COURSE CURRICULUM

The BSc (Hons) Criminology degree at Aston University offers a structured and flexible program that combines theoretical study, research skills, and the opportunity to specialise in areas of personal interest. In the first year, students establish a strong foundation with core modules including Introduction to Social Theory, Becoming a Social Scientist, What’s Trending: Contemporary Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice, and Identities and Inequalities I and II, which develop analytical, research, and critical thinking skills. The second year builds on this foundation with core modules such as Research Methods, Advanced Research Methods, Theories of Crime, Prisons, Policing and Punishment, and Victimology, while optional modules allow students to explore topics such as media, feminism, digital research methods, global society, and welfare states. In the final year, students focus on independent research through a dissertation in criminology and can choose from a wide range of optional modules, including corporate crime, environmental harms, migration, protest, AI and law, ethics, and social issues such as health, education, and religion, providing opportunities to tailor their studies to specific interests. This program equips students with a critical understanding of crime and justice, research competence, and practical skills, preparing them for careers in criminal justice, social policy, research, and roles supporting vulnerable communities.