Introduction
This new interdisciplinary programme combines dedicated Criminology modules, together with modules from Sociology, Psychology and Law, to provide a broadly based and comprehensive Criminology and Sociology joint honours undergraduate degree.
Study Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MA
- Duration
- 48 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time
- Start Month
- September
- Location of Study
- Aberdeen
- UCAS Code
- MLC5
Criminology is the study of crime, law, and criminal justice. On this programme, you will investigate questions including:
- How crime and criminality are defined and understood.
- How crime and punishment relate to a broad range of social and psychological factors.
- How key aspects of the legal system developed and are applied.
- How technological advances are affecting crime and its detection.
- How social arrangements contribute to social order and disorder.
- How key aspects of social relations and organisation have developed over time.
A diverse range of topics, including social interaction, the construction of self and social interaction, social inequalities, surveillance, face recognition and social control, biological and forensic psychology, policing and criminal justice, and a number of other related topics will be addressed in this exciting new programme.
This programme is delivered by staff with expertise in criminology, law, psychology and sociology to provide you with a critically informed understanding of crime, including the causes of crime, the impact of crime and the effectiveness of crime prevention measures, including law, policing and prisons.
Our multidisciplinary approach provides you with a broad knowledge base and range of skills to inform your understanding of individuals, social relations and organisation, as well as the psychosocial conditions that contribute to disorder, instability and crime. You will also gain insight into the evolution and operation of the criminal justice system, including policing, prisons, probation and policy.
Finally, this programme also explores public, media and legal perspectives on crime and society, addressing the way in which these relate to different groups based on social class, age, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, mental health and citizenship status.
What You'll Study
Courses
Year 1
Compulsory Courses
- Academic Writing for Social Sciences (AW1006)
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This compulsory evaluation is designed to find out if your academic writing is of a sufficient standard to enable you to succeed at university and, if you need it, to provide support to improve. It is completed on-line via MyAberdeen with clear instructions to guide you through it. If you pass the evaluation at the first assessment it will not take much of your time. If you do not, you will be provided with resources to help you improve. This evaluation does not carry credits but if you do not complete it this will be recorded on your degree transcript.
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
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This course, which is prescribed for level 1 undergraduate students (and articulating students who are in their first year at the University), is studied entirely online, takes approximately 5-6 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks.
Topics include orientation overview, equality and diversity, health, safety and cyber security and how to make the most of your time at university in relation to careers and employability.
Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced Transcript as ‘Achieved’.
- Introduction to Sociology I: Self, Identity & Society (SO1007)
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15 Credit Points
Sociology is the study of human social groups. It particularly focuses on modern societies, analysing how they work and how the major social institutions in them (such as religion, the media, government and the economy) operate. The course provides students with a general introduction to the unique manner in which sociologists seek to understand contemporary societies. Students are presented with current and classical approaches to understanding the social processes that underlie self-construction, group formation and social interaction, within urbanizing and globalizing social contexts.
- Criminal Law (LS1020)
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15 Credit Points
This course is a compulsory course on the LLB degree introducing students to Scottish Criminal Law including its sources and current law. It examines various aspects of substantive law including crimes against the person, crimes of dishonesty, crimes against property and criminal defences enabling students to understand and apply the law in these areas. The course also develops student’s written, verbal and analytical skills utilising written course work and problem solving exercises in tutorial groups.
- Introductory Psychology I: Concepts and Theory (PS1009)
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15 Credit Points
PS1009 introduces you to major concepts and theories in psychology to provide you with a strong understanding of the human mind and behaviour. You will attend lectures on biological, social and cognitive psychology and participate in workshops where you will work both individually and as part of a team to write about and present topics related to the lecture materials. Studying psychology is beneficial to a range of careers including management, finance and counselling, to name a few. Psychology regularly tops employers' lists of producing the most employable graduates.
- Introduction to Sociology II: Systems of Power (SO1509)
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15 Credit Points
This course is an introduction to macro-sociology, which analyses the ways that people’s lives are shaped by large-scale forces, structures, and institutions. Students are introduced to the particular ways in which classical and contemporary sociologists understand social forces in the modern domestic and global environment and learn to think critically about those social forces that impact their everyday lives using the sociological imagination. Substantive topics likely to be covered in this course include the media, politics, religion, surveillance, education, class stratification, international inequalities, and the relationship between humans and other animals.
- English Criminal Law (LS1527)
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7.5 Credit Points
This course is a compulsory course on the LLB with English Law degree introducing students to English Criminal Law including its sources and current law. It examines various aspects of substantive law including offences against the person, offences of dishonesty, offences against property and criminal defences enabling students to understand and apply the law in these areas. The course also develops student’s written, verbal and analytical skills utilising written course work and problem solving in tutorial groups.
- Introduction to English Legal System (LS1528)
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7.5 Credit Points
This 7.5 credit course builds on knowledge gained in Legal System. It covers key elements of the English legal system. This includes sources of law, key institutions and roles, criminal and civil processes. It includes topical areas of relevance such as access to justice, the future of legal aid, the diversity of judges and the present and developing nature of the different branches of the legal profession. Assessment is by research exercises.
- Introductory Psychology II: Concepts and Theory (PS1509)
Optional Courses
Plus 30 credit points from courses of choice.
Year 2
Compulsory Courses
- Sociology of Everyday Life I: The Embodied Self
- Sociology of Everyday Life II: Global Issues in the 21st Century
- Introduction to Criminology
- Crime: Theories and Concepts
- Advanced Psychology A: Concepts and Theory
- Advanced Psychology B: Concepts and Theory
Year 3
Compulsory Courses
- Thinking Sociologically
- Social Research Methods
- Biological Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Crime and Social Justice
- Policing and Society
Year 4
Compulsory Courses
- Research Project 1
- Research Project 2
- Option Course in Law
- Face Recognition
- Forensic Psychology
We will endeavour to make all course options available; however, these may be subject to timetabling and other constraints. Please see our InfoHub pages for further information.
How You'll Study
Learning Methods
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:
- coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course;
- practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course; and
- written examinations at the end of each course.
The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses.
Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.
Why Study Criminology and Sociology?
- This multidisciplinary degree programme is delivered by the School of Social Sciences in partnership with the School of Psychology and the School of Law to offer a comprehensive understanding of the social, psychological and legal aspects of crime and crime prevention.
- You will study the theory and methods of criminology, and apply your theoretical understanding of crime to investigate real-world problems such as gang violence, domestic violence, public disorder, drug-related, environmental, white-collar crime and cybercrime.
- You will also explore how technological advances are affecting crime and crime detection, including surveillance, facial recognition technologies and forensic psychology
- The programme also addresses the development of self and society, power relations and inequalities, social order and conflict, with a view to contextualising the study of contemporary criminality.
- Students also gain a range of sound theoretical, methodological and analytical skills, which will be applied in an independent research project in the final year.
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
General Entry Requirements
- 2022 Entry
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SQA Highers
Standard: AABB
Applicants who have achieved AABB (or better), are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/ Advanced Highers may be required.
Minimum: BBB
Applicants who have achieved BBB (or are on course to achieve this by the end of S5) are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/Advanced Highers will normally be required.
Adjusted: BB
Applicants who have achieved BB, and who meet one of the widening participation criteria are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/Advanced Highers will be required.
More information on our definition of Standard, Minimum and Adjusted entry qualifications.
A LEVELS
Standard: BBB
Minimum: BBC
Adjusted: CCC
More information on our definition of Standard, Minimum and Adjusted entry qualifications.
International Baccalaureate
32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL.
Irish Leaving Certificate
5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3.
Entry from College
Advanced entry to this degree may be possible from some HNC/HND qualifications, please see www.abdn.ac.uk/study/articulation for more details.
- 2023 Entry
-
SQA Highers
Standard: AABB
Applicants who have achieved AABB (or better), are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/ Advanced Highers may be required.
Minimum: BBB
Applicants who have achieved BBB (or are on course to achieve this by the end of S5) are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/Advanced Highers will normally be required.
Adjusted: BB
Applicants who have achieved BB, and who meet one of the widening participation criteria are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/Advanced Highers will be required.
More information on our definition of Standard, Minimum and Adjusted entry qualifications.
A LEVELS
Standard: BBB
Minimum: BBC
Adjusted: CCC
More information on our definition of Standard, Minimum and Adjusted entry qualifications.
International Baccalaureate
32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL.
Irish Leaving Certificate
5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3.
Entry from College
Advanced entry to this degree may be possible from some HNC/HND qualifications, please see www.abdn.ac.uk/study/articulation for more details.
The information displayed in this section shows a shortened summary of our entry requirements. For more information, or for full entry requirements for Arts and Social Sciences degrees, see our detailed entry requirements section.
English Language Requirements
To study for an Undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 78 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 59 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
International Applicants
Fees and Funding
You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.
| Fee category | Cost |
|---|---|
| EU / International students | £19,800 |
| Tuition Fees for 2022/23 Academic Year | |
| Home Students | £1,820 |
| Tuition Fees for 2022/23 Academic Year | |
| RUK | £9,250 |
| Tuition Fees for 2022/23 Academic Year |
Scholarships and Funding
Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who pay tuition fees may be eligible for specific scholarships allowing them to receive additional funding. These are designed to provide assistance to help students support themselves during their time at Aberdeen.
International Applicants
Further Information about tuition fees and the cost of living in Aberdeen
Additional Fees
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our InfoHub Tuition Fees page.
Our Funding Database
View all funding options in our Funding Database.
Careers
As governments around the world face increasing constraints on public spending, understanding crime and other social problems is a key concern for policy makers and stakeholders. This degree will develop the key critical thinking, analytical and research skills for a career in social and public policy fields in all sectors (public, voluntary, and private), as well as more specifically within criminal justice organisations.
Criminology is also a pathway to careers including:
- Civil Servant
- Community Development Officer
- Paralegal
- Police Officer
- Policy Advisor / Researcher
- Prison Officer
- Probation Officer
- Social Worker / Youth Worker
Our Experts
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. Staff changes will occur from time to time; please see our InfoHub pages for further information.
Discover Uni
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Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX