What is special about this course?
The BA (Hons) Sociology and Criminology will give you a solid grounding in both disciplines with an emphasis on the value of empirical and theoretical approaches. The course explores the changing nature of the social world and of crime, and addresses the social, political, historical and individual forces behind such changes.
The context for both subjects is contemporary Highlands and Islands and British communities, as well as international perspectives, looking at their similarities and differences.
The degree also draws on other subjects such as history, research methods, social policy and socio-legal studies.
Special features
- You have the opportunity to combine the study of the social world with the study of crime and its control
- The joint nature of the degree will give you greater flexibility in employment, advanced study and research opportunities
- With full-time or part-time options you can fit your studies around your personal circumstances
- You can study individual modules for personal or professional development
Accommodation
We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.
Entry requirements
Entry to year one:
- 3 Scottish Highers at grade BBC or above, or
- 2 A levels at grade BC or above
- At least two should be from the list of relevant academic subjects
- Applicants with other relevant qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis
Advanced entry to year two:
- HNC Social Science (12 SCQF credits) with 3 additional SCQF credits at level 7 which is equivalent to 120 degree credit points, and at least grade C in the Graded Unit will be considered for direct entry to year two.
Access routes
Relevant Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP):
- Access to: Arts and Humanities (Newbattle Abbey College)
- Access to: Arts, Social Sciences and Primary Teaching (Edinburgh College)
- Access to: Arts, Social Sciences and Primary Teaching (North East Scotland College)
- Access to: Celtic Studies incorporating Primary Education with Gaelic (Newbattle Abbey College)
- Access to: Community, Education and Humanities (Dundee & Angus College)
- Access to: Degree Studies (Forth Valley College)
- Access to: Humanities (Arts, Social Sciences and Primary Education) (Fife College)
- Access to: Humanities (Fife College)
- Access to: Humanities (Perth College UHI)
- Access to: Languages with Business (Edinburgh College)
- Access to: Languages, Arts and Social Sciences (Edinburgh College)
- Access to: University Study (Dundee & Angus College)
- NQ Access to: Social Sciences (West Lothian College)
- NQ Access to: Teaching (West Lothian College)
Year 1 - CertHE
Core module are:
- Understanding the social world
- Making social lives
- Foundations of research
- Introduction to criminological theory
- Comparative institutions of justice
You will also choose one option module from our range of humanities subjects.
Year 2 - DipHE
Core modules are
- Either sociological theory, or belief, culture and communities
- Qualitative research methods
- History of crime and punishment
- The politics of policing
- Practical research and analysis skills.
You will also choose one option module from our range of humanities subjects
Year 3 - BA
Core modules may include:
- Work and society
- Advanced social research
- Sociology: contemporary Scottish issues
- Psychology of criminal justice
- Gender, crime and justice
- Victimology
Year 4 - BA (Hons)
In the fourth year you will undertake a dissertation in either sociology or criminology. You will also study one option module from your chosen dissertation subject plus three option modules from the other subject. Modules may include:
Sociology
- Insiders and outsiders in society
- Visual research (subject to numbers)
- Restorative justice
- Understanding crime
- Network society: mass media and the information age
Criminology
- The darker side of the internet
- Understanding crime
- Restorative justice
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time (structured)
- Part-time (unstructured)
You will learn through a combination of face-to-face and video conference lectures and tutorials, and online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE) with support from your tutors.
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 4 years
- Part-time (structured): 8 years
Where can I study my course?
Start date
- September
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland or the European Union/EEA (outside of the UK) and with a term time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
Degrees | 2018-19 | 2019-20* |
---|---|---|
Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £1,820 | £1,820 |
Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £645 | £645 |
Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £215 | £215 |
*The Home-Scotland/EU fee rate is set by the Scottish Government and will be confirmed by March 2019.
Rest of UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland) and with a term time address in Scotland studying this course full time, the following fees apply:
Level | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | |
---|---|---|---|
Full-time | Full-time | ||
Year 1 | CertHE | £9,000 | £9,000 |
Year 2 | DipHE | £9,000 | £9,000 |
Year 3 | Degree | £9,000 | £9,000 |
Year 4 | Honours | free** | free** |
**4th year free only for students studying full-time who have paid for the previous 3 years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,500 (2018-19 and 2019-20).
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
There are a number of funding options available to UK and EU students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living whilst studying.
International students
For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
2018-19 | 2019-20 | |
Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £11,100 | £11,650 |
Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year** | £5,550 | £5,820 |
Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module)** | £1,850 | £1,940 |
**There is no part-time study option for Tier 4 sponsored international students.
Further information on international course fees.
A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time RUK and International undergraduate students for continuous and contiguous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.
Funding
External scholarships and financial support may be available. Contact the relevant university partner college for more information.
What can I do on completion of my course?
On successful completion of this degree you may consider postgraduate study or research. You will also have a wide range of employment opportunities in the commercial, statutory and voluntary sectors including:
- Teaching
- Social work
- Community work
- Social policy and management
- Policing
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.