Degree type: BA (Hons)
UCAS Code: M930 BA/CS
Duration: 4 years (full-time)
How to Apply
Why choose this course?
Criminological Studies at Abertay asks questions about crimes and the people who allegedly commit them, such as – Who are the criminals? What is meant by crime? How do we ‘talk’ about crime? How do we define criminal behaviour? Who are the victims of crime? Different approaches are taken to answer these questions to help shape your understanding of the relationship between crime, society, politics, the media and criminal justice policy. This provides you with a strong foundation for a range of careers, for example in policing, the prison service, social and criminal justice policy and practice, probation and through care.
The course challenges and develops your knowledge and understanding of crime, deviance and the criminal justice process through studying sociological and criminological explanations for crime and through exploring the ways in which crime is controlled and regulated in modern societies.
Lawbreaking behaviour is carried out by individuals from all walks of life and a number of law modules are also offered in the first three years of the course. The different approaches taken in answering questions about crime will help you to evaluate the strategies and interventions used to deal with it in modern societies. Evaluation of these issues develops your critical thinking skills, discussion and writing skills.
How you learn
The course is taught through lectures supported by tutorials, seminars, group-work and debates in which you will learn how to use library resources, gain confidence in using IT and develop reading and communication skills and critical thinking.
In addition to extensive independent study, generally you will be expected to attend one lecture and one tutorial for each module you study – eight modules in a year, and you will attend approximately 8-12 hours of class time each week working both collaboratively and individually on specific topics, leading to undertaking your own research project in your fourth and final year.
How you are assessed
You will be assessed in a variety of ways for each module that you study. These include: essays, examinations, oral presentations, workbooks, class tests or the completion of portfolios. There will also be tutorial exercises included in your modules which you will be expected to complete each week with other students working as a team. These assessments encourage you to think and inquire in a way that demonstrates independence and comprehensive understanding of key issues.
Higher ABB; A Level CC; ILC (H) ABB; BTEC Diploma MMM; BTEC Certificate DD;
UCAS Tariff 210+ points*
*See UCAS Tariff Guidance below
Essential subjects: English or a literate subject.
Advanced entry (year 2)
Advanced Higher or A Level: BCC
Essential subjects: to include grade B in Sociology, Politics or History
BTEC Diploma: DDM
UCAS Tariff Guidance
Although there is no limit to the number of points that you can accumulate, for entry to Abertay you must have qualifications at an appropriate level (SCQF 6/NQF 3); you cannot count the same or similar qualifications twice; Standard Grades, Intermediate 2s, GCSEs and key/core skills cannot be counted; and D grades at SQA Higher and Advanced Higher are not counted.
Applicants who have taken either SQA Highers or A Levels must offer at least three Highers or two A Levels for degree entry (or two Highers or one A Level for DipHE entry). If you have studied a subject at two different levels, the most advanced will be taken into consideration; e.g. if you studied both Higher Biology and Advanced Higher Biology, then only the Advanced Higher will be counted.
Overseas/EU
All applicants are required to provide certified proof of competence in English Language and the University's minimum requirements are listed here
Mature
Applications from mature students are assessed on the same criteria used for school leavers, e.g. SQA Highers or GCE A Levels, where relevant school leaving qualifications exist. For those without standard entry qualifications, consideration is given to experience gained as well as professional qualifications and other forms of learning that could provide evidence of ability to benefit from a particular course.
The successful completion of approved access courses (such as those offered by Dundee College in association with the universities of Abertay, Dundee and St Andrews) provides significant evidence of ability to benefit from study at Abertay.
For further advice please use our Ask a Question section.
What our students say
"I am really enjoying this course so far, I’m finding it very interesting and have learnt so much already. I look forward to the rest of the course."
"The subjects were interesting and appropriate to criminology. The subject-matter was well-presented."
"The lectures and readings provided were very interesting and fitted well into my course."
"I love this module. One of the best and most useful."
"The course is really interesting and I got a job out of it, one that I really wanted at a secure bail hostel. I have got lots of opportunities now .... I just love it."
Louise, Dundee
Your future
You can pursue a number of career routes in criminal justice professions such as policing, the prison service, social work and probation or more generally in community work and teaching. You could also apply for postgraduate study, most typically in social policy and social work, criminology and criminal justice policy, for which there is a demand, particularly in Scotland.
The multidisciplinary nature of the course helps graduates to gain a range of transferable skills relevant to employment in both the public and private sector and the focus on ‘new’ crimes, such as cybercrime and its regulation will help you prepare for careers in the growing field of technology and crime.
| Fee Category | September 2012 Fees |
Scholarships & Bursaries |
| Scottish and other EU students |
The 2012 fee will be announced Apply to the Student Awards Agency |
Other forms of support |
| English, Welsh and Northern Irish students |
£7000 per year (max. amount payable You can apply for financial assistance, |
Bursaries & Scholarships |
| Overseas (non EU) students |
£9975 per year. Fees may be subject to annual increase. |
Overseas Scholarships |
Fees shown are payable annually, and may be subject to increase each year.
