Criminology and Sociology

BA Hons

  • UCAS code LM39
  • Entry year 2025
  • A level requirements ABB
  • Duration Full time 3 years

Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • 6

    6th for Criminology

    The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide (2025)

  • 10

    10th for Sociology

    The Guardian University Guide (2025)

  • 10

    10th for Sociology

    The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide (2025)

Why Lancaster?

  • Get to the heart of the challenges facing different communities with this inspiring course taught jointly by our prestigious Sociology Department and Lancaster University Law School
  • Develop skills for a rewarding career in the criminal justice system and beyond, including the ability to think critically and carry out research
  • Broaden your knowledge and experience via our connections with NGOs, charities, and local criminal justice agencies such as Lancashire Police and HMP Lancaster Farms
  • Find work experience with our support – past students have worked with the Citizens Advice Bureau and Lancashire Constabulary's Special Constables
  • Receive an exceptional level of support from tutors who listen to your ideas and help you develop as a social scientist

Rapid change. Rising crime. Rage against society’s systems. Position yourself to help find solutions with a combined degree in sociology and criminology. Take a path towards action and impact. Explore today’s issues and discover how to create a better tomorrow.

From hate crime to climate change

This is your chance to unravel the big issues affecting our society. From social control to sex work, hate crime to climate change, you’ll look at the cultural, political and economic contexts of crime and criminal justice. And explore the social circumstances that influence people’s actions.

Based across both Lancaster University Law School and the Department of Sociology, you’ll benefit from the expertise of two departments that are highly regarded in a range of fields including youth justice, policing, prisons and punishment, and media. Their current projects are looking at high profile concerns including the impact of Brexit and experiences of young people leaving the care system.

Carry out your own research

Throughout your degree, we’ll help you explore a broad range of criminological and sociological theories and perspectives while developing your research skills. You’ll also pick optional modules which explore different issues such as racism and cybercrime.

You have the opportunity to shine a light on a topic that’s important to you with a dissertation. It’s up to you to decide what area to explore. Decolonisation in higher education and the influence of social media on body image are just a couple of examples of topics past students have investigated.

Careers

Careers

We’ll prepare you for a career within or beyond the criminal justice system. You’ll have the ability to think critically, communicate concisely, speak in public, work in teams, carry out your own research and analyse data. All of these are skills employers value and look for when hiring graduates.

Volunteering is a great way to boost your CV and gain experience. Alongside their studies, past students have volunteered with the Citizens Advice Bureau and Lancashire Constabulary's Special Constables, as well as in community engagement organisations, the media and creative industries and caring professions. Paid placement opportunities are also an option and we’ll help you make the right connections.

Your degree could open doors to a job in the private, public or voluntary sectors. Our graduates have gone on to roles with:

  • Criminal justice agencies such as the Police and the National Probation Service
  • The Home Office
  • The Department for Health
  • Social services
  • NHS Trusts
  • Charities
  • Youth offending services

Eager to continue learning? Some students continue their studies with our postgraduate courses in criminology, criminal justice, gender studies and social research.

Entry requirements

Grade Requirements

A Level ABB

IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. For other English language qualifications we accept, please see our English language requirements webpages.

Other Qualifications

International Baccalaureate 32 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects

BTEC Distinction, Distinction, Merit

We welcome applications from students with a range of alternative UK and international qualifications, including combinations of qualifications. Further guidance on admission to the University, including other qualifications that we accept, frequently asked questions and information on applying, can be found on our general admissions webpages.

Contact Admissions Team + 44 (0) 1524 592028 or via ugadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

International foundation programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored foundation pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Contextual admissions

Contextual admissions could help you gain a place at university if you have faced additional challenges during your education which might have impacted your results. Visit our contextual admissions page to find out about how this works and whether you could be eligible.

Course structure

Lancaster University offers a range of programmes, some of which follow a structured study programme, and some which offer the chance for you to devise a more flexible programme to complement your main specialism.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

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Optional

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Fees and funding

Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting in the October of your year of study.

Our Undergraduate Tuition Fees for 2025/26 are:

Home International
£9,250 £24,700

Fees and funding information

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Scholarships and bursaries

You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status:

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.

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