The classes are fairly small, so the teaching is very focused and you can really get a lot out of your seminars and lectures.
Who defines crime? How does society deal with its consequences? What legal and moral authority over our behaviour does the state require in order for society to function? How does the line between deviance and criminality shift over time? On our Criminology and Sociology degree, you develop answers to these fascinating and vital questions.
Studied together, these intertwined disciplines provide insights into a range of crime-related matters, such as the cause and effect of criminal actions, the form and outcome of social disorders, the policing and regulation of public order, the procedures and techniques of the criminal justice system and the relationship between behaviours and punishments.
Our Criminology and Sociology degree programme helps you to master the methods and analytical tools required to conduct and evaluate research on contemporary problems relating to crime, deviance and social control. You also have the chance to apply such tools to a range of other topics in the study of contemporary societies.
We develop your understanding of the key concepts, theories and principles of both criminology and sociology, and their application across a range of relevant substantive areas.
Through combining criminological and sociological theory with training in professional social research, you graduate with a broad range of communicative, analytical and organisational skills – and the confidence to apply them in your future career.
Emphasis is placed on developing your analytical and research skills, along with an understanding of the theories, concepts and social contexts relevant to the study of criminology and sociology. The optional Professional Training placement year will equip you with the vital skills necessary to excel in a criminology or sociology-related career.
Year 1 provides a broad-based curriculum that includes an overview of the Criminal Justice System and Criminological Theory, study of Crime and Society and Introductions to Classical and 20th Century Sociological Theory. You also receive an introduction to Research Methods, and specific training in Quantitative and Qualitative Methods.
During Year 2, you study modules in Applied Criminological Theories, Quantitative Methods, Sociological Theory, and Survey Research. In addition you choose four modules from a range of options which currently include:
On our four-year Criminology and Sociology degree programme, you further your knowledge by working in a professional placement during the third year. This provides you with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during your first two years of study in a work environment, whilst receiving training and undertaking responsible work.
In Year 3, you receive one-to-one supervision with a member of academic staff to conduct an individual research project chosen according to your interests and written up as an 8,000–12,000-word dissertation. You additionally select five options in criminology and sociology from the following examples:
We strongly encourage you to take advantage of our pioneering Professional Training placement programme, which gives you the opportunity to put your new knowledge into practice and gain eye-catching experience with employers such as the Home Office, the Ministry of Justice, the Sentencing Council, the House of Lords, the Probation Service, the Youth Offending Service, the Metropolitan Police, the British Market Research Bureau, Guildford Pupil Referral Unit and IBM.
As a result of the placement, we find that our students return to their final year significantly more confident, mature and organised, and with clearer, more definite career aspirations.
The process of preparing and applying for placement jobs also significantly enhances job-seeking skills which come into play in the final year and beyond, when applying for graduate employment. After graduation, some take up permanent posts with their professional placement employer. Every effort is made to identify possible placement opportunities according to your interests, career plans and location preferences.
Some of our placements are paid, usually in the region of £12,000–15,000 per annum. If you work on an unpaid placement, you can claim additional financial support and may also work for a reduced amount of time.
At Surrey, we emphasise the development of your practical and analytical skills in addressing contemporary criminological and sociological problems. You benefit from a range of teaching methods, including small group tutorials, projects and workshops, as well as lectures and classes. We find that our students learn more effectively in this environment, and projects will contribute to the development of your personal skills in leadership, effective communication and analytic ability.
During your study, you develop sophisticated skills in conducting both qualitative and quantitative research, and our excellent facilities – including a range of audiovisual equipment and a networked computer suite – are available to aid your studies.
Many modules are assessed entirely by exercise or project work; others are assessed by coursework and an examination at the end of the year. Examples of coursework include essays, projects and exercises. Each module in the first year must be passed satisfactorily in order to enter the second year. Your first-year marks do not count towards your final degree result but are used to check on your progress. The final degree result is based on assessment during the second year and the final year.
You are able to take advantage of a valuable range of facilities on this programme, including a recently expanded and fully networked computer laboratory based in the Department. The degree also makes increasing use of online resources, including module guides and student discussion forums.
You are allocated a personal tutor during your first week at the University and will normally keep this tutor throughout the degree programme. They provide advice to you on personal and academic matters, including reviewing your progress on the programme, advising on module, placement and career options, and providing information about wider support services at the University.
Our graduates are found across a wide range of occupational areas, and many are attracted to careers enabling them to use aspects of what they have learned and gained whilst an undergraduate. This centres on an interest in society and the challenges and demands that members of a society face.
Our BSc Criminology and Sociology degrees prepare you for a wide range of jobs, which require the ability to analyse complex issues and reach policy conclusions. Our graduates are in a strong position in the job market because they have good analytical skills, are numerate and communicate well.
Our degree programmes provide an excellent basis for entry into careers in the criminal justice system, social services, education, welfare services, personnel management, the government, charities and the voluntary sector.
All our degrees respond to the high demand for sociology graduates with sophisticated research skills to enter research in Higher Education, central and local government, and market research agencies. About a quarter of our students go into postgraduate training courses and to higher degrees by research.
Sociology graduates over the last few years entered employment in roles such as:
Find out more about the Department of Sociology.
Come to one of our Open Days, when you can tour the campus, speak to students and academic staff, see our student accommodation and ask as many questions as you like. In the meantime, order a personal prospectus – tailored to only include the subjects that interest you.
GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade C or above (or equivalent).
Offers are normally made in terms of grades. Suitable candidates will be invited to an Applicant Day. During the visit to the University the candidate can find out more about the programme and meet staff and students.
Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 6.5 or above, with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill (or equivalent).
We offer intensive English language pre-sessional courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
| Award | Course Length | Professional Training | UCAS code | KIS code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) | 3 years | LM39 | View KIS data set | |
| BSc (Hons) | 4 years | ML93 | View KIS data set |
We offer a range of bursaries, scholarships and other financial support.
See course information for students applying to start in September 2013.
Phone: +44 (0)1483 681 681
