Criminology and Sociology with Foundation Year

Challenge perspectives and instigate change with our Criminology and Sociology degree

Investigate crime, punishment, and social inequality with our hands-on Criminology and Sociology degree. You will examine classical, radical, and emerging thought as you cover topics like:

• modern slavery

• terrorism

• migration

• human rights

• policing

• race

• cyber-crime.

Challenge perspectives and instigate change with our Criminology and Sociology degree

Investigate crime, punishment, and social inequality with our hands-on Criminology and Sociology degree. You will examine classical, radical, and emerging thought as you cover topics like:

• modern slavery

• terrorism

• migration

• human rights

• policing

• race

• cyber-crime.

Take your learning outside the classroom

With our criminology and sociology course, you can participate in field trips and workshops. You can also attend talks by guest speakers, discussing the latest research on subjects like:

• human trafficking

• organised crime

• prisons

• youth violence

• gangs

• media representation of crime and social issues.

Hear from our students

Jo, Criminology and Sociology student – “The teaching staff helped bring the subjects alive and offered invaluable support”.

About the foundation year

Our four-year degree programmes (including a foundation year) provide an alternative route to undergraduate study at university if you do not have the grades to access higher education in the traditional way.

Modules

The degree begins with a comprehensive introduction to the scope of criminology and sociology, in particular the sociological dimensions of the study of criminal justice, crime and deviance. The core modules will focus on how classical sociological theory has understood the social world and how that relates to definitions of, and policies for crime.

In the second-year modules will consider sociological understandings of a globalised society and the impact this has on forms of crime and the criminal justice processes established to police these crimes.

There is an increased intersection between crime and social problems: examples include Human Trafficking /Modern Slavery, Organised Crime Groups, Drugs, Housing and Anti-Social Behaviour.

In year three you have more options to develop your particular interests in criminology and sociology. In Criminology: New Perspectives emerging new areas like green, public or 'queer' criminology’s are examined.

Why St Mary’s?

You will gain skills and support to make a positive impact – for yourself and for others – through high-quality teaching, real-world experience, and a community that lifts each other up. Our campus is a London oasis – blending city energy with open green spaces to think, connect, and grow.

Students will take four core modules as part of the foundation year: Personal Learning Competencies, Taking a professional Approach; Thinking Critically, Creatively and Ethically, The Individual Project, London Stories and Performing Identities

We use a wide range of methods of assessment to support students in meeting the learning objectives. These include essays and reports, student presentations, in class tests, formal examinations and a variety of resource-based assessments.

Essays are typically 1,000-2,000 words in length, although at Level 6 there is an opportunity to conduct your own research module (with the agreement of a supervising tutor) which requires a 5,000 words essay or a dissertation of 10,000 words.