UCAS code T957
Our Criminology with Social Policy programme offers you the opportunity to combine two closely related and complementary disciplines. Studying these subjects together means tackling some of the most interesting and important social issues of our times.
Criminology, the major component of this programme, involves the study of crime as a particular aspect of all societies. What is crime? Who commits it? Who are the victims? How do societies deal with crime, its perpetrators and its victims?
Our particular approach to Criminology is critical and involves asking important questions about who gets to define the criminal, who determines the measures implemented to address crime as an aspect of society, as well as questions about the unequal experience of offending, victimisation and justice within and between societies.
Social Policy, the minor component of this programme, involves the study of the ways in which different societies understand and meet the needs of their members to ensure their wellbeing. How do societies organise the care of older people or tackle underemployment among particular groups, for instance? Again, our particular approach to Social Policy is critical and involves asking important questions about who decides which needs are met, what shape social support might take and the effectiveness of social policies.
The programme involves critical engagement with relevant theories, concepts and ideas, as well as the development of a wide range of critical thinking, research and communication skills. You will be taught and supervised by world-leading experts in the subject areas and will experience a range of research-engaged teaching, learning and assessment methods, including opportunities for applied and practice-based learning. You will also have opportunities to tailor your learning to suit your own particular interests and aspirations as you progress.
If you are interested in developing a critical understanding of crime as an aspect of all societies and in exploring it in relation to the broader inequalities and injustices that exist within and between societies, then this is the programme for you.
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Modules in year one of the programme provide a broad introduction to the two subject areas and disciplines via a series of mandatory modules. This includes an introduction to foundational criminological theories, thinking, and debates, an introduction to key social policy issues and debates, as well as an introduction to foundational sociological thinking. Year one also involves the development of key academic study skills, and an introduction to social science research methods.
*Some modules may not be available depending on your selected programme of study.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Modules in year two of the programme build on these foundations by introducing you to more advanced and contemporary criminological thinking and theorising, involves a focus on policing, punishment and prisons, as well as more advanced training in social science research methods.
*Some modules may not be available depending on your selected programme of study.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
In year three of the programme, you are required to undertake a substantive piece of supervised but original research, either in the form of a dissertation or an applied Interchange Portfolio project. Both provide you with a unique opportunity to apply the competencies you have been developing over the previous two years to a topic area or issue that is important to you. The third year also provides opportunities for you to further your specific interests and specialisms through selected optional modules.”
*Some modules may not be available depending on your selected programme of study.
You must choose SOCI301 or SOCI303 or SOCI347 or SOCI311 (Semester 1 only).
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| INTERCHANGE PORTFOLIO: WORK-BASED LEARNING (SOCI303) | 30 |
| DISSERTATION (SOCI301) | 30 |
| CREATIVE CONSULTANT: DISSERTATION BY PORTFOLIO (SOCI347) | 30 |
| SHORT INTERCHANGE PROJECT (SOCI311) | 15 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
You will be taught through a combination of face-to-face teaching in group lectures and small class sessions, tutorials and seminars, which are supplemented by opportunities to get one-to-one guidance from academic staff during their weekly ‘open office’ hours. The rest of your study time will be spent undertaking directed independent study, making use of our excellent library and IT facilities.
You will also be supported throughout by an individual academic adviser. Learning is delivered in a variety of formats including lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, guided independent study, group work and reflective and experiential learning.
The primary purpose of lectures is to provide you with a broad introduction to key areas and debates on a given topic pitched at the appropriate level of study. The lectures aim to facilitate your reading and highlight issues to be explored during independent study time in preparation for seminars and assessment.
Seminars provide opportunities to explore particular issues and debates in greater detail in a way that supplements and builds upon the lectures. Seminars also allow for greater levels of student participation and such participation will be actively encouraged throughout the programme. Workshops frequently follow the format of seminars but they also may be used to develop particular skills in a teaching context. For example, workshops develop skills in data analysis and skills in interviewing.
Guided independent study may also feature in your learning experience. Group work is a feature of all seminar teaching and group work takes place both within and outside of formal scheduled classes.
Assessment takes many forms, each appropriate to the learning outcomes of the particular module studied. Most modules are assessed by means of a mixture of essays and examinations. Typically, a module in year two might involve a 4,000 word essay or a 2,500 word essay plus a one hour examination. Some modules are assessed wholly or in part by other appropriate means, such as the preparation of projects and individual or group presentations. The final degree class is based on year two and three marks, weighted in favour of year three marks.
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide. Choose to spend a year at XJTLU in China or a year or semester at an institution of your choice.
Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.
Broaden your world by spending an additional year of study at a partner university abroad following your second year of study.
Take a semester of your second year of study at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
Spend a summer abroad on a study placement or research project at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:
Your course will be delivered by the Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology, in the School of Law and Social Justice Building. You’ll have access to state-of-the-art facilities and be a short walk from the Sydney Jones Library. Based in the Knowledge Quarter, just 10 minutes’ walk from the city centre, you’ll be surrounded by history and culture.
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
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We will enable you to develop a range of social scientific, analytical and communication skills, as well as a variety of transferable skills valued by many employers in a range of industries (e.g. media organisations, local government and charitable organisations, the criminal justice system and the commercial and financial services sectors).
Our graduates have gone on to successful careers in:
We invite you to take part in SLSJ Extra—a series of talks and workshops featuring experts from the legal, criminal and voluntary sectors, along with leading professionals and reform advocates from the UK and beyond. Through SLSJ Extra, you’ll see how the fields of law, sociology, social policy and criminology can open doors to a wide range of fulfilling careers. This rich extracurricular experience supports your future aspirations and helps you explore where your studies can take you.
We’re also here to help you make the most of work experience opportunities. In your second year, you can choose to integrate work experience into your studies. By your third-year, you can take advantage of work placements through our Interchange service, which connects you with voluntary and charitable organisations across the region, giving you the chance to apply your skills in real-world settings. You can also gain valuable volunteering experience with support from our Employability & Interchange Coordinators or by joining the Peer Mentoring Scheme.
We offer placements that allow you to undertake research projects with real impact on both local and national communities. These opportunities continue to grow each year. This year, for example, our research placements include collaborations with organisations such as the National Youth Advocacy Service and The Heseltine Institute.
Wherever you want to go, we’ll help you get there.
Typical courses studied by graduates from this programme: