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

Students eligible to undertake Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP) will be able to apply for entry to BA (Hons) Sociology and Criminology with a grade profile of BBC in one of the below courses:

• 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

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:

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) - £1,500.

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 while 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:

Part-time study is not open to international student requiring a Tier 4 visa 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 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.