Sociology and Criminology university courses
Explore what crime means in our culture and society and how it affects our lives.
Look beyond traditional views and develop new ways of thinking about the effects of crime, its impact on individuals and societies and how we respond to it.
Challenge your existing opinions about the nature of crime and disorder and learn to evaluate evidence, think critically and craft arguments – attributes valued by employers. After a core introduction to Sociology and Criminology you can tailor your degree to your developing specialist interests.
You’ll be taught by academics actively involved in research that changes the world, in the UK’s number one ranked Sociology Department for research (latest Research Excellence Framework 2014), and use your skills to carry out research in an area you are passionate about.
Our teaching is led by our research and addresses real-world issues. The course progresses from broad to specialist topics, comprising two thirds Sociology modules and one third Criminology modules. You'll engage with key aspects of crime and deviance from a range of academic perspectives, while also having the opportunity to study wider sociological themes and research.
As you progress you'll focus your studies, choosing optional modules to develop your expertise. In your final year you'll undertake independent research leading to a 10, 000-word dissertation.
Study abroad
There are opportunities to study abroad as part of your course. You can study at a leading European university for a semester in your third year as part of our Erasmus programme.
The University's exchange scheme also allows you to study abroad further afield in North America, South Africa, Asia and Australia.
Year 1
You'll be introduced to the foundations of Sociology and Criminology through four core modules.
Academic integrity module
In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online .
This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.
This module will:
- define academic integrity and academic misconduct
- explain why and when you should reference source material and other people's work
- provide interactive exercises to help you to assess whether you've understood the concepts
- provide answers to FAQs and links to useful resources.
Year 2
You'll study core modules to develop your research skills and explore how social, cultural and political changes shape criminal activities. Optional modules give you the chance to focus your studies on an area which interests you.
Optional modules
Choose two of the following modules:
Year 3
The focus of your final year will be your Dissertation. You'll work with an academic supervisor to identify and interrogate an original research question, writing up your results in a 10, 000-word extended essay.
You’ll study one core module which covers criminological theory from the Enlightenment to the present day, and choose three optional modules, exploring themes including art, migration, and death.
Choose three of the following modules:
* Please note, modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.
Annual tuition fees for 2017/18
| UK/EU | International |
|---|---|
| £9, 250 | £16, 290 |
Additional costs
You may choose to buy textbooks, but this is not required. You may also incur some minor costs through occasional printing or photocopying, and the production of your final year dissertation.
Fees for subsequent years
- UK/EU: further increases within the government fee cap will apply in subsequent academic years. We will notify you of any increase as soon as we can.
- International: fees for international students are subject to annual increases. Increases are currently capped at 2% per annum.
More information
For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.
Funding
We offer a number of scholarships to help cover tuition fees and living costs.
Living costs
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
Teaching format
You'll learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and one-to-ones. We offer a personal approach to learning with much of our teaching conducted in small groups (typically under 15 students in a seminar group). Our staff are very approachable and our doors are always open. Your personal supervisor provides support and guidance throughout your studies, offering weekly feedback and guidance hours.
