University of Leicester

What you'll study

This three-year undergraduate programme introduces students to the major ideas, theoretical perspectives and research methods of sociology alongside modules that address crime, deviance and criminal justice. In the first year you typically take core modules in sociological theory and social research methods together with introductory criminology topics such as crime and deviance, social inequality and the social construction of criminality.

In later years optional and compulsory modules commonly include:

• Criminological theory (classical and contemporary explanations of offending)
• Quantitative and qualitative research methods and data analysis
• Crime, society and social control
• Policing, courts, prisons and community sanctions
• Youth justice, gender and crime, and race, ethnicity and crime
• Victimology and the impacts of crime
• Media, culture and representations of crime
• Applied modules such as policy evaluation, crime prevention and restorative justice
• An independent dissertation or substantial research project supervised by academic staff

Students learn through lectures, seminars, workshops and practical data sessions. Assessment typically combines essays, group work, examinations, research reports and the final-year dissertation. There is often scope for fieldwork, placements with local criminal justice or community organisations, and for taking optional units outside the core subject to tailor the degree to particular interests.

Entry requirements

Entry is based on a combination of academic qualifications and, where applicable, relevant experience. Typical offers ask for successful completion of secondary qualifications at a level consistent with other UK undergraduate programmes; applicants presenting A-levels, International Baccalaureate, BTEC or equivalent qualifications are all considered. Mature applicants and those with Access to Higher Education qualifications are welcome, and overseas qualifications are assessed against UK equivalence. All applicants must apply through UCAS and may be asked to provide a personal statement demonstrating interest in sociology and criminology.

Specific conditions such as grade requirements, subject requirements or contextual offers may vary from year to year; applicants should check the University of Leicester’s admissions pages for the most up-to-date entry information and advice on supporting documents, English language requirements and recognition of international qualifications.

Career prospects

Graduates from Sociology with Criminology go into a wide range of careers across the public, private and third sectors. Common career paths include roles in:

• Criminal justice agencies (policing support, probation, offender management and rehabilitation services)
• Policy, public administration and government agencies
• Research and data analysis in universities, think-tanks and market research firms
• Charities and community organisations working on crime prevention, youth services or victim support
• Legal support, court administration and victim liaison roles
• Careers in education, human resources, and business roles that value analytical and communication skills

Some professional roles in criminal justice require additional vocational training or qualifications (for example, becoming a probation practitioner or an operational police officer). The degree provides strong transferable skills in critical thinking, research design, data analysis and written communication that are valued by employers and form a solid foundation for postgraduate study.

Why study at University of Leicester

The University of Leicester has a long-established social sciences faculty with research-active staff working across sociology and criminology topics. Studying here gives access to academics who publish in core areas such as social inequality, crime and punishment, youth studies and research methods, and opportunities to be involved in applied research projects.

Leicester’s institutional links with local criminal justice and community organisations support placement and fieldwork opportunities, and the campus location provides easy access to a diverse city environment for studying contemporary social issues. The programme emphasises practical research skills, employability and interdisciplinary learning, with student support services, careers guidance and extracurricular societies that complement academic study.