FDA Crime & Criminal Justice Foundation degree at City of Sunderland College
FDA Crime & Criminal Justice at CSC. You'll explore core concepts in crime and criminal justice systems, develop research capabilities, and undertake applied work in real or simulated settings.
About this course
FDA Crime & Criminal Justice is a Foundation degree (FDA) at CSC, based in Bede Campus, Sunderland College,Hartlepool Sixth Form. It runs 2 years, studied full-time.
For Social sciences graduates from this provider, 70% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 25% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £30,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Sociology & Social Sciences, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Stronger evidence Published sample: 1,170. Cohort 2021-22. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 70% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Level 4 5 modules
- Criminological PerspectivesCore40 credits
Module details
This core module introduces you to the foundations of criminology, exploring how and why crime occurs through a range of theoretical lenses. You will examine biological, psychological and sociological explanations of criminal behaviour, alongside key ideas such as conformity, obedience and group influence. As you progress, you will begin to question what "crime" actually means, recognising it as a social and cultural construct shaped by time, place and perspective. The module also explores risk
Assessment: Digital criminological profile and professional discussion
- Skills, Research and ReflectionCore20 credits
Module details
Designed to support your transition into higher education, this module equips you with the academic, personal and professional skills needed to succeed in criminology and criminal justice. You will learn how to design and carry out research, explore qualitative and quantitative data, and develop key skills in referencing, critical thinking and academic writing. Working collaboratively, you will plan and deliver a group research project on a crime-related topic of your choice, gaining experience
Assessment: Group research project
- Criminal Law: Theory to PracticeCore20 credits
Module details
This module provides a vital introduction to the legal framework underpinning the criminal justice system. You will explore how the law defines crime, examining key principles such as actus reus (the guilty act) and mens rea (the guilty mind), alongside the role of causation, liability and defences. You will study a range of offences, including fatal and non-fatal offences against the person, sexual offences and property crimes, while also developing an understanding of how courts and legal inst
Assessment: Creative academic poster and formal essay
- Crime, Deviance and SocietyCore20 credits
Module details
What counts as "crime" and what is simply "deviant" behaviour? This thought-provoking module explores the blurred boundaries between the two, encouraging you to critically examine how social norms, power and culture shape our understanding of wrongdoing. You will engage with a wide range of contemporary issues, including social inequality, extremism, media influence, body image, and political and cultural conflict. The module also introduces key concepts such as victimisation, criminalisation an
Assessment: Case study analysis and applied research
- Current Issues in CriminalityCore20 credits
Module details
Focusing on the rapidly changing nature of crime in modern society, this module explores the key debates shaping criminology today. You will examine contemporary issues such as globalisation and human trafficking, mental health and crime, corporate harm, and the impact of neoliberal policies on crime control. Drawing on modern criminological theories, including cultural criminology, realism, and feminist perspectives, you will analyse how crime is understood and managed in late modernity. You wi
Assessment: Journal article review and audio presentation
Level 5 5 modules
- Global Insecurities and Transitional JusticeCore40 credits
Module details
This module takes your learning onto a global stage, examining crime, justice and human rights in an international context. You will explore how globalisation has reshaped crime and insecurity, and how states and international organisations respond to issues such as war, political extremism and human rights violations. Central to the module is the concept of transitional justice, how societies deal with past atrocities and move towards reconciliation. You will study institutions such as the Inte
- Theories of PunishmentCore20 credits
Module details
Why do we punish, and does it work? This module critically explores the purpose and effectiveness of punishment within the criminal justice system of England and Wales. You will examine key theoretical approaches, including retributive and utilitarian perspectives, alongside contemporary debates about fairness, proportionality and justice. The module explores how punishment is applied in practice, covering sentencing, imprisonment, youth justice and community penalties. You will also consider al
- Contemporary PolicingCore20 credits
Module details
Building on your foundational knowledge of criminal law, this module explores the evolving nature of policing in the 21st century. You will examine how policing has developed historically, while critically analysing the challenges faced by modern police services, including accountability, public trust, and the impact of emerging technologies. Key topics include community and plural policing, cultural diversity, stop and search powers, counter-terrorism, and the policing of public order. You will
Assessment: Applied assessment investigating real-world policing issues
- Serious and Organised CrimeCore20 credits
Module details
Serious and organised crime represents one of the most complex and pressing challenges facing modern societies. In this module, you will explore the nature, scale and impact of organised criminal activity, from drug trafficking and human exploitation to cybercrime and financial fraud. You will examine how globalisation, technology and social factors have transformed organised crime, alongside the pathways that lead individuals into such networks. The module also considers the structures, motivat
Assessment: Case studies and professional discussion
- Small Scale Research ProjectCore20 credits
Module details
This module advances your research skills, preparing you for independent study at Level 6 and beyond. Building on earlier learning, you will deepen your understanding of research design, data analysis and critical evaluation, while developing the confidence to conduct your own research within crime and criminal justice. You will explore both qualitative and quantitative approaches, learning how to formulate research questions, analyse data, and evaluate the strengths and limitations of different
Assessment: Small-scale research project design and execution
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
You'll study crime, criminal justice and related social issues through a foundation degree framework. A course like this typically moves from foundational sociology, examining class, gender, race and social order, to research methods covering interviews, surveys and ethics. In Year 2, you'll progress to social theory, data analysis, and applied streams in areas such as criminology, social policy, gender and identity, migration, and social work routes. Throughout, you'll develop practical research skills and apply sociological understanding to contemporary criminal justice questions. The structure emphasises how societies define and respond to harm and inequality.
Who it's for
You're suited to this course if you're genuinely curious about how crime, law and society interconnect, and if you're willing to engage critically with criminological thinking rather than seeking easy answers. The work demands intellectual rigour alongside practical application, you'll analyse evidence, question assumptions and develop practical competencies. You'll thrive if you're organised, can balance theoretical study with field-based activity, and are motivated by understanding justice systems and social issues. The course appeals to those considering careers in policing, probation, victim support, policy or related professions, or those simply wanting to deepen their knowledge before deciding on a pathway.
Careers & job market
Nationally, across Sociology and Social Sciences courses, 85 per cent of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after qualifying. Of those in employment, 55 per cent work in highly skilled roles or continue studying. Starting salaries for this cohort nationally range from £23,000 to £30,000; after five years, £24,650 to £34,800 according to tax and benefit records. Your individual outcomes will depend on your choices, location and the sector you enter.
University & format
This FDA is delivered full-time over 2 years by City of Sunderland College, a higher education college located at Bede Campus in Sunderland and Hartlepool Sixth Form. Teaching is in English. The award is recognised by a UK degree-awarding body, making your qualification nationally recognised. City of Sunderland College holds a Bronze rating in the Office for Students' Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023).
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 85% |
| another higher-education qualification | 5% |
| an Access course | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at CSC →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Sociology & Social Sciences graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £30,000 | £23,000 – £33,000 | 1170 |
| 3 years after | £18,500 | £15,500 – £21,000 | 25 |
| 5 years after | £21,500 | £15,500 – £27,500 | 20 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 1,170. Cohort 2021-22.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in sociology & social sciences · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Sociology & Social Sciences nationally
National figures for Sociology & Social Sciences graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 1,170. Cohort 2021-22. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Sociology & Social Sciences courses at the same study level.
Compared with 751 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Elementary occupationsSOC 2020 9 · 25% of published destinations · ASHE median £19,087
- Administrative occupationsSOC 2020 41 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,006
- Teaching and Childcare Support OccupationDiscover Uni category · 15% of published destinations
- Welfare and housing associate professionalsSOC 2020 322 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,937
- Teaching and Childcare Associate ProfessionalsSOC 2020 323 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £20,261
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 45; response rate: 55%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Sociology & Social Sciences graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Sociology & Social Sciences graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Local authorities
- Charities & NGOs
- Research organisations
- Government & universities
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Sociology & Social Sciences graduates.
Sociology AdjunctCommonwealth Of VirginiaSociology ECT - High-Achieving Secondary School in BrightonMarchant RecruitmentHead of Psychology and SociologyTeacherActiveIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
70% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £30,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.4 out of 10: NSS 92.6% · in work or study 70% · continued 90%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Social sciences across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Bede Campus, Sunderland College
780 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Around Hartlepool Sixth Form
1,783 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Sociology & Social Sciences right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to CSC from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by CSC; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check CSC’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with CSC and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at CSC
Sociology & Social Sciences at other universities
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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