Criminology and Sociology with Foundation Year

The highlights

• Explore the connection between crime and society, and understand how you can make a difference
• Apply your knowledge to real-life issues through our Social Justice Hub
• Immerse yourself in the complexities and challenges of the environments in which offenders and victims of crime are made
• You'll have the chance to develop your research skills and applying them to real world, working situations 

Foundation Year - helping you to achieve more

Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.

Our degrees with a foundation year are continuous, meaning that you won’t need to apply again once you have successfully completed the first year.

A need for change

The Covid-19 pandemic and national lockdowns have highlighted the social and economic factors that impact crime numbers and types. Anti-social behaviour and drug offences have risen, with overall crime rates remaining higher in areas facing poverty and low educational attainment.

This course seeks to address these differences and find community-based solutions that will reduce criminality.

Why Criminology and Sociology?

Combining insights from both these disciplines will give you a deep understanding of what shapes people’s behaviour, beliefs and attitudes. You’ll explore the reasons why people commit crime and the social factors at play, including inequality, prejudice and substance abuse.

You’ll also look at the impact that crime has on both local communities and wider society. And you’ll apply your learning to help make a difference with local communities.

This course could open up career opportunities to work for or with national or local government, the charity sector, the voluntary sector, social or health services.

Real-world impact

This is a highly relevant degree that tackles current issues head-on. We’ll help you develop strong research and analytical skills to understand and evaluate criminal behaviour and responses to it.

You’ll work with local and national community organisations on live briefs, offering research and solutions to the key issues they deal with.

Study visits and fieldtrips will give you intriguing insights into how organisations work. These could include visits to courts, prisons, police forces and youth offender training centres.

Global thinking

Global perspectives are an integral part of our Criminology and Social Sciences courses. Exploring how other countries approach criminal justice and social issues is key to learning how we can make positive changes moving forward.

Past students have had opportunities to go on field trips that focus on specific aspects of the course, such as conflict resolution.

In your third year, there may be an opportunity to go on study trips to such places as the International Criminal Court to bring your learning to life.

Expert teaching

You’ll learn from a team with a wealth of knowledge; these include researchers, police officers, sociologists and criminologists. Many are still actively practising, which helps you keep up to date with contemporary issues.

As a BA (Hons) Criminology and Sociology student, you can take part in regular departmental research seminars delivered by leading professionals and academics from other institutions. You’ll also have the chance to meet influential leaders in the profession. Our regular programme of guest speakers keeps you in tune with the latest developments in policy and practice. Previous guest speakers include crown court judges, police investigators and professionals from the youth justice practice.

Research projects cover everything from drug use, hate crime and human trafficking to extremism and counter-terrorism, organised crime and conspiracy theories. So your teaching will be informed by the latest thinking in this field, and you may have the chance to get involved yourself.

Where you'll study

You’ll be based on the Derby Campus at One Friar Gate Square. Offering the perfect environment for innovative and engaging teaching, it includes well-resourced lecture theatres, seminar rooms, and social learning spaces.

You will study alongside our Law, Policing and Social Sciences students, sharing knowledge and expertise. You’ll gain practical experience using our first-rate facilities including a replica crown court and police custody suite, complete with interview rooms and cell.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

You’ll learn through a combination of:

• lectures
• tutorials
• group work
• independent learning

How you are assessed

Assessment is via a stimulating mix of:

• coursework
• portfolios
• individual and group projects/presentations
• examinations

Who you’ll meet

You’ll be taught by our team of engaging, passionate and inspiring subject experts. We also offer a high level of support to students, including a unique personal tutor system to help steer your academic and professional development.

The team includes:

• Andrew Wilson
• David Patton
• Helen Brocklehurst
• Rachel Rafferty 

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

2025/26

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

BA (Hons) Criminology and Sociology provides an excellent basis for developing careers in local or national government, in organisations working towards social justice in a variety of contexts, or in professional settings concerned with conflict resolution or security and risk assessment. Alternatively, students can choose to pursue careers in the criminal justice sector: in policing, prisons, probation as well as private sector companies that operate in the sector.

Opportunities for graduates may also be available in areas such as housing, family services, youth work, or other aspects of social care. Graduates should also consider exploring prospective careers in health care planning and public health engagement. The critical insights and broad perspectives offered through the course means that we would hope students would be able to choose to work in service delivery, management, or strategic planning roles.

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

Other courses you might like

• Criminology BSc (Hons)
• Sociology BA (Hons)