Why Choose Lincoln
Options to study abroad for a year
Undertake voluntary placements in local councils
Conduct research alongside our expert academic team
Choose from a range of optional modules
![YouTube video for Why Choose Lincoln](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/JRcEiHi-gcc/hqdefault.jpg)
Offers from 48-80 UCAS Tariff points and guaranteed accommodation. You could also be eligible for our accommodation or travel bursary. Call us to find out more.
Criminologists use theory to explore some of the most contentious issues in contemporary society, working to understand the causes of crime and the way in which criminal justice agencies respond to offenders.
Criminological theory forms a key part of this course, enabling students to develop the critical tools needed to understand and explain relevant issues concerning crime, criminality, harm, criminalisation, and criminal justice in contemporary society.
Teaching is research-informed and draws upon many aspects of the social sciences. Staff specialisms include research in the areas of prisons and policing, drugs markets and recovery programmes, the sex industry, youth violence and justice, counter-terrorism policy, environmental harm, and gender-based violence.
Academics regularly contribute to national policy debates and encourage students to engage with key issues in the study of crime and criminal justice. Lecturers work closely with local criminal justice agencies and professionals, representatives of which visit the University to give guest lectures and collaborate with staff and students on projects.
Criminologists use theory to explore some of the most contentious issues in contemporary society, working to understand the causes of crime and the way in which criminal justice agencies respond to offenders.
Criminological theory forms a key part of this course, enabling students to develop the critical tools needed to understand and explain relevant issues concerning crime, criminality, harm, criminalisation, and criminal justice in contemporary society.
Teaching is research-informed and draws upon many aspects of the social sciences. Staff specialisms include research in the areas of prisons and policing, drugs markets and recovery programmes, the sex industry, youth violence and justice, counter-terrorism policy, environmental harm, and gender-based violence.
Academics regularly contribute to national policy debates and encourage students to engage with key issues in the study of crime and criminal justice. Lecturers work closely with local criminal justice agencies and professionals, representatives of which visit the University to give guest lectures and collaborate with staff and students on projects.
Options to study abroad for a year
Undertake voluntary placements in local councils
Conduct research alongside our expert academic team
Choose from a range of optional modules
The first year aims to provide a thorough grounding in criminology and the wider social sciences in order to develop the knowledge and research skills necessary for further study. As the course progresses, students are able to delve deeper into topics such as criminological theory to explore the potential causes of crime and the way these shape, and are shaped by, criminal justice responses.
Final-year students can explore complex questions about the image and reality of human rights, and the problems and possibilities of different
approaches to punishment. Optional modules in the second and third years enable students to tailor their studies to their career aspirations or areas of particular interest, such as policing.
Criminology at Lincoln is organised and taught by a team of Criminologists who have extensive qualifications, research, and publication experience. Students are given the opportunity to meet with tutors for individual tutorial sessions to explore in greater detail their own individual learning needs. As well as directed study, you are expected to undertake independent learning utilising traditional library resources, as well as a wide range of electronic resources.
The first year aims to provide a thorough grounding in criminology and the wider social sciences in order to develop the knowledge and research skills necessary for further study. As the course progresses, students are able to delve deeper into topics such as criminological theory to explore the potential causes of crime and the way these shape, and are shaped by, criminal justice responses.
Final-year students can explore complex questions about the image and reality of human rights, and the problems and possibilities of different
approaches to punishment. Optional modules in the second and third years enable students to tailor their studies to their career aspirations or areas of particular interest, such as policing.
Criminology at Lincoln is organised and taught by a team of Criminologists who have extensive qualifications, research, and publication experience. Students are given the opportunity to meet with tutors for individual tutorial sessions to explore in greater detail their own individual learning needs. As well as directed study, you are expected to undertake independent learning utilising traditional library resources, as well as a wide range of electronic resources.
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. In addition to the information provided on this course page, our What You Need to Know page offers explanations on key topics including programme validation/revalidation, additional costs, contact hours, and our return to face-to-face teaching.
We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. In addition to the information provided on this course page, our What You Need to Know page offers explanations on key topics including programme validation/revalidation, additional costs, contact hours, and our return to face-to-face teaching.
To reflect the diverse ambitions of our students, and the variety of careers studying criminology can lead to, we have created specialist pathways within the course. By choosing specific modules, you can create a qualification suited to your dream career.
Alongside a more focused curriculum, these pathways allow you benefit from targeted advice from our Careers and Employability Team, or support from our Global Opportunities Team. Following a pathway will change the name of your degree to either BA (Hons) Criminology (Criminal Justice) or BA (Hons) Criminology (Global Justice and Security).
This pathway allows you to focus on criminal justice practice and professional skills development. You can gain useful experience by focusing on exciting real-world projects or work experience within a local organisation, and enhance your employability through tailored careers support and guidance.
Take a global approach to your studies by tackling topics relevant to the international community, including environmental harm, cybercrime, transnational organised crime and security, terrorism and extremism, human rights, and war crimes. There may also be chances to learn online alongside students from the USA.
A notable feature of Criminology at Lincoln is the way in which the degree is both taught and assessed involving student-centred work. This may include group-based and individual research projects and assessments, multimedia presentations, case studies, auto-critiques, self-appraisal, vocationally relevant 'live' projects, oral examinations, and conferences.
These methods are designed to make a significant contribution to the consolidation of important transferable skills, which are valued by employers across a ranger of sectors. The University of Lincoln's policy is to ensure that staff return assessments to students promptly.
A notable feature of Criminology at Lincoln is the way in which the degree is both taught and assessed involving student-centred work. This may include group-based and individual research projects and assessments, multimedia presentations, case studies, auto-critiques, self-appraisal, vocationally relevant 'live' projects, oral examinations, and conferences.
These methods are designed to make a significant contribution to the consolidation of important transferable skills, which are valued by employers across a ranger of sectors. The University of Lincoln's policy is to ensure that staff return assessments to students promptly.
This course opened me up to a whole range of criminological theories that meant when I was doing the assessments I was expanding how I understood those topics in our current landscape, but also what could be done in the future.
George Keyse
BA (Hons) Criminology
You'll have an opportunity to apply for our voluntary, competitive work placements scheme, currently run with a local council. This scheme aims to offer valuable experience of a professional policy environment and observe how policy is set by central government and executed by local authorities, such as how competing priorities can result in decisions made on allocating resources. Please note, this opportunity is subject to the council’s ongoing commitment to the scheme. A Placement Year Fee is payable to the University of Lincoln during this year for students joining in 2025/26 and beyond. Students are expected to cover their own travel, accommodation, and living costs.
Ever wondered what it's like to go from studying criminology to working with the police? In this video, Max, a graduate of our BA (Hons) Criminology course, shares his experience transitioning from the classroom to a career with the Lincolnshire Police.
An optional year abroad is available for full-time students between the second and third years. A Study Abroad Tuition Fee is payable to the University of Lincoln during this year for students joining in 2025/26 and beyond. No extra tuition fee is payable to the host university, but students are expected to cover their own travel, accommodation, and living costs. Travel grants and an overseas rate maintenance loan may be available for eligible students from Student Finance. The University’s Global Opportunities Team can provide further support and guidance.
Here's an example of just one of the exciting and relevant public lectures available on the course. Colton Scrivner, Behavioural Scientist in the Department of Psychology at Arizona State University, explains why we love True Crime.
Graduates have gone on to positions in a a diverse range of areas, including roles in the probation and prison services, health and social services, police authorities, youth work, victim support, government policy, and education. Some students progress to further study at Master’s and doctoral level.
104 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of 2 A levels.
International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma from a minimum of 2 Higher Level subjects.
BTEC Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit, or equivalent
T Level: Merit
Access to Higher Education Diploma: 45 Level 3 credits with a minimum of 104 UCAS Tariff points.
Applicants will also need at least three GCSEs at grade 4 or above, which must include English. Equivalent Level 2 qualifications may also be considered.
The University accepts a wide range of qualifications as the basis for entry and do accept a combination of qualifications which may include A Levels, BTECs, EPQ etc.
We will also consider applicants with extensive and relevant work experience and will give special individual consideration to those who do not meet the standard entry qualifications.
Non UK Qualifications:
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages.
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/ for information on equivalent qualifications.
EU and Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page.
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-sessional English and Academic Study Skills courses.
If you would like further information about entry requirements, or would like to discuss whether the qualifications you are currently studying are acceptable, please contact the Admissions team on 01522 886097, or email admissions@lincoln.ac.uk
104 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of 2 A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications.
BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM
T Level: Merit
Access to Higher Education Diploma: 45 Level 3 credits with a minimum of 104 UCAS Tariff points
International Baccalaureate: 28 points overall.
GCSE's: Minimum of three at grade 4 or above, which must include English. Equivalent Level 2 qualifications may be considered.
The University accepts a wide range of qualifications as the basis for entry and do accept a combination of qualifications which may include A Levels, BTECs, EPQ etc.
We may also consider applicants with extensive and relevant work experience and will give special individual consideration to those who do not meet the standard entry qualifications.
Non UK Qualifications:
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/ for information on equivalent qualifications.
EU and Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-sessional English and Academic Study Skills courses.
If you would like further information about entry requirements, or would like to discuss whether the qualifications you are currently studying are acceptable, please contact the Admissions team on 01522 886097, or email admissions@lincoln.ac.uk
Going to university is a life-changing step and it's important to understand the costs involved and the funding options available before you start. A full breakdown of the fees associated with this programme can be found on our course fees pages.
For eligible undergraduate students going to university for the first time, scholarships and bursaries are available to help cover costs. To help support students from outside of the UK, we are also delighted to offer a number of international scholarships which range from £1,000 up to the value of 50 per cent of tuition fees. For full details and information about eligibility, visit our scholarships and bursaries pages.
Going to university is a life-changing step and it's important to understand the costs involved and the funding options available before you start. A full breakdown of the fees associated with this programme can be found on our course fees pages.
For eligible undergraduate students going to university for the first time, scholarships and bursaries are available to help cover costs. To help support students from outside of the UK, we are also delighted to offer a number of international scholarships which range from £1,000 up to the value of 50 per cent of tuition fees. For full details and information about eligibility, visit our scholarships and bursaries pages.
The best way to find out what it is really like to live and learn at Lincoln is to visit us in person. We offer a range of opportunities across the year to help you to get a real feel for what it might be like to study here.
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