BA (Hons) Criminology - University of Winchester

BA (Hons) Criminology 

Undergraduate

Why study at Winchester? 

There are many reasons to study at the University 

of Winchester – but the one to consider most 

is that you will become part of a safe and 

supportive community. 

The University is located within walking distance 

of the city centre of Winchester, which is only one 

hour away from London by train. The campus is 

located in a beautiful wooded setting overlooking 

the South Downs. 

Our graduates have a strong track record of 

finding employment after leaving the University. 

There is a dedicated Careers Service to provide 

advice and help you research career pathways and 

employers. They also organise recruitment fairs 

and workshops on how to write CVs and perform 

well at interview. 

We have excellent facilities for learning and 

teaching that are continually being updated to 

enhance the student experience. There is a vibrant 

Student Union, excellent sports facilities, a 

modern library and IT facilities across the campus. 

At the University of Winchester we aim to provide 

campus or University Managed Accommodation 

to all first year full-time undergraduates who hold 

Winchester as their firm choice. In addition, we 

also endeavour to provide students from non-EU 

countries and students with disabilities a room 

on campus, not just for their first year, but for the 

duration of their course. 

The culture of the University is informal and the 

emphasis is on you unlocking your potential, 

developing a clear sense of direction and 

becoming the best you can be in your chosen 

career. 

2 www.winchester.ac.uk

BA Criminology 

Criminology has become one of the 

most significant disciplines in the social 

sciences, reflecting a growing interest 

in crime, criminal behaviour and the 

criminal justice system. As a discipline, 

Criminology draws on theories, 

knowledge and methods from within the 

social sciences and humanities. 

At the University of Winchester this is 

especially the case in relation to Sociology, 

Psychology, Political Science, Archaeology, 

Media Studies, Investigative Journalism 

and Law; to consider the nature and 

construction of crime, why people offend, 

policy making and the consequences of 

crime. In this respect Criminology at the 

University of Winchester is truly what the 

British Society of Criminology (2007) refer 

to as a ‘rendezvous discipline’; “a site at 

which social scientific disciplines interact… 

[an] aspect that makes Criminology a 

distinct discipline in its own right”. 

At Winchester, students of Criminology 

will be part of a wider community of 

social sciences and humanities within the 

University. In this respect the programme 

places a strong emphasis on not only 

developing links with tutors and students 

across the University in other subject 

areas and disciplines, but also in providing 

opportunities to engage with those 

agencies, organisations and individuals 

currently involved in crime related 

professions and occupations. 

In this context the BA Criminology 

programme utilises and brings together 

tutors, researchers and expertise from 

faculties and departments across the 

University to develop and deliver the 

Criminology programme. These include 

Sociology, Psychology, Social Policy, 

Politics, Media, Investigative Journalism, 

Archaeology, Drama and Youth and 

Community Studies, thereby emphasising 

the interdisciplinary nature of Criminology. 

In addition to the expertise within the 

University, the programme will work in 

partnership with agencies, organisations 

and individuals external to the University 

involved in a range of aspects of 

Criminology and crime related professions, 

occupations and issues. These will include 

the police, prison and probation service, 

representatives of the legal services and 

professions, those involved in youth, 

community and safety sectors as well as 

various members of the security services 

and former prisoners and offenders. This 

FACT FILE 

Typical offer: 280-320 points* 

Single and Combined Honours 

Combined Honours programmes enable 

you to study two subjects jointly 

(50%/50%) and it is possible to transfer 

to a Single Honours programme at the 

end of Year 1 

Access: Pass 

International Baccalaureate: 26 points 

Degree duration: 

3 years full-time 

6 years part-time 

If English is not your first language: 

IELTS 6.0 (including 6.0 in writing) or 

a TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based) or 

213 (computer-based) or equivalent 

*Entry requirements correct at time of 

print. For the most up-to-date entry 

requirements please visit our website 

at www.winchester.ac.uk 

www.winchester.ac.uk 1


approach enables both the teaching team 

and the students of Criminology to engage 

with a range of relevant areas, issues and 

contacts outside the University, thereby 

providing the programme with a firm 

footing in the world outside academia. 

As Criminology is both a theoretical and 

empirical discipline, it aims to provide the 

student with an understanding of the key 

theoretical perspectives and concepts in 

explaining its subject matter, as well as the 

opportunity to test and put into practice 

some of those explanations in relation to 

the substantive issues addressed by the 

discipline. Additionally, the programme 

is about the development of both subject 

specific and generic knowledge and skills. 

As such a major feature of the delivery 

of the BA Criminology programme is the 

engagement of the student not only with 

key theories, perspectives and concepts 

which underpin the substantive aspect 

of Criminology, but also to facilitate the 

student in engaging with those issues and 

topics in a manner which serves to develop 

their understanding of Criminology in 

practice. Throughout the three year 

programme a number of modules will 

facilitate opportunities for such student 

engagement. 

In addition to the programme offering 

those core aspects of undergraduate 

study in Criminology, there are several 

modules at Year 2 and Year 3 which are 

distinct to the BA at Winchester. Modules 

such as Criminological Investigation: 

Miscarriages of Justice (linked to the INUK 

Innocence Project Network), Applied 

Techniques: Forensic Archaeology and 

Crime, Media and Culture (Year 2) as well 

as Crime and Humanity and Criminology 

and Professional Development: Planning 

for Employment (Year 3) will offer the 

student opportunities to develop skills, 

understanding and insights into aspects of 

Criminology quite unique to Winchester. 

The BA Criminology programme at 

Winchester has been designed to provide 

students with an exciting and attractive 

programme which will enhance their 

transferable skills, knowledge and 

academic understanding in preparation 

for entering the graduate job and 

career market. Within this context the 

programme includes, at the beginning of 

final year, the module Criminology and 

Professional Development: Planning for 

Employment; this module highlights and 

makes explicit the links between critical 

academic theory, technical knowledge 

and generic skills, thereby addressing 

both the QAA Criminology Employability 

Benchmarks and the UCAS Employability 

Profile for Criminology. Specifically within 

this module, but also throughout the 

entire programme, the aim is to bring 

together the methodological, academic 

and practical skills essential to professional 

development and career opportunities. 

Within this specific module, but also 

throughout the programme, students 

will engage with various crime related 

professionals, agencies and organisations 

where they will be able to develop 

their knowledge and understanding of 

various occupations, opportunities and 

requirements for recruitment. 

Students will also have the opportunity 

to become a member of The British 

Society of Criminology, which has been in 

existence for 50 years, and is the society 

for criminologists, both academic and 

professional, within the United Kingdom. 

The society aims to further the interests 

and knowledge of those engaging with 

crime, criminal behaviour and the criminal 

justice system. Members can enjoy a 

range of benefits, including networking 

opportunities and subscriptions to key 

publications. 



The BA Criminology programme at the 

University endeavours to retain the 

distinctive nature of Criminology and in 

this respect the aim of the Winchester 

brand of Criminology is to produce 

graduates equipped with the necessary 

knowledge, skills, insights, experiences 

and understanding which will facilitate 

and enhance their opportunities of 

employment and further development 

within those careers referred to above. 

Programme content 

Overall the programme encourages critical 

enquiry and independent thinking in 

assessing trends, policies and practices in 

relation to areas of crime, crime prevention 

and the criminal justice system. Students 

acquire skills of gathering data using 

quantitative and qualitative methods, 

synthesising and interpreting evidence 

and assembling arguments, presenting 

evidence and formulating findings and 

conclusions. Good spoken and written 

communication skills are developed using a 

variety of modes. 

Year 1 

Year 1 is foundational and provides the 

basis for more specialised study in Years 

2 and 3. Year 1 introduces students to the 

key theories, concepts and perspectives 

within Criminology, its interdisciplinary 

nature and the range and scope of the 

issues and topics explored by Criminology. 

Modules 

Key Thinkers and Themes in 

Conceptualised Crime 

This module introduces the range of ways 

by which crime has been conceptualised 

focusing on the different fields of study 

that contribute to criminology, including 

areas of investigation such as crime and 

culture, crime and everyday life, violent 

crime, victims and crime, age and crime, 

mental disorder and criminality amongst 

others. The module examines a range of 

key themes that have been present in 

criminological writing for many years as 

well as more contemporary perspectives 

that have emerged in response to the 

challenges posed by modern society. 

inevitable part of literature for hundreds of 

years. This module explores depictions of 

offenders in fiction both historically and in 

more contemporary settings, understanding 

how such depictions are products of 

their time. This focus on literature will be 

complemented by portrayals of crime 

and criminals in film and other media, for 

example, comics and graphic novels. 

Police and Police Work 

The police are one of the most important 

parts of the criminal justice system and 

also one of the most scrutinised. The 

module examines the work conducted by 

the police in England and Wales with key 

debates centred on the role of the police 

with respect to the rest of society. Issues 

such as policing by consent, the arming 

of police and the modern challenges the 

The programme is designed to provide 

a fully-rounded understanding of 

criminological theories and methodologies. 

Portrayals of Crime and Deviance 

Because of the fascination that societies have 

had with crime and those who commit it, 

depictions of offenders have been an almost 



police face as new forms of disorder pose 

new difficulties plus community policing 

and the policing of terrorism will also be 

explored during the module. 

Crime and Justice in the 19th Century 

The experiences that history can teach 

us are very useful for understanding 

current dilemmas and conceptualising 

social problems and criminal behaviour. 

This module looks at a variety of different 

historical issues and lessons that can 

be derived from historical perspectives 

on crime. It traces the development 

of particular aspects of crime and 

punishment, such as organised crime and 

slavery, the historical origins of juvenile 

delinquency in Victorian England, violent 

crime in history, the establishment of the 

police and the criminal justice system, 

issues of punishment from transportation 

through to capital punishment. It also 

explores how gender perspectives 

contributed to associations of particular 

offences with women. 

Introduction to Criminology 1: 

Perceptions and Perspectives 

This module introduces and explores the 

various disciplinary approaches to the 

study of crime. It will also explore the 

social construction of crime, as well as the 

representation of crime and the criminal 

justice system. The module will begin 

to introduce and explore the range and 

scope of issues and topics examined by 

the specialist discipline of Criminology. 

This module will serve as a link to those 

substantive aspects of Criminology to 

be addressed in Years 2 and 3 of the 

programme. 

Social Policy 

This module provides an introduction to 

the field of social policy. It will develop 

the understanding of the complexity of 

modern societies and how nation states 

protect their citizens through the creation 

and implementation of social policies. It 

will provide an understanding of the policymaking 

and legislative processes as well 

as introduce some of the key concepts in 

social policy (for example need, justice and 

choice). 

Developing Academic and 

Professional Skills 

Central to this module is the preparation 

of personal development plans. This is 

designed to help meet learning needs 

relating to a range of key learning skills 

necessary for successful study at higher 

education level. During this module, 

there will be the opportunity to develop 

traditional study skills, and also more 

generic skills, such as how to plan, record 

and reflect on personal development. 

Introduction to Criminology 2: 

Communities, Identities and Crime 

Through this module there will be an 

examination of the social construction of 

identity and community. The notions of 

social difference, equality, diversity and 

citizenship in a society deemed to be under 

stress from globalisation and migration 

will also be examined through a focus on 

issues relating to gender, sexuality, race 

and ethnicity within a criminological and 

criminal justice context. 

Year 2 

Year 2 builds upon the foundation and 

introduction of Year 1 but has primarily 

a three-fold focus; development of 

theoretical understanding of the 

concepts and perspectives underpinning 

Criminology; development of research 

skills and understanding of the research 

process and exploring aspects of the 

criminal justice system. 

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www.winchester.ac.uk


Modules 

Criminological Theory 

This module will examine the 

interdisciplinary nature of and various 

approaches to criminological theory. It 

will provide an overview and context of 

the development of criminological theory 

as well as examining some of the main 

criminological theories which have sought 

to explain and account for crime and 

criminality in the modern era. 

Criminological Research 

This module will outline and examine 

the criminological research process 

from the planning stage through to 

data analysis and presentation of 

findings. The module will also critically 

examine the quantitative and qualitative 

approaches to research as well as the 

limitations of research. There will also be 

a critical exploration of the realities and 

practicalities of research. An exploration 

of the ethical and political issues raised 

through doing criminological research into 

issues and topics of a sensitive and illegal 

nature will also be included within this 

module. 

Contemporary Criminological Issues 

This module will explore and examine 

issues within the scope of Criminology 

which are both contemporary and 

topical. In this respect the issues 

addressed will be a combination of those 

deemed contemporary and yet central 

to criminological investigation. This 

module will address themes such as white 

collar and corporate crime, victims and 

victimisation, drugs, alcohol and crime, 

violent crime and protest and social 

movements amongst others. 

Criminal Justice and Punishment 

This module will focus on two major 

aspects of society’s response to crime; the 

criminal justice system and the punishment 

handed to those found guilty of criminal 

actions, as well as the traditional means 

of punishment such as imprisonment. 

The module will introduce the nature and 

structure of the criminal justice system, 

examining the inter-relationships between 

the major institutions of the system such as 

the police and the courts. It will also explore 

issues surrounding questions of guilt and 

innocence, miscarriages of justice and crime 

control. 

Criminological Investigation: 

Miscarriages of Justice/Innocence Project 

Overall this module will explore the 

issues surrounding wrongful conviction 

and miscarriages of justice; as such the 

module will combine theory with practice 

in examining this aspect of criminal justice. 

The module will introduce students to the 

Innocence Project; an opportunity to work 

on ‘live’ cases where wrongful conviction 

is claimed by serving prisoners after all 

appeal processes have been exhausted. The 

Winchester Innocence Project is part of the 

Innocence Network UK (INUK). 

Topics in Psychology and Law 

This module will provide students with the 

opportunity to study some topics related 

to psychology, crime and law. Students 

will be introduced to a small number of 

key topics which may include Pro and 

Anti-social Behaviour; Children and the 

Law; Eyewitness Memory and Testimony; 



Investigative Psychology and the Police; 

and Psychology, Law and the Media. 

Applied Techniques: Forensic 

Archaeology 

Forensic Archaeologists have played a 

key role in Crime Scene Investigation 

(CSI); this module will emphasise the 

importance of careful, systematic and 

multidisciplinary survey, excavation and 

post-excavation study, for example the 

approach required to locate, investigate 

and report on discoveries made at a 

crime scene. The module provides an 

introduction to the objectives, approaches 

and methods of forensic archaeology and 

is then organised in the sequence that a 

real police investigation involving forensic 

archaeologists would follow. 

Crime, Media and Culture 

In this module there will be an opportunity 

to explore the relationship between the 

media and crime and ‘deviant behaviour’. 

Crime has always been a theme for popular 

media but in the contemporary world 

new and old media have become tools for 

policing and social control. At the same 

time, critics suggest that the popular media 

have an important role in the construction 

of particular discourses or ideologies of 

crime and punishment. This module explores 

these themes using a range of contemporary 

and established theoretical approaches. 

Year 3 

Year 3 focuses on some of the more 

specialised aspects of Criminology, as well 

as encouraging students to work in a more 

independent manner and to begin to consider 

their career options upon graduation. In 

this respect at the start of Year 3 there 

is a mandatory employability dedicated 

module Criminology and Professional 

Development: Planning for Employment 

(at present available only to Single Honours 

students). This module encourages the 

student to reflect upon their learning and 

development, linking their academic and 

generic skills and knowledge to that of the 

requirements of the employment market. 

Modules 

Research Dissertation 

Following two years of criminological 

study, students have the opportunity to 

develop further study into an area or topic 

of their own choice and interest, and to 

undertake a piece of independent research. 

The student will identify a topic of interest, 

provide a rationale for the research, devise 

and submit a research proposal, conduct a 

piece of research and write up and present 

the project and main findings. 

Criminology and Professional 

Development: Planning for Employment 

This module is a dedicated employability 

module designed specifically for the 

undergraduate Criminology curriculum. 

As such the module has been created after 

consultation with potential employers and 

professional practitioners within the prison, 

police and probation services as well as 

those working in the youth, community 

and private sectors. The module will 

explore potential links between researching 

for academic work and researching for 

relevant career applications in developing 

awareness of professional practice in 

professions and organisations related to 

Criminology. 

Policing Society 

This module will focus upon the role of 

police and policing in a modern, diverse 

and globalised society. Following a brief 

history of policing in the UK, the module 

will go on to focus upon the functions and 

powers of the modern police force and 

issues of governance and accountability, 

as well as police discretion and aspects of 

discrimination. 



Sex Crime: Criminal Justice and 

Civil Measures 

Sex crime is often seen as different 

from other forms of crime. Also, within 

civil society and the prison system sex 

offenders are also seen as different from 

other offenders and treated accordingly. 

This highly personalised form of violence 

and crime raises questions in relation 

to the care, treatment and attitudes 

towards victims within the criminal 

justice system. In addition the module 

will also explore the issues of media 

reporting of sex related crimes, sex and 

the internet, child sex abuse, prostitution 

and the treatment and monitoring of 

known sex offenders. 

Young People, Deviance and Crime 

The module will start by exploring the 

Youth-Crime connection and consider 

the problem of Youth and the problem 

of Crime. Gender issues in crime will 

be considered and the involvement of 

young people in deviant and criminal 

behaviour will be critically evaluated. 

The youth justice system will be critically 

considered and means of preventing antisocial, 

deviant and criminal behaviour 

explored. 

Globalised Crime: Organised Crime and 

Cybercrime 

This module will explore two specific 

aspects of crime in the globalised world; 

organised crime and cybercrime. While 

cybercrime is certainly a crime of the late 

20th and early 21st century, organised 

crime has deeper historical roots. However, 

in the globalised world, aided by advances 

in computer technology, organised crime 

has taken on a globalised dimension. 

The module will examine the historical 

roots of organised crime as well as 

looking at traditional and contemporary 

manifestations such as the triads and 

mafia; types of crime such as human 

and drug trafficking, people smuggling, 

kidnapping and extortion will also be 

explored. 

In relation to cybercrime the module will 

look at the advent, nature and extent 

of this form of criminal activity, where 

every individual and organisation that 

uses ICT is potentially both a perpetrator 

and a victim of crime. As the fastest 

growing sites of crime the module will 

examine aspects of cybercrime for 

example hacking, identity theft, fraud, 

pornography and grooming. 

Crime and Humanity 

This module will focus upon the notion of 

crimes against humanity and its interrelated 

aspects. The module will introduce 

the historical context to the setting up 

of the United Nations and the creation 

of the Universal Declaration of Human 

Rights. Using case studies such as Northern 

Ireland, Rwanda, Bosnia and Chechnya, the 

module will explore contentious concepts 

and issues of war, terrorism and genocide. 

The protection and abuse of civilian and 

non-combatant populations in on-going 

conflict zones, war crimes, crimes against 

humanity, ‘ethnic cleansing’, use of torture, 

the treatment of prisoners of war and 

prisoners of conscience as well as detention 

without trial will also be explored. 



Learning and teaching 

The Criminology programme adopts 

a diverse range of teaching methods 

including lectures, seminars, tutorials, 

guided reading exercises, independent 

study, group work, debates, guest speakers 

and individual project supervision. At 

all points, theory and academic study is 

related to real world experience. These 

teaching methods are designed to support 

students’ learning and progression, from 

initial support and guidance in Year 1 to 

more independent and self-directed study 

in Year 3. 

As students progress, they are encouraged 

to develop and implement a more critical 

stance to criminological theories, findings 

and approaches, as well as acquire a 

range of generic and subject-specific 

skills and abilities such as written and 

oral communication, developing effective 

analysis, argument, interpretation and 

evaluation skills. 

Assessment 

Assessment is a crucial part of a high 

quality learning experience. It is a way 

of measuring a student’s knowledge, 

understanding and skills. In accordance 

with the Code of Practice produced by the 

Quality Assurance Agency, the Criminology 

programme uses a range of modes 

of assessment to assess achievement 

accurately and fairly. Students will be 

expected to write essays and reports, sit 

examinations, give presentations and 

debate issues for example. Students are 

made aware of assessment matters at the 

beginning of a module through the module 

guide. 

Feedback is given to students in order 

to help them improve their performance 

in the future. Internal moderation takes 

place for every module, with a sample 

of assignments also forwarded to the 

External Examiner for scrutiny. All marks 

are provisional until confirmed by the 

Examination Board in the summer. 

Support networks 

The programme actively encourages 

students to form support groups to assist 

with learning and make the learning 

experience easier. These are small groups 

of students who meet on a regular basis 

to discuss criminological issues. Students 

find these informal groups rewarding and 

enriching. 

Career opportunities 

A degree in Criminology provides a range 

of opportunities for graduates. Graduates 

with degrees in Criminology can pursue 

a range of different career opportunities 

including employment in public or private 

policing and research, HM Revenue and 

Customs, probation services, prison and 

other crime-related roles. The Home 

Office, legal firms and other relevant 

support roles in crime-related work are 

also potential employment routes. 

Contact us 

Course Enquiries and Applications 

Telephone: +44 (0) 1962 827234 

Email: course.enquiries@winchester.ac.uk 


Explore the Winchester experience 

Open Days are a great way to find out more 

about the course that you are interested in. It is 

also an opportunity to explore the campus and 

meet tutors and current students to discover 

what studying at Winchester is all about. 

To find out when the next Open Day is visit 

www.winchester.ac.uk/opendays or contact the 

Student Recruitment team. 

Campus Tour instead by contacting the Student 

Recruitment team. 

Student Recruitment 

Telephone: +44 (0) 1962 827089 

Email: opendays@winchester.ac.uk 

At the event, academics from all of our 

programmes will be around campus giving 

sessions about your subject of interest. Each 

of the sessions will include an overview of the 

course, entry requirements, the application 

process and an opportunity to ask any questions 

you might have. 

Student Union representatives will also be 

available so you can find out more about 

Winchester’s sports clubs, societies and 

community involvement. 

As part of the campus tour you will see the halls 

of residence and the West Downs Student Village 

and find out more about living in Winchester. 

You will also be told about the student support 

services and scholarships and bursaries that are 

on offer. 

If you miss any of the Open Days or are 

unavailable 

www.winchester.ac.uk 

to attend – you can arrange a

Finding out more... 

Course Enquiries and Applications 

Telephone: +44 (0)1962 827234 

Email: course.enquiries@winchester.ac.uk 

The University of Winchester 

Winchester 

Hampshire S022 4NR 

www.winchester.ac.uk 

03991/09/13 

a large print version of this 

booklet is available on request

BA (Hons) Criminology - University of Winchester

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