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Criminology and American Studies (United States) Including Placement Year
- Study level:
- Undergraduate
Course summary
Our course gives you an excellent understanding of the global patterns increasingly found in criminal justice policies and criminal offences. We take a social view of crime, a view which links crime to issues of power, resources, rights, (in)equality, governance and culture. This leads us to ask, for example, why certain groups of people are more likely than others to become offenders, why certain kinds of offenders are more likely than others to be caught, how some governments commit ‘state crime’ and why so many people are simultaneously fearful of, yet fascinated by, crime.
Crucially, you also have the opportunity to spend either a term or a full academic year studying in the United States, so you can explore and become immersed in American culture.
The degree is built to be extremely flexible and student-led, and as you progress through the course you can choose from an enormous range of options from across the humanities and social sciences, including:
-
Contemporary social issues, such as the struggles for racial justice
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The legacies of slavery and the civil rights movement
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Environmental protection of the ‘wilderness’ of the Far West
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Native American histories and rights
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Organised crime, surveillance and counter-terrorism
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Environmental harm
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Visual criminology
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Social history and crime
Based within our Interdisciplinary Studies Centre (ISC), American studies offers a truly multidisciplinary approach, giving you knowledge of the many ways to understand key areas of the American experience. You draw on multiple perspectives in order to reach a deeper understanding of the world we inhabit, opening up exciting possibilities to discover the American continent. The cities, vast open plains, mountains and deserts shape diverse and intriguing ways of life.
By encouraging you to think and operate across traditional boundaries, our course has produced confident, assertive and intelligent graduates who have become successful in many professional fields.
Our criminology modules are taught by our Department of Sociology, which is rated Top 10 in the UK for research quality (REF 2014).
Apply by
29 January
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Application codes
- Course code:
- MT3R
- Institution code:
- E70
- Campus name:
- Colchester Campus
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1, 2
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
University of Essex has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
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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:
- MT3R
- Institution code:
- E70
- Campus name:
- Colchester Campus
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 112 - 120 points
Offers will be made from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels.
A level - BBB
Offers will be made in the range of BBB to BBC
or 120-112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM
Offers will be made in the range of DDM to DMM
or 120-112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels
Entry requirements for students studying BTEC qualifications are dependent on subjects studied. Advice can be provided on an individual basis.
Access to HE Diploma - D: 6 credits M: 39 credits
We can only accept QAA approved Access to HE Diplomas
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 29 - 30 points
"Or three Higher Level certificates with 555-554.
We are happy to consider a combination of separate IB Diploma Programmes at both Higher and Standard Level. Exact offer levels will vary depending on the range of subjects being taken at higher and standar"
At Essex we consider your whole application – not just grades. If you don’t meet the exact grade requirements, you may still be considered.
We’re dedicated to helping students from underrepresented groups to access an Essex education. We may give you a Contextual Offer up to two A-Level grades below our standard conditional offer based on where you live, your school, and other details from your application. Involvement in our on-campus events may also support eligibility for a Contextual Offer.
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
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.
At Essex we consider your whole application – not just grades. If you don’t meet the exact grade requirements, you may still be considered.
We’re dedicated to helping students from underrepresented groups to access an Essex education. We may give you a Contextual Offer up to two A-Level grades below our standard conditional offer based on where you live, your school, and other details from your application. Involvement in our on-campus events may also support eligibility for a Contextual Offer.
Historical entry grades data
This section shows the range of grades students 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
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
| EU | £18585 | Year 1 |
| International | £18585 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £18585 | Year 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
Fees displayed are for 2023-24 entry. Fees may increase for each academic intake and each academic year of study.
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