Criminology and the Media

Description

Criminology combines very well with media and cultural studies, which are topics you cover on our BA Criminology and the Media. In your first-year, you take Introduction to Crime, Law and Society and Introduction to Media, Culture and Society. You also take Sociology and the Modern World, which explores how social scientists have theorised major social changes. Optional modules include: Researching Social Life; Sociology of the New Europe; Introduction to Politics; Introduction to Management and Discovering Psychology. In your second and third years, you take a combination of criminology and media modules.

We teach through large-group lectures and smaller-group seminars and classes. You contribute in many ways, for example, by analysing set readings, giving presentations or completing research tasks. Some modules have their own websites where you can download powerpoints and podcasts, and contribute to online discussions. One module - Crime, Policy and Social Justice requires you to undertake consultancy-style evaluations of real-world criminal justice practice. You also have the opportunity to develop additional practical skills outside your formal studies by getting involved in vibrant student-led media, including our campus-based newspaper, radio-station and specialist websites.

Criminologists study crime, criminals and criminal justice within wider social contexts. They engage with some of the most pressing issues, decisions and dilemmas facing societies today like: how should we prevent crime? How and why should we punish? How does criminal justice connect with social justice? The mass media is a major source of public (mis)information about crime. Crime dominates our cultural lives as the subject of many TV programmes, novels, films, computer games and websites. Crime control agencies make increasing use of interactive communications strategies such as CCTV, digital databases and geo-mapping. Our course is taught by our criminologists and media experts within our leading Department of Sociology, who are experts in crime and the media, youth crime, prison, terrorism, policing, drugs, gender and crime, trafficking and human rights. Our media and cultural studies staff specialities include digital cultures, global film, the creative industries, advertising and media history. This course can lead to a career in the criminal justice system or in other areas such as the media, project management, policy evaluation or lobbying.

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.