Criminology and the Media

The Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and the Media at the University of Essex offers a comprehensive exploration of the complex relationships between crime, media representations, and societal perceptions. This interdisciplinary programme combines core criminological theories with an analysis of how media shapes public understanding of crime and justice. Throughout the course, students will examine various aspects of criminal behavior, legal systems, and social responses, while critically engaging with contemporary media narratives, including news, film, television, and new digital platforms. The programme aims to develop students' analytical, research, and communication skills, enabling them to critically assess media portrayals of crime and their impact on public attitudes, policy, and legislation. Students will have the opportunity to study topics such as the nature of criminality, the role of the media in framing crime issues, the influence of crime coverage on public opinion, and the ethical considerations surrounding media representations of offenders and victims. The course is designed to foster a nuanced understanding of the interplay between crime and media, preparing graduates for careers in criminal justice, media production, policy development, or further research. With access to contemporary facilities and expert faculty, students will engage in practical projects, including media analysis and research methods, ensuring a balanced combination of theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The programme also encourages critical thinking about issues such as media ethics, sensationalism, and the societal implications of crime reporting. Graduates will leave with a deep understanding of how media influences perceptions of crime and justice, equipped with the skills to contribute thoughtfully to debates and policies surrounding crime and media in a diverse and changing society.

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 11950 Year (Non-EEA)

• English

Course Content

In all three years you will have 90 credits of compulsory modules and 30 credits of optional modules. For BA Criminology your optional modules can be chosen from across the faculty in first year and from within our Department of Sociology in your second and third year. There is a great deal of choice for these optional modules due to the extensive range of modules offered by our departments. In your final year, as part of your compulsory 90 credits you must take a dissertation, a research project on something which is of interest to you.
With a small number of exceptions, if you successfully complete the first year of your BA, then you are qualified to enter the second year of that course and a range of other courses: for example, if you take economics, politics, philosophy and sociology, then you have a choice of at least nine possible single or joint honours courses at the end of your first year. This means you can change your course, providing you have taken the appropriate pre-requisites and places are available.
We operate a credit framework for our awards, which is based on principles widely used across the UK university sector. Each module has a credit rating attached and our standard three-year course consists of 360 credits (120 credits in your first year, and 240 credits across your second and final years).
Please note that module information on our course finder provides a guide to course content and may be subject to review on an annual basis.

Year 1

Crime, Law and Society;
Media, Culture and Society;
Sociology and the Modern World; and
one social science or humanities option

Year 2

Sociology of Crime and Control;
New Media and Contemporary Cultural Change;
Crime, Media and Culture;
Researching Social Life 2; and
one sociology option

Year 3

Globalisation and Crime;
Mass Media and Modern Life;
Research project; and
one sociology option

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

• A-levels: ABB-BBB
• GCSE English: C
• IB: 32-30 points (we consider IB certificates at the Higher level on a case-by-case basis)
• BTEC qualifications, in relevant disciplines, will be considered on an individual basis, depending on the units studied. The standard required is generally at Distinction level.
• Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 6 level three credits at distinction and the remainder at merit (or above) or achievement of the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 45 level three credits at merit (or above).

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each component (or equivalent). Different requirements apply for second year entry.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Essex.

Funding

For up-to-date information on funding opportunities at Essex, please visit: www.essex.ac.uk/studentfinance.

Criminology and the Media at the University of Essex explores the complex relationship between crime, media representation, and public perception. This interdisciplinary programme combines theoretical insights from criminology with media analysis to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how crime is constructed and communicated in various media formats, including television, film, news, and social media. Throughout the course, students examine the role of media in shaping attitudes towards crime, criminal justice policies, and the criminal justice system itself.

The programme covers a broad range of topics such as the sociology of crime, media effects, crime journalism, the portrayal of criminal offenders, victimization narratives, sensationalism, and the influence of new media technologies. Students are encouraged to critically analyze media content and understand the social, political, and economic factors that influence media representations of crime. The course also explores contemporary issues such as the impact of social media on public perceptions of crime, the role of the internet in criminal activity, and the ethical considerations involved in crime reporting.

Offering a combination of lectures, seminars, and practical research projects, the programme equips students with critical thinking, research skills, and the ability to produce evidence-based analyses. Graduates are prepared for careers in criminal justice, media, journalism, public relations, policy analysis, or further academic research. The University of Essex provides state-of-the-art facilities, access to extensive media archives, and opportunities for industry placements, allowing students to gain practical experience in crime and media analysis.

The course emphasizes employability, encouraging students to develop professional skills alongside their academic knowledge. Interdisciplinary in nature, it also fosters an understanding of legal, ethical, and cultural issues related to crime and media discourse. Overall, the programme aims to produce graduates who can critically assess media representations of crime and contribute to debates on criminal justice and media ethics in an increasingly mediated society.