COURSE CURRICULUM

The BSc (Hons) Criminology degree at Aston University provides a structured program that develops students’ understanding of crime, criminal justice, and social inequality through a combination of core and optional modules. In the first year, students build foundational knowledge in social theory and research skills with modules such as Introduction to Social Theory, Becoming a Social Scientist, and What’s Trending: Contemporary Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice, alongside a focus on identities and inequalities. The second year deepens understanding with core modules including Research Methods, Advanced Research Methods, Theories of Crime, Prisons, Policing and Punishment, and Victimology, while offering optional modules that cover topics such as media, feminism, digital methods, global society, and welfare systems, allowing students to tailor their learning to specific interests. The third year is dedicated to an integrated placement, giving students hands-on professional experience in the UK or abroad, supported by the Careers and Placements team. In the final year, students complete a dissertation in criminology and choose from a wide range of optional modules covering corporate crime, environmental harms, migration, AI and law, ethics, and social issues such as health, education, and religion. This structure combines theoretical study, research skills, and practical experience, preparing graduates for careers in criminal justice, policy, research, or roles supporting vulnerable populations.