What you'll study
The course consists of 120 credits per year. Most modules are 20 credits, meaning you’ll study six modules each year. Some longer modules, such as a dissertation, are worth more (e.g. 40 credits). In these cases, you’ll study fewer modules - but the number of credits will always add up to 120.
First year modules
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Compulsory
Becoming a Criminologist
This module develops your skills for the study of criminology. You'll cover definitions of crime, patterns of crime, causes and explanations for crime, and responses to crime.
Criminal Justice Institutions
Study the procedures of criminal justice – and the role of institutions such as the Police, CPS, courts and prisons, responsible for investigation, prosecution, conviction and punishment.
Introduction to Forensic Science
The forensic science fundamentals. Explore crime scene protocol and preserving evidence; fire and firearms investigation; scenes of explosion; and DNA and bodily fluids.
Collecting Social Data
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.
Development of Criminological Theory
Study the development of criminological theory - from the 19th and 20th centuries through to the emergence of deviancy theory, radical perspectives and rational choice theories.
Introduction to DNA and Chromatography
On this module, you’ll explore the concepts of DNA and how scientists characterise DNA, and you’ll learn how to explain concepts in chromatography.
Second year modules
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Compulsory
Atrocities and Transitional Justice
Switch your focus from 'ordinary' crime to genocide, mass violence, gross human rights violations and political oppression. Explore how best to deal with the legacies of atrocities.
Policing and Criminal Investigation
Explore policing's key functions and the issues facing police today. You'll examine the methods, tools, and controversies associated with criminal investigation.
Forensic Science in Practice
Learn the problem-solving approaches used in forensic science. You'll get practical experience of the techniques used in forensic labs as well as studying real forensic and toxicology cases.
Criminology in Late Modernity
You'll examine how current social theory explains recent developments in crime and crime control, taking in realism, cultural criminology and contemporary feminist perspectives.
Analysing Social Data
Building on the Collecting Social Data module, here you'll start the next stage of social research: the analysis and interpretation of data, through a range of approaches.
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Optional
Punishment, Dangerousness and Risk
Study how and why we punish offenders and how the penal system deals with them. You'll consider a range of case studies of different types of offenders.
Psychology of Offending and Victimisation
Learn about the decisions offenders make in committing crime - like why burglars choose one house over another - and how such crimes affect victims.
Final year modules
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Compulsory
Dissertation
You will make an original contribution to research by designing, carrying out and writing up your own project on a topic you choose, supported by your dissertation supervisor.
Advanced Forensic Science
Explore the methods for investigating and solving forensic cases. You'll look at extracting information from forensic data and the effect of toxic compounds and drugs on the body.
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Optional
Criminal Justice and Community Safety Placements
Experience the nature and range of work carried out by the police and other criminal justice agencies on a work placement. You'll gain a range of skills to enhance your employability.
Modern-Day Slavery in the UK
Slavery in the UK has risen exponentially over the past 20 years - now reaching some 136,000 victims. You'll consider definitions of slavery and how its scale is measured.
Advanced Statistics
On this module, you'll learn how to present quantitative results in meaningful and informative ways. And you'll develop skills that allow you to accurately interpret and assess statistical output.
Surveillance and Social Control
You'll study a range of theoretical perspectives on the emergence of a surveillance society a - and examine the impact this is having on policing, criminal justice and social justice.
Drug Use Today
This module introduces the study of ‘the drug problem’, in Western society. You'll explore the sociological and psychological perspectives used to explain drug-using behaviour.
Sex Work, Policy and Crime
Discover the cultural, social and political issues surrounding the commercial sex industry. Through lectures and seminars, you'll consider why people buy and sell sexual services.
Transnational Organised Crime
Learn the concepts behind our grasp of transnational organised crime. You'll cover areas including the drugs and arms trade; people trafficking; cybercrime; and terrorism.
Learning Together - Desistance from Crime
On this module, you'll attend weekly lectures at HMP Hull where, alongside prisoners, you'll study how and why people stop offending. It's a unique learning environment and a unique experience.
Restorative Justice and Peacemaking Criminology
Examine the development of restorative justice and peacemaking criminology, analysing their key concepts, values, principles and practices - as well as the controversies surrounding them.
Contemporary Imprisonment
Study the contemporary sociology of imprisonment. You'll examine current controversies in the use of prison sentences and consider the effects of incarceration on offenders.
Cyberterrorism and Extremism
Your work this module will reflect real-world practice as you look closer at what’s happening in the world today, and discuss and debate key terms such as ‘cyber’, 'radicalisation', 'terrorism', ‘extremism’ and 'violent extremism'.
All modules are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.