Criminology | BA (Hons) | University of Lincoln

Course Overview

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.

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

How You Study

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.

Modules

† 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.

'Tank Town:' A Case study Introduction to Research Methods 2025-26SOP1005Level 42025-26The first ever tanks were designed and built in Lincoln before going to the warfront in WW1 (with Lincoln known as 'tank town' for a while) in the twentieth century. It is a city that has seen enormous social change over the past 100 years shifting from agriculture, industrialisation, de-industrialisation and now to more modern developments such as studentification. This module explores how change has taken place, reflecting on different social issues have been framed in the context of Lincoln (and Lincolnshire), before exploring contemporary social problems and harms. Issues such as homelessness, studentification, food bank use, social isolation, health, young people, poverty, families, new arrivals and transport are explored using contemporary social research methods. By tracing the thread from the past to modern debates on contemporary social problems, we look to show how research can affect social change and enhance our understandings.CoreBecoming a Criminologist 2025-26CRI1154Level 42025-26This module provides an introduction to Criminology for new students on the programme and is designed to build upon your prior experiences and learning in this field. We will identify key concepts and frameworks in Criminology, and consider a range of different voices and experiences, some of which have been excluded from criminological knowledge. The module therefore challenges you to consider not just what you know about crime and Criminology but also how you know, and to reflect upon your own personal learning and development.CoreCrime and the Media 2025-26CRI1155Level 42025-26The module seeks to explore popular images of criminal justice, and contrasts these depictions with an informed examination of a number of the central pillars of this system. You will have the opportunity to examine the complexities and contradictions which exist within the so-called ‘system’ of criminal justice. You will also study the relationship between images of crime and the resulting criminal justice response which form the basis of this module. It is hoped that this introduction will encourage you as new students to consider the extent of the so-called ‘problem of crime’ and the limits of current criminal justice ‘solutions’.CoreInequality and Society 2025-26SOP1004Level 42025-26This module articulate to students what inequality means. It examines how they are experienced and understood by both citizens and policy makers. Its aims are focused on how inequality is framed in contemporary societies, and the policy responses designed to tackle it. It will explore how inequalities impact different groups of social divisions (including gender, class and race), reflecting on how policy agenda’s attempts to respond. Its overall aims will be to give students understanding and knowledge, the skills and capacity to critically analyse how social advantage and disadvantage is produced.CoreIntroduction to Social Policy 2025-26SOP1003Level 42025-26This modules asks what social policy is, exploring the distribution and organization of welfare and wellbeing within societies. We explore big questions related to how societies empower citizens through structures of redistribution and provision. How do we support those impacted by ‘cost of living’ crisis? How do we create better education or healthcare systems that can support everyone? How are global issues, such as climate change, also become issues of localised inequality, demanding sufficient policy responses? Social policy is concerned with how we identify and support vulnerable groups and how society understands, frames and meets the needs of their populations.CoreIntroduction to the Criminal Justice System 2025-26CRI1152Level 42025-26Join us on our journey through the heart of the criminal justice system of England and Wales. The course is designed for those seeking to understand the complexities of crime prevention, law enforcement, the courts, and punishment. This module offers an introduction to the complex system of justice and the mechanisms that govern society’s response to crime. Learn about areas of pre-crime strategies, police operations, the intricacies of prosecution, the dynamics of the court system, and the philosophies underpinning punishment and rehabilitation. You will engage with the most pressing issues and debates that shape contemporary criminal justice policies and discover the emerging trends that forecast the future of legal practice. The module will enrich your understanding of theories and real-world debates, and you will learn how the CJS has been shaped. Towards the end of the course, we will broaden the horizon by exploring current issues and comparing CJS from around the world so that you can appreciate international justice systems and their approach to law and order.CoreKey Social Science Concepts 2025-26SOS1008Level 42025-26This module aims to give students the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of key social science thinkers and concepts pertinent to all of the disciplines taught within the School. Throughout, students will be encouraged to think critically about the ideas presented and to examine social problems in the light of a range of academic perspectives.CoreSkills for Social and Political Sciences 2025-26POL1108Level 42025-26This module will prepare you for a successful degree journey, by supporting and scaffolding you to learn the skills that you need to excel in your social and political science degree. Each week you'll cover a crucial academic skill, which will be tied to the assignment expectations of your specific degree topic, so that the progress you make in this module will also be progress towards your overall degree success.CoreApplying Criminology 2026-27CRI2068MLevel 52026-27The aim of this module is to provide you with an opportunity to develop a student-centred grasp of 'crime' and our responses to crime through the application of diverse criminological theory. Applying Criminology will enable you to consider the variety of ways in which Criminology can be constructed and used. Through the application of criminological theory to real world and simulated scenarios you will develop the ability to both critically evaluate theories of crime and deviance and to analyse contemporary policy and practices of crime control.CoreLaw Enforcement and Human Rights 2026-27CRI2023Level 52026-27 This core module introduces you to the relations and tensions between human rights and contemporary strategies of law enforcement. Together, we will consider two imperatives that lie at the core of criminal justice legitimacy: crime control and the rule of law. We will analyse the substantive rights and rights to due process afforded to suspects, offenders and victims of crime, as well as their implications for public policy. Particular attention will be paid to justifications and criticism of pre-emptive and preventative measures and the impacts on the human rights of those subject to surveillance and profiling. You will learn about positive obligations under human rights frameworks to provide security. You will also learn about the varied and changing attitudes towards human rights among the public, the media and political elites.CoreResearching in Social & Political Sciences 2026-27CRI2024Level 52026-27In Applying Research you will learn about, propose and practice using different research methodologies in the social sciences. The module is divided into three distinct learning blocks. The first block addresses key philosophical issues that shape social science research and the major methodologies and data analyses techniques used in qualitative research. The second block focuses on quantitative methodologies and the analyses and presentation of quantitative data to a variety of audiences such as potential employers, policymakers, and other academics. The third block concentrates on the application of qualitative and/or qualitative methodologies to create a plan for a small research project that will guide your 3rd year independent study.CoreWorking in Criminology and the Criminal Justice System 2026-27CRI2002MLevel 52026-27This module focuses on the organisations that make up the criminal justice system, and the experience of working in them. You will hear what it's like to work in these jobs from practitioners themselves, and will gain a stronger understanding of how government policies and other pressures can affect the organisations' day to day work. You will also begin to prepare yourself to work in this sort of role, developing a career plan and hearing from organisations with paid and volunteering opportunities.Core(Re)Reading the Sociological Canon I 2026-27SOS2007MLevel 52026-27This module aims to analyse some of the seminal works which have been significant to the academic development of sociology. Students will have the opportunity to explore a variety of classical and contemporary texts, with the aim of providing them with an in-depth understanding of sociological themes and theories across time.Optional(Re)reading the Sociological Canon II 2026-27SOS2008MLevel 52026-27This module aims to analyse some of the seminal works which have been significant to the academic development of sociology. This module will seek to examine a series of articles and books which are of sociological significance and have emerged from the late 20th Century into the 21st Century.OptionalComparative Criminology Virtual Exchange: Criminal Justice Policy Analysis in the USA and UK 2026-27CRI2011Level 52026-27Policies help to provide guidance to criminal justice officials. Whether in the UK or the USA, policy can help to inform decisions where there may be higher levels of discretion in sentencing guidelines, or where there are important and complex issues that require attention. In this course, you will work alongside students in the UK and the USA to compare criminal justice practices and theory informed by policy. You will learn policy analysis skills, and apply these to understand how criminal justice policy is made, and how it can be used to solve issues across different countries. This module is delivered online, in collaboration with staff and students from Clemson University, USA.OptionalConceptualising Sex Work 2026-27SOS2003MLevel 52026-27This module aims to explore the cultural, practical and theoretical developments relating to sex work, drawing upon national and international examples. Taking a comparative approach, this module seeks to understand how scholars conceptualise sex work within different competing feminist frameworks and how these ideas reflect, or are at odds with, popular public and political discourse.OptionalDebating Welfare States 2026-27SOP2012MLevel 52026-27This module aims to enable students to analyse the priorities and developments of welfare states over time, and through analysis of these developments, equip students with the tools to interpret key contemporary social, political, and economic trends.OptionalEducation: Inequalities, Immobility and Life Chances 2026-27SOP2015Level 52026-27Education is of vital importance to the world – opportunities, inequalities and the overall health of the global economy relies on it. This module will explore how educational opportunity is framed in the context of the UK (and globally). It will critically explore inequalities in education, drawing on practices and theories within the sociology of education. It will analyse how different social institutions frame education, as well as individual experiences that impact progress, attainment, outcomes and patterns of inequality over the life-course. It will use a lifecourse-based narrative approach comprising early education, primary education, secondary education, further education, higher education and transitions to the labour market, taking into account issues of inequality and immobility throughout.OptionalIdeology into Practice 2026-27SOP2001Level 52026-27This module aims to examine the impact (and sometimes the lack of impact) of ideology on practice in social policy. Whilst the focus of the module is on the experience of the United Kingdom, comparison with other states will be made where appropriate.OptionalInequalities in Health 2026-27SOP2016Level 52026-27OptionalMedia, Culture and Power 2026-27POL2012Level 52026-27OptionalModel United Nations 2026-27IST2003MLevel 52026-27This module is designed to provide an introduction to the activities of the United Nations, as well as providing an understanding of the practices of international diplomacy and governance. The module will use a discussion of contemporary international issues to explore some of the protocol and procedures of diplomacy at the United Nations. It will also provide students with an introduction to issues of international organization and international law and treaty-making. All of this will assist students in preparing for their role as a “diplomat” at simulated United Nations General Assembly.OptionalMoney and Politics 2026-27POL2013Level 52026-27OptionalNations and Nationalism 2026-27POL2069MLevel 52026-27Resurgent nationalist violence, transnational migration, and the rise of anti-European populist nationalist parties, have forced academics and policy makers to engage and confront the enduring power of national and ethnic identities and the role they play in contemporary political life. This module explores nations and nationalism, examining the sources of our most basic and powerful feelings of political loyalty and attachment – our ideas about who we are, why we are and who has the right to rule over us. After examining the competing and contrasting approaches to understanding nations and nationalism the module then explores the intersection between nationalism and other key categories in social science such as: political mobilisation, populism, violence, culture, gender, the environment and globalisation.OptionalOrganised Crime in Global Perspective 2026-27CRI2013Level 52026-27In the Organised Crime in Global Perspective module, you will delve into the complex and evolving world of organised crime. You will be challenged to critically reflect on the definitions and meanings of organised crime, both in academic discussions and in public discourse. This module guides you through the international nature of organised crime and lets you explore the various social and economic factors that influence it. By the end of this module, you will have a comprehensive understanding of the intricate issues associated with organised crime and its impact on society. You will also develop robust critical thinking and analytical skills to address these challenges. If you are interested in deepening your understanding of the global impact of organised crime and its relevance in contemporary society, this module is an excellent choice for you.OptionalPolicing and Society 2026-27CRI2021Level 52026-27This module will look at contemporary issues in UK policing and their wider societal context. Each week, you will look at a key aspect of British policing, from police culture, the use of force, and policing a diverse society, to big data and predictive policing. You'll explore how crises have often led to fundamental police reforms; and you'll look at different ways of thinking about the purposes of policing: is it enforcing the law? Or making people feel safe? You'll also examine contemporary issues and debates. All of this will build to a single written assignment for which you'll be given a clear template and guidance.OptionalPower, Sex and Sexuality 2026-27POL2070MLevel 52026-27This module introduces students to analytical and theoretical approaches to sex and sexuality, with special attention to how these are of interest and utility to scholars of politics and society. Central to the module's concerns are the ways in which gender and sexuality are key sites where political claims are made, and through which regulatory processes are imposed and resisted. Thus, the module draws upon the rich literature and scholarship at the intersection of issues of sex, sexuality and politics in order to equip students to both use materials on sex and sexuality in political analysis and to understand the ways in which sex and sexuality are domains central to the operation of power and the constitution of political and social identity.OptionalPsychology in the Criminal Justice Process 2026-27CRI2005MLevel 52026-27This module is designed as an introduction to how psychology might contribute to our understanding of the various actors and organisations within the criminal justice process. You will critically compare and contrast the theories and methodologies employed in creating psychological knowledges with those commonly used in the discipline of criminology, and in this context will be expected to recognise both the contributions and problems presented by the use of psychological knowledges in the criminal justice process. You will also be expected to undertake your own research project around a psychological theme and present (individually) on how your findings might impact on a relevant criminal justice issue.OptionalResilience and disaster management 2026-27CRI2022Level 52026-27In this module, you will explore what happens in a major disaster or emergency: who takes charge? How do they know what to do? You'll explore how public services in the UK prepare for disasters, and how they work together to respond. You'll also explore some of the challenges of international disaster management - and how we can build more resilient communities.OptionalResponding to Poverty 2026-27SOP2017Level 52026-27OptionalSocial Engagement and Activism 2026-27SOP2011MLevel 52026-27This module encourages students to undertake one or more external activities relevant to their programme of study, and to engage in a critical reflection of the nature of this activity and how it relates to society as a whole and to their personal development as individuals. Relevant activities may involve significant interaction with an organisation outside the University providing an appropriate experience additional to the student’s programme of studies, such as voluntary work or mentoring within a service-providing organisation. Please note that students will be expected to play a significant role in initiating and arranging their programme of experience and to take responsibility for the frequency and form of experience. There may be additional costs in the form of transportation and accommodation depending on where students wish to pursue experience. The experience will be required to consist of a minimum of 30 hours. Staff will offer support through the course of the module to support students with placements.OptionalSocial Policy and the Third Sector 2026-27SOP2014Level 52026-27This module will introduce students to how the third sector works, emphasizing the importance of local state actors, and how we make a difference in such spaces. The module examines the the contribution of the third sector to social, economic and political life. It explores of the theories which underpin the study of the third sector, an examination of theories and the current state of volunteering and charitable giving, examination of the historical and current public policy agenda in relation to the third sector in the UK, the EU and more generally and, an overview of current issues in the third sector and how social scientists go about studying them. Furthermore, the module will invite speakers from voluntary sector to share their experiences.OptionalStrategic Studies 2026-27IST2020MLevel 52026-27Strategic studies introduce students to the concepts of strategy and war through different case studies. The module offers students the opportunity to explore the different theories and forms of strategy. It also enables student to understand key themes, including the changing nature of war, the security implications of new technologies, the rise of new actors, as well as the different dimensions of conflict in world politics today. The main task students would need to engage with is to evaluate and explain contemporary issues and thus deepen their understanding of Strategic Studies. The transformation in the nature of the current warfare as well as surprising events, such as 9/11 or the rise of new pandemics, have created a new context for study with great implications on core concepts of Strategic Studies.OptionalStudy Abroad Module Social and Political Sciences 2026-27SOS2020MLevel 52026-27OptionalThe Vigilant State: intelligence and national security 2026-27POL2007MLevel 52026-27This module aims to provide students with an introduction to the study of intelligence. It focuses on the basic concepts in intelligence by establishing first what is meant by intelligence, before examining the various elements of intelligence - collection, analysis, counterintelligence and associated activities such as covert political action.OptionalTransnational Security Studies 2026-27IST2018MLevel 52026-27This course aims to provide students with an advanced and comprehensive overview of transnational security in the 21st century. Specifically, it seeks to understand the issues, actors and solutions that drive security agendas in various parts of the world. Through a detailed study of key debates and key issues in the study and practice of security, the module engages with the following three questions: Security for whom and from what?; Security by whom?; Security of what and where? Emphasis will be placed on the philosophical and political connotations of certain security problems, the impact of security actors in the meaning and practice of security, and the ‘constructed’ nature of our understanding of certain contemporary security challenges.OptionalUnderstanding Domestic Abuse 2026-27CRI2010MLevel 52026-27This module will examine the nature, extent and impact of domestic violence and abuse (DVA). Taking a criminological approach, the module will explore a wide range of academic, policy and practitioner perspectives. You will study the recent development of domestic violence and abuse as a criminological problem within a changing political landscape. This will include understanding a survivor’s journey in the context of victimology and examining the legal, criminal justice and community responses. The module will also explore the emerging literature on primary and secondary prevention perpetrator programmes.OptionalUnderstanding the City 2026-27SOL2001Level 52026-27Over half the planet’s population now lives in an urban area and urbanisation across the globe looks set to continue spreading inexorably. The histories of this process are vast and characterised by wealth creation and uneven industrial development, technological transformation and environmental degradation, empire and colonial legacy, social advance and exclusion alike. Cities therefore are contradictory sites of human development patterned by opportunity, inequality, exploitation and conflict. These traits pose challenges for the meeting of human welfare needs and for our understandings of contemporary life within cities. This module aims to enable students to analyse the emergence of cities across time and space, and through analysis of the city, enable students the opportunity to develop the tools to interpret key contemporary sociological, political and policy trends. This module will develop the following skills and attributes: • Critical thinking • Independent research • Digital and data literacy • Understandings of society & future generations • Global orientation • Policy analysisOptionalWork and Society 2026-27SOS2015MLevel 52026-27This module seeks to explore the relationship between work and society, drawing on different classical and contemporary sociological theories of work. It aims to examine key areas within the sociology of work such as concepts of work, work-place inequalities, resistance and the reality and challenges of engaging in paid work in the 21st Century. This module will develop the following skills and attributes: • Critical thinking • Leadership and influence • Digital and data literacy • Understandings of society & future generations • Global orientation • Policy analysisOptionalYouth Justice 2026-27CRI2006MLevel 52026-27This module provides an exciting opportunity for you to learn about the youth justice system in depth, through our partnership with Lincolnshire Youth Offending Service. By engaging with practitioners in the classroom you will see how theories about young people's offending shape contemporary policy and service structures, and how professionals work in practice with young people in the criminal justice system.OptionalYouth, Deviance and Society 2026-27CRI2020Level 52026-27This module will prompt you to reflect upon contemporary examples of 'youth deviance' utilising theoretical ideas from the sociologies of youth and deviance. Through a reflection upon contemporary narratives of young people as 'deviant', 'dangerous' and 'out of control', the module encourages critical reflection upon the construction of these narratives. Through engagement with sociological approaches to understanding youth and deviance, you will be introduced to explanations for young people's engagement in activities regarded as 'deviant'. The module will focus upon contemporary examples, such as, youth violence, recreational substance use, and young people's engagement in differing forms of protest movements.OptionalHarm, Power and Justice 2027-28CRI3081Level 62027-28This module seeks to delve deeply into the effects that powerful entities have on the struggle for social justice. Rather than taking the customary approach of examining mainly the adversities that underprivileged individuals must confront, this module examines actions of government entities, corporate organisations, and other powerful groups from a critical perspective and human rights standpoint. The concepts of 'harm', 'power' and 'justice' will be thoroughly analysed in order to shed light on practices employed by influential entities, as well as identifying potential courses of action for mitigation, protection, and reparation.CoreIndependent Study (Social Science) 2027-28SOP3009MLevel 62027-28This module is the capstone of the research skills training that you have developed in your programme. It aims to build your capacity for independent research: thinking and problem solving, design of an independent research project, selection of an appropriate topic and methodology, and writing up of results in a substantial dissertation. Guidance will be provided throughout by your designated supervisor. To support students with an applied and practical interest in the subject matter, the module coordinator and supervisor may decide to allow you to base their research project on a negotiated work placement, whether arranged independently by yourself t or through the University, where the learning outcomes will be demonstrated by a work-placed project along with a reflective report on their experience that engages with relevant academic literature.CorePenology and Penal Policy 2027-28CRI3087Level 62027-28In this third-year criminology module, you will gain an in-depth understanding of penology and penal policy within the wider context of social control. The module combines historical and theoretical perspectives with contemporary practices, equipping you with the knowledge to critically analyse and understand the complexities of punishment and social control. You will study the foundational theories of punishment, explore the philosophy of punishment including justice, deterrence, and rehabilitation, and engage with current debates in criminal justice.CoreAnalysing Policy Futures: Power and Progress 2027-28SOP3005MLevel 62027-28This module will support students in developing their knowledge of a range of perspectives on the policy process and how analyse relevant policy case studies. It places emphasis on important models and perspectives and explores a range of current ideas which have a significant impact upon the making and implementation of policy, such as the concept of partnership, notions of participation, and issues of accountability.OptionalBecoming a Data Analyst 2027-28CRI3080Level 62027-28Have you ever considered a career as a data analyst? Data analysts make sense of large sets of data and help organisations to make informed decisions. Together with Lincolnshire Police and Lincolnshire County Council, we will introduce you to the world of data analysis. You will learn to make sense of real datasets from the police and/or other public bodies. The course will teach you advanced data analysis methods and data visualisations. You will be taught in a way that does not require any maths skills, nor will you be required to learn maths as part of the course. Step-by-step guides will be used to introduce you to the relevant software (e.g., Jamovi and Orange). The course is not just about theoretical learning; it is an opportunity to learn skills that can help you make a real-world impact. Beyond the technical skills, you will refine your critical thinking and decision-making skills, equipping you with many transferable skills for a wide range of sectors. Dive into a module that is about more than just academia. It is about acquiring skills that can contribute to societal change. Join us to harness the transformative power of data and open doors to a future rich with possibilities.OptionalBody Politics 2027-28SOS3002MLevel 62027-28This module aims to introduce students to different paradigms of the 'body' and 'embodiment'. Recent research suggests that our understandings and our relationship with our own and other ‘bodies’ has been and is continuing to undergo radical changes. This module will seek to explore these ongoing developments in Western and non-Western cultures and societies.OptionalCare or control? Welfare institutions in Britain before the welfare state 2027-28SOP3035MLevel 62027-28This module focuses on welfare institutionalisation in Britain before the emergence of the welfare state. Through a series of case studies, the module explores why and how people entered welfare institutions and considers the extent to which they were caring and controlling. Students can benefit from an cross-disciplinary approach as this module addresses themes across Social Policy, Criminology, Sociology and Politics.OptionalChildren, Families and the State 2027-28SOS3004MLevel 62027-28This module aims to encourage critical thinking about the impacts of family policies on children and families through the application of sociological theories and concepts to develop critical explanations. Students who engage with this module will develop an understanding of the nature and complexity of family policies and their impacts; of family change and diversity over time; and how and why particular services and institutions might intervene in family life and shape social experiences and relationships. The module also provides the foundational and critical knowledge required for any professional role that involves engagement with families.OptionalContemporary Social Theories and Approaches 2027-28SOS3007MLevel 62027-28This module aims to further develop the students’ knowledge about contemporary sociological research and social theory by drawing upon ‘cutting-edge’ developments within sociology. The themes of this module will reflect the current research being undertaken by contemporary sociologists.OptionalCounselling and Guidance Skills 2027-28HEA3031MLevel 62027-28This module aims to introduce students to a range of contemporary models of counselling and guidance practice. The aim is to give students the opportunity to develop skills and attitudes that can be of value in a variety of human service settings. A key feature of the module will be to allow students the opportunity to make judgements as to the appropriateness of using such techniques in different scenarios.OptionalDrugs and Society 2027-28CRI3082Level 62027-28This module considers the role and meanings of drugs in society. You will be asked to consider how we understand concepts such as 'drugs' versus 'medicines', what we mean by 'addiction' and 'harm', as well as the historical and political underpinnings to drugs policy. You will explore concepts such as drug 'normalisation', drug markets and norms of supply, different types of drug use, and the legalisation debate.OptionalEmotions in Everyday Social Life 2027-28SOS3005MLevel 62027-28This module seeks to emphasise the significance of emotions in everyday social life and to challenge some of the essentialist explanations of human emotion by exploring ‘emotions’ as social constructs. In doing so, the module aims to explore the role emotions play in social action, considering, for example, how we form personal relationships, make sense of death, dying and falling in love. Furthermore, this module will also consider how emotions are ‘gendered’, ‘racialised’ and explore the role they play in the workplace, and in laws and governance.OptionalEnvironmental Justice and Change 2027-28SOP3037Level 62027-28OptionalExperiencing Prison 2027-28CRI3077MLevel 62027-28This module explores the varied and diverse experiences of imprisonment. The aim of the module is to empower you to critically consider both the intended and unintended effects of prison and to enable you to develop an independent and reflexive understanding of policy and practice within the prison environment. Throughout the module you will engage with guest speakers who will share their experiences with you and encourage you to consider prison and the effects of imprisonment from a variety of perspectives. The module will be delivered through interactive workshops.OptionalExtremism, Terrorism and Counterterrorism 2027-28CRI3085Level 62027-28Stories of extremism and political violence are all around us. Media and social media stories on terrorism and counterterrorism are common, despite terrorism being quite rare in many Western countries. In this module, you will explore the complex issues of extremism and terrorism: what they entail, why they have captured the imagination of so many, and why individuals and groups become radicalised and are willing to commit acts of terrorism. You will learn about the threats we face and what governments can do to address these issues. You will examine counterterrorism through the lens of the four Ps: Prevention, Pursuit, Protective Security, and Emergency Preparedness. By understanding what extremism and terrorism are, the true threat we face, and how the government responds, you will gain insight into why extremism is escalating and why terrorism will continue to be a significant problem for years to come.OptionalFree speech 2027-28POL3088Level 62027-28OptionalGender and Violence 2027-28SOS3006MLevel 62027-28This module explores the issue of gender-based violence (GBV) in contemporary society. GBV is understood as behaviour or attitudes underpinned by inequitable power relations that hurt, threaten or undermine people because of their gender or (perceived) sexuality. The module starts by addressing the definitions and conceptual boundaries utilised in understanding GBV, and key theoretical perspectives on GBV, taking an in-depth look at debates in GBV scholarship, such as issues around intersectionality, patriarchy and patriarchal bargain, e.g., whether this is a useful concept and how far it can explain (global) gendered power relations. These issues will be developed through case studies of specific forms of GBV such as domestic violence and sexual coercion and rape. These case studies will explore specific forms of GBV in the context of the broader theoretical debates, as well as the current knowledge base on incidence, prevalence and responses to GBV. The module will also explore theoretical, methodological and ethical considerations when researching GBV.OptionalGlobal Cyber Governance 2027-28IST3012Level 62027-28OptionalGreen Criminology 2027-28CRI3079MLevel 62027-28Now two decades old, green criminology - the study of environmental harm, crime, law, regulation, victimization, and justice - has increasing relevance to contemporary problems at local, national, and international levels. Students who successfully complete Green Criminology will be able to identify unique major theoretical perspective on how human behavior causes and exacerbates environmental conditions that threaten the planet's viability. Students will develop their critical thinking skills when applying concepts discussed in lectures to seminar activities focused on controversies such as corporate environmental crime, the complicity of international financial institutions, state-sponsored environmental destruction, and the role of non-governmental organizations in addressing environmental harms. The final assessment is creative in nature and students will draw upon a diverse body of research from a variety of disciplines to design and present a poster illustrating a green criminology issue .OptionalHousing Crisis, Continuity and Change 2027-28SOP3036Level 62027-28Housing is facing a crisis in the UK. For the past twenty years, social housing lists have far outstripped demand from vulnerable tenants that need more support. Housing is of the upmost importance to personal wellbeing, as well as providing societal and economic benefits. Yet, how has this crisis developed? Why are so many people struggling to find adequate and afford adequate, safe homes? Why is it homelessness continues to be so prevalent and what are policymakers doing to address these issues? These are just some of the questions this module asks through an historical, social and policy exploration of housing in the UK. It will include fieldtrips and analysis from local housing officers – working in the space of housing and homelessness.OptionalInternational Human Rights (Social Sciences) 2027-28CRI3086Level 62027-28This module introduces you to human rights at both the conceptual and practical level. You will explore the theoretical arguments around the source of human rights and identifies some of the problems and possibilities which emerge from such readings. You will produce a report on a real-world contemporary human rights challenge or injustice and link that challenge back to underlying theoretical concerns.OptionalInternational Protection Mechanisms and Policy Practices 2027-28IST3011Level 62027-28OptionalLife After Prison: Reintegration and Rehabilitation 2027-28CRI3078MLevel 62027-28In this third-year criminology module, you will explore the complex journey of societal reintegration after incarceration. This module offers an in-depth analysis of the challenges and strategies crucial for successful reintegration, with a strong emphasis on the roles of support systems and rehabilitation. You will engage with diverse theories and practices related to desistance from crime, focusing on the transformative impact of relationships, identity, and community involvement. The module covers a wide spectrum of post-incarceration challenges, including mental health issues, social stigma, and legal obstacles, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence successful reintegration. Enhancing the learning experience, this module features guest speakers from social enterprises, charities, and organisations actively working in the field of reintegration. These sessions with guest speakers will offer practical insights and real-world perspectives, bridging the gap between theory and practice. You will have the unique opportunity to hear firsthand accounts of the challenges faced by individuals post-incarceration and the effectiveness of various support systems and rehabilitation strategies.OptionalMasculinity, Gender and Power 2027-28POL3001MLevel 62027-28Gender and masculinity are contested in contemporary academic and public debates. Polarised popular narratives construct masculinity as either inherently “toxic”, powerful, and damaging to women (and men), or, in stark contrast, as fragile, under siege, and in urgent need of reclamation. Critical masculinity scholars have scrutinised these claims, examining the role of men and masculinity in creating equality and/or reinforcing inequality in a world profoundly shaped by continuing gendered inequalities and power relations. The module draws on feminist, interdisciplinary masculinity studies to examine academic concepts of masculinity, notions of hegemonic (or ‘dominant’) masculinity, and intersections between masculinity and other factors (for example, race, culture, and sexuality, amongst others). It applies these concepts to understanding how constructions of masculinities function in different empirical contexts to reproduce power and inequalities and/or to provide opportunities for resistance. Students will be encouraged to develop their own critical, informed perspectives on how gender and masculinity shape social and political structures and everyday lives.OptionalMigration and Borders in the UK and Europe 2027-28POL3083MLevel 62027-28This module explores how European countries have responded to increased migration, its challenges, and its opportunities. Students examine how and why European states (including the UK) have at times criminalised migration and at other times encouraged it. They labour migration, family migration, and refugee migration flows to and within Europe since World War II. The module explores how borders have become central to European politics and society, how various actors in the political arena have both propelled this development and responded to it. It examines the influence in this area that interest groups, the EU, and political parties have had. The module particularly examines the UK within this comparative context, using Lincolnshire as a case study.OptionalPlace-Based Politics: Local to Global 2027-28POL3089Level 62027-28OptionalPolicing Crime and Deviance: UK and Beyond 2027-28CRI3083Level 62027-28In the "Policing Crime and Deviance: UK and Beyond" module, you will explore the diverse forms of policing and the crime control worldwide. This course will provide an in-depth understanding of key policing concepts and how they differ across various global contexts. You will examine a wide range of topics, including the significance of plural policing and the role of private security operations internationally. The module also offers a comparative analysis of race-related policing issues, with specific focus on the UK and the US, and explores vigilante actions in regions like the Global North and the Global South, particularly Latin America. Moreover, you will look into the use of technology in policing, including the study of algorithmic strategies in places such as China. This module provides a valuable opportunity for you to develop your critical thinking and analytical skills and to gain a deep understanding of the complex issues surrounding policing and crime in contemporary societies.OptionalPolicing in Practice 2027-28CRI3005MLevel 62027-28This module looks at the way contemporary issues in UK policing affect Lincolnshire Police in practice. The module is run as a 2-hour workshop, exploring contemporary challenges in policing and how they play out in the operational realities of policing in Lincolnshire. You will be taught at least half of your workshops by policing professionals including serving police officers and other practitioners. Topics covered may include governance, armed police, public order, equality and diversity in policing, mental health, leadership, police culture and assaults.OptionalRace and Racism 2027-28SOS3155MLevel 62027-28This interdisciplinary module will explore the issues of race, racism, race relations, racial conflict, and practices of anti-racism in the contemporary UK and worldwide. Although the main focus of this module is on the UK, examples from different parts of the world and a comparative lens will enable us to examine these issues from a global perspective. Beginning with colonial discourses of the ‘racial other’ and the history of colonialism, slavery and indentured labour, this module will examine various theoretical and conceptual debates on race and racism, and critically assess how changing conceptualisations of race and racism arise in specific socio-political and historical contexts. The module will also provide students with the chance to assess the continued significance of race and racism in the contemporary world. Students can benefit from an cross-disciplinary approach that addresses themes across Sociology, Criminology, Politics, International Relations, and Social Policy.OptionalUnderstanding and Responding to Homicide 2027-28CRI3084Level 62027-28This module offers a criminological understanding of unlawful homicide (unlawful killing of humans) and the ways in which societies respond to this issue. The module begins by exploring what homicide is, identifying and examining the different forms of homicide that we find in human societies. You will be introduced to the ‘ecological framework’ for examining the differing causes of homicide and that are used to support the development of differing responses. You will then learn about the different parts of the ecological framework in more detail, which include ‘individual’, 'relational', ‘communal’, and ‘societal’ explanations. The module will also provide you with an understanding of how homicide is patterned geographically and how these patterns are linked to social inequalities. In the final part of the module, you will learn about some of the different responses to homicide that are utilised by governments and communities contemporarily, and you will explore critically their impact upon this form of offending.OptionalUnderstanding Multiculturalism and Policy Practices 2027-28POL3003MLevel 62027-28The module explores political challenges, processes and debates around the presence of culturally diverse populations in the countries such as the UK, Germany, France and examines the role this presence plays in understanding of national identities.OptionalUnderstanding Social Security 2027-28SOP3038Level 62027-28OptionalWar Crimes and Genocide 2027-28IST3013Level 62027-28This module explores the origins of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. It investigates a diverse range of reasons for mass atrocities and genocides through placing them historical, political, philosophical and social contexts to illuminate the origins of such harms and their impact on societies.OptionalWorking in Education and Children's Services 2027-28HEA3037MLevel 62027-28This module considers how to engage with children and families to assess and respond to needs and how to make professional judgements in decisions to safeguard and promote children’s welfare. A further key theme is working in partnership both with children and families and other agencies, considering how, in practice this can best be promoted at different levels and stages of decision-making. Emphasis will be on current research and developments. This module will be of particular value to students as a preparation for making career choices and to enhance their employability.OptionalWorking With People in Adult Social Care Settings 2027-28HEA3036MLevel 62027-28This module aims to offer students the opportunity to explore in depth the context and issues of adult health and social care and the work roles available within it. It focuses on both national policy developments and local provision, with the emphasis on the perspectives of service users and practitioners. The module will be of particular value to students as a preparation for making career choices and to enhance their employability.Optional

What You Need to Know

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.

Optional Pathways

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).

BA (Hons) Criminology (Criminal Justice)

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.

Group of protestors with the man in the foreground holding a sign

BA (Hons) Criminology (Global Justice and Security)

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.

How you are assessed

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.

Placements

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.

Student as Producer

We are committed to giving students the opportunity to meaningfully contribute to the knowledge in their chosen field through their own research. Throughout the course students may have the opportunity to contribute to ongoing research projects or even conduct their own research. Recent publications by undergraduate students at Lincoln include research by Ben Pelling on 'mid level' recreational drugs supply and by Mikey Hirst on the advertising for semaglutide and testosterone clinics on social media.

Max's Journey: From Criminology to the Police

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.

Study Abroad Year

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.

The Great Central Warehouse Library

At the heart of student life is our library which will provide you with access to more than 260,000 journals and 750,000 print and electronic books, as well as databases and specialist collections.

Learning Lounges

You can take advantage of our range of modern study areas located across campus, which include learning lounges that give you the opportunity to study alone or with your friends and course mates.

Computer Suites

A range of computer suites is available in buildings across our Brayford Pool Campus.

Public Lecture: Why We Love True Crime

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.

What Can I Do with a Criminology Degree?

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.

United Kingdom

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.

International

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.

https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills/

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

Contextual Offers

At Lincoln, we recognise that not everybody has had the same advice and support to help them get to higher education. Contextual offers are one of the ways we remove the barriers to higher education, ensuring that we have fair access for all students regardless of background and personal experiences. For more information, including eligibility criteria, visit our Offer Guide pages. If you are applying to a course that has any subject specific requirements, these will still need to be achieved as part of the standard entry criteria.

Fees and Scholarships

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.

Course Fees

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.

Find out More by Visiting Us

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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