Queen's University Belfast

Source: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/criminology-ba-m900/ Parent: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/

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Undergraduate 2027

Undergraduate 2025

BA | Undergraduate

Criminology

Apply via UCAS Register Interest

Entry year : Academic Year 2027/28

Entry requirements : ABB

Attendance : 3 years (Full-time) \

UCAS Code : M900

Overview
Course content
Modules
Entry requirements
Careers
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The BA (Hons) in Criminology provides a unique vantage point to study issues related to crime, justice and people’s experiences of victimisation in a society transitioning from conflict. Criminologists are interested in how activities come to be defined as ‘criminal’, why definitions and responses to crime vary over time and place, as well as how people are affected by harmful behaviours. The subject includes a broad range of perspectives on understanding crime and criminal behaviour, as well as examining various methods in the prevention, policing and punishment of crime. Issues related to harm and victimisation are also considered, alongside how and why people move away from offending behaviour. Local and global examples are used throughout the programme to illustrate how these issues shape the world around us and to highlight how alternative ways of interpreting and responding to crime are possible.\ \ Please see the video below for a student perspective on studying criminology at Queen’s University Belfast.

Criminology at Queens is ranked 7th in the UK according to The Times Good University Guide (2025), while Queen’s University Belfast is ranked 5th in the UK in the WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2024.

Course highlights

Global Opportunities

Additionally, students can choose to spend time studying in one of our linked Universities across the world. For example, past students have studied criminology in various Universities across Europe and the USA. Supported by the dedicated ‘Go Global’ team at Queen’s University Belfast, our students have the opportunity to study or work abroad, with various events run throughout the year to highlight the opportunities available and provide information on funding to support such travel. Please see the link below for more information.

https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/GlobalOpportunities/

Career Development

Criminology students have access to a dedicated Careers Consultant who works with students to provide one-to-one support and advice on applying for jobs, preparing for interviews, developing C.V.s and enhancing career prospects. Information on volunteering and internship opportunities are also available to enhance the skills and desirability of our students to employers. Moreover, students can choose to complete the Future Ready Skills Certificate which increases the employability of our students and provides them with the opportunity to hear the career journeys of former criminology students. Students also have the opportunity to engage with potential employers through field trips, guest lectures, and the research collaborations they are exposed to throughout their studies. \ Please click on the link to access a video from our dedicated Careers Consultant talking about the careers available to criminology students.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1Ap6qChY5w

World Class Facilities

The newly opened Queen’s Student Centre and Students’ Union at One Elmwood has also won awards, including the Commercial Construction Project of the Year award and Education Project of the Year award. This state-of-the-art building combines access to student services with the Student’s Union, in a space that provides a range of facilities for students to collaborate together in shared spaces, socialise, as well as get support and advice in world class facilities. Please see the link below for more information about the Queen’s Student Centre and Students’ Union at One Elmwood and to take a virtual tour.

https://www.qub.ac.uk/students/one-elmwood/

Internationally Renowned Experts

Criminology is taught by a group of internationally-recognised criminological researchers who specialise in areas, such as justice and conflict, policing, youth crime, victimisation, international criminal justice, alcohol and drug use, imprisonment, trauma and violence, as well as the criminology of war. To hear from more students about their experience of studying criminology at Queen’s University Belfast, meet the criminology staff and read about our research, please visit:

https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/ssesw/subject-area/criminology/

Student Experience

We offer a high quality, supportive, student-centred learning experience in a top Russell Group University, as evidenced by our excellent National Student Survey student satisfaction rates. Students in the School are educated in a dynamic academic environment by award-winning teaching staff, and in a recent government-sponsored review of research, staff in the School achieved 'world-leading' and 'international excellence' status for the high quality of their research work.\ \ Criminology students can also join the Social Sciences Student Society based within SSESW. Joining this society is a great way to meet other students in a relaxed and informal environment outside of the classroom.\ \ In addition, Queen’s University Belfast is one of only 17 Universities within the UK that was funded by the Nuffield Foundation to provide specialist, advanced quantitative research skills training to undergraduate social science students. This provides students with the opportunity to specialise in advance quantitative research methods which has enhanced students’ employment prospects, as these skills are highly desired by many employers. Please visit the following website for further information:

A range of free student support services are also provided to help students successfully complete their studies, while obtaining their best grades and maintaining their health and wellbeing. Criminology students are also assigned a personal tutor to help them during their studies as well as being encouraged to avail of opportunities to work with peer mentors to help develop their skills. Please see the link below for information on some of the support services available to our students.

https://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/students-teachers/q-step

https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/

Further Study Opportunities

If students want to continue studying once they have completed their undergraduate criminology programme, they can choose from a wide range of postgraduate taught or postgraduate research programmes offered in the School, such as the MRes in Social Science Research and the MSc in Youth Justice. More information on postgraduate programmes offered in the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work can be found at the link below.

https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/ssesw/study/

"While studying Criminology at Queen’s, I had the opportunity to complete a work placement conducting my own project on youth crime. This, coupled with the encouraging environment and support, means I would strongly recommend studying Criminology at Queen’s.”\ \ Laura Wylie\ BA (Honours) in Criminology

“This course has been amazing! The insights into the criminal justice system I have gained over the last three years has changed my perceptions on everything. The course covers all aspects of the criminal justice system from policing, victims, perpetrators and more. I have had some amazing opportunities and learned from the most experienced professionals in the field. As a mature student, Queen’s have supported me every step of the way and I couldn’t be more grateful. I would love to do it all again.”\ Pamela Stewart \ BA (Honours) in Criminology

“It is a very unique course in that it combines psychology, criminal justice and sociology under the one programme and it has been very interesting and insightful. I wouldn’t swap it for any other course as it has been amazing.” \ Darryl McGrattan\ BA (Honours) in Criminology

"I loved my time at Queens, I would do it all over again if I could. My Criminology degree was literally the most interesting thing I have ever done. I learned so much about crime, in Northern Ireland especially, because I am English so I didn’t know about it to start with. Third year I loved how you get to choose what you want to learn more about and what you want to go into further depth with."\ \ Ashleigh Brown\ BA (Honours) in Criminology

"While studying Criminology at Queen’s, I had the opportunity to complete a work placement conducting my own project on youth crime. This, coupled with the encouraging environment and support, means I would strongly recommend studying Criminology at Queen’s.”\ \ Laura Wylie\ BA (Honours) in Criminology

“This course has been amazing! The insights into the criminal justice system I have gained over the last three years has changed my perceptions on everything. The course covers all aspects of the criminal justice system from policing, victims, perpetrators and more. I have had some amazing opportunities and learned from the most experienced professionals in the field. As a mature student, Queen’s have supported me every step of the way and I couldn’t be more grateful. I would love to do it all again.”\ Pamela Stewart \ BA (Honours) in Criminology

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[##### Take a Virtual Tour of Campus

Explore our immersive 360 degree tours of campus buildings, facilities, accommodation and Belfast city.](https://virtualexperience.qub.ac.uk/)

[##### Undergraduate Events

Join us for an insight into life at Queen's and advice on your journey to university.](https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/events/)

[##### Your Future Career

Queen’s is ranked 9th in the UK for Graduate Prospects (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026).](https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/careers-and-employability/)

[##### Student Accommodation

The most affordable, purpose-built student accommodation in Belfast.](https://www.qub.ac.uk/accommodation/)

Course location

Social Sciences, Education and Social Work

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