Overview

Course overview

  • Study criminology at a UK Top 10 university for Social Sciences (Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025).
  • Learn from world-leading researchers with expertise in areas such as organised crime, domestic abuse, cybercrime, prisons, probation, youth offending and modern slavery.
  • Benefit from a uniquely flexible course structure – choose from a wide range of optional course units, take units outside criminology, or add a Professional Experience Year or Study Abroad option.
  • Gain hands-on experience through field trips such as Manchester Crown Court, and specialist opportunities like studying criminology alongside incarcerated students in prison (availability may vary).
  • Build career-ready skills through specialist training in data analysis, GIS and research methods, with opportunities to apply these in paid professional placements.

Open days

There’s no better way to get a feel for your future home than an open day. You can join subject-level information sessions alongside talks about the student experience. You can explore our campus, facilities, and student accommodation. And you’ll get to meet current students, academics, and admissions staff for a chat and to ask them your questions.

It’s an invaluable opportunity to explore, discover, and enjoy some of the vibes that attract so many students to Manchester.

You can find out more about our upcoming open days here .

Not in the UK or can’t make it? Not a problem. Check out our virtual open day content here .

Contact details

School/Faculty
School of Social Sciences
Contact name
School of Social Sciences Admissions Office
Telephone
+44 (0) 161 306 0100
Email
School/Faculty overview

See: School Subjects

Courses in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.

Entry requirements

A-level

  • AAB
  • We do not accept two A/S Levels grades in place of one A Level.
  • Applicants must be studying at least one of the following A Level subjects: Law; Accounting; Economics; Finance; Business Studies; Development Studies; Government and Politics; Economic and Social History; Mathematics; Anthropology; Sociology; Philosophy; Religious Studies; English Language; English Literature; Geography; Psychology; Classical Civilisation; History; Archaeology; Communication Studies; Environmental Studies; World Development; Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Modern Languages.
  • We accept native language A Levels providing they are taken in the same sitting as your other subjects. We will not accept thecombination of Mathematics, Further Mathematics and a native language.
  • We accept the Level 3 Diploma in Financial Studies (DipFS) as equivalent to an A-level if taken alongside two full A-levels from the list of acceptable subjects above

Please check for specific GCSE/IGCSE subject entry requirements below

A-level contextual offer

  • BBB
  • We do not accept two A/S Levels grades in place of one A Level.
  • Applicants must be studying at least one of the following A Level subjects: Law; Accounting; Economics; Finance; Business Studies; Development Studies; Government and Politics; Economic and Social History; Mathematics; Anthropology; Sociology; Philosophy; Religious Studies; English Language; English Literature; Geography; Psychology; Classical Civilisation; History; Archaeology; Communication Studies; Environmental Studies; World Development; Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Modern Languages.
  • We accept native language A Levels providing they are taken in the same sitting as your other subjects. We will not accept thecombination of Mathematics, Further Mathematics and a native language.
  • We accept the Level 3 Diploma in Financial Studies (DipFS) as equivalent to an A-level if taken alongside two full A-levels from the list of acceptable subjects above

Please check for specific GCSE/IGCSE subject entry requirements below

Contextual offers are available for applicants who:

  • live in the UK and will be under the age of 21 on 1 September of the year they will start their course; and
  • live in an area of disadvantage or with low progression into higher education; and
  • have attended a UK school or college for their GCSEs or A-levels (or equivalent qualifications) that has performed below the national average over multiple years.

See our contextual admissions page for full details and to check your eligibility.

UK refugee/care-experienced offer

  • BBC
  • We do not accept two A/S Levels grades in place of one A Level.
  • Applicants must be studying at least one of the following A Level subjects: Law; Accounting; Economics; Finance; Business Studies; Development Studies; Government and Politics; Economic and Social History; Mathematics; Anthropology; Sociology; Philosophy; Religious Studies; English Language; English Literature; Geography; Psychology; Classical Civilisation; History; Archaeology; Communication Studies; Environmental Studies; World Development; Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Modern Languages.
  • We accept native language A Levels providing they are taken in the same sitting as your other subjects. We will not accept thecombination of Mathematics, Further Mathematics and a native language.
  • We accept the Level 3 Diploma in Financial Studies (DipFS) as equivalent to an A-level if taken alongside two full A-levels from the list of acceptable subjects above

Please check for specific GCSE/IGCSE subject entry requirements below

UK refugee/care-experienced offers are available for applicants who:

  • have been looked after in care for more than three months; or
  • have been granted refugee status by the UK government or have been issued a UK visa under one of the Ukrainian schemes (Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Family Scheme or Ukraine Extension Scheme).

See our contextual admissions page for full details and to check your eligibility.

International Baccalaureate

6,6,5 at Higher level, 35 points overall.

GCSE/IGCSE

Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade C or 4 in GCSE/iGCSE English Language and Mathematics.

GCSE/iGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/iGCSE English Language.

We would normally expect to see a good GCSE profile with minimum grades across all subjects of A*/8 to C/4.

Please note that if you hold English as a second language iGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your iGCSE than the one stated above.

Please contact the academic School for clarification.

Other entry requirements

Other entry requirements exist for this course. You may view these by selecting from the list below.

English language requirements

All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either:

GCSE/iGCSE English Language grade C.

IELTS 6.5 overall with no lower than 6 in any component.

TOEFL (IBT) 90 overall with a minimum of 20 in each subset.

iGCSE English (Second Language) grade B

An acceptable equivalent qualification.

Please note that if you hold English as a second language iGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your iGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School for clarification.

The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student from outside the UK and the EU must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language in order to be granted a UK visa (Tier 4 visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. This level is often referred to as the 'B2 level'.

Additionally, our individual Schools may ask for specific English Language proficiency levels that are necessary for their academic programmes.

In most cases these requirements are likely to be higher than the B2 level.

Further information about our English Language policy, including a list of some of the English Language qualifications we accept, can be found here .

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Fees and funding

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

Scholarships and bursaries, including the Manchester Bursary , are available to eligible home/EU students.

Some undergraduate UK students will receive bursaries of up to £2,000 per year, in addition to the government package of maintenance grants.

You can get information and advice on student finance to help you manage your money.

Application and selection

How to apply

Apply through UCAS .

Home-schooled applicants

If you have followed a non-standard educational route and have been, for example, educated at home, your application will be considered against the standard entry criteria of the course to which you applied. You will be required to demonstrate that you meet the academic entry requirements as specified for the course. We will also require a reference which should be written by somebody who knows you well enough, in an official capacity, to write about you and your suitability for higher education. Please refer to UCAS for further information: UCAS reference guidelines

Course details

Course description

Our BA Criminology course gives you the tools to explore crime as one of today’s most pressing social issues, and to understand how it connects with wider political, social and economic challenges. You’ll study theories of crime and deviance alongside real-world issues such as organised crime, domestic violence, cybercrime, youth offending, prisons and probation, and modern slavery.

You’ll also develop advanced skills in data analysis and research methods, learning how criminologists investigate complex problems and generate evidence to shape policy and practice. Learning goes beyond the classroom.

You’ll take part in field trips, such as visits to Manchester Crown Court, and engage directly with professionals to see how criminological knowledge is applied in practice. Optional opportunities – including placements, study abroad, or specialist units – allow you to tailor your course around your interests and career ambitions.

By the time you graduate, you’ll have developed the analytical, research and communication skills valued in a wide range of roles. Criminology graduates from Manchester go on to careers in policing, offender management, probation, prisons, youth justice, victim support, research, policy and beyond.

Special features

Hannah Watts

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

Student societies
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.

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.

Professional Experience Year
You apply in Year 1 to boost your employability through a paid Professional Experience Year. If you meet the criteria, the Professional Experience Team and Careers Service will work with you to find a suitable placement in Year 2. You will complete your Professional Experience Year in Year 3 extending your degree to four years, before returning to University to finish your final year. Your degree title will include 'with Professional Experience', giving you an advantage of work experience when entering the graduate jobs market.

Teaching and learning

Lectures are delivered to a large group of students, covering an overview of a particular subject.

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, workshops and tutorials.

Coursework and assessment

Methods of assessing your work are:

  • 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

Compulsory course units allow you to develop an understanding of the sociological and psychological explanations for crime and criminal behaviour.

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.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
CRIM10002 20 Mandatory
CRIM10071 20 Mandatory
CRIM10421 20 Mandatory
CRIM10432 20 Mandatory
CRIM10441 0 Mandatory
CRIM14442 20 Mandatory
LAWS10081 20 Mandatory

Course content for year 2

Extend your understanding of criminological theory and your knowledge of the practices and techniques used in contemporary criminal justice systems.

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.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
CRIM20051 20 Mandatory
CRIM20412 20 Mandatory
CRIM20452 20 Mandatory
CRIM20692 20 Mandatory
CRIM20701 20 Optional

Course content for year 3

Continue to extend your understanding of criminological theory and your knowledge of the practices and techniques used in contemporary criminal justice systems.

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.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
CRIM30610 40 Mandatory
CRIM30601 20 Optional
CRIM30642 20 Optional
CRIM30661 20 Optional
CRIM30792 20 Optional
CRIM30811 20 Optional
CRIM31051 20 Optional
CRIM31101 20 Optional
CRIM31142 20 Optional
CRIM31152 20 Optional
CRIM31172 20 Optional
Displaying 10 of 11 course units for year 3
Display all course units for year 3

Course content for year 4

If you are selected to take up the Professional Experience opportunity in Year 3, then you will take Year 3 course content in Year 4.

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.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk

Careers

Career opportunities

The University of Manchester has an excellent reputation for employability. For the past six years, we have been in the UK's Top Two most targeted universities by the UK's top 100 employers (High Fliers Graduate Market Report, 2020 - 2025).

Our graduates pursue a variety of careers, including:

  • criminal justice system-related professions;
  • police and offender management (such as Probation Service);
  • community justice;
  • national intelligence and security agencies;
  • charity and voluntary sector organisations;
  • government;
  • teaching.

The BA Criminology course has employability skills embedded throughout. You will have access to specialist careers events covering a broad range of professions and opportunities for you to meet professionals working in criminal justice-related areas .

The University has its own dedicated Careers Service that you will have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate. At Manchester, you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability , further study, research degrees (PhD), and research jobs across sectors.

Regulated by the Office for Students

The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website.

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website.