Criminology with Foundation Year

The highlights

• You’ll examine the causes and consequences of crime, how crime is measured and defined, and how criminals are managed and controlled
• We give you an in-depth view of the challenges and dilemmas facing criminal justice professionals today - in the police, courts, prison and probation services, youth offending teams and victim support groups
• We have strong links with practice including the HM Prison Service, Youth Justice Board and local Police Constabularies
• Tailor 100% of your final year options to suit your career aims and passions.

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.

Why Criminology?

Criminology is a fascinating academic discipline, opening up pathways into a wide range of careers where you can have a real impact on society. On this course, you’ll debate major philosophical ideas about retribution, rehabilitation and punishment, exploring why people commit crime and how laws are created and broken, the effectiveness of sentencing and punishment, and the impact of crime on victims, communities and wider society.

Bringing together disciplines such as sociology, law, psychology and philosophy, our BSc (Hons) Criminology encourages you to think creatively, challenge established beliefs and develop your own research interests. Our emphasis on problem-based learning means you will be well equipped to meet the real-world challenges of the justice system in practice.

Throughout the degree, you’ll develop your investigative, management and communication skills with activities such as group work, negotiation, decision-making, research and argument.

Hands-on learning

You’ll be able to make direct links between complex theories of criminology and the day-to-day demands of working practice. Thanks to our strong professional partnerships with the police, probation service, prisons and other criminal justice agencies, there are exciting opportunities for you to apply your skills and knowledge to ‘real-world’ situations.

There is endless variety and scope for practical projects: in the past our students have taken part in mock murder investigations, contributed to hate crime scrutiny panels, explored the causes of wrongful convictions, joined riot training with the constabulary, and observed how cases are taken from crime scene to courtroom.

Global thinking

International perspectives are an integral part of the BSc (Hons) Criminology – you will explore how other countries approach criminal justice at first hand. We have previously hosted international debates with Criminology students from across the globe, and such experiences enrich your learning and help shape your future career.

Expert teaching

You’ll learn from a teaching team that includes criminologists, criminal psychologists, sociologists, experienced police officers and lawyers. Many are still actively engaged with practice, which helps you keep up to date with contemporary issues.

The degree is also closely aligned to the research activities of our staff, who have a growing international profile for shaping understanding and practice in the criminal justice sector. Research projects cover everything from drug use, hate crime and human trafficking to psychopathy, organised crime and witness reliability.

You’ll also have the chance to meet influential leaders in the profession. Our regular programme of guest speakers keeps you in tune with latest developments in policy and practice. Previous guest speakers include crown court judges, police investigators and professionals from the youth justice practice.

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.

One of the advantages of the BSc (Hons) Criminology is the huge career scope it delivers. We’re aware of the rapid pace of change in the dynamic criminology sector and are committed to helping you develop a valuable set of skills which are attractive to a wide range of employers nationally and internationally.

Our graduates have gone on to diverse roles in the police, Crown Prosecution Service, courts, probation and prison services, youth offending teams and other law enforcement agencies. Some have also progressed to rewarding careers in the voluntary sector, working with offenders or victims.

Because this degree also equips you with broader skills – from research and analysis to entrepreneurial thinking – you will have the versatility to pursue other career paths in areas such as social research, public sector management or third sector roles such as victim services. Some graduates use their qualification as a springboard into teaching or academic research too.

Further study

You can go on to pursue postgraduate study at Derby, with  MSc qualifications in subjects such as Forensic and Criminal Psychology, Criminal Investigation, Criminal Justice and Criminology and Intelligence, Security and Disaster Management.

These will expand your knowledge into more specialist areas and help accelerate your progress to senior and leadership roles.

“I was immediately drawn to this particular course as I felt it coincided with both my professional and research interests. As someone who already works in practice, I was impressed to see that the course could be tailored for someone who is employed, allowing me a flexible approach to my studies.” Alan Harrop, MSc Criminal Justice and Criminology.

As a graduate of the University of Derby, you may benefit from an alumni discount on your postgraduate course fees if you continue to study with us.

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

2025/26

*This is the fee for the Foundation Year. Subsequent fees are £9,535 per year.

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

Additional costs and optional extras

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.