Criminology, BA (Hons), with industry placement

This criminology course introduces students to crime as a dynamic process in a rapidly evolving world, linking foundational principles with emerging trends to examine its impact on everyday life. After a comprehensive first year, students specialize in areas such as crime, victimology, criminal justice, and prevention, while developing transferable skills for global employment. Opportunities include applying theoretical perspectives to real-world issues, critically analyzing trends in crime and justice across local and global contexts, and devising innovative solutions to systemic challenges.Key benefits encompass an applied approach for careers in criminal justice, insights from expert speakers, an international perspective, and potential field trips to destinations like South Africa or the USA. The curriculum spans modules on topics from criminal behavior and victimology to global organized crime, with assessments including essays, presentations, and reports, all designed to foster critical thinking and practical expertise.

This course has a common first year which aims to give you a thorough grounding in the study of crime, criminal behaviour, justice, and the law in a global context. Working alongside students from Criminology and Law and Criminology and Psychology, you will not only seek to develop the knowledge you need to progress in your degree, but also be encouraged to think critically about the issues, see crime from legal and moral viewpoints, and be creative in finding solutions to problems. If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements). Year One Modules Investigative Practice - 20 credits Criminal Behaviour - 20 credits Criminal Justice - 20 credits Crime Typologies - 20 credits Forensic Mental Health - 20 credits Legal Approaches to Crime - 20 credits Year Two In year two you will continue to build on your knowledge and understanding of crime and criminal justice by looking deeper at key institutions, such as youth crime and justice, policing, and systems of punishment. You will also be introduced to the concept of victimology, as well as cybercrime and security, a major feature of our contemporary online world. Finally, you will begin preparing for your final year research project by exploring methods and processes for researching crime. Modules Researching Crime - 20 credits Victims and Victimology - 20 credits Cybersecurity and Crime Prevention - 20 credits Youth Crime and Justice - 20 credits Policing and Society - 20 credits Punishment and Control - 20 credits Placement Year There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement* can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future. If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee of £1,250. For further information please check the course page on the Coventry University website. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement. Final Year In the final year you will apply the knowledge from your first two years in the more specialised areas of violence and exploitation, organised crime, state crime, and deviant forms of leisure, such as drugs and dark tourism. You will also have the opportunity to develop specific interests and expertise to suit your career plans through your research project in which you will produce a research paper on your own contribution to knowledge. Modules Global Organised Crime - 20 credits Rehabilitation and Criminal Justice - 20 credits State Crime and Corruption - 20 credits Deviant Leisure - 20 credits Research Project in Criminology - 40 credits We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated. Before accepting any offers, please check the website for the most up to date course content. For full module details please check the course page on the Coventry University website. *For further information please check the course page on the Coventry University website.