy responses, including crime, white collar crime and immigration crime.

• Understanding Social Policy - historical and theoretical perspectives on social policy analysis, including crime policy.

• The Development of Social Theory – an introduction to a range of social, particularly sociological, theoretical perspectives.

• Crime and Criminal Justice - the architecture of the criminal justice system, and evidence and explanations for crime and offending.
   

You’ll also be able to choose additional modules in any subject in semesters 1-4.
 

In Semesters 5-8, you’ll take two core modules:
 

• Research Process is split into two modules.
  The first is an introduction to a range of research methods and a number of issues relating to the exploration of the social world. The second will give you a deeper understanding of research methods in sociology and social policy.
   

You’ll also choose seven advanced option modules, which could include: Ageing, Social Policy and Society; Crimes of the Powerful; Alcohol and Society; ; Punishment and Society; Race,Ethnicity and Migration; and Gender, Crime and Justice. Final-year Honours students will undertake a research dissertation.
 

Year 1, Semester 1

Compulsory module

Select 20 credits from SPCU911 or SPCU9X1 list
 

• Social Differentiation (SPCU911)    20 credits

• Social Differentiation (SPCU9X1)    20 credits

• SPCU911 and SPCU9X1 cover the same content but are timetabled at different times.
   

Option module

Select 40 credits from list
 

• Accounting and Finance for Managers (ACCU7M1)    20 credits

• Our Blue Planet (AQUU1OP)    20 credits

• Introduction to Cell Biology (BIOU1CE)    20 credits

• Ecology: An Introduction (BIOU1IE)    20 credits

 

Year 1, Semester 2

Compulsory module

Select 20 credits from SPCU912 or SPCU9X2 list
 

• Social Problems (SPCU912)    20 credits

• Social Problems (SPCU9X2)    20 credits

• SPCU912 and SPCU9X2 cover the same content but are timetabled at different times
   

Option module

Select 40 credits from Any module (inc Law & Psychology) list
 

• Introduction to Management Accounting (ACCU9A2)    20 credits

• Our Thirsty Planet: Man and the Aquatic Environment (AQUU2TP)    20 credits

• Introduction to Physiology (BIOU2PH)    20 credits

• Making the Most of the World Wide Web (CSCU9F2)    20 credits

 

Year 2, Semester 1

Compulsory module

• Understanding Social Policy (SPCU913)    20 credits
   

Option module

Select 40 credits from any module (inc law) list
 

• Accounting and Finance for Managers (ACCU7M1)    20 credits

• Our Blue Planet (AQUU1OP)    20 credits

• Introduction to Aquatic Environments (AQUU3AE)    20 credits

• Introduction to Cell Biology (BIOU1CE)    20 credits

 

Year 2, Semester 2

Compulsory module

• The Development of Social Theory (SPCU9C4)    20 credits
   

Compulsory module

• Crime and Criminal Justice (CRMU9T4)    20 credits
   

Option module

Select 20 credits from any semester 4 + SPCU934 & Law list
 

• Introduction to Management Accounting (ACCU9A2)    20 credits

• External Reporting (ACCU9A4)    20 credits

• Our Thirsty Planet: Man and the Aquatic Environment (AQUU2TP)    20 credits

• Science of Diving (AQUU4DS)    20 credits

 

Year 3, Semester 1

Compulsory module

• Research Process I (SPCU9CR)    20 credits

• prior to 2021/2 SPCU9C5 was taken
   

Option module

Select 20 credits from Level 10 modules in Criminology list
 

• Crimes of the Powerful (CRMU9TN)    20 credits
   

Option module

Select 20 credits from Modules at level 9 or 10 in Social Policy list
 

• Race, Ethnicity and Migration (SPCU9JG)    20 credits

• Co-operation and Participation (SPCU9JQ)    20 credits

• Home, Housing and Community (SPCU9PB)    20 credits
   

Year 3, Semester 2

Compulsory module

• Research Process II (SPCU9C6)    20 credits
   

Option module

Select 20 credits from Level 10 modules in Criminology list
 

• Punishment and Society (CRMU9TP)    20 credits

• Policing and Society: Criminological Perspectives on Policing Issues and Practices (CRMU9TW)    20 credits
   

Option module

Select 20 credits from Modules at level 9 or 10 in Social Policy list
 

• Ageing, Society and Social Policy (SPCU9JK)    20 credits
   

Year 4, Semester 1

Dissertation

• Dissertation in Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology (SPCU9CZ)    60 credits

• Continued in semester 8.
   

Option module

Select 20 to 40 credits from Sociology, criminology & social policy year 4 list
 

• The Museum: History, Theory, Practice (ARTUMU5)    20 credits

• Crimes of the Powerful (CRMU9TN)    20 credits

• Survey Analysis (SPCU9JE)    20 credits

• Race, Ethnicity and Migration (SPCU9JG)    20 credits

 

students must choose 120 credits across the year
 

Year 4, Semester 2

Option module

Select 20 to 40 credits from Sociology, criminology & social policy year 4 list
 

• Punishment and Society (CRMU9TP)    20 credits

• Policing and Society: Criminological Perspectives on Policing Issues and Practices (CRMU9TW)    20 credits

• Sociology of Sport, Mindsport and Leisure (SOCU9SL)    20 credits

• Ageing, Society and Social Policy (SPCU9JK)    20 credits

Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
 

SQA Highers

• AABB - by the end of S5

• AABBB - by the end of S6
   

GCE A-levels

• BBB
   

IB Diploma

• 30 points
   

BTEC (Level 3)

• DDM
   

Widening access students

• Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.

• Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
   

Year 2 entry – Three-year honours
 

SQA Advanced Highers

• ABB – one sitting
   

GCE A-levels

• ABB
   

IB Diploma

• 35 points
   

Essential subjects

• Sociology
  ​​​​​​​

Direct Entry to 1st Year:
 

Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 65% and above from the following state boards:
 

• CBSE

• ISC/ICSE

• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)
   

• Students from other state boards will require Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 75%.
   

  Advanced Entry to 2nd Year:
   

  Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 75% and above from the following state boards:
   

• CBSE

• ISC/ICSE

• Advanced entry is possible on a range of courses. Student applications will be considered on a case by case basis.Please note that advanced entry options for students who have scored 35 in the International Baccalaureate or GCE A-Levels ABB in one sitting will also be considered on a case by case basis.
  
  Students who score 70% in English in Year 12 from the following exam boards won't be required to submit IELTS, if studied within the last 5 years of our course start date:
   

• CBSE
• ISC/ICSE
• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)
   

• Students from other state boards will either need 80% in English if studied within 5 years of the course start date, or a UKVI SELT, IELTS Academic or PTE Academic, depending on the state board, taken within 2 years of our course start date.
  
  English language requirements
  
  If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
   

• IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with 5.5 in each skill

• Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill

• Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill

• Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill

• IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing

• IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing

• Trinity ISE II Pass overall and Pass in each sub-skill, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills

• Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills

• Duolingo 95 overall with a minimum of 90 in all sub-skills

• LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator -  Pass with minimum 33 in each sub-skill

• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)

Academic year:	2022/23	2023/24
Overseas students (non-EU)	£15,900	£16,400

Overseas students (non-EU)
 

You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.

If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.

EU and overseas students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.

Our Criminology and Social Policy degree provides you with an excellent academic base if you’re considering careers in areas such as:
 

• the police
• social work
• prison service
• the civil service
• human rights agencies
• regulatory fields
• charitable foundations
• marketing or lobby groups
   

This course covers a diverse range of topics and will equip you with a wide range of skills. Our graduates have gone on to work in the public, private and third sectors, including careers in:
 

• social services
• education
• market research
• policy analysis
• human resources charity fundraising
   

Tailored careers advice is available throughout your time at the University of Stirling.
 

Our Criminology and Social Policy graduates are in demand for a wide range of roles throughout the private, public and voluntary sectors. The skills you’ll learn in critical thinking, analysis, and problem solving are highly valued by employers and will give you the edge in the job market.

You’ll benefit from our strong links with other organisations situated on the University of Stirling campus. These include the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research, The Scottish Institute for Policing Research, and the Salvation Army Centre for Addiction Services and Research.