Learn about the areas where crime and criminal justice collide.
You’ll examine the connection between crime, the law, and criminal justice. Our strong links with criminal justice agencies give us unique insight into the world of criminology – so everything you learn is shaped by the latest industry knowledge and techniques.
You’ll get hands-on experience in our replica crime scene, the chance to apply for a placement with Humberside Police, and develop in-demand skills on this career-focused degree.
Then graduate ready to work in this life-changing industry.
About this course
Investigate the causes of crime and how the law responds to the motivations of criminal activity.
You’ll consider the values of the criminal justice system in relation to issues such as stop and search powers, detention time limits, prosecution, and punishment. And be taught by expert staff that specialise in current criminology and criminal justice issues within one of the UK’s leading centres in this field.
We’re one of the few universities in the UK with a replica crime scene training facility on campus. So you can get to grips with collecting evidence, exploring criminal activity and see the world of forensic science brought to life.
You’ll put the theory into practice on field trips to courts, police stations and prisons, as well as policing projects and placements. All thanks to our close partnerships with local, regional and national criminal justice agencies.
You’ll have the chance to meet leading names from the from the world of law at our Annual Law Convention.
We also run a Careers in Criminal Justice fair annually, where you’ll have the chance to network with regional and national employers with options to apply for a semester-long placement with Humberside Police.
How do you stand up to injustice? Together.
Module options
Each year, you’ll study modules worth a certain number of credits, and you need 120 credits per year. Most modules are 20 credits – so you’ll study six modules each year. Some longer modules, such as a dissertation, are worth more. In these cases, you’ll study fewer modules - but the number of credits will always add up to 120. Some modules are compulsory, some are optional, so you can build a course that’s right for you.
Filters
Becoming a Criminologist
This is a foundational 40 credit module designed to introduce Criminology as a discipline in the 21st century and support you in an inclusive learning environment as you transition to higher education. You will learn about the practical and theoretical foundations you need to reach your potential for the years ahead. You will have the opportunity to use our Crime Scene Room to bring theory and practice together. Students are also supported in their academic and study skills, digital literacy, and teamwork to inform future studies.
compulsory
40 credits
Introduction to Law and its Study
This module provides you with a basic introduction to law and the key skills for studying it. In particular, you'll develop your ability in academic writing, problem solving and research.
compulsory
20 credits
Criminology in Late Modernity
Examine how current criminological theory explains recent developments in crime and crime control, drawing from postmodern criminology, cultural criminology and masculinities.
compulsory
20 credits
Social Research in Practice
The module takes an integrative approach to research ethics and design. It's a foundation for skills in understanding research and practical skills for conducting independent research.
compulsory
20 credits
Criminal Law
Develop a strong understanding of criminal law in England and Wales. You'll focus on topics like property offences, non-fatal offences against the person, defences and inchoate offences.
compulsory
20 credits
Global Insecurities – Future of Humanity
Explore current insecurities and examine how private troubles and public issues are linked. You'll develop your ability to link academic theory and findings to real-world situations like modernity, globalisation and its (broken) promise; colonial legacies and neo-colonial realities; and migration and dislocation.
compulsory
40 credits
Criminal Justice
Discover the aims and values of our criminal justice system and assess whether they're upheld. Topics include stop and search powers, miscarriages of justice and detention time limits.
compulsory
20 credits
Think You Know Policing?
Want to truly understand policing? Then this module is for you.
You'll explore policing theories and key functions, like crime control and order maintenance.
You'll examine contemporary policing in England and Wales, comparing practices from other societies.
You'll practice your skills on hands-on assessments, including crime scene simulations and real-world datasets. So you can see first-hand the practical and political challenges the police face.
Along the way, you'll gain insights and engage with real-world issues that will set you apart in the field.
compulsory
20 credits
Getting Ready for the Dissertation
This module prepares you for your final year and your dissertation research project. You will have the opportunity to engage with agencies and the challenges they are facing. You will discover the diversity of potential research topics and methodological approaches.
compulsory
20 credits
Our facilities
Watchlist
Dr Katy Snell
Course overview
1 min
Police Placement
Course Highlight
2 mins
Law Facilties
Course Highlight
1 min
Featured academics
We were one of the first to teach criminology degrees over 50 years ago.
We’re still at the forefront today with research leaders on issues such as violent crime, social justice and desistance, prisons and restorative justice, cybercrime, and intelligence.
Dr Alice Rizzuti
Lecturer
Alice’s expertise is in food crime and the involvements of organised crime and mafia-type groups as well as green criminology. She was a Research Associate for the CRIME - Countering Regional Italian Mafia’s Expansion – project.
Dr Katy Snell
Lecturer of Criminology
Once awarded her PhD, Katy lectured Criminology at UCNL (University Centre North Lincolnshire), becoming the Programme Lead for BSc (Hons) Psychology with Criminology. In July 2022, Katy returned to the University of Hull as a lecturer of Criminology
Entry Requirements
What do I need?
When it comes to applying to university, you'll need a certain number of UCAS points. Different qualifications and grades are worth a different amount of points. For this course, you'll need 112 UCAS points.
At least 80 points must come from A levels, BTEC, or other equivalent qualifications.
We consider experience and qualifications from the UK and worldwide which may not exactly match the combinations above.
But it's not just about the grades - we'll look at your whole application. We want to know what makes you tick, and about your previous experience, so make sure that you complete your personal statement.
Typical offer
112 UCAS points
A levels
BBC
BTEC
DMM
Fees & Funding
How much is it?
For UK students, our standard course fee is £9,535 per year. Keep in mind that some courses are longer - for example, spending your third year abroad will make your degree four years in total.
If you choose to study a foundation year as part of your course, the fee is £5,760.
How do I pay for it?
You can take out a tuition fee loan to cover the full cost of your course. Once you’ve successfully applied for this, you don’t need to do anything else – the money is sent straight to us.
You can also take out a maintenance loan of up to £10,544 a year to cover your living costs, depending on your household income.
Remember, you won’t start paying your loans back until you’ve left university and earn more than £25,000 per year.
See our full fees and funding information for more details and to find out what support we can offer.
Standard Tuition Fee
£9,535 / year
The amount you pay may increase each year, in line with inflation - but capped to the Retail Price Index.
Future prospects
The knowledge and skills you’ll gain on a Criminology degree at Hull are genuinely career enhancing.
Through placements, work experience and a diverse course of study and research, you’ll gain the key skills that are in demand across a wide range of careers.
Helping witnesses cope with the emotional impact of giving evidence in court, supporting vulnerable young people and their families, and helping offenders lead law-abiding lives after release from prison, are all jobs our graduates have gone on to do.
You could go onto roles within the police force, HM Prison Service, the Probation Service, legal professions, social work, the charity sector or the Civil Service.
Become part of the next generation of futuremakers
Like what you've seen? Then it's time to apply.
The standard way is to apply through UCAS. This will give you the chance to showcase your skills qualities and passion for the subject, as well as providing us with your academic qualifications.
Not ready to apply yet?
Visit our next Open Day, and see all that Hull has to offer for yourself. Talk to our lecturers about your subject, find out what university is really like from our current students, and take a tour of our beautiful campus and amazing facilities.
You may also be interested in...
94% employability (Criminology) UK domicile full-time first degree leavers; Higher Education Graduate Outcomes statistics, for the academic year 2022/23, published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency June 2025.
Criminology at Hull is Joint 4th in the UK for Value Added. Guardian University Rankings 2025
All modules on this course page are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.