BA (Hons) Criminology and Policing

Study crime, deviance and the criminal justice process and develop an in-depth knowledge of the issues involved in modern policing. Our Criminology degrees are ranked top 10 in the UK for course satisfaction (The Guardian Guide 2022).

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Course detail

Start Date

September

Duration

4 years (full-time)

Award Title

BA (Hons)

UCAS Code

L311

Why study Criminology and Policing?

Our Criminology and Policing degree gives you an in-depth knowledge of sociology, modern policing and criminal justice. By immersing yourself in these fascinating subjects you’ll develop a thorough understanding of criminology and get a genuine feel for the issues involved in police work.

Through a detailed study of crime and society, you’ll cover topics like policing in practice, cybercrime, and drugs and addiction. You'll discover how well these two topics complement each other from academic experts and speakers with real-world experience.

 

Work placement option

You'll get an opportunity to do a placement that relates to the causes or the effects of crime. This gives you essential work experience and networking opportunities.

Our students have been on work placements with organisations like SACRO, Victim Support, Perth Prison, and Police Scotland (Special Constables). Others have worked with Tayside Council on Alcohol, With You (substance abuse support) and ones that support young people at risk of getting involved in crime. 

If you are keen to work for the police, you’ll have the opportunity to apply to be a special constable. This experience puts you in a great position to pursue a career in the police force or to work in the police service after graduation. 

What you'll study

We place a strong emphasis on developing your research skills, which are highly valued in the workplace. Whether it's collaboration, assessing evidence, writing reports, researching or completing project work, your criminology studies will make you extremely employable. You'll graduate with an an in-depth understanding of sociology, modern policing and criminal justice.

In the first two years you concentrate on the foundations of criminology and sociology. In years three and four you study the specific areas related to criminal justice and policing, such as: 

  • Criminal investigation and policing in practice.

  • Cybercrime and policing technology. 

  • Drugs, addiction and society.

  • Gender, crime and victimology. 

  • The sociology of race and ethnicity. 

Flexible pathway degree

After the first two years of study, you can choose to specialise in other areas or carry on studying this pathway. See more in the 'How the Course Works' section below. 

Our Criminology degree scored 85% for Teaching and Learning Resources in the 2021 National Student Survey.  

Study crime from every angle

Criminology focuses on the study of crimes and their causes, effects, and social impact.  

You will study key criminal issues and learn about the relationship between crime, society, politics, the media and criminal justice policy. 

Hear what our students have to say about this fascinating course. 

Potential Careers 

Our Criminology and Policing degree equips you with the skills you need for a successful and varied career. 

If you are interested in working for the police, you can apply to be a special constable. This experience puts you in a great position to pursue a career in the police force or work in the police service once you have graduated. 

Whatever career you choose, we aim to help you become a confident, knowledgeable graduate with a great set of transferable skills. 

Industry links & networking

We actively incorporate external speakers into the curriculum. These come from the media, business, the criminal justice system, the voluntary sector and local community groups. 

There is a real-world work placement option in third year, giving you work experience and networking opportunities.

Some graduates have gone on to get a job in the organisation where they did their placement or through the contacts they have made there.  

Scotland's first Adobe Creative Campus

All Abertay students have access to Adobe Express, empowering you to enhance digital skills with industry-leading tools.

In late 2024, Abertay proudly became the first institution in Scotland to achieve the designation of Adobe Creative Campus.

The Adobe Creative Campus programme is an initiative involving a select group of colleges and universities dedicated to empowering staff and students across all disciplines with essential digital skills for success in both the workplace and the classroom.

Adobe Creative Campus

How the Course Works

This degree is part of a larger portfolio of three courses covering Criminology, Policing and Sociology.  

The first two years of each course follow the same curriculum. This initial two-year curriculum covers the fundamentals of criminology and sociology, recognising the deep interplay between the two. 

Our two-year foundation approach means you can keep your options open until you’ve learnt more about what really interests you. Having gained two years of knowledge, at the end of year two you choose from one of these pathways:  

Your chosen course will be reflected in your degree title e.g. BA (Hons) Criminology and Policing. And, of course, we’re here to help if you need help deciding which path to take. 

Remember, you only need to apply for ONE course, as the first two years are the same for everyone. 

Anyone applying for years two or three should email admissions@abertay.ac.uk for full details. 

Teaching and Assessment

You’ll learn through a blend of lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops, online discussion forums, video screenings, guest speaker presentations, directed and private study, and student-focussed group work. 

Other assessment methods include supervised examinations, essays, reports, portfolios, presentations, project work, class and online tests, and reflective analyses. In your final year, you’ll design and produce a research project under the dedicated supervision of an academic staff member. 

Around one third of the course is assessed through examination, although the exact proportion depends on your module choices. 

Put simply, we aim to give you all the skills you need to move straight into a job or further study when you graduate. 

Entry Requirements

Subject Requirements

Please note: All applicants must have passes in English and Maths - National 5 English grade C or GCSE grade C/4 or equivalent. National 5 ESOL is accepted in lieu of National 5 English. National 5 Lifeskill Maths/Applications of Maths/National 4 Maths/National 4 Lifeskill Maths or Chemistry, Biology or Physics IS accepted in lieu of Maths. GCSE Maths or Numerate subject such as Science, Biology, Chemistry at grade C/4.

Higher Application of Maths at grade C accepted.

If there is a subject that does not appear, please contact our Admissions Office (admissions@abertay.ac.uk) who will be able to confirm whether or not it would be considered for entry.

Please visit our College Qualifications pages for suitable College courses.

Republic of Ireland applicants, click on the UK tabs and scroll down to find your Entry Requirements.

See information about studying and applying to Abertay for International students.

UK Entry to Year 1
Qualification Type Grade Requirements Essential Subjects
Higher (standard entry) BBBC None
Higher (minimum entry) We may make you an offer at the minimum entry grades if you meet the criteria. Find out if you're eligible for minimum entry (see below). BBC None
A-Level CCC None
T Level C or higher In Core Component in one of the following:- Education & Early Years, Health, Healthcare Science, Legal Services or Management & Administration
Irish Highers H3H3H3H3 None

International Baccalaureate Diploma Based Programme (IBDP)

28 Points None
International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) We encourage applications with the IBCP but understand that your combination of qualifications may differ depending on where you are studying.

We accept the International Baccalaureate Careers-related Programme (IBCP). Any subject requirements must be met as per our published IB Diploma requirements.

BTEC Extended Diploma MMM Any
AHEAD   Successful completion of the relevant stream of our AHEAD programme
SWAP ABB Access to: Humanities, Arts & Humanities and Primary Education, University Study, Community, Education & Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences and Primary Teaching, Languages, Arts & Social Science, Degree Studies, Celtic Studies
SQA HNC/HND C Our College Qualifications pages list approved HNC courses​
BTEC HNC D Health & Social Care
UK Entry to Year 2
Qualification Type Grade Requirements Essential Subjects
Advanced Higher ABB One from Sociology, Politics, History, Psychology, Modern Studies plus one other literate subject
A-Level ABB To include Sociology, Politics, History or Psychology plus one other literate subject
International Baccalaureate 34 Points Two from Social and Cultural Anthropology, Global Politics , History, or Psychology plus one other Higher subject
SQA HNC/ HND C/CC Our College Qualifications pages list approved HNC courses
BTEC HND D Health & Social Care
International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) See next column

If you are taking HNC/HND with one or more Higher Levels IB subjects, your offer will be similar to our BTEC + A Level offer (see 'BTEC National Diploma / Diploma') but with an HL requirement of 6 for A, 5 for B, or 4 for C.

International Entry

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants from across the world. Please select your country from the searchable list below to view different qualification entry requirements. If you have different qualifications to those listed, please contact us using the form below.

  • Afghanistan
  • Albania
  • Algeria
  • Andorra
  • Angola
  • Anguilla
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina
  • Armenia
  • Aruba
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahamas
  • Bahrain
  • Bangladesh
  • Barbados
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Belize
  • Benin
  • Bermuda
  • Bhutan
  • Bolivia
  • Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Botswana
  • Brazil
  • British Overseas Territories
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Bulgaria
  • Burkina Faso
  • Burundi
  • Cambodia
  • Cameroon
  • Canada
  • Cape Verde
  • Cayman Islands
  • Central African Republic
  • Chad
  • Chile
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Comoros
  • Congo
  • Congo (Democratic Republic)
  • Cook Islands
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Cuba
  • Curacao
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Djibouti
  • Dominica
  • Dominican Republic
  • East Timor (Timor-Leste)
  • Ecuador
  • Egypt
  • El Salvador
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Estonia
  • Eswatini
  • Ethiopia
  • Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
  • Faroe Islands
  • Fiji
  • Finland
  • France
  • French Overseas Territories
  • French Polynesia
  • Gabon
  • Gambia
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Ghana
  • Greece
  • Greenland
  • Grenada
  • Guadeloupe
  • Guatemala
  • Guinea
  • Guinea Bissau
  • Guyana
  • Haiti
  • Honduras
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Iran, Islamic Republic of
  • Iraq
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire)
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Jordan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kenya
  • Kiribati
  • Korea, Republic of
  • Kosovo
  • Kuwait
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Lao PDR
  • Latvia
  • Lebanon
  • Lesotho
  • Liberia
  • Libya
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Macao
  • Madagascar
  • Malawi
  • Malaysia
  • Maldives
  • Mali
  • Malta
  • Marshall Islands
  • Martinique
  • Mauritania
  • Mauritius
  • Mexico
  • Micronesia, Federated States of
  • Moldova
  • Monaco
  • Mongolia
  • Montenegro
  • Montserrat
  • Morocco
  • Mozambique
  • Myanmar
  • Namibia
  • Nauru
  • Nepal
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Nicaragua
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • Niue
  • North Macedonia
  • Norway
  • Oman
  • Pakistan
  • Palau
  • Palestine, State of
  • Panama
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Puerto Rico
  • Qatar
  • Reunion
  • Romania
  • Russian Federation
  • Rwanda
  • Saint Barthélemy
  • Saint Martin
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Samoa
  • San Marino
  • Sao Tome and Principe
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Senegal
  • Serbia
  • Seychelles
  • Sierra Leone
  • Singapore
  • Sint Maarten (Dutch Part)
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Solomon Islands
  • Somalia
  • South Africa
  • South Sudan
  • Spain
  • Sri Lanka
  • St Helena, Ascension & Tristan da Cunha
  • St Lucia
  • St Pierre And Miquelon
  • St. Kitts-Nevis
  • Sudan
  • Suriname
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Syrian Arab Republic (Syria)
  • Taiwan
  • Tajikistan
  • Tanzania,United Republic of
  • Thailand
  • Togo
  • Tonga
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Tunisia
  • Turkey
  • Turkmenistan
  • Turks and Caicos Islands
  • Tuvalu
  • Uganda
  • Ukraine
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United States of America
  • United States Overseas Territories
  • Uruguay
  • Uzbekistan
  • Vanuatu
  • Vatican City
  • Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
  • Vietnam (Viet Nam)
  • Western Sahara
  • Yemen
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

Academic Requirements


All courses at Abertay University are taught in English. If your first language is not English, you will need to demonstrate that you meet our English language requirements.

Please see English Language Requirements for the full list of accepted qualifications and further details.

For more information on the application process, tuition fees and scholarships, studying in Scotland, and to contact our International Team, please visit our International Students page.

 

About your modules

All modules shown are indicative and reflect course content for the current academic year. Modules are reviewed annually and may be subject to change. If you receive an offer to study with us we will send you a Programme document  that sets out exactly which modules you can expect to take as part of your Abertay University degree programme. Please see Terms and Conditions for more information.

Modules

Year 1 Core Modules

You must study and pass all six core modules

  • Crime and Punishment - CRM101
  • Contemporary Social Issues - SOC101
  • Criminal Justice Theories and Processes - CRM103
  • Media & the Digital Society - SOC110
  • Social Research in Action 1: Researching Scotland - SOC120
  • Being Successful at Abertay - ABE101

Year 1 MySuccess Modules - Term 1

You must study and pass four MySuccess modules in Term 1. Please note: ABE111: Numbers for Everyday Life will be assigned as a core module if you do not have a minimum of a National 5 Maths qualification at grade C or an acceptable equivalent.

  • Successful Writing at Abertay - ABE102
  • Digital Skills for University and Beyond - ABE103
  • Dundee and Me - ABE104
  • Research and Enquiry Skills for the Digital Age - ABE105
  • How to Sell Your Idea - ABE106
  • Planning Your Future Career - ABE107
  • Welcome to the CommuniTAY - ABE108
  • Wellbeing Tools and Tricks - ABE109
  • Numbers for Everday Life - ABE111

Year 2 Core Modules

You must study and pass all five core modules

  • Criminological Theory - CRM204
  • Classical Social Theory - SOC201
  • Introduction to Policing - CRM211
  • Criminalisation in the 21st Century - CRM208
  • Social Research in Action 2 - SOC220

Year 2 Microcredentials

If you are a Direct Entrant (new student) to this year of study and have not previously taken module ABE101, then you MUST take ABE201 as part of your Microcredential selection. If you have previously taken ABE101 then you are NOT permitted to take ABE201.

Please choose a total of TWENTY credits of microcredential (ABE) modules.

  • Being Successful at University (For 2nd year entrants) - ABE201
  • Co-create (Negotiated Studies) - ABE202
  • Anti-Racism in Professional Communications - ABE203
  • Mind Your Language: Text Mining and Qualitative Approaches to Language Analysis - ABE204
  • AWS Academy Machine Learning Foundation - ABE205

Year 3 Core Modules

You must study and pass all five core modules

  • Penal Institutions - CRM305
  • Social Research in Action 3 - SOC320
  • Cybercrime & Policing Technology - CRM311
  • Policing in Practice - CRM310
  • Criminal Investigation - CRM312

Year 3 Option Modules 

You must study and pass one option module of your choosing  in Term 2

  • Drugs, Addiction and Society - CRM306
  • Community Links Placement - SOC312
  • Gender & Crime - CRM301
  • Race, Ethnicity and Immigration - SOC303

Year 4 Core Modules

You must study and pass all three core modules

  • Honours Project - SOC400
  • Policing and Criminal Justice in the 21st Century - CRM404
  • Policing Communities - CRM413

Year 4 Option Modules

Please select ONE option module from the groups in both Term 1 and Term 2.

  • Death, Killing and Conflict - CRM405
  • Cultural Criminology - CRM411
  • Human Rights - SOC408
  • Green Criminology - CRM414
  • Community Links - SOC410
  • Problems of Human Survival in the 21st Century - SOC413

Not sure if you're eligible for entry?

If you have the potential and motivation to study at university, regardless of your background or personal circumstances, we welcome your application.  

We understand some people have faced extra challenges before applying to university, which is why we consider the background in which your academic grades have been achieved when making an offer.  

If you expect to receive passes in three Scottish Highers (grades A-C) and have...  

  • been in care, or are a young carer yourself

  • attended a school or lived in an area where not many people go to university

  • are eligible for free school meals

  • are a young person estranged from your family

  • are a government-recognised refugee or have asylum seeker status

  • are a registered pupil with sustained engagement in a targeted aspiration-raising programme such as LIFT OFF, LEAPS, FOCUS West or Aspire North  

... we encourage you to submit an application.

Fees and funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you depends on factors such as your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. 

More information

Find out about grants, bursaries, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs in our undergraduate fees and funding section.

Scholarships

We offer a range of scholarships to help support your studies with us.  

As well as Abertay scholarships for English, Welsh, Northern Irish and international students, there are a range of corporate and philanthropic scholarships available. Some are course specific, many are not. There are some listed below or you can visit the Undergraduate scholarship pages.  

Scholarships

Abertay RUK Scholarship: Science and Social Science

A scholarship for prospective undergraduate Science and Social Science students applying from England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Abertay International Scholarship

This is an award of up to £12,000 for prospective international undergraduate students.

Get inspired

Meet some of our graduates and find out what they've gone on to do. 

Stephen Annis

Stephen is a Trainee Solicitor at Blackadders.

Find out more

Beata Kozłowska

Beata is a Legal Executive at Maguire McClafferty Solicitors in Dublin.

Find out more

Laura Scofield

Laura provides in-depth family support to both children and young people in families who have a loved one imprisoned.

Find out more

The Discover Uni dataset

The Discover Uni dataset (formerly Unistats) is an official source of information about higher education. It collates comparable information in areas students have identified as important in making decisions about what and where to study.

Ukrainian flag

Support for Ukrainian students

We're keen to offer help to Ukrainian students who may wish to transfer from their existing institution in Ukraine or to register with us as new students for intake in September. There will be no tuition fees charged for the duration of the degree programme, as those with refugee status are treated as ‘Home/Scottish’ students and will also have access to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland bursary and student loans. Our Recruitment Team can help guide applicants.

FIND OUT MORE

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