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Course overview
Are you interested in exploring the interrelated fields of criminology and law? Our BA (Hons) Criminology with Law joint degree explores the relationship between crime, society, and law, as well as the political, psychological, and social aspects of criminology. The course covers both UK and international law, ensuring you graduate with universal skills for your future.
Taking a digital-first and practice-driven approach in line with the UK’s Ministry of Justice Digital Strategy (2025), the course will equip you with the digital and critical analytical tools needed to meet the current and future demands of the sector. By bringing together criminology and law, you’ll gain far-reaching, practical insight into the causes and legal consequences of crime at the individual, organisational, and societal levels. You’ll also explore the various agencies involved in crime response and prevention and in the application of the law.
The course is led by academics and practitioners with strong industry links and first-hand experience in their respective fields. You’ll also have regular webinars and guest speakers ranging from international academics, senior members of the criminal justice system, and policymakers to ex-convicts to give you genuine insight into the field. That means your learning will have a real-world basis that you can apply to a range of future career roles.
Job outcomes
Careers in:
- Police
- Prison service
- Probation
- Paralegal
- Community Justice
- Voluntary sector
- Charities or NGOs
- Work in the government, home office, or education and more
What you'll learn
This degree has been designed to provide you with modern knowledge of the interrelated fields of criminology and law alongside the practical skills needed to meet the current and future demands of the sector. While studying, you will:
- Learn the causes and patterns of criminal behaviour at an individual and societal level
- Understand key legislation applicable to criminal behaviour alongside its application
- Develop an appreciation of the national and international contexts of criminology and law
- Reflect on what works and what doesn’t in the justice and legal system
- Explore governmental and non-governmental agencies involved in the prevention and response to crime and the application of the law
- Apply your knowledge and experience to real-life scenarios
Study method
- Online
- Blended
- In-class
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Duration study load
You have between 3 to 9 years to complete this course, which means you can take up to 3 years to complete each level. Most of our students, however, aim to complete their studies within 3 to 6 years.
Entry requirements
To be eligible for our BA (Hons) Criminology with Law, you should normally have:
- Two subjects at GCE A level or equivalent, plus passes at grade C or above in three subjects at GCSE level or equivalent; OR
- Completed a recognised Access Programme or equivalent.
- If you don’t currently hold the above qualifications, we also offer this course with an additional foundation year, which is designed for students who need extra support when starting their degree course.
Non-standard entry requirements
We’re also happy to consider an application from you if you can show us that you have relevant work experience that requires critical thinking and analysis skills. We’ll ask you for a personal statement that demonstrates your motivation and ability to study for this degree, along with references and evidence of your previous work experience.
English proficiency
- IELTS 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element); or TOEFL iBT 80; or equivalent
- Alternatively, evidence you have previously studied in English, such as a letter to show that the Medium of Instruction was in English, can be accepted.
We also offer an internal English test for applicants who are unable to provide the above evidence of English proficiency.
Course features
Education for everyone, everywhere: Whether you’re constrained by location, cost, time, or other life commitments, we’re passionate about giving you access to higher education that fits into your busy, modern life.
You decide how and where to study: We offer a wide range of flexible undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in both our online and blended study modes.
Full support both online and on-site: We’re also proud to offer non-standard entry, meaning your work experience and previous qualifications are taken into account when assessing your application.
Strong focus on employability: You will gain in-depth subject knowledge and transferable skills that employers from a huge range of industries will value. Many of our courses at Arden are also accredited by leading professional bodies in the UK.
Assessment
Authentic assessments. No exams.
No exams in sight! Our innovative assessments are based on the skills needed by employers in the real world and are therefore 100% focused on getting you ready for your career. Each assessment aims to provide you with transferable skills for your future and can include:
- Assignments
- Essays
- Reports
- Presentations
- Case studies
- Portfolios of work
- Roleplay
- Interactive decision-making
- Research proposal
Delivery
Studying this course online gives you the ultimate in convenience. You can enrol with Arden from anywhere in the world and study for your degree from the comfort of your home, without the requirement to attend classes in a physical location.
Our online students study for their degree through ilearn, Arden’s university campus in the cloud. ilearn provides everything you need to study at University. It offers an integrated virtual learning experience, including your virtual classroom, lecture theatre, and access to our Library Portal. The portal includes an extensive digital library including thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and academic and industry databases which you can use to research your assignments and projects. All of these materials are provided to you free of charge and contain all the research information you’ll need to complete your degree with us.
ilearn is also integrated with Zoom, making it easier to chat with your course tutor during your scheduled seminar sessions. You can even integrate our study materials into your Kindle, making it possible to study wherever you have your Kindle handy.
Studying online doesn’t mean studying alone. As well as receiving regular feedback and guidance from your course tutor, you’ll be studying with like-minded students whom you can meet with through our Unitu community, and you’ll have access to community message boards to discuss your course and the topics being raised within it. We’ve even set up community boards embedded into each of the course modules so you can have discussions with your tutor and classmates on the topics you’re currently learning.
Online learning students resident in the UK can apply for a Maintenance Loan if they cannot attend their course in person because of a disability.
Introducing your Digital Backpack
Once you’ve enrolled on your Criminology and Psychology degree with Arden you’ll get access to your Digital Backpack, a toolkit of digital resources we’ve put together to help you succeed during your time studying with us.
Here are some of the digital resources you’ll have available throughout your course:
- Office 365 subscription
- Integrated Zoom video conferencing
- Careers support in-person and online available through Arden Futures, your careers platform, to help you throughout your career journey whether you are a Career Starter, Changer or Developer
- Free online access to our Library Portal, which includes thousands of eBooks and journals, as well as industry databases which we’ve carefully hand-picked to support your studies – all yours for free while you study with us
- Subscription to Togetherall for an abundance of mental health support.
Subjects
Your course modules cover all the latest developments and best practices in criminology and law both in the UK and internationally so that your degree is relevant across the globe. Taking a digital-first and clearly practice-driven approach, you’ll gain the modern skills needed for rewarding work in diverse areas. You’ll also have the valuable opportunity to get your work published in Arden’s very own Criminology and Social Science Research Journal and start building your professional profile.
- Becoming a Criminologist (20 credits)
- English Legal System and Legal Skills (20 credits)
- Crime 1 (20 credits)
- Civil Liberties in Practice (20 credits)
- Working within the Criminal Justice System (20 credits)
- Policing Priorities (20 credits)
- Researching the Field (20 credits)
- Defending the Realm (20 credits)
- Youth Crime and Justice (20 credits)
- Crimes of the Powerful (20 credits)
- The Prison (20 credits)
- Crime 2 (20 credits)
- Victimology (20 credits)
- Miscarriages of Justice (20 credits)
- Professional Practice: A case study (20 credits)
- Public International Law (20 credits)
- Research Project (40 credits)
About Arden University
At Arden, we believe everyone, everywhere has the right to Higher Education. We've supported more than 50,000 students over 25 years and are experts in flexible UK Degrees, Masters and MBAs.
We offer career-focused online Distance Learning courses worldwide, as well as Blended Learning study at our study centres. You can study in London at our Ealing, Tower Hill and Holborn study centres, or at our Birmingham, Manchester or Berlin study centres.
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