Media and Criminology

Does prison work? Is rehabilitation effective? How do the justice and penal systems in other countries compare to our own? To what extent do we use media as a way of claiming and understanding identities? 

On this degree, you’ll explore the full breadth of human behaviour, from how social divisions play key roles in both access to the media and modes of representation in media texts, to understanding crime as both an individual and social phenomenon. You’ll also build an awareness of the economic forces that frame the media, cultural and creative industries, and the role they have in areas of contemporary political and cultural life.

Boost your employability

You will have the opportunity to work with our links with local and national media organisations and employers, engaging in projects such as multiplatform advertising and content production, film festivals and screening events, public relations and promotional campaigns and media research.

You will learn how to write for different media platforms, such as journalism, promotional and PR writing, with an emphasis on digital media platforms such as web content writing, blogging and social media. You will also develop your creativity through the planning, design and creation of media projects, learning essential skills in script or treatment writing, digital video and editing. 

Our Criminology team work closely with courts, prisons and youth offender training centres, and bring this expertise into their teaching. 

Academic Expertise

Our Criminology teaching team includes lecturers from a wide range of backgrounds including; probation, policing, law, youth justice, mental health and academia and we seek to maintain a balance between criminological theory and practice throughout the course. Our lecturers engage with organisations in the local community, nationally and around the world and many of them publish in journals, and textbooks and are research active. This allows us to provide a dynamic, exciting and innovative curriculum.  

Our Media team is made up of an enthusiastic group of experienced published academics and practitioners with industry links and experience.

What is a Joint Honours degree?

A Joint Honours degree offers students the opportunity to study two subjects.

A Joint Honours degree is a great option if:

• You want to study two subjects you’re passionate about
• You’ve got a specific career in mind and want to create a tailored degree to prepare you for the future
• You want to study a new subject alongside one you’re already familiar with

The modules below indicate the range of modules you may study as part of this combination, however prescribed and optional modules will vary depending on whether you choose to study both subjects equally, or choose to major or minor in a subject. To find out exactly which modules you would study as part of your chosen combination please contact jhs@derby.ac.uk.

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.

Our Criminology modules are taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, group work and independent learning.

Our Media teaching and curriculum is underpinned by staff expertise and ongoing research and practice. Team teaching is a key feature of a number of modules with staff and external expertise employed to the best effect. Teaching takes a flexible approach, utilising learning and teaching methods, such as: 

• formal lectures
• seminars: these can be tutor-led or student-led and can include e.g. discussion; critical analysis of reading; planning and/or designing production work or group presentations; debates
• tutorials: one-to-one sessions with a tutor to discuss the development of assignments
• screenings
• workshops on skills or development of ideas
• supported project work
• research exercises
• work experience projects
• self-directed study. 

How you are assessed

Your Criminology assessments will be through a mix of coursework, portfolios, individual and group presentations, and exams.

Assessments on our Media modules include:

• critical essays, video essays and research reports 
• critical reflection on learning and practice 
• presentations and pitches 
• blogging and video blogging  
• digital research and development portfolios such as buzz-reels, mood boards, storyboards and records of ideas
• media writing such as scripts and treatments 
• portfolios of digital and video production such as web pages, social media campaigns, documentary, studio, web, advertising and educational video

As a Criminology graduate, you will receive an exceptional grounding for a career in the probation service, the prison service, the police, youth justice, voluntary organisations or the wider public sector. Alternatively, you may wish to pursue postgraduate studies at the University. Our strong links with local and regional agencies coupled with our staff’s extensive practice experience means that our criminology teaching is highly relevant to today’s job market.

Media graduates have found jobs in the television industry, public relations, marketing and journalism; or have gone on to take the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) to get a job in teaching; or have enrolled for other postgraduate study.

Media graduates would be well suited for a range of roles in areas such as:

• Media Research
• Audience/Market Research
• Journalism
• Multiplatform content production such as web content writing and web video
• Visual and creative production internships
• Advertising, Marketing, Promotions and Public Relations
• Digital and print publishing including books, newspapers, magazines, journals and periodicals
• Self-employment and freelance work
• Producers or in Media Buying and Commissioning
• PG study
• Media distribution, e.g. promotion, cinema management
• Film and television graduate-level entry, e.g. internships
• Teaching.

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

2025/26

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

Additional information about your studies

You will typically study your two subjects equally at stage one, before choosing whether you want to major in one subject at stages two and three.

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.

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.