Criminology and Sociology BA Jt (Hons)

International student

Course overview

Studying our BA Criminology and Sociology degree will give you an in-depth understanding of how societies work, why actions and attitudes differ and what drives injustice. At Nottingham, your learning will be grounded in the real-world, using case studies - we’ll explore research and theories before experimenting with how they can be applied to current social issues.

At the heart of this course is what matters most to our students. We listened to the ideas and themes they wanted to explore and have woven them throughout our teaching, so your studies will connect with the real world issues that feel most relevant. Whether you’re passionate about tackling social inequalities, the role of digital technologies in shaping identity or how society understands drug use and addiction, what you learn here at Nottingham will help you to better make sense of the world.

Find out more about Criminology and Sociology at Nottingham

Course highlights

Study abroad opportunities in locations such as the Netherlands, Singapore or the USA.
Peer mentoring scheme to help you settle into university life and your new studies.
Gain work experience during term-time through our Faculty Placement Programme.

Proven results

We’re ranked 13th in the UK for both Criminology and Sociology (
95.6% of sociology and criminology graduates were in sustained employment, further study or both three years after graduation, ranking Nottingham 1st in the Russell Group (LEO data from 2022/23 tax year, sociology, social policy and anthropology category, published in 2025).

How you will learn

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and supervisory sessions. Lectures provide core subject knowledge and introduce key concepts, while seminars and workshops offer opportunities to explore these ideas in smaller groups, encouraging discussion, debate and collaborative learning. Supervisory sessions support students in developing independent projects and preparing assessments.

All students will be required to take specific core modules relevant to their programmes and be given flexibility in the optional modules they choose to fit with their own personal interests.

You’ll benefit from a large, interdisciplinary teaching team with expertise across technology, gender, religion, migration, education, social class, race and ethnicity, health, culture and everyday life - with research that actively informs policy and practice.

Teaching methods

Lectures
Seminars
Supervisory sessions
Tutorials
Masterclasses
Workshops

How you will be assessed

Depending on the modules you study, you will be assessed through a combination of methods including essays, project work and presentations, as well as a final-year dissertation. You will normally receive feedback within three weeks of submission to enable you to improve next time.

You will meet with your personal tutor throughout each semester to discuss all of the assessments and help you identify areas for improvement.

Assessment methods

Authentic essays
Team projects
Local issue-based case studies
Policy briefings
Reflective learning journals
Research analysis
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Digital projects
Sociological fieldwork
Independent projects
Reflective exercises
Research proposal
Exams

Contact time and study hours

You can expect up to six hours of lectures and up to three hours of seminars per week, depending on your module choices. Additional pastoral and supervision sessions are scheduled throughout the academic year to support specific learning activities, personal development and academic progress.

In addition to scheduled teaching, students are expected to undertake extensive independent study. This includes reading academic literature, preparing coursework, conducting research and collaborating with peers. Independent learning is supported by access to university resources such as:

libraries, including online access to journals, books and databases
Moodle, the university’s virtual learning environment
study spaces across campus, including quiet zones and group work areas

Modules

6 modules

From Data to Discourses: Investigating Our Social Worlds

In this module, you’ll learn the fundamentals of social social research and the role it plays in sociology, criminology, social policy, and social work. You’ll explore different approaches to social science research and how they can be used to examine social issues. You will explore key methodological considerations and approaches using case studies and classroom activities. You’ll also examine issues related to ethics, power, and different standpoints and develop the foundations of what is required to collect, analyse and question data in meaningful and responsible ways.

Foundations of the Criminal Justice System

This module introduces you to the core components of the criminal justice system in England and Wales, exploring how justice is conceptualised, delivered and experienced.

You’ll examine the roles and responsibilities of key agencies including the police, courts, prisons and probation services. Then we’ll consider how these institutions interact within the broader legal framework.

Through a combination of case studies, theoretical debates, and contemporary issues, you’ll develop a foundational understanding of how justice is administered and critically assess its effectiveness. You’ll also be encouraged to reflect on how power, inequality, and identity shape experiences of justice, with a particular focus on decolonial and intersectional perspectives.

Introduction to Social Thought

In this module, you will discover the key ideas, thinkers and debates that have shaped sociology as a discipline. You’ll explore how social theories developed in response to major political, economic and cultural changes and how they continue to help you make sense of the world today.

You will learn how sociology connects with subjects such as philosophy, politics and economics and how these links open up different ways of understanding society. Throughout the module, you’ll examine how identity, power and inequality intersect – looking at themes such as gender, class, ethnicity, sexuality, disability and the environment.

By engaging with classic and contemporary social thought, you’ll build the confidence to question everyday assumptions, think critically about social structures, and how theory can be applied to understand current issues. By the end, you’ll have a strong foundation in sociological theory and a clearer sense of how it can help you analyse and understand modern social life.

Personal as Political: The Social Science Imagination

In this module, you will develop the core skills and ways of thinking you need to thrive in criminology, sociology or social work. You’ll explore the idea of the social science imagination, a way of connecting your personal experiences with wider social issues and structures.

You will learn how to approach academic writing with confidence, understand what different assessment tasks expect from you, and carry out effective literature searches using academic databases. The module also helps you build your critical reading skills, so you can evaluate evidence and arguments with clarity and insight.

Alongside academic development, you’ll strengthen your emotional intelligence, self‑awareness and interpersonal skills. You’ll reflect on your own values and biases, and consider how these shape your understanding of social issues. By the end of the module, you’ll have a solid foundation for studying the social sciences and engaging thoughtfully with ideas around equality, diversity and inclusion.

Sociology in Action

Sociology in Action invites you to explore how sociological knowledge can be used to engage with the world and contribute to meaningful social change.

You'll focus on sociology as having a civic purpose or one that not only explains society but also seeks positive social change. You’ll deepen your understanding of how individuals interact with key social structures such as family, education, politics and the economy, while critically examining how power, inequality and stratification operate both locally and globally.

You’ll also be introduced to key concepts such as citizenship, rights and social movements, encouraging you to think about your role in society and the responsibilities that come with it. Through case studies, debates and applied activities, you’ll explore how sociological insight can inform public policy, activism and everyday decision-making.

You’ll also consider how culture, diversity and intersectionality shape social norms and identities in a globalised world. This module is designed to help you connect theory to practice and to see sociology not just as a way of understanding the world but as a tool for transforming it.

What is Criminology?

This module will introduce you to the foundations of criminology and criminological thought.. You’ll explore how criminology has evolved over time by examining key criminological theories and debates, and how they’ve been shaped by wider social, political, and intellectual contexts.

You’ll also explore the philosophical ideas behind punishment and justice, helping you understand the values and assumptions which underpin systems of crime control and social policy, especially within liberal democratic states.

By the end of the module, you’ll be able to think critically about what criminology is, how it has evolved, and why it matters in today’s world.

4 modules

Unsettling Theory: Classical and Contemporary Perspectives

This module provides a critical introduction to classical and contemporary sociological theory, exploring how key thinkers and ideas have shaped and continue to shape our understanding of society.

You’ll engage with foundational theorists, while also examining influential 20th and 21st century perspectives that respond to, and build upon, these traditions. Through close reading and discussion, you’ll explore major theoretical debates and methodological innovations and consider how sociological theory evolves in response to changing social, political and global contexts.

Using case studies from both the Global North and Global South, you’ll come to understand how theory can be applied to understand contemporary phenomena such as inequality, identity, power, and social transformation. This module is designed to help you develop confidence in working with complex theoretical material and to see theory not as abstract or distant, but as a vital tool for analysing the world around us.

Social Order and Social Control

Explore how societies maintain order and regulate behaviour through formal and informal social control. You’ll examine how norms, values and everyday practices support social order, alongside the role of institutions like the criminal justice system.

A key focus is on informal responses to crime and how these sit alongside or sometimes replace state-led interventions. As the module develops, you’ll analyse the structures and effectiveness of the criminal justice system and investigate philosophical debates about punishment and justice.

We'll also consider how crime and deviance are understood socially, legally and culturally and how media, government and public narratives influence perceptions of control and justice. Throughout the module, we’ll reflect on issues of equity, diversity and inclusion and examine how identity and power shape responses to crime. By working with real examples and current debates, you shall build the skills to apply criminological theory to both informal and formal mechanisms of control.

Doing Qualitative Research

This module introduces you to the core principles and practices of qualitative research in the social sciences. You’ll explore how qualitative methods are used to investigate complex social issues, understand lived experiences and interpret meaning in everyday life.

Through lectures, seminars and practical activities, you’ll learn how to evaluate different qualitative approaches, such as interviews, focus groups and observation and consider when and how they are best applied.

A key part of the module focuses on research ethics. You’ll also reflect on your own role as a researcher, considering how identity, power and positionality shape the research process. Issues of equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are embedded throughout the module, encouraging you to think critically about how research can be both ethical and inclusive.

You’ll gain experience in summarising and presenting qualitative findings clearly and effectively and learn how to apply ethical principles when collecting, analysing, and sharing data. By the end of the module, you’ll be equipped with the foundational knowledge and confidence to begin designing and conducting your own qualitative research projects.

Doing Quantitative and Mixed Methods Research

Discover the principles and practices of working with quantitative data in the social sciences and explore how quantitative and qualitative approaches can be combined through mixed methods research.

You’ll learn how to evaluate different types of quantitative methods, understand their strengths and limitations and begin to apply them to real-world social questions. You’ll also explore the logic and design of mixed methods research, gaining insight into how combining data types can offer a more complete understanding of complex social issues.

We’ll also use digital tools to analyse and interpret data, helping you build practical skills in handling datasets and presenting findings clearly and effectively.

You’ll explore informed consent, data protection and ethical data use, reflecting on challenges in collecting and sharing data. You’ll consider equality, diversity, inclusion and your role as a researcher, gaining the skills to apply quantitative and mixed methods ethically and communicate findings clearly.

8 modules

Crime Stories: Crime, Justice and the Media

This module explores the relationship between crime, justice, and the media. Students will study criminological, sociological and media theory relating to factual and fictional forms of media. The module aims introduces students to theoretical and empirical analysis of media constructions of topics such as crime, criminals, victims, justice, and policing. It encourages critical thinking about the use of social divisions (for example gender, race, class) in this media, and the consequences mundane media representations have for wider understandings of society and social issues. Students will identify and apply suitable theoretical arguments for a discussion of contemporary 'crime stories,' and design and carry out a theoretically informed thematic analysis of a chosen 'crime story.'

Drugs, Substances and Addiction

This module explores core issues, debates, and controversies surrounding the use of intoxicants and other chemical substances. Students will examine the social construction of drug use and addiction, including psychoactive substances, food additives, and narcotic replacement therapies. The module covers social and medical approaches to addiction treatment and the role of drugs in crime and deviant activity. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of drug use, addiction, and related social issues. Students will engage in discussions about drug definitions, regulatory regimes, treatment approaches, and the implications for policing and drug consumption.

Prisons and Society

Gain a comprehensive understanding of prisons and imprisonment. This module examines the historical evolution of prisons, the daily lives of prisoners and contemporary debates on issues like solitary confinement and long sentences. You'll explore the broader societal context of the prison system.

Probation: Risk and Rehabilitation

Explore the concepts of rehabilitation, risk and desistance in the criminal justice system. Examine how rehabilitative approaches have changed over time and how ideas about risk shape responses to offending.

You’ll look at key research on desistance from crime and consider how desistance links to rehabilitation and risk management. The module also introduces you to the work of agencies involved in rehabilitation, such as the Probation Service, and offers insight into the experiences of people under community supervision.

By studying this module, you’ll develop a critical understanding of offender rehabilitation, the role of risk in decision making and the evidence that informs desistance research.

Sick Society: The Sociology of Health and Illness

This module introduces you to the Sociology of Health and Illness through the examination of a range of themes and examples. Studying illness allows us to explore the way society responds to some of the issues at the centre of human existence – pain, suffering, birth and death – and also the ways in which we seek to categorise and attribute meaning to dimensions of human experience and difference. When a person is deemed to be mentally or physically sick, this involves taking on a particular social role and coming under the care (/power) of others. This module examines themes such as the power relations of medical diagnosis and care; the cultural meanings (and thus ‘treatment’) of different illnesses; and the interaction between illness and our personal and social identities. It will also consider the significance of health in contemporary society.

#Sociology: Identity, Self and Other in a Digital Age

This module examines the impact of digital technologies on identity, belonging, intimacy, work, family and civic participation. Students will explore how social media platforms like Twitter/X, Facebook, and Instagram enable us to track our daily lives and routines, filter our realities, form intimate relations, engage in politics and protest. The module addresses both digital engagement and resistance, critically engaging with key conceptual and theoretical debates in digital sociology. Students will learn about the transformative effects of digital technologies and social media and their implications for social relations and identity.

The Criminal Courtroom: Myths, Debates and (In)justice

Analyse the myths and debates that surround criminal trials, focussing on England and Wales while drawing on comparative examples to deepen your understanding. Review the legal and procedural rules that guide criminal trials and challenge common myths shaped by media portrayals.

Examine high profile cases to explore continuing problems and controversies, including miscarriages of justice. The module also introduces issues on the frontiers of court reform, such as proposals to replace jury trials, the use of virtual technologies and questions of equality in the courtroom.

By bringing together ideas from law, psychology and criminology, the module encourages you to think critically about how trials work and how they might change in the future.

Understanding Religion in Contemporary Society

This module analyses religion and its relevance to contemporary society. Utilising sociological frameworks like secularisation and lived religion, you will be encouraged to think critically about how religion is experienced not only at the level of individual belief and practice, but also in understanding national and global debates. We will examine the dynamic ways religion impacts everyday life, and how it is mobilised in terms of power, inequalities and agency. Topics may include religious transformation, religious and non-religious identities, fundamentalism, religious discrimination, gender and sexuality equality, education, youth religiosity. In our analysis, we will draw on examples from various religious traditions such as Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism and Hinduism, as well as non-religious belief systems like atheism.

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1 module

Independent Project

This module gives you the opportunity to carry out an extended piece of independent research on a topic of your choice. With support from an academic supervisor, you will plan, design and complete a substantial project that reflects your interests and builds on the knowledge and skills developed throughout your degree. You can choose to undertake either empirical research collecting and analysing primary data or non-empirical research, such as a literature-based study or documentary/textual analysis.

The module also welcomes alternative approaches including reflective practice, action research, or professionally focused projects, making it particularly suitable for students interested in applied or practice-based topics. Topics may range widely but must be academically rigorous and approved by your supervisor. You’ll be encouraged to work independently, with guidance on research design, ethics and methodology. You will write up your findings in the form of a dissertation. This module is designed to help you consolidate your learning, demonstrate your research capabilities and produce a piece of work that reflects your academic and professional development.

8 modules

A Lens on Society: Film and Culture

Using different genres of film as the starting point, you will examine contemporary theoretical and empirical debates in relation to a host of issues closely associated with the production and contestation of identity, culture and everyday life.

The module will illustrate the contentious and contingent nature of culture through the sociological exploration of a wide range of issues. These may include identity, multiculturalism, social inclusion/exclusion, representations of gender, race and class, disability, youth and youth culture, intimacy and care, friendship, sexual culture, sexuality, desire, consumerism and consumer culture.

Criminology for a Climate in Crisis

Explore how criminology can help you understand and respond to the climate crisis. The module introduces you to green criminology, an area that examines environmental harm, ecological justice and the social, political and economic systems that drive environmental degradation.

You’ll investigate forms of environmental harm such as pollution, deforestation, biodiversity loss and climate change and consider how these can be understood as crime or injustice, even when they fall outside legal definitions. The module also supports you in examining how state and corporate actors contribute to ecological damage and how communities, activists and justice systems respond.

Through case studies, theoretical debates and contemporary examples, you develop a critical understanding of how criminology can challenge dominant narratives, expose environmental injustice and support more sustainable and equitable futures.

Cults and New Religious Movements: Power, Belief and Conflict

Study new religious movements (NRMs) and the theories used to understand them. This module covers topics including religious innovation, NRMs and their social contexts and their representation in the media. You'll explore how NRMs are formed, their beliefs and their histories and critically engage with media portrayals.

Gender, the Family and Social Policy

Investigate feminist approaches to social policy and the welfare state. This module examines how policies reflect and perpetuate gender differences and the division of labour in families. You'll explore concepts like justice, citizenship, inequality and how gender intersects with race and class.

Human Trafficking, Organised Crime and Insecure Environments

You’ll be introduced to the phenomenon of human trafficking and explore different forms and patterns of trafficking internationally. Examine root causes, prevention methods and popular understandings of this transnational crime. The module encourages you to think critically about legal and criminological responses to human trafficking and modern slavery, as well as media representations and rescue based approaches.

You’ll develop a broad understanding of human trafficking and the contemporary issues surrounding victimisation and offending. You’ll also analyse criminal justice and counter trafficking frameworks and consider complex questions about agency, power and the politics of pity.

‘Race’, Ethnicity and Colonial Legacies

In this module, you will explore the intersection of three key concepts in contemporary sociology - ‘race’, ethnicity and colonial modernity.

You’ll focus on the colonial and historical roots of modernity and how they intersect with issues of race and ethnicity. You will also examine sociological theories of race and ethnicity, including the construction of ethnic boundaries and identities, the relationship between culture and ethnicity and their relevance in today’s world. You will also critically examine a range of empirical case studies which highlight the experiences and complexities of ethnic and racial identities in the United Kingdom with reference to broader global trends.

Sensory Criminology

Sensory criminology is an emerging, interdisciplinary field examining how human senses shape the experience of crime, justice and social control. Together, we’ll look at the history of sensory studies in the social sciences and the development of sensory criminology.

We’ll cover topics such as sensory research methods, the ethics of sensory research, and sensory victimology. Through these studies you’ll deepen your understanding of criminological issues by focusing on sensory experiences like sound, smell, and touch.

You’ll learn how sensory methods can challenge traditional criminological theories and explore the sensory components of punishment, victimisation, and justice.

War and State Violence

In this module, you will explore how war, state violence, and atrocity are understood within criminology, sociology, philosophy and zemiology. You will examine the ideas of key theorists such as Hannah Arendt, Stanley Cohen, and Zygmunt Bauman and consider how their work helps you make sense of organised violence and its impact on societies.

You will investigate how war shapes and is shaped by race, class and gender, and you will look at the injustices experienced in the Global South. You will also study the legacies of colonial systems and how these influence both conflict and responses to harm today.

Through case studies and critical debates, you will learn how states use violence, how societies attempt reconciliation after mass suffering, and how different forms of power contribute to serious harm on a global scale.

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Select student type

Quick glance

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements listed apply to 2027 entry.

A levels

ABB

30 points overall

A level and GCSE requirements

A levels

ABB / AAC / A*BC

Excluded subjects

General studies, critical thinking, citizenship, thinking skills and global perspectives and research

GCSEs

GCSE English grade 4 (C) or above

IB requirements

IB score

30 points overall or 655 in 3 HL certificates

Alternative qualifications

We recognise that applicants have a wealth of different experiences and follow a variety of pathways into higher education.

Consequently we treat all applicants with alternative qualifications (besides A levels and the International Baccalaureate) on an individual basis, and we gladly accept students with a whole range of less conventional qualifications including:

Access to HE Diploma
Advanced Diploma
BTEC HND/HNC
BTEC Extended Diploma

This list is not exhaustive. The entry requirements for alternative qualifications can be quite specific; for example you may need to take certain modules and achieve a specified grade in those modules. Please contact us to discuss the transferability of your qualification. Please see the alternative qualifications page for more information.

RQF BTEC Nationals

RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma DDD
RQF Level 3 BTEC National Diploma DD plus one A level grade B
RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificate D plus two A levels grades BB

Access to HE Diploma

60 credits overall, which must include 24 Level 3 credits at Distinction and 21 Level 3 credits at Merit

Additional Qualifications Offer Reduction Scheme

Applicants to this course may be eligible for our Additional Qualifications Offer Reduction Scheme. If you achieve a grade A in an EPQ, Core Maths*, IB Extended Essay or additional AS level qualification* then you will receive a one grade reduced offer for this course.

Please note that if you qualify for an enhanced contextual offer or receive an alternative offer based on taking four A levels, your additional qualification will not be taken into consideration as we are unable to make any further adjustments to your offer.

* Additional eligibility requirements apply. View further details on this scheme.

Contextual offers

We make contextual offers to students who may have experienced barriers that have restricted progress at school or college. Our standard contextual offer is usually one grade lower than the advertised entry requirements, and our enhanced contextual offer is usually two grades lower than the advertised entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must have Home/UK fee status and meet specific criteria – check if you’re eligible.

Mature students

At the ��Ǻ��, we have a valuable community of mature students and we appreciate their contribution to the wider student population. You can find lots of useful information on the mature students webpage.

Notes for applicants

We are looking for students who have the ability and motivation to benefit from our courses and who will make a valued contribution to the school and university. We will take into account a wide range of factors including post-school experience and breadth of interests as well as exam results.

Our courses require a combination of different skills, and an ability to engage with new subjects and ideas. These qualities in part relate to academic performance, but we will also look at your interests and experience.

Study abroad

On this course, you may apply to study abroad at one of our partner institutions.

If you are successful in applying to study abroad, you will get the opportunity to broaden your horizons and enhance your CV by experiencing another culture. Teaching is typically in English, but there may be opportunities to study in another language if you are sufficiently fluent.

You can choose to study similar modules to your counterparts in the UK or expand your knowledge by taking other options.

The school you are joining may also have additional study abroad options available. Please visit the Faculty of Social Sciences website for more information.

Please note

In order to study abroad you will need to achieve the relevant academic requirements as set by the university and meet the selection criteria of both the university and the partner institution. The partner institution is under no obligation to accept you even if you do meet the relevant criteria.

A Year in Data Analytics and AI

Add an extra year to your degree to understand the latest in data analytics and artificial intelligence. You’ll gain practical experience and a solid foundation in computing and statistics, building the technical and professional skills that employers need.

Futureproof your career with this extra year.

Optional placement year

An optional placement year is where a course offers the opportunity to undertake a placement, but this isn't integrated into the course as a compulsory element.

Although this course does not have a compulsory placement, integrated year in industry or compulsory year abroad where there is already an opportunity to undertake a work placement as part of that experience, you may be able to apply to undertake an optional placement year. While it is your responsibility to find and secure a placement, our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout this process. Contact placements@nottingham.ac.uk to find out more.

The Faculty of Social Sciences runs an exclusive placements programme of term-time opportunities across all years of study. There are both paid and volunteer opportunities at local, national and even international level, across a wide range of organisations and businesses.

Please note

In order to undertake a placement, you will need to achieve the relevant academic requirements as set by the university and meet any requirements specified by the placement host. There is no guarantee that you will be able to undertake a placement as part of your course.

Disclaimer

Please be aware that study abroad, compulsory year abroad, optional placements/internships and integrated year in industry opportunities may change at any time for a number of reasons, including curriculum developments, changes to arrangements with partner universities or placement/industry hosts, travel restrictions or other circumstances outside of the university’s control. Every effort will be made to update this information as quickly as possible should a change occur.

Tuition fees

2027/28 (UK undergraduate students)

This is the UK undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 27/28. It may increase for the academic year 28/29 and we will update our information once we have received confirmation of the fee.

For full details including fees for part-time students and reduced fees during your time studying abroad or on placement (where applicable), please visit our fees page.

Additional costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.

As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses.

You should be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies or more specific titles.

If you choose to take an optional placement module, you will need to factor in travel costs, which will be dependent on location of placement and proximity to term-time address.

Scholarships and bursaries

The ��Ǻ�� offers a wide range of bursaries and scholarships. These funds can provide you with an additional source of non-repayable financial help. For up to date information regarding tuition fees, visit our .

Home students

Over one third of our UK students receive our means-tested core bursary. Full details can be found on our .

A 'home' student is one who meets certain UK residence criteria. These are the same criteria as apply to eligibility for home funding from Student Finance.

Quick glance

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements listed apply to 2027 entry.

30 points overall

A levels

ABB

IB requirements

IB score

30 points overall or 655 in 3 HL certificates

A level and GCSE requirements

A levels

ABB / AAC / A*BC

Excluded subjects

General studies, critical thinking, citizenship, thinking skills and global perspectives and research

GCSEs

GCSE English grade 4 (C) or above

Alternative qualifications

We recognise that applicants have a wealth of different experiences and follow a variety of pathways into higher education.

Access to HE Diploma
Advanced Diploma
BTEC HND/HNC
BTEC Extended Diploma

RQF BTEC Nationals

RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma DDD
RQF Level 3 BTEC National Diploma DD plus one A level grade B
RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificate D plus two A levels grades BB

Access to HE Diploma

60 credits overall, which must include 24 Level 3 credits at Distinction and 21 Level 3 credits at Merit

International contextual offers

In order to recognise the potential of talented students from all backgrounds, we make contextual offers for this course to students who have international fee status. These offers could be one or two grades lower than the advertised standard entry requirements. Please see our international contextual admissions page for further information.

IELTS/English requirements

IELTS

6.5 (no less than 6.0 in any element)

English language requirements

As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. Check our English language policies and equivalencies for further details.

For presessional English or one-year foundation courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations.

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a Presessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) course. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

High school qualifications

Check our country-specific information for guidance on qualifications from your country.

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The ��Ǻ�� does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

Mature students

Notes for applicants

Study abroad

On this course, you may apply to study abroad at one of our partner institutions.

You can choose to study similar modules to your counterparts in the UK or expand your knowledge by taking other options.

The school you are joining may also have additional study abroad options available. Please visit the Faculty of Social Sciences website for more information.

Please note

A Year in Data Analytics and AI

Futureproof your career with this extra year.

Optional placement year

An optional placement year is where a course offers the opportunity to undertake a placement, but this isn't integrated into the course as a compulsory element.

Please note

Disclaimer

Tuition fees

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using .

For full details including fees for part-time students and reduced fees during your time studying abroad or on placement (where applicable), see our fees page.

Additional costs

As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses.

You should be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies or more specific titles.

If you choose to take an optional placement module, you will need to factor in travel costs, which will be dependent on location of placement and proximity to term-time address.

Scholarships and bursaries

International students

We offer a range of international undergraduate scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.

During my degree, I completed an internship with the Fearless Youth Association and Nottinghamshire County Council, working on tackling youth knife crime in Nottingham. I also interned with the Rights Lab, where I focused on modern slavery prosecutions, or the lack thereof. These experiences provided me with valuable insights into how criminology is applied in the real world."

Daisy Campbell, BA Criminology

Parliamentary Researcher in the House of Commons

Undergraduate students attending a lecture

Careers overview

Our Criminology and Sociology degree is a great foundation for careers in many sectors including;

public policy and government
media, communications and creative industries
charity and non profit sector
civil service
home office
social and market research
teaching
policing
social and community services
data and technology
social work
health and wellbeing
retail and consumer services
human resources and learning and development
business, consulting and finance

Placements and internships

Graduate stories

Hear from graduates who shared with us what they enjoyed about their time at Nottingham and what jobs they are doing now.

Job prospects

Average starting salary and career progression

95.6% of sociology and criminology graduates were in sustained employment, further study or both three years after graduation, ranking Nottingham 1st in the Russell Group (LEO data from 2022/23 tax year, sociology, social policy and anthropology category, published in 2025).

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Criminology and Sociology - U6UCRISOC

Course overview

Why choose this course?

Teaching and learning

Modules

Core modules

6 modules

From Data to Discourses: Investigating Our Social Worlds

Foundations of the Criminal Justice System

Introduction to Social Thought

Personal as Political: The Social Science Imagination

Sociology in Action

What is Criminology?

Core modules

4 modules

Unsettling Theory: Classical and Contemporary Perspectives

Social Order and Social Control

Doing Qualitative Research

Doing Quantitative and Mixed Methods Research

Optional modules

Core modules

1 module

Independent Project

Optional modules

Select student type

Entry requirements

3 years full-time

£10,050 per year

Entry requirements

3 years full-time

Fees

Careers

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