Criminology and Criminal Justice - Foundation Degree

Course Detail

The programme:

• will support you to engage with theoretical principles and critically evaluate both your own and others research, whilst also gaining strong practical skills to enable you to seek employment in the criminal justice field.
• is enriched by work experience, and preparatory practical experiences to fully equip you for industry or for further study and research.
• will prepare you for a range of employment opportunities in the criminal justice field, such as the police, probation, prison service, social work, teaching, youth justice, and the Crown Prosecution Service.
• will also be supported and enriched throughout by a range of activities and events designed to give you valuable insight into how criminal justice agencies work and the roles and responsibilities of those working in the criminal justice system.
• will introduce you to visiting guest speakers from relevant industries, and trips to criminology and criminal justice conferences.
• will develop your employability skills and attributes by requiring you to complete a work placement in a professional setting.

Entry Requirements

A minimum of 80 UCAS points (excluding Functional Skills) in an appropriate discipline:

• CCD from A Levels including criminology, sociology, psychology, law, forensic psychology or public services
• MMP from Extended Diploma or DM from Diploma in appropriate discipline
• Mathematic and English Language GCSE at grade C/4 or above
• Pass Access to HE Diploma in related discipline

Applicants who are able to demonstrate relevant work/life skills or knowledge will also be considered on an individual basis

Qualification Obtained

FdA Criminology and Criminal Justice

Industry Placement and Field Trips

All students will be required to undertake a work placement in the area of criminal justice. Work Based learning supports the development of higher level learning, where the learning in College can be applied to a work environment.

You are encouraged and supported to find work placements and projects throughout the programme, with the work-based learning assessment embedded in the second year.

For the work-based research project, you will undertake vocationally driven research which will in turn be used to generate a final written research report.

You will create a presentation of your work as part of an academic poster event at the college, with the further possibility of participating and presenting at conference events attended by academic researchers and industry representatives.

The work research project learning activities will allow you to demonstrate your employability skills and attributes, in a professional and supportive environment, and enable you to demonstrate your ability to research and discuss an area of your own particular interest.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Scheduled Learning

Scheduled time relates to the time you spend in directed study with the guidance and support of our academic tutors. Scheduled learning can take a variety of forms and will vary from one course to the next, but may include lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, demonstrations, studio or workshop time, fieldwork and external visits.

Independent Study

Higher education courses rely on students undertaking work outside of formal, scheduled sessions and this is generally categorised as independent study. Independent study might include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks and revision.

Placement

Many of the degree programmes at B&FC incorporate opportunities for work placements to provide you with the opportunity to link your studies to relevant professional practice in a real work environment. Our programme teams are able to offer support in securing an appropriate work placement where it forms part of your programme, and will work closely with you during the placement to ensure that the opportunity allows you to develop personally, professionally and academically.

Expert Tutors

All staff involved in the delivery of higher education courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver. The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice.

Assessment Methods

Coursework

Most courses are assessed via a combination of coursework and exams – the percentage weighting of each of these is outlined below. Coursework might range from written tasks and assignments to the collation of a portfolio of evidence based around a work placement. Coursework differs from exams in that it is usually non-timed and carried out independently.

Exam

Exams are formal, timed written assessments, carried out in a controlled environment and overseen by one or more invigilators. They assess your grasp of the theory and underpinning knowledge related to your chosen career area. The opposite of practicals, they require you to set out your practical understanding within an academic context. Some courses have no exams – the exam/coursework ratio is outlined below.

Practical

Practical assessments identify your technical ability to apply theory to hands-on tasks in your chosen career area. They can be timed or non-timed and involve observation of your practical skills and competencies, either in a work-based environment or a dedicated College setting that closely resembles the workplace. Practical work-based assessments are supported and carried out by a trained assessor

Tuition Fees

Please click here to find out more about tuition fees for this course.

Other Costs and Equipment

• As part of the programme, you are strongly recommended to attend external events, aimed at developing your knowledge, understanding and appreciation of course material, develop practical skills and embed theoretical concepts.
• There will also be the opportunity to attend criminology and criminal justice conferences involving criminal justice practitioners, policy-makers and academic researchers.
• Costs may be incurred to cover transport, accommodation and food.
• The cost of travel for local trips is covered by the college. 
• Though most of the course material is available online, there may be additional costs to consider, such as printing and photocopying of course material, though students will be given a photocopying allowance to cover this.   
• You are encouraged to purchase an introductory textbook in Criminology to support your studies.
   

Regulation and Accreditation

Accrediting Institution: N/A

Awarding Body: Lancaster University

Regulatory Body: Office for Students (OfS)

Terms and Conditions

Read our full terms and conditions for more information.

Career Options and Progression

Having developed a sound knowledge of theory and practice in Criminology and Criminal Justice you will be ready for employment - or B&FC's BA Top-up programme to continue your studies.

Progression and employability are pillars of this programme, as evidenced by the wide variety of graduate employment gained by alumni within criminal justice agencies and related areas. 

Graduates now work in roles spanning teaching and research and in a range of formal and informal agencies across public, private and voluntary sectors in the criminal justice field - such as:

• Central and local government
• The Police Service
• The Prison Service
• Law practices
• The Home Office
• The National Criminal Intelligence Service
• Welfare charities.

Popular job roles include:

• Case Review Manager
• Court Clerk
• Community Worker
• Immigration Officer
• Fraud Investigator
• Human Rights Officer
• Paralegal
• Police Officer
• Prison Officer
• Probation Officer
• Youth and Community Worker

Graduates are also prepared for work in a range of social welfare and social care posts such as:

• Social Worker
• Housing Officer
• Victim Support
• Drug Rehabilitation