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Criminology and Forensic Studies

Course details
  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 29/09/2025
  • Undergraduate
Course location
High Wycombe Campus

Course summary

This course has a shared first year across multiple specialisms, after your first year if you want to study a different specialism you can choose to change to one of these: Criminology or Criminology & Law.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?
Throughout your time with us we’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. We’ll help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and a good leader. If you are interested in a range of topics related to crime, BNU gives you a unique opportunity to identify your career goals and set out a clear path to achieving them.

In addition, we have one the best student communities around, our student union is ranked 2nd in the UK (NSS 2022) so you will have no trouble feeling at home here. Our university is close to London (30 minutes) so the capital is on your doorstep, this is perfect if you want to commute to university while remaining close to friends and family.

In addition to all the great benefits to studying at BNU, your course has some great benefits too, such as a passionate teaching team made up of former industry professionals, great facilities and staff links to professional organisations that keep us current and up to date with the latest research and statistics.

What facilities can I use?
Our criminology programme has a wealth of opportunities for you to get stuck into thanks to our diverse range of facilities. You can get access to a simulated crime scene and learn how to collect forensic evidence or have the opportunity to test your own theories and get to grips with VR, police interviews and more. We have a full range of facilities that can help prepare you for whatever career you choose to pursue within criminology.

Our library is packed with all the information you need for your assessments and there’s plenty of room to knuckle down for some quiet study. Whilst studying with us you will also use our AppsAnywhere web service, which provides access to many of the software applications you use for learning and studying. AppsAnywhere can be used from your own device or from a University owned PC or laptop, from any location.

What will I study?
You will be able to combine the study of criminology with the study of forensics. This specialism will give you the opportunity to examine skills necessary for the collection and preserving of forensic evidence, working in law, forensics science, and research alongside the continuation of some of the criminology course modules.

Career Prospects
Throughout your time with us we’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. We’ll help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders. We also help you find employment after graduation. Have a look at our Careers and Employability pages to find out more.

Our Criminology programme is a springboard for entry into probation and related roles in the criminal justice system, whether that’s in the police, the court, probation, prison or crime related research organisation. Some of the careers you could pursue include:

  • probation services

  • national security

  • police force

  • cybercrime and prevention

  • criminal justice

  • law and forensics

Graduates can also choose to study for a postgraduate course at BNU.

Modules

Year one
Core
Crime, Criminology and Criminal Justice
Making Sense of Society
Policy and Society
Media, Communication and Society
Punishment, Justice and Victims

Year two
Core
Crime, Harm and Power in Late Modernity
Employability and Professional Development
Contemporary Social Research
Introduction to forensic science
Evidence in court

Year three
Core
Comparative Criminal Justice Policy
Dissertation
Forensic professional practice issues
Investigative and forensic psychology

Optional Modules
Cybercrime
Disability, Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System
Environment and Social Justice
Radicalisation

Assessment method

Criminology is a subject that focuses on various scientific and philosophical theories regarding crime. Your course examines a diverse range of scenarios which you may encounter working in a criminal justice or a related organisation by drawing upon information from different sources in which both crime and social life are debated.

Assessments vary according to modules and are designed to test your understanding of the modules. Some of the ways you will be assessed include:

reports
exams
presentations
workshops

How to apply

Apply by
29 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
CJF1
Institution code:
B94
Campus name:
High Wycombe Campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

International applicants

Visit bnu.ac.uk/international to find out more about applying to BNU as an international student.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 88 - 112 points

UCAS points can be obtained through qualifications such as A levels, T levels, BTEC or an Access to Higher Education course in a relevant subject. Please list all your qualifications on the application form as you will be asked to provide copies when we receive your application. A minimum of 2 A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.

A level - BCC - CCD

UCAS points can be obtained through qualifications such as A levels, T levels, BTEC or an Access to Higher Education course in a relevant subject. Please list all your qualifications on the application form as you will be asked to provide copies when we receive your application. A minimum of 2 A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM - MMP

UCAS points can be obtained through qualifications such as A levels, T levels, BTEC or an Access to Higher Education course in a relevant subject. Please list all your qualifications on the application form as you will be asked to provide copies when we receive your application. A minimum of 2 A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6We require an IELTS score of 6.0 (with no element lower that 5.5) or a recognised equivalent.
If English is not your first language or if you have studied in a non-majority English-speaking country, then you will typically be required to demonstrate your English language ability (speaking, listening, reading & writing) by way of a test such as IELTS.

BNU English Language Requirements https://www.bnu.ac.uk/study/general-entry-requirements

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We aim to cultivate an environment where individuality, diversity, and academic excellence thrive.
Our decision-making process is not just about grades; we assess the entire application, including personal statements, relevant experience and where appropriate portfolios. Within our Contextual Offer Scheme, we strive to embrace students whose educational and social backgrounds may have influenced their academic journey.
This underpins how we champion an inclusive community that transforms lives.

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1
Channel Islands£9535Year 1
Republic of Ireland£9535Year 1
EU£15150Year 1
International£15150Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Buckinghamshire New University tuition fees cover the cost of instruction, assessment, and core academic materials. However, additional costs may be incurred for course-related items or requirements, such as, but not limited to:

  • Text books and supplementary reading materials
  • Specialised equipment or resources required for specific courses
  • Field trips, placements, or external activities
  • Printing, photocopying, and binding
  • Accommodation, travel, and living expenses

Additional costs will vary by course. It is your responsibility as a student to budget for any additional expenses associated with your studies.

For further details on what is included in your tuition fees, please check bnu.ac.uk/fees-and-funding

Sponsorship information

There are several ways you can fund your studies, including sponsorship and student loans. You may be able to use ELCAS credits for some of our courses. We also have scholarships and bursaries to help support our students.

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