Foundation Year - helping you to achieve more
Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.
Our degrees with a foundation year are continuous, meaning that you won’t need to apply again once you have successfully completed the first year.
A need for change
The Covid-19 pandemic and national lockdowns have highlighted the social and economic factors that impact crime numbers and types. Anti-social behaviour and drug offences have risen, with overall crime rates remaining higher in areas facing poverty and low educational attainment.
This course seeks to address these differences and find community-based solutions that will reduce criminality.
Why Criminology and Sociology?
Combining insights from both these disciplines will give you a deep understanding of what shapes people’s behaviour, beliefs and attitudes. You’ll explore the reasons why people commit crime and the social factors at play, including inequality, prejudice and substance abuse.
You’ll also look at the impact that crime has on both local communities and wider society. And you’ll apply your learning to help make a difference with local communities.
This course could open up career opportunities to work for or with national or local government, the charity sector, the voluntary sector, social or health services.
Real-world impact
This is a highly relevant degree that tackles current issues head-on. We’ll help you develop strong research and analytical skills to understand and evaluate criminal behaviour and responses to it.
You’ll work with local and national community organisations on live briefs, offering research and solutions to the key issues they deal with.
Study visits and fieldtrips will give you intriguing insights into how organisations work. These could include visits to courts, prisons, police forces and youth offender training centres.
Global thinking
Global perspectives are an integral part of our Criminology and Social Sciences courses. Exploring how other countries approach criminal justice and social issues is key to learning how we can make positive changes moving forward.
In your second year, you will go on a bespoke trip that will focus on conflict resolution.
In your third year, there is also the chance to go on a three-day study trip to The Hague, where you could visit prisons, police academies and the International Criminal Court.
Expert teaching
You’ll learn from a team with a wealth of knowledge; these include researchers, police officers, sociologists and criminologists. Many are still actively practising, which helps you keep up to date with contemporary issues.
As a BA (Hons) Criminology and Sociology student, you can take part in regular departmental research seminars delivered by leading professionals and academics from other institutions. You’ll also have the chance to meet influential leaders in the profession. Our regular programme of guest speakers keeps you in tune with the latest developments in policy and practice. Previous guest speakers include crown court judges, police investigators and professionals from the youth justice practice.
Research projects cover everything from drug use, hate crime and human trafficking to extremism and counter-terrorism, organised crime and conspiracy theories. So your teaching will be informed by the latest thinking in this field, and you may have the chance to get involved yourself.
Where you'll study
You’ll be based on the Derby Campus at One Friar Gate Square. Offering the perfect environment for innovative and engaging teaching, it includes well-resourced lecture theatres, seminar rooms, and social learning spaces.
You will study alongside our Law, Policing and Social Sciences students, sharing knowledge and expertise. You’ll gain practical experience using our first-rate facilities including a replica crown court and police custody suite, complete with interview rooms and cell.
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
You’ll learn through a combination of:
- lectures
- tutorials
- group work
- independent learning
How you are assessed
Assessment is via a stimulating mix of:
- coursework
- portfolios
- individual and group projects/presentations
- examinations
Who you’ll meet
You’ll be taught by our team of engaging, passionate and inspiring subject experts. We also offer a high level of support to students, including a unique personal tutor system to help steer your academic and professional development.
The team includes:
Personal academic tutoring
Your personal academic tutor will work with you to help you get the most out of your time at university. Having someone to talk to about your academic progress, your university experience and your professional aspirations is hugely valuable. We want you to feel challenged in your studies, stretched but confident to achieve your academic and professional goals.
Find out more about personal academic tutoring
2023 entry
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2023 entry.
| Requirement | What we're looking for | | UCAS points | 72 |
| A Level | DDD |
| T Level | Pass |
| BTEC | MPP |
| GCSE | GCSE Maths and English are preferred, however if you don't have these qualifications you will be able to undertake Maths and English at Level 2 as part of your course of study |
| Access to HE | Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 and 15 at Level 2 |
English language requirements
IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
2024 entry
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2024 entry.
| Requirement | What we're looking for | | UCAS points | 72 |
| A Level | DDD |
| T Level | Pass |
| BTEC | MMP |
| GCSE | GCSE Maths and English are preferred, however if you don't have these qualifications you will be able to undertake Maths and English at Level 2 as part of your course of study |
| Access to HE | Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 24, Pass: 21 |
English language requirements
IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
BA (Hons) Criminology and Sociology provides an excellent basis for developing careers in local or national government, in organisations working towards social justice in a variety of contexts, or in professional settings concerned with conflict resolution or security and risk assessment. Alternatively, students can choose to pursue careers in the criminal justice sector: in policing, prisons, probation as well as private sector companies that operate in the sector.
Opportunities for graduates may also be available in areas such as housing, family services, youth work, or other aspects of social care. Graduates should also consider exploring prospective careers in health care planning and public health engagement. The critical insights and broad perspectives offered through the course means that we would hope students would be able to choose to work in service delivery, management, or strategic planning roles.
Every student will be supported throughout the degree in pursuing their career aspirations and academic work by their personal tutor. This will be supplemented by the University of Derby's outstanding Careers and Employment Service.
If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.
Contact us Contact us Teaching hours
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Additional costs and optional extras
We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.
The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.
Included in your fees
- DBS check if required for research purposes
- Local trips to visit criminal justice and other relevant organisations (eg courts, police stations)
- Access to online learning materials
- A study trip be offered if applicable and appropriate
Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.
.jpg)
.jpg)