
- UCAS course code
- M901
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course description

One of the most interesting parts so far has been the Foundations of Criminal Justice course, getting a glimpse into how the Criminal Justice System operates.
The underlying issues that challenge its credibility such as Police Powers or Miscarriages of Justice have been carefully analysed throughout our lectures, but also in conferences where speakers delivered powerful messages.
Vlad-George Zaha / BA Criminology
Understanding the causes and consequences of crime will enable you to contribute to discussions about how some of these problems might be remedied.
Learn about how we can research the challenges that face the criminal justice system.
Under the guidance of our team of criminology experts, you will develop analytical skills to assess complex data related to experiences of crime.
You can take part in field trips and discussions with professionals to gain a real insight into how criminological knowledge is applied in a variety of sectors.
You will develop skills relevant to a variety of key professions concerned with criminal justice and crime reduction, including the police, prisons, offender management, youth justice and victimisation.
Special features

In Year 2, I was fortunate enough to take part in a Q-Step internship at the Home Office in London.
I had an eight-week paid placement where I worked on current projects around domestic homicides, child sexual abuse and cyber bullying. This really opened my eyes to the importance of social research and the influence this can have on policy.
Hannah Watts / MRes Criminology student and BA Criminology graduate
Benefit from networking and professional development opportunities through our student societies.
The Manchester University Criminology Society (MUCS) is a long-established society for those who have an interest in crime and criminal justice.
The Society promotes greater integration between students on different courses studying criminology.
Learning Criminology Inside
Learning Criminology Inside enables you to take your weekly seminars in a local prison to study a final year option alongside prison-based students.
Paid placement opportunity
Apply for a paid summer Q-Step internship between Years 2 and 3.
This is an excellent opportunity to gain work experience and make contacts, while putting the skills you learn into practice.
Recent placements include the Home Office, the Ministry of Justice, and the College of Policing.
Teaching and learning
Tutorials are small groups where you discuss in greater depth a topic you are learning.
You need to prepare in advance and submit written work for each subject.
We offer skills sessions to enhance your academic learning and employability.
If you apply to study abroad, you will complete course units in your host university, taught in English, which focus on criminology subjects or other topics of interest.
You will spend around 40 hours per week studying, inclusive of lectures and tutorials.
Coursework and assessment
- essays;
- oral presentations;
- short exercises or written pieces, for example blogs and learning portfolios;
- project work;
- exams.
We provide helpful and detailed feedback on all written and oral work.
Course content for year 1
Study the criminal justice system and criminal law alongside theories of criminal behaviour.
Begin to appreciate the methods used to research crime and deviance.
Course units for year 1
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Crime and Society | CRIM10001 | 20 | Mandatory |
Foundations of Criminal Justice | CRIM10421 | 20 | Mandatory |
Psychology, Crime and Criminal Justice | CRIM10432 | 20 | Mandatory |
Criminal Law (Criminology) | LAWS10082 | 20 | Mandatory |
Course content for year 2
Develop your knowledge of specific patterns of crime and criminality, as well as your understanding of research methods.
Course units for year 2
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Policing and the Police | CRIM20051 | 20 | Mandatory |
Explaining Crime and Deviance | CRIM20412 | 20 | Mandatory |
Making Sense of Criminological Data | CRIM20441 | 20 | Mandatory |
Modelling Criminological Data | CRIM20452 | 20 | Mandatory |
Understanding Punishment | CRIM20692 | 20 | Mandatory |
Criminology and Criminal Justice in Action | CRIM20701 | 20 | Optional |
Course content for year 3
Study a unique range of optional subjects delivered by leading experts teaching from original research projects.
Topics include drugs and society, the criminal psychopath, and serious and organised crime.
Hone your research and project management skills with a dissertation on a criminological topic of your choosing.
Course units for year 3
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Drugs and Society | CRIM30601 | 20 | Optional |
Long Dissertation | CRIM30610 | 40 | Optional |
Short Dissertation | CRIM30620 | 20 | Optional |
From Imprisonment to Rehabilitation | CRIM30662 | 20 | Optional |
Victims, Crime and Justice | CRIM30792 | 20 | Optional |
Serious and Organised Crime | CRIM30811 | 20 | Optional |
Youth, Crime and Justice | CRIM31101 | 20 | Optional |
Crime Mapping: an introduction to GIS and spatial analysis | CRIM31152 | 20 | Optional |
The Criminal Psychopath | CRIM31172 | 20 | Optional |
What our students say
Read profiles of our students to find out about their experiences of studying at Manchester.
Facilities
While you study with us, you have access to first-class facilities to interact, work, and practice your skills.
You can also volunteer to work in our award-winning Legal Advice Centre
Here, you can work on real legal cases with solicitors and barristers to refine your practical application of law.
Volunteering in our Miscarriages of Justice Review Centre enables you to work to support clients' claims of innocence.
Working alongside legal experts, you will gain access and review real case files.
This unique first-hand experience of criminal justice allows you to connect and engage with experienced practicing lawyers.