(BA) Bachelor of Arts
Criminology with Social Psychology (Including Year Abroad)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Sociology and Criminology
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Sociology
BA LHC8
07/05/2025
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
- A-levels: BBB - BBC or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels.
- BTEC: DDM - DMM or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels. The acceptability of BTECs is dependent on subject studied and optional units taken - email ugquery@essex.ac.uk for advice.
- Combined qualifications on the UCAS tariff: 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A levels or equivalent. Tariff point offers may be made if you are taking a qualification, or mixture of qualifications, from the list on our undergraduate application information page.
- IB: 30 - 29 points or three Higher Level certificates with 555-554.
- IB Career-related Programme: We consider combinations of IB Diploma Programme courses with BTECs or other qualifications. Advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
- QAA-approved Access to HE Diploma: 6 level 3 credits at Distinction and 39 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
- T-levels: We consider T-levels on a case-by-case basis, depending on subject studied. The offer for most courses is Distinction overall. Depending on the course applied for there may be additional requirements, which may include a specific grade in the Core.
Contextual Offers:
We are committed to ensuring that all students with the merit and potential to benefit from an Essex education are supported to do so. If you are a home fee paying student residing in the UK you may be eligible for a Contextual Offer of up to two A-level grades, or equivalent, below our standard conditional offer.
Factors we consider:
- Applicants from underrepresented groups
- Applicants progressing from University of Essex Schools Membership schools/colleges
- Applicants who attend a compulsory admissions interview
- Applicants who attend an Offer Holder Day at our Colchester or Southend campus
Our contextual offers policy outlines additional circumstances and eligibility criteria.
For further information about what a contextual offer may look like for your specific qualification profile, email ugquery@essex.ac.uk.
If you haven't got the grades you hoped for, have a non-traditional academic background, are a mature student, or have any questions about eligibility for your course, more information can be found on our undergraduate application information page or get in touch with our Undergraduate Admissions Team.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.
Details of English language requirements, including component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.
English language shelf-life
Most English language qualifications have a validity period of 5 years. The validity period of Pearson Test of English, TOEFL and CBSE or CISCE English is 2 years.
If you require a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
Pre-sessional English courses
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Pending English language qualifications
You don’t need to achieve the required level before making your application, but it will be one of the conditions of your offer.
If you cannot find the qualification that you have achieved or are pending, then please email ugquery@essex.ac.uk
.
Requirements for second and final year entry
Different requirements apply for second and final year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK. Details of English language requirements, including UK Visas and Immigration minimum component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
Additional Notes
If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
- Applied Data Science: In order to be eligible for the qualifier, you must successfully complete the following modules: Year Two: SC202 (15 credits) Researching the Real World: Quantitative Approaches to Studying Crime and Society and SC208 (15 credits) Quantitative Research: Crime and Inequality Across the Life Course. Final Year: SC385 (30 credits) Modelling Crime and Society and SC830 (30 credits) Quantitative Research Project For details of further recommended modules please web search “Essex Q-Step”.
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
Dr Emily Gray
Assistant Professor of Criminology
University of Warwick
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
- To provide students with an understanding of the distinctive character of criminological and social psychological thinking. (B)
- To provide students with a knowledge of the main theoretical traditions of criminology. (B)
- To provide students with a knowledge of the main theoretical traditions of social psychology.
- To provide students with an understanding of the main research methodologies and methods used in criminology and social psychology. (B)
- To develop students capacity for critical enquiry, argument and analysis.
- To develop students capacity for independent learning.
- To provide students with the knowledge and skills to enable them to proceed to further study and research.
Reference to the QAA Benchmarks for Criminology are indicated by the letter B.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: A knowledge of the intellectual foundations of criminology
A2: A knowledge of the intellectual foundations of social psychology
A3: A knowledge of key concepts and theories in social psychology
A4: A knowledge of key criminological concepts and theories
A5: An understanding of the relationships between individuals, groups and social institutions (b)
A6: An understanding of social context, culture, social diversity and social change (b)
A7: A knowledge of the relationship between theory, concepts and substantive issues (b)
A8: A knowledge of the principles of research design and the main approaches to data collection (b)
A9: An understanding of the analysis and interpretation of empirical data (b)
A10: A knowledge of the epistemological, ethical and political dimensions of research in criminology and social psychology (b)
Learning methods
The Departments use lectures to present material - ideas, data and arguments - in a clear and structured manner using examples, mapping the field and the contours of debates.
Lectures are also used to stimulate students interest in the area under discussion.
In each course the issues and arguments covered in lectures are explored further through weekly classes or workshops for which students have to prepare.
The curriculum is designed to involve clear progression between the foundational work in the first year and the subsequent compulsory courses.
In particular there is a strong emphasis on developing students theoretical understanding of criminological and social psychological work through the progressive structuring of the material in SC104/SC204/SC304; in PS111/SC213/HS301 ; and in SC101/SC203.
Their criminological and social psychological knowledge and understanding is further enhanced by the work that they do for their options.
Classes, and preparation for classes, provide the opportunity for students to develop their knowledge and understanding of the content of the courses.
In addition student learning takes place through the work they do preparing essays and assignments.
In the first year on SC104 students are required to produce assignments based on selected empirical studies in criminology.
Students have to produce a critical review, an essay and answer a quiz for SC111 and have a required examination question on key sociological issues and key concepts.
SC104 and SC111 also specifically introduce students to examples of ongoing research in the Department.
In the second-year course SC203 students gain knowledge of research methods through workshops and small groups, in the context of preparation for the final year project.
In the third year course SC306, there is a particular focus on reading key criminological texts and analysing a variety of crime texts (in literature, film and television).
In their third year all students must carry out independent work for a research project (SC831) for which they receive some individual supervision.
Assessment methods
Outcomes A1 to A10 are assessed through coursework and unseen written examinations.
Coursework includes assessed oral presentations, essays, critical reflections, book reviews, and a research proposal.
In addition, the assessed work for all third-year students includes a research project.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: An ability to understand, summarise and critically assess criminological work (b)
B2: An ability to understand, summarise and critically assess social psychological work
B3: An ability to compare competing theories and explanations (b)
B4: An ability to develop a reasoned argument
B5: An ability to formulate sociological questions
B6: An ability to assemble, evaluate and interpret evidence (b)
Learning methods
Outcomes B1 to B6 are assessed by course work and exam.
B1 and B2 are assessed through essays, assignments, critical reflections, book reviews, oral presentations and unseen written examinations for SC104, SC204 and SC304 and PS111, SC213 and HS301 .
Not all assignments require the evaluation and interpretation of empirical evidence (B6) though many do, but these skills are specifically assessed in some of the assignments for SC203.
On all courses students are required to marshal material in order to expound an argument.
Assessment methods
Outcomes B1 to B6 are assessed by course work and exam.
B1 and B2 are assessed through essays, assignments, journals, oral presentations and unseen written examinations for SC104, SC242 and SC304 and PS111, SC213 and HS301.
Not all assignments require the evaluation and interpretation of empirical evidence (B6) though many do, but these skills are specifically assessed in some of the assignments for SC203.
On all courses students are required to marshal material in order to expound an argument.
C: Practical skills
C1: An ability to retrieve relevant evidence using bibliographic and web searches (b)
C2: An ability to summarise, report and evaluate arguments, texts and findings in the field of Criminology (b)
C3: An ability to summarise, report and evaluate arguments, texts and findings in the field of social psychology
C4: An ability to frame a research proposal and to identify and apply the appropriate research methods
C5: An ability to demonstrate reflexive awareness in interpreting criminological and social psychological material (b)
C6: An ability to conduct and present a small scale piece of research
C7: An ability to apply introductory statistical techniques to data (b)
C8: Completion of work experience/volunteering and ability to reflect on in in the context of career decision making
C9: Competence in key elements of the job selection process
Learning methods
In the first year assignments cover tasks such as producing a bibliography on a sociological topic, producing a glossary, describing and evaluating a sociological text and producing a sociological journal.
In addition students do an employability module which consists of a work placement or volunteering, reflections on which inform career decision making.
Throughout the three years of the degree practical skills are developed through preparation for classes, preparing essays and other assessed assignments, giving presentations and doing written examinations.
In SC101, students carry out an observational study and SC111 requires students to produce a journal which demonstrates reflexive awareness in interpreting sociological material.
The work for SC 201 includes the detailed examination and interpretation of key sociological texts and in SC203 students frame a research proposal and select the appropriate research methods.
In addition the third year project for SC831 is particularly valuable in developing students practical sociological skills.
Some of these skills are further developed through the work students do for their optional courses.
Students receive detailed feedback on all their coursework and presentations.
Study skills advice and training is available from the Student Support Officer in the Resource Room, which is dedicated to this purpose.
Assessment methods
Skill C1 is specifically assessed in the first year SC111 and SC104 assignments, but also forms part of the assessment of almost every piece of assessed coursework.
Skills C2 and C3 are assessed in the majority of pieces of assessed coursework and written examinations.
C4 and C5 are assessed in the course assignments for SC203.
C4 is assessed in PS111, SC203 and in the research project (SC831), C5 in the journal for SC111 and in course assignments for SC203.
C6 is assessed in SC203 and in the research project (SC831), and C7 in course assignments for SC101 and SC203.
D: Key skills
D1: An ability to present ideas and evidence to others both orally and in writing in a clear and concise manner
D2: An ability to collect and present materials using information technology
D3: An ability to read, interpret and draw inferences from statistics, and an ability to carry out simple statistical calculations
D4: An ability to identify problems and propose solutions
D5: An ability to plan work and manage time, and an ability to reflect on their own work and respond constructively to the comments of others
Learning methods
Generic skills are taught and learned throughout the degree through a range of strategies, for example, requiring students to give oral presentations, through giving them specific assignments such as carrying bibliographic and web searches, through specific assignments requiring numerical skills, and through class discussion and class and essay preparation.
Students have the opportunity to discuss essay plans with staff and are given clear deadlines for their work which they must meet.
They are given feedback on all their coursework and are encouraged to reflect and improve upon their work.
Students also have the opportunity to develop skills in working in groups through their participation in the classes for every course.
Assessment methods
Communication skills are assessed throughout the degree through continuous assessed coursework (including oral presentation) and examinations.
IT skills are a component in the evaluation of most assessed work which require bibliographic and web searches, but there is a particular focus on them in assessments such as the sociological and criminological journals SC111 and SC104 and in the literature review assignment for SC203.
Numeracy skills are assessed in the assignments for SC104, which include interpretation of crime statistics, SC101 and PS111 which test students basic statistical knowledge and in SC203, which includes the computer application of statistical procedures.
Problem solving skills are assessed in almost all assignments.
Since the curriculum is structured in a progressive manner, students skills in improving learning and performance are also assessed through the related structured progression of formal assessed work.