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BA (Hons) Criminology

Study Method Online
Provider University of Essex Online
Start Date 6 October 2026, 12 January 2027, 16 March 2027, 25 May 2027, 27 July 2027, 12 October 2027
University of Essex Online

Course overview

Curious about the psychology behind crime and what can be done to prevent it? Discover the answers with this 100% online BA (Hons) Criminology.

The course explores core areas of criminology such as justice, systems of punishment, and victimisation. You’ll gain a sound understanding of criminological factors that underpin current social problems and crime, while learning to critically analyse crime, deviance and social structures.

Delve into a range of interesting topics, including:

  • modern approaches to policing in a multi-ethnic, technological, and global society

  • forensics and criminal psychology

  • systematic approach to analysing and evaluating evidence

  • history of modern policing

A shorter 16-month CertHE is also available for this course, equal to a total of 120 credits.

Job outcomes

  • Roles in criminal justice

Want to see more job outcomes and how your future could change?

Study method

  • Online Online info icon
    Online delivery - online course content with the exception of assessments and work placement
  • Blended Blended info icon
    Blended delivery - both online course content and partial face to face requirements
  • In-class In-class info icon
    In class delivery - predominately face to face course content conducted at a specific location
  • Virtual Virtual info icon
    Virtual Delivery - Live and interactive classroom-style learning conducted completely online
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Duration study load

Our BA (Hons) Criminology has an indicative study duration of 4 years, which is a guide to how long your course will take to complete. The actual duration may be longer or shorter depending on your speed of study, study options chosen, and module availability.  

It’s possible to complete your studies faster than the indicative course duration by doubling up on modules at certain times; however, minimum study durations do apply.  

Our academic year is organised into modules, typically with a one or two-week break between modules and a structured three-week break for the Christmas period. Students will receive a course timetable during the application process.  

All our courses have regular start dates throughout the year.  

On successful completion of your degree, you’ll be invited to attend a graduation ceremony at the University of Essex’s Colchester campus. 

Delivery

The course is delivered via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), enabling you to study at your own pace with 24/7 access to study materials.

Lectures take place in the form of multimedia lecturecasts comprising of video, audio, text, infographics, and multiple questions to provide you with an interactive study experience.

Even though you’ll be learning remotely, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with your classmates and tutors through seminars and live Q&A sessions.

There are no exams as the assessments are conducted in a form of written assignments, discussion forum participation, reflective journal entries, and group work accessed via our VLE.

Entry requirements

At University of Essex Online, we believe everyone should be able to access education. That’s why we take both academic and work-based experience into account when deciding if you’re eligible for a course.

All our potential students are assessed individually by a dedicated Admissions team who’ll determine whether you’re right for either the academic, open or work experience entry route onto our courses.

Academic entry route

  •  two A-levels or equivalent

Work experience entry route

  • GCSE Maths and English at grade C or above, or equivalent  

  • at least three years’ relevant work experience

English language requirements

As our courses are delivered in English, a high proficiency in English is required. If English isn’t your first language, your ability should be equivalent to an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0. Don’t worry if you don’t hold an IELTS or equivalent qualification – we offer a free online English test to assess your proficiency.

Find out more about the entry requirements for this course

Course features

  • Discover key research methodologies in criminology. 

  • Explore theoretical approaches to criminal behaviour and victimisation.  

  • Enjoy 24/7 access to our virtual learning environment (VLE), allowing you study from anywhere in the world.  

  • Study 100% online, part-time, around work or other commitments. 

  • We were rated Gold in the Times Higher Education (THE) Online Learning Rankings 2024. 

Assessment

You’ll be assessed through a series of assignments. This can be done by engaging in discussion forums throughout your modules, completing reflective journal entries, delivering live presentations or by submitting longer written pieces. 

We’re committed to providing frequent and transparent feedback in the following ways: 

  • our assessment criteria are designed to be simple and transparent 

  • you’ll always be aware of your current provisional grade, right from the start of the programme 

  • you’ll be able to view your marks clearly in your gradebook whenever you log into the learning platform 

  • there’s a 7-day turnaround for marking and feedback of assessed work 

  • you’ll have regular contact with your Student Support team, with whom you can discuss any concerns as soon as they arise 

Subjects

Core Units
Level 4

Component 01: Core
Fundamentals of Effective Learning in Criminology
(15 credits)

Component 02: Compulsory
Crime and Society
(15 credits)

Component 03: Compulsory
Foundations of Criminological Theory and Research Methods
(15 credits)

Component 04: Compulsory
Psychological Foundations for Criminology
(15 credits)

Component 05: Compulsory
Justice and Punishment
(15 credits)

Component 06: Compulsory
Dealing with Offending Behaviour
(15 credits)

Component 07: Compulsory
Identities and Crime
(15 credits)

Component 08: Compulsory
Policing
(15 credits)

Level 5

Component 01: Compulsory
Criminology: New Directions
(15 credits)

Component 02: Compulsory
Probation and Community Justice
(15 credits)

Component 03: Compulsory
Forensic and Criminal Psychology
(15 credits)

Component 04: Compulsory
Criminal Investigation
(15 credits)

Component 05: Compulsory
Introduction to Offender Profiling
(15 credits)

Component 06: Compulsory
Substance Misuse and Crime
(15 credits)

Component 07: Compulsory
Youth Crime and Justice
(15 credits)

Component 08: Compulsory
Prisons and Penology
(15 credits)

Level 6

Component 01: Compulsory
Cyber Crime and Security
(15 credits)

Component 02: Compulsory
The Economics of Crime
(15 credits)

Component 03: Compulsory
Victimology and Criminal Victimisation
(15 credits)

Component 04: Compulsory
Terrorism and Violent Extremism
(15 credits)

Component 05: Compulsory
Transnational Organised Crime
(15 credits)

Component 06: Compulsory
Green Criminology
(15 credits)

Component 07: Core
Research Project
(30 credits)

Want more information about the subjects for this course?

Payment options

Full tuition fee:

ÂŁ21,701 UK /ÂŁ21,701 International (2026-27)

  • Designated for undergraduate student loans in England. 

  • Simple monthly payment plan available, enabling you to spread the cost over the duration of your studies. 

  • Partial scholarship available for international students residing in specific regions outside of the UK. 

  • Alumni discount of 10% of the tuition fee available if you’re a previous graduate with the University of Essex or University of Essex Online.

Please note that a maximum of two discounts or scholarships can be applied.

Our course fees are fully inclusive – all teaching materials and required reading are included, and there are no hidden charges for assessments or resits.  

We want to give everyone the opportunity to experience a University of Essex Online course. We think you’ll love it, but if within the first 21 days you decide it’s not for you, you’ll receive a full refund. 

Δ All tuition fees shown are net of any applicable sales tax payable by you in your country of residence. Where we are required to add sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the tuition fees shown and confirmed during the payment process. 

Find out more about the payment options for this course

About University of Essex Online

University of Essex Online delivers 100% online part-time courses in business, computing, education, health, law, criminology and psychology. The qualifications we offer include CertHEs and Bachelors degrees at the undergraduate level, and PG Certs, PG Dips and Masters degrees at the postgraduate level, with study durations ranging from 8 months to 4 years. As an established provider of 100% online degrees in the UK. All our courses are specifically designed for online delivery, combining silver-standard teaching with the latest technology and enabling you to gain a degree from anywhere in the world. All our qualifications are awarded and validated by the University of Essex, an award-winning university with a 60-year heritage of teaching and research excellence. On completion of your studies, you’ll be invited to graduate at the University of Essex’s Colchester campus. You will receive the same certificate as campus-based students – your mode of study is only mentioned on your academic transcript. We're proud to be rated Gold in the Times Higher Education (THE) Online Rankings 2024. Our achievement, which is based on four pillars - resources, engagement, outcomes and environment - recognises our commitment to excellent online education.

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