BSc (Hons) Criminology and Sociology (with a Placement Year)

Program Overview

The BSc (Hons) Criminology and Sociology (with a Placement Year) at St. Mary's University, Twickenham, is a comprehensive four-year undergraduate degree that offers an in-depth, interdisciplinary exploration of crime, criminal justice, and the intricate social dynamics that shape human behavior and societal structures. This program challenges students to critically analyse a wide range of topics, from modern slavery and terrorism to human rights, policing, and cybercrime, by examining classical, radical, and emerging theories in both criminology and sociology. A distinguishing feature of this degree is the compulsory year-long industrial placement, typically undertaken between the second and final academic years. This placement provides an invaluable opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in a real-world professional setting, build essential commercial awareness, and establish crucial industry networks. The program’s hands-on approach, combined with expert teaching from academics who influence government policy, ensures graduates develop robust analytical, research, and critical thinking skills necessary to understand and instigate change in complex social issues.

Curriculum: The curriculum for the BSc (Hons) Criminology and Sociology (with a Placement Year) is thoughtfully structured to build a strong foundation and allow for progressive specialisation over four years. In the first year, students are introduced to core concepts through modules like "Criminology: A Sociological Introduction," "Investigating Criminal Justice," "Sociology: Themes and Issues," "Classical Sociological Theory," "Researching Criminology and Sociology in the 1 News," and "Introduction to Research Methods." The second year expands on these foundations with modules such as "Police and Punishment: History and Functions," "Global Societies and Identities," and "Applied Research Methods," alongside optional modules including "Criminalising Social Problems," "Crime and the Media," and "Body, Gender and Sexuality." The third year is dedicated to the compulsory "Placement Year," where students gain practical work experience in a relevant field. The final academic year culminates in a significant "Dissertation" or "Research Essay," complemented by advanced core modules like "Criminology: New Perspectives" and "Modernity in the 21st Century," with optional modules such as "Modern Slavery, Trafficking and Organised Crime" and "Counter Radicalisation and Terrorism," allowing for deep dives into specific areas of interest.  

Research Focus: The BSc (Hons) Criminology and Sociology (with a Placement Year) program at St. Mary's University is deeply informed by contemporary research and scholarship within both disciplines, particularly drawing on the expertise of its academic staff who often undertake relevant research and influence government policy development. The curriculum integrates the latest insights into areas such as human trafficking, organised crime, prisons, youth violence, gangs, and the media representation of crime and social issues. Students are rigorously trained in various research techniques, including the use of big data, enabling them to critically analyse and apply theoretical knowledge to real-life social and criminal justice issues. The culminating dissertation or research essay in the final year provides a significant opportunity for students to undertake independent, in-depth research on a topic of their choice, contributing to the academic discourse and demonstrating advanced analytical capabilities.

Industry Engagement: Industry engagement is a core and integral part of the BSc (Hons) Criminology and Sociology (with a Placement Year) program at St. Mary's University, designed to significantly enhance student employability and provide invaluable practical experience. The compulsory year-long industrial placement is a pivotal feature, offering students direct exposure to professional environments within criminal justice organisations, social welfare agencies, government departments, charities, or related fields. This experience allows them to apply their academic knowledge, build professional networks, and develop crucial commercial awareness. Beyond the placement, the program actively facilitates engagement through regular guest speakers who are active practitioners and researchers, discussing the latest policy directions and research in crucial subjects like modern slavery, human trafficking, organised crime, prisons, policing, and youth violence. These opportunities provide students with a realistic understanding of the professional landscape and the practical application of their studies.

Global Perspective: The BSc (Hons) Criminology and Sociology (with a Placement Year) program at St. Mary's University cultivates a robust global perspective by examining crime, punishment, and social inequalities within an international framework. The curriculum includes core modules that explore global societies, migration, human rights, and terrorism, inherently requiring students to understand international dynamics and their impact on diverse justice systems and societies worldwide. The program encourages critical reflection on emerging global issues such as cybercrime and the role of artificial intelligence in understanding and predicting crime. Through the study of various theoretical frameworks and contemporary global challenges, graduates are well-prepared to contribute to international organisations working on migration, justice, and youth development, or to engage with social and criminal justice issues that transcend national borders, both academically and professionally during their placement year.