COURSE CURRICULUM

The BA Social Sciences in Philosophy and Criminology at the University of Manchester combines the study of philosophical thinking with an in-depth exploration of crime, justice, and societal responses. In the first year, students develop foundational skills in critical thinking, social research, and criminology, gaining insight into the causes and consequences of crime, criminal justice systems, and the psychological and social factors influencing offending. Optional modules allow engagement with introductory concepts in economics, crime data analysis, and development studies. The second year builds on these foundations, offering a deeper understanding of policing, crime and deviance, criminological research methods, and philosophical topics such as ethics, applied philosophy, philosophy of religion, philosophy of race, and formal logic. Students develop advanced analytical, evaluative, and research skills, preparing them for practical and theoretical applications in criminology. In the final year, the program focuses on specialized topics including drugs and society, comparative criminology, youth crime, organized and white-collar crime, mass violence, crime mapping using GIS, and criminal psychopathology. Throughout the degree, students are encouraged to integrate philosophical reasoning with the study of criminology, debate ethical and moral issues, and critically evaluate policies and practices in crime prevention, justice, and societal protection. Graduates leave with strong research, communication, and analytical skills, ready for careers in law, public policy, criminal justice, research, or related sectors.