Queen's University Belfast

Source: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/criminology-social-policy-ba-ml94/ Parent: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/

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Undergraduate 2027

Undergraduate 2025

BA | Undergraduate

Apply via UCAS Register Interest

Entry year : Academic Year 2027/28

Entry requirements : ABB

Attendance : 3 years (Full-time) \

UCAS Code : ML94

Overview
Course content
Modules
Entry requirements
Careers
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Criminology focuses on the causes and consequences of crime, as well as how the criminal justice system responds to crime. Criminologists are interested in how activities come to be defined as criminal, and why definitions of crime vary across countries and over time. The subject includes a wide range of social and psychological theories that attempt to explain criminal behaviour and the effective operation of the criminal justice system.\ \ Social Policy is an applied and critical Social Sciences subject. Students learn how to identify, but also how to tackle, major policy problems and challenges that we face in our world today. They do this by applying core social sciences concepts to social problems such as gender, ethnic and other inequalities, eldercare, children's rights and sustainability. As Social Policy student you will gain knowledge of how governments and other sectors make policies, how they affect people’s welfare, and how to consider if these measures are fit for purpose and how they can be improved. \ \ To find out more about studying Criminology and Social Policy at Queen’s University Belfast, hear from students about their experiences of studying at Queen’s University Belfast, meet the criminology and social policy staff, as well as read about our research, please visit https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/ssesw/subject-area/criminology

Criminology is ranked 7th in the UK and Social Policy is ranked 16th in the UK at Queens, according to The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Course highlights

Global Opportunities

Students can spend time studying in one of our linked Universities in Europe, North America (Canada and US), and the Asia-Pacific region. There is also the opportunity to study or work abroad, supported by schemes, such as European Study Exchange programmes and Study USA across the world. For example, past students have studied Criminology and Social Policy in various Universities across Europe and the America. 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 and Social Policy 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 about the career journeys of former students. Throughout their studies, students also have the opportunity to engage with potential employers through field trips, guest lectures, and engaged study opportunities in which students complete a tangible piece of research for a voluntary sector organisation. \ Please click on the link below to access a video from our dedicated Careers Consultant talking about the careers available to students studying criminology.

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

World Class Facilities

The recently opened Queen’s Student Centre and Students’ Union at One Elmwood has 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 and Social Policy are taught by a group of internationally-recognised researchers who specialise in areas, such as justice and conflict, international criminal justice policy, prisons, policing, youth crime, children's right, alcohol and drug use, victimisation, criminology of war, trauma and violence, social justice, gender inequality and gender based violence, social welfare and social justice, innovative research methods, ageing and population change, disability and human rights. Please click on the link below for more information on the staff teaching this programme.

https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/ssesw/people/social-policy-people/

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. 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. Moreover, students can expect personal attention as classes can be smaller when they take joint honours social policy with criminology or sociology.\ \ 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.\ \ 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

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 enhances students’ employment prospects, as these skills are highly desired by many employers.

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. Students are assigned a Personal Tutor during induction. This member of academic staff will provide one-to-one support and mentoring throughout your studies at Queen’s. Students are also encouraged to avail of opportunities to work with peer mentors to develop their skills. Please see the link below for information on some of the support services available to students at Queen’s University Belfast.

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

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 studies, 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 Children's Rights and 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/

"The course offers a wide range of interesting and diverse modules covering many topics and interests. The support and guidance from the department and the expertise of staff has provided me with an invaluable experience that has furthered my knowledge and understanding of both criminological and sociological theory and has motivated me to further my learning by undertaking a Master's degree at Queen's."\ \ Rachel Stanley

NEXT \ Course content

[##### 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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