Criminology and Social Policy and Social Change BA (Hons)

Why do people commit crime? What causes crime rates to rise or fall? How do societies promote the welfare of individuals and families? Our joint honours programme Criminology and Social Policy and Social Change provides a comprehensive approach to these pressing questions. In your first year, you study introductory modules on criminology, sociology, and social policy. You then learn how to conduct and apply qualitative and quantitative sociological research and study different welfare models. In your second and final years, you can choose from a range of options covering topics like mental health in the criminal justice system, the sociology of imprisonment as well as inequality and social security. There is the opportunity to take a dissertation module on a subject of your choice in your final year. This allows you to focus in detail on an area you are particularly passionate about.Students undertaking criminology joint degrees have the opportunity of spending the second term of their third year at San Diego State University in California as part of an international exchange programme. While at San Diego State, criminology exchange students can select from a number of module options delivered by the well-respected School of Public Affairs, which offers courses in fields such as criminal justice and criminology, public affairs and administration, and urban and transborder studies. Alternatively you have the option of spending a full year abroad at one of our partner institutions in North America, Asia or Europe. You don’t have to make a decision before you enrol at Kent but certain conditions have to be met during your studies before you can change to the year abroad.At Kent, Criminology and Social Policy are taught in the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research where you benefit from a large choice of specialist modules on race, social change, criminal justice, disability and the arts. Our academics are internationally recognised for their expertise in criminological theory and criminal justice policy. They are regularly asked by the government to provide insight on matters relevant for current policy developments.Both Criminology (UCAS code M902 at institution K24) and Social Policy (UCAS code L430 at institution K24) are also available as single honours degrees. Criminology is also available as a joint honours degree with Sociology (UCAS code LM39 at institution K24) or Cultural Studies (UCAS code MV99 at institution K24). You can also study Criminology with Quantitative Research (UCAS code L3GX at institution K24) or Social Policy and Social Change with Quantitative Research (UCAS code L4G3 at institution K24) to gain a combination of analytical skills and social sciences knowledge