BA (Hons) Criminology and Social Studies with Foundation Year

Course Overview

Are you interested in learning how to develop solution focussed approaches to social problems relevant to the criminal justice system? Do you want to establish a career in the criminal justice system and related social sectors? Our BSc (Hons) Criminology and Social Studies programme will offer you a unique opportunity to study the social and societal factors underlying and influencing crime, criminal justice and associated social problems.

Studying this course at Bucks will give you the opportunity to learn with highly experienced and qualified staff who will work with you to develop new skills and knowledge. Throughout the course, we place a strong emphasis on social ‘praxis’ - developing solutions to social problems.

We will equip you with the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding to work in any setting where developing strategies for positive, transformative change are useful and required. This is the course to do if you are interested in understanding the present moment in our societies.

The course is tuned to the most current of social issues surrounding crime and criminal justice in our contemporary world, such as the issues around the Black Lives Matters movement.

You will develop critical thinking around such issues as the ways policing and criminal justice are situated within wider social inequalities and injustices, and also how social change for justice can be achieved through social movements, often via the latest digital technologies.

Employability

What are my career prospects

The programme offers both a subject-specific and a generic knowledge base, skills and competences that will enable you to pursue a career in any of the applied criminology professions as well as those in the social sectors surrounding criminal justice. It is also recognised that many criminology and social science students will choose from a wide range of graduate career options.

Typically, graduating students will focus on roles in various branches of the Criminal Justice System (e.g. the courts, prisons, probation services etc.), and relevant social sectors and organisations (e.g. public sector; civil service; voluntary and third sector organisations such as drug and alcohol services).

You can also choose to continue with further postgraduate education following your degree.