Sociology and Criminology

Enrich your study of criminology by exploring the sociological factors that give rise to crime. You could choose to enhance your employability with a placement.

Develop your critical analytical and interpretive skills and forge a deeper sociological understanding of the world around you.

As part of this course, you’ll:

• Learn to understand the complex social conditions that drive people to commit crime and how that expert knowledge can enhance your study of criminology

• Critically analyse and challenge responses to crime in order to help shape a better society

• Study a variety of topics such as modern theories of sociology and criminology, exploring issues such as youth crime, social exclusion and how the media shapes our perceptions of crime

• Choose your own area of investigation when researching and writing your dissertation

Find out more

You’ll engage with sociology and criminology equally. Through a blend of workshops, collaborative projects and observational field trips, you’ll be encouraged to drive your studies in the direction of your choosing.

Sociological projects can include creating wikis or presenting your work at a student conference. You could even see your critical essay published in our school's highly regarded sociology journal.

Building your future potential
As a student in the School of Humanities & Social Sciences, you’ll be encouraged to think about your future career right from the start of your learning journey. Information and advice about relevant future career options will be built into the first year of your degree. During your second and third years of study, you’ll be able to choose modules with live brief learning challenges (real life projects designed by employers) and work placement opportunities.

Hands-on learning
You’ll be perfectly placed to add impressive work experience to your CV by taking advantage of the wealth of work placement opportunities on offer in Leeds. You can also get involved with live projects and observational research trips to develop your employability skills and prepare you for the world of work.

Teaching expertise
Each of your modules will be taught by an expert staff member. You’ll learn from a range of practitioners as they share their insights and professional experience through our guest lecture series. Past speakers have included representatives from the probation and police services.

Why study Sociology and Criminology at Leeds Beckett University...

• 100% of students on BA (Hons) Sociology & Criminology were positive about the availability of specialist facilities

• Study abroad option

• Work placement opportunities available

• Guest lectures

National Student Survey 2024*

<strong> Year 1 Core Modules: </strong>

• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• Becoming a Criminologist
• Sociology, Capitalism & Modernity
• Global Capitalism
• Researching Society

<strong> Year 2 Core Modules: </strong>

• Criminological Intersections
• Inequalities of Class & Culture
• Modern Social Theory
• Exploring Social Research
  In addition, choose from a list of Year 2 option modules. Please check our website for a full and up-to-date list.

<strong> Year 3 Core Modules: </strong>

• Sociology Dissertation
• Contemporary Society & Social Futures
  In addition, choose from a list of Year 3 option modules. Please check our website for a full and up-to-date list.