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BSc Sociology and Criminology
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UCAS code
LM39 -
A level offer
ABB -
Year of entry
2025/26 -
Course duration
Full Time: 3 Years
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Year of entry
2025/26 -
Course duration
Full Time: 3 Years
Explore how crime and criminal justice relate to broader patterns of social change and examine how contemporary societies function on our BSc Sociology and Criminology course.
Offered by the Department of Politics and International Relations and the School of Law, this three-year joint degree is an ideal course if you are interested in sociology, criminology, politics, law and social policy.
What you'll learn
During your BSc Sociology and Criminology, you will:
- enhance your understanding of social processes which help shape individuals, groups, and institutions and drive social order and change
- study core dimensions of social differentiation including gender, class, race, age, sexuality, education, and more
- examine criminological concepts, approaches and methodologies to gain a critical understanding of crime and criminal justice.
- develop a critical understanding of criminalisation and victimisation processes, the causes and organisation of crime, crime management and prevention
- analyse the interrelationship between crime, social inequalities, rights, punishment, and media representations of crime.
Engage with current issues
Throughout your degree, you'll address and evaluate current issues using methods from both subjects, critically examining your ideas and those of others.
In your first year, you’ll study core concepts, theories, and approaches, exploring key dimensions of social differentiation such as gender, class, and race. You'll also develop your understanding of the workings and limitations of the criminal justice system.
In your second year, you'll deepen your knowledge by engaging with sociological and criminological theories, research methods, and criminal justice. You'll start exploring your interests by choosing specialised optional modules.
Your final year offers you flexibility to tailor your degree and explore topics in greater depth. You can choose from a wide range of research-led modules including:
- Global Justice
- Crimes of the Powerful
- Green Criminology.
Gain a multi subject perspective
BSc Sociology and Criminology at Reading will provide you with a core education in sociological and criminological theories and ideas.
At Reading, you will use diverse perspectives to analyse the complex dynamics of today's world. Our modules cover a range of topics including:
- psychology
- education
- philosophy
- law
- politics.
Learn from experts committed to improving our planet and world we live in
You will be learning from active researchers whose work has real impact on the world around us and directly informs their teaching, for example:
- Professor Jo Phoenix has started research centres and networks including the Centre for Sex, Gender and Sexualities, and the Open University Gender Critical Research Network
- Dr Alexandra Cox specialises in the confinement of children and young people, hoping to expose the negligence and voice the need for change within the justice system
- Dr Rosa Walling-Wefelmeyer is an award-winning and interdisciplinary expert in violence, justice and methodology, recently working on a project investigating and improving police investigations of sexual violence
- Prof. Harmonie Toros investigates the feasibility of nonviolent responses to terrorism and political violence
- Dr Rufaida Al-Hashmi studies migration and border control, focusing the morality around admitting or excluding different groups of migrants
- Dr Maxime Lepoutre works on hate speech looking at the role it plays and how it can be mitigated
- Dr Victor Araujo examines the relationship between religion and politics, and the politics of climate protection
- Prof. Vicki Harman researches the changing nature of family life, social identities and food consumption in women's prisons.
97% of our research outputs are rated ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, meaning that the University of Reading is 6th highest in the UK for research outputs (Times Higher Education analysis of the latest REF 2021 – Politics and International Studies, when scoring by GPA Output).
Supportive and empowering teaching
Your learning will take place in lectures and small, interactive seminar groups, fostering a supportive environment to develop your own ideas, discussions and debates.
You'll build skills in evaluating different perspectives and gain confidence in presenting ideas persuasively, skills which are valued by employers.
Gain real-world experience
During your degree, you can apply for a variety of voluntary placements to deepen your understanding of criminology and criminal law, including:
- Thames Valley Police. An immersive placement where you will gain insight and practical experience in the police by spending 8 days in 8 different settings, from the control room to crime scene investigation
- Death Penalty Clinic. An opportunity for you to work with Dr Alexandra Cox and Dr Leandro Ayres França for one year on real death penalty cases across the globe
- Elizabeth Fry Charity. A placement working with and supporting women involved in the criminal justice system.
In your second year, you can choose an optional module that includes a sociology-related work placement, providing hands-on experience, networking opportunities, and contributing to your grade.
Professional placement
You can transfer onto our 4-year BSc Sociology and Criminology with Placement Year course, with an integrated professional placement between your second and third years. Our strong industry connections and diverse range of employers we work with enables us to help you find placements across various career paths.
Learn more about enhancing your employability during your degree.
Study abroad
You can chose to study Sociology and Criminology abroad in your third year, returning to the UK for your fourth year. With opportunities across the world, you could study at an institution like Macquarie University or La Trobe University in Australia, the University of Guelph in Canada, the University of Hong Kong, City University of Hong Kong or at the University of Mary Washington USA.