BA (Hons) Criminology Bachelor's degree at the University of Nottingham

Explore how crime, harm, victimisation and punishment are shaped by society and culture. You'll look at how criminology connects with other disciplines like sociology, law, anthropology and social policy and how these perspectives help us understand crime in more complex ways. You will examine how crime and justice are represented in the media and popular culture and how these representations influence public opinion and policy. You'll also learn how crime data is collected and used and how it c

This module will introduce you to the foundations of criminology and criminological thought. You'll explore how criminology has evolved over time by examining key criminological theories and debates, and how they've been shaped by wider social, political, and intellectual contexts. You'll also explore the philosophical ideas behind punishment and justice, helping you understand the values and assumptions which underpin systems of crime control and social policy, especially within liberal democra

This module introduces you to the core components of the criminal justice system in England and Wales, exploring how justice is conceptualised, delivered and experienced. You'll examine the roles and responsibilities of key agencies including the police, courts, prisons and probation services. Then we'll consider how these institutions interact within the broader legal framework. Through a combination of case studies, theoretical debates, and contemporary issues, you'll develop a foundational un

Explore contemporary criminological theory and examine how these ideas help you understand real world issues. You'll investigate modern frameworks that explain crime, harm and deviance and consider how they are shaped by changing social, political and intellectual contexts. You look at why theory matters in practice and assess how criminological knowledge can support evidence-based policy and contribute to social change. Throughout the module, you'll develop the confidence to question assumption

In this module, you'll learn the fundamentals of social research and the role it plays in sociology, criminology, social policy, and social work. You'll explore different approaches to social science research and how they can be used to examine social issues. You will explore key methodological considerations and approaches using case studies and classroom activities. You'll also examine issues related to ethics, power, and different standpoints and develop the foundations of what is required to

In this module, you will develop the core skills and ways of thinking you need to thrive in criminology, sociology or social work. You'll explore the idea of the social science imagination, a way of connecting your personal experiences with wider social issues and structures. You will learn how to approach academic writing with confidence, understand what different assessment tasks expect from you, and carry out effective literature searches using academic databases. The module also helps you bu

Explore how societies maintain order and regulate behaviour through formal and informal social control. You'll examine how norms, values and everyday practices support social order, alongside the role of institutions like the criminal justice system. A key focus is on informal responses to crime and how these sit alongside or sometimes replace state-led interventions. As the module develops, you'll analyse the structures and effectiveness of the criminal justice system and investigate philosophi

This module introduces you to the core principles and practices of qualitative research in the social sciences. You'll explore how qualitative methods are used to investigate complex social issues, understand lived experiences and interpret meaning in everyday life. Through lectures, seminars and practical activities, you'll learn how to evaluate different qualitative approaches, such as interviews, focus groups and observation.