Sociology and Criminology BA (Hons)

What is special about this course?

How curious are you about crime, why it happens and what we are doing to prevent it? Are you observing the changing world around you and wondering about the impact it's having on society and human behaviour?

If you are interested in studying crime and society, then the BA (Hons) Sociology and Criminology degree will give you a solid grounding in both disciplines. The course offers students the opportunity to study a wide range of sociological and criminological themes and topics across a broad sweep of modules, emphasising the value of empirical and theoretical approaches.  This is achieved by exploring the changing nature of the social world and of crime, and addressing the social, political, historical and individual forces behind such changes. 

The context for both subjects is local, national and global perspectives, looking at their similarities and differences.  There is strong emphasis on research methods which will give you the skills necessary to carry out independent research for your future career, including your dissertation in the fourth year. 

In the first and second years, you will follow a traditional broad approach to the study of sociology and criminology. In years three and four, you will examine in-depth particular areas of sociology and criminology, allowing you to study specific topics and themes which reflect staff research specialisms (including cybercrime and the networked society). Each year, you will build on your analytical and research abilities through the core research methods modules. 

The degree also offers the opportunity to study other Humanities subjects such as history, literature, archaeology, politics, and theology. 

Special features

• You have the opportunity to combine the study of the social world with the study of crime and its control
• You will develop your research and methodological skills, which you can take into your future career
• You will have the opportunity to attend the annual staff/student Social Sciences conference, and in your 4th year, you will have the opportunity to present at the conference, further enhancing the graduate skills you develop as part of the course
• You will develop and enhance your digital skills 
• The joint nature of the degree will give you greater flexibility in employment, advanced study and research opportunities
• Taught by highly experienced academics
• Exciting modules, based on staff research, are offered at upper levels
• 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
• This is a Category 2 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required for specific optional modules/unit(s), where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in optional module/unit(s), but an alternative pathway exists to achieve target qualification. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage

Advanced entry to year two:

• HNC Social Sciences (12 SQA credits) with 3 additional SQA 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

SWAP Access courses
If you are eligible to undertake Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP), please visit our SWAP access list for further information on grade profiles and available subjects.
 

Year 1 - CertHE

Core modules are:

• Understanding the social world
• The enquiring student
• Introduction to criminological theory
• Making social lives

You will also choose two option modules from our range of humanities subjects.

Year 2 - DipHE

Core modules are

• Sociological theory (S1)
• Qualitative research methods (S1)
• History of crime and punishment (S1)
• The politics of policing (S2)
• Practical research and analysis skills (S2)
• Belief, culture and community (S2)

You will also choose one option module from our range of humanities subjects

Year 3 - BA

Core modules may include:

• Work and society (S1)
• Advanced social research (S1)
• Victimology (S1)
• Psychology of criminal justice (S1)
• Sociology: contemporary Scottish issues (S2)
• Frontiers, landscapes and journeys (S2)
• Gender, crime and justice (S2)
• Strange cases: crime literature and the construction of crime (S2)
• Understanding violence in sport (S2)

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

• Networked society: mass media and the information age (S1)
• Insiders and outsiders in society (S1)
• Our digital future: society (S2)

Criminology

• Globalisation of crime (S1)
• Cultural criminology (S1)
• The darker side of the internet (S2)
• Restorative justice (S2)
   

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

• EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
• EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
• EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland studying this course full time, the following fees apply:

4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,542.

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.

EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes.  Students will get an automatic scholarship of £3,000 per annum and the 4^th year of study will be free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Students will need Student Route visa sponsorship to study on the UK.

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:

Part-time study is not open to international students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

Further information on international course fees.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous 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.