Criminology BA (Hons)

Why do people commit crime? How should young offenders be treated? Can crime be prevented? What is the role of policing in society? As a Criminology student at Kent, you search for answers to these questions by examining the police, the courts, prisons and society as a whole.The School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research is one of the best in the country for teaching and research. Our academics are internationally recognised for their expertise in criminological theory and criminal justice policy.You are taught across disciplines including law, politics, psychology and social research. In your first year you take introductory modules on criminology and sociology. You can also choose from a range of options covering contemporary culture, media and youth behaviours. In your second and final years, you deepen your understanding of crime and criminal justice. A wide range of options means you can focus on what interests you: areas covered include drug culture, forensic psychology, youth and crime, the sociology of imprisonment, and terrorism and modern society.Students undertaking criminology 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, University of Kent 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 students have the opportunity to spend a year or a term abroad at one of our other partner institutions in North America, Asia and 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.Criminology is also available as a joint honours degree with Sociology (UCAS code LM39 at institution K24), Social Policy (UCAS code LM49 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) to gain a combination of analytical skills and social sciences knowledgeThe School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research is one of the best in the country for teaching and research. Our academics are internationally recognised for their expertise in criminological theory and criminal justice policy.