BA (Hons) Criminology · NorthamptonBachelor's degree · Duration varies
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BA (Hons) Criminology Bachelor's degree at Northampton

BA (Hons) Criminology at Northampton. The University of Northampton is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, and this qualification is nationally recognised.

BA (Hons)
Award
Years
Part-time
Study mode
100%
in work/study (15m)

About this course

Take a multi-disciplinary approach to criminology, including offender profiling and forensic perspectives on our BA Criminology Degree. Apply now! From the provider’s course page.

BA (Hons) Criminology is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at Northampton, based in Waterside Campus, University of Northampton. It is studied part-time; duration varies by route.

For Social sciences graduates from this provider, 100% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 55% 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 Law, see the sections below.

Course evidence score

The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.

10.0
/ 10
1 of 3 official measures
Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Exceptional100

Limited evidence Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 100% (2021-23; 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.

Year 1 6 modules
  • Crime and SocietyCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to explore a range of theories relating to crime and criminality and to locate these within the broader contexts of social divisions and structural inequalities.

  • The Science of Crime and CriminalsCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to explore the scientific evidence used in relation to questions of crime. A combination of perspectives from positivist, biological, anthropological all the way to forensics will be explored in order to understand of the roots and motivation of criminal behaviour.

  • Becoming a CriminologistCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module includes a range of activities designed to facilitate academic development and learning throughout the programme. This module allows students to enhance their existing skills, building confidence towards 'becoming a criminologist'.

  • Imagining CrimeCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is introduce students to a variety of concepts and theories, allowing them to understand the scope of criminology as a discipline, and its applicablity to wider academic and public discourse. It will emphasise the importance of evidence based research and how this differs from populist representations of crime.

  • From Delinquency to Criminal CareersCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to introduce students to life course criminology, and provide a holistic and crititcal understanding of onset, continuance and desistance. Through engaging with a number of theoretical perspectives, which address the life-course, students will begin to develop an understanding around how delinquency can manifest into criminal careers.

  • Research Methods for CriminologistsCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the diverse range of research methods applicable to the study of criminology. The module combines practice and theory to allow students to appreciate the variety of ways the study of crime and deviance has been developed through time.

Year 2 8 modules
  • Crime and JusticeCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module is designed to develop an understanding of the criminal justice system in England and Wales. Perceived breaches of criminal law evoke responses from multiple agencies which in turn dispute the notion of 'justice'. The emergent gaps between the principles and practices of criminal justice will be explored in-depth.

  • Advanced Criminological TheoryCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to build upon theoretical explanations on crime and further develop understanding in contemporary criminological discourses.

  • Criminology, Ethics and Professional PracticeCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    To provide students with knowledge regarding different theoretical perspectives of ethics relating to professional practice. Students will gain the ability to position themselves in relation to social and professional contexts and to rationalise decision making from ethical standpoints whilst also understanding the consequences of theirs and others' actions.

  • Advanced Criminological MethodologiesCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to enable understanding of the theoretical and practical underpinnings relating to research and its application to practice. Students will consider various philosophical and methodological approaches underpinning criminological research as well as key features of planning, organising and a beginning research project.

  • International PolicingOptional20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to enable students gain an in-depth knowledge of the roles, functions and practices of the police in societies. From Europe to Africa and from Asia to America, this module will adopt a comparative approach to appreciate and appraise police operations, cases and models from other jurisdictions at the international level, while critiquing what works and ways forward.

  • Outsiders: Journeys in DevianceOptional20 credits
    Module details

    This module offers an interdisciplinary perspective on theories of labeling with an emphasis on sociological, political and criminological perspectives. There is reference to 'deviant' subcultures and marginalised groups, and this module aims to explore the way these groups perceive themselves, and are perceived by others away from conventional stereotypes.

  • Criminologists in SocietyOptional20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the practical requirements of independent empirical research, networking and building professional connections within the Criminal Justice family. Criminologists in Society will provide students with a detailed understanding of organising and planning for emipircal research and putting research method ideas and skills into practice to advance their independent learning.

  • Criminality Across the Life-courseOptional20 credits
Year 3 9 modules
  • Crime and PunishmentCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    Paradigms of punishment have evolved in the context of broader strategies of 'care' and 'control'. These contribute to and occur within the broader study of criminal justice and social regulation. The module is concerned to examine and evaluate the fundamental features of the system of penalties that operates in Britain.

  • Criminology DissertationCompulsory40 credits
    Module details

    The dissertation provides an opportunity for students to study a topic in greater depth. They can choose a subject which they have found of interest during the previous two years of study, or they can move into any area of current criminological debate (subject to approval from the module leader).

  • ViolenceOptional20 credits
    Module details

    Violence is a social phenomenon that attracts public interest and attention. This module explores the manifestation of different forms of violence both within the domestic and institutional spheres. The module amalgamates theoretical approaches from criminological and zemiological perspectives to explore recent developments in the understanding of violence.

  • Beyond JusticeOptional20 credits
    Module details

    This module will explore social justice, as a series of contested topics. This is an off-campus, non-traditional module, running entirely in a prison. The module cohort will be made up in equal parts of Criminology students from the University and serving prisoners. The ethos underpinning it is equity.

  • Critiquing CriminalisticsOptional20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to provide students with an overview of criminalistics, the theoretical critiques, the practical issues encountered and the various public and private agencies involved. The module also offers a critical examination of criminalistic approaches and examines the aetiology of miscarriages of justice against a backdrop of organisational and political motivations.

  • Intersections in CriminologyOptional20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to allow students to explore a range of criminological perspectives through an intersectional lens, examining the ways in and which gender and race can be centralised or marginalised. These insights will then be developed by applying them to different aspects and forms of crime, as well as exploring the ways in which criminological constructs, and social processes reflect or reinforce broader social divisions.

  • Activism in CriminologyOptional20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to focus on social harms which have been neglected in traditional Criminology, with an emphasis on how they have been, and are being, challenged through a variety of activist practices. This module also provides tools for students to enhance their skills in critical thinking and analysis, effective collaboration and continuous self-reflection.

  • Global Perspectives of CrimeOptional20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to engage students in the critical analysis of local, national, and international issues in criminology. Spanning multiple international jurisdictions and cases from across the world, this module will adopt a comparative approach in scrutinising contemporary debates of crime, harm, security and human rights.

  • Social InjusticesOptional20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to engage in debates about critical social issues such as human rights and social harm. The module will draw from theoretical debates in the areas of border criminologies and social harm, considering the roles of social institutions and states in both perpetrating and protecting from harm.

Foundation Year 3 modules
  • Professional and Academic Skills for University StudyCompulsory40 credits
  • Applied Learning ProjectCompulsory40 credits
  • Foundations in Law, Criminology and Criminal JusticeCompulsory40 credits

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

This course takes a multi-disciplinary approach to criminology, including offender profiling and forensic perspectives. You'll usually begin with foundational modules in Criminal Law, covering offences, defences and the principles of criminal liability, alongside Public Law and the UK constitution. In your second year, you'll typically progress to Tort Law, examining negligence and civil wrongs, and study Land Law and broader legal contexts. Towards the end of your degree, you'll normally choose from specialist options such as Commercial Law, Human Rights, Criminal Justice, Family Law, Employment Law, or Legal Practice (SQE), and complete independent research or supervised practical work. This structure allows you to build from core legal principles to applied criminological study.

Who it's for

This course suits those seeking to understand crime, criminal justice systems, and the legal frameworks that govern them. The part-time study mode allows you to balance learning with work or other commitments. You'll explore specialisations such as Criminal Law, Criminology, Human Rights, Commercial Law, Corporate Law, Family Law, Intellectual Property, and Public Law.

University & format

The BA (Hons) Criminology is studied part-time at the University of Northampton, a University located at Waterside Campus. Instruction is in English. The University is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, degrees are nationally recognised. Teaching quality is rated Silver in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.

Applicant information

The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.

Published entryBBC at A Level typical offer

Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.

2027 entry deadlineApply directly to the provider

Part-time application dates vary by provider. UCAS dates

Open daysOpen Days

See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.

2026 entryLive availability check

Opened 2 July 2026; last choice 19 October 2026. Check vacancies now. A cached page never claims a place is still available.

Entry & how to get in

Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists a typical A-level offer of BBC. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check Northampton's official course page for the current offer.

Entry & your chances

An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.

Offer-based entry

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.

Apply byApply directly to the providerfor this course
  1. 1
    Register on UCAS Hub

    Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.

  2. 2
    Write 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.

  3. 3
    Submit by Apply directly to the provider

    Part-time application dates vary by provider. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.

  4. 4
    Reply to your offers

    When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.

  5. 5
    Results 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.

💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask Northampton whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.

Fees & funding

What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.

Tuition per year

Home£9,790 / yr
International£17,000 / yr

Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).

Check fees at Northampton →

For students who normally live in England

illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, published course home fee
total borrowing, course length not published

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.

Funding matched to this course

Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for

All Northampton funding →

Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.

Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.

StudyKit · free

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.

Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check

Careers & earnings

What Law graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.

Graduate earnings: this course

WhenMedianTypical rangeGraduates
15 months after£30,000£23,000 – £33,00015
3 years after£23,500£16,500 – £32,00035
5 years after£24,000£16,500 – £37,00045

Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23.

Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course

100%
in work or further study 15 months on
55%
in highly skilled work or study
70%
find their work meaningful
70%
say work fits their future plans
  1. 1Paralegal / TraineeTraining contract or pupillage route · 0–2 yrs
  2. 2Solicitor / BarristerQualified practitioner · 2–5 yrs
  3. 3Senior AssociateLeading matters and clients · 5–9 yrs
  4. 4Partner / In-house CounselPartnership or heading legal · 9+ yrs

How pay grows: this course vs Law nationally

Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£30,000
£23,000 – £30,000
After 3 years LEO
£23,500
£19,550 – £27,600
After 5 years LEO
£24,000
£24,225 – £34,200
national rangethis course’s medianaxis £18,500 – £35,500

National figures for Law 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.

100 of 100

were in work or further study

15 months after graduation

80% working10% working and studying10% in further study55% in highly skilled work or study

Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. 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 Law courses at the same study level.

This course £24,000Peer median £28,000Middle 50% £25,500–£31,500
16th percentile

Compared with 1,352 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.

  • Welfare and housing associate professionalsSOC 2020 322 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,937
  • Administrative occupationsSOC 2020 41 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,006
  • Teaching and Childcare Support OccupationDiscover Uni category · 10% of published destinations
  • Welfare ProfessionalsSOC 2020 246 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £39,047
  • Protective service occupationsDiscover Uni category · 10% of published destinations
  • Skilled trades occupationsSOC 2020 5 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £34,241

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: 20; response rate: 65%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.

Job market & outlook

How Law graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.

85%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Law courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes
55%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled
85%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuation

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

  • First-pass document review
  • Standard contract drafting
  • Legal research summaries
  • Routine due diligence

More human than ever

  • Advocacy and negotiation
  • Judgement on ambiguous facts
  • Client trust and ethics
  • Strategy in disputes and deals

The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.

Roles & employers

Where Law graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.

Where they work

  • Law firms
  • Barristers' chambers
  • In-house legal teams
  • Government Legal Service

Is this course right for you?

The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.

💷

Student finance

Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. 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

100% 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 10.0 out of 10: in work or study 100%.

Who studies here and in this subject?

Provider- and UK subject-level context.

The University of Northampton

All students13,505
International16.4%
Aged 25+34.8%

Law across the UK

Students144,525
Aged 25+24.3%

HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.

Local crime-data context

A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.

Around Waterside Campus, University of Northampton

2,220 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.

Violent Crime 679Anti Social Behaviour 509Shoplifting 183Public Order 163Other Theft 143

Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.

Is Law right for you?

Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.

International students

What applying to Northampton from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.

Tuition fees

International tuition is £17,000 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). 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 Northampton’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 Northampton and gov.uk before you apply.

Common questions

Set by Northampton. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
For Social sciences graduates from this provider, 100% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 55% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £30,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
The published home tuition is £9,790 per year for this course. 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. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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