Criminology and the Media (including Year Abroad)

Criminology and the Media (including Year Abroad) at the University of Essex offers an innovative and interdisciplinary approach to understanding crime, criminal behaviour, and the ways in which they are represented and manipulated within various media platforms. This programme combines core criminological theories and concepts with critical insights into media practices, communication, and cultural representations, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationship between crime and media. Throughout the course, students will examine how crime is depicted in television, film, news outlets, social media, and other communication channels, analyzing the impact of media narratives on public perceptions, policy-making, and societal attitudes towards crime and justice.

The inclusion of a Year Abroad provides students with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in different cultural and academic environments, enhancing their global outlook and intercultural skills. During this year, students may study at partner universities across Europe or other regions, taking courses related to criminology, media studies, or related disciplines, and gaining valuable international perspective. This experience not only enriches their academic journey but also prepares them for careers in international crime prevention agencies, media organizations, law enforcement, or policy institutions.

Our programme emphasizes practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge. Students will develop critical analysis, research, and communication skills through essays, presentations, and projects. They will also explore contemporary issues such as cybercrime, media representation of marginalized groups, criminal justice reforms, and the role of new media technologies in shaping crime narratives. The programme benefits from Essex’s renowned research expertise in criminology and media studies, ensuring students engage with current debates and cutting-edge research.

Graduates will be equipped to understand and critically evaluate the complex ways in which crime and media interact, opening pathways to diverse careers in journalism, media production, criminal justice, academic research, and public policy. With its multidisciplinary focus and practical orientation, Criminology and the Media (including Year Abroad) at Essex prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of analyzing crime and media in a rapidly changing world.

Detailed Course Facts

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

• English

Course Content

The special characteristics of our courses are flexibility and choice. In your first year, you usually take four or five modules that include pre-requisite(s) for your course but, in many cases, mean you can try subjects you have not come across before. If you are taking a humanities or social science, then you have the greatest choice, as most of our first-year modules do not assume any specialist knowledge.
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 offer a range of optional modules in your second- and final-years and most courses allow you to undertake a final-year project, an individual piece of research on a topic that interests you.
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

Year abroad

Year 4

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 (including Year Abroad) at the University of Essex offers students a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationship between crime, criminal justice, and how they are portrayed in the media. This programme combines theoretical insights with practical applications, enabling students to critically analyse various media forms, including journalism, television, and online platforms, in relation to criminal phenomena and criminal justice responses. The curriculum covers core topics such as crime theories, criminal law, policing, forensic science, media studies, and communication theories, providing a multidisciplinary perspective.

Students engage with contemporary issues such as media sensationalism, moral panics, the construction of criminal identities, and the influence of media on public perceptions and policies. The inclusion of a Year Abroad enhances language skills and cultural awareness, offering students the opportunity to study at a partner university abroad for a full academic year. This experience promotes independence, intercultural competence, and a global outlook on criminological issues and media practices across different societies.

Throughout the course, students participate in seminars, workshops, and research projects that develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and academic writing. They learn to evaluate media content critically, understand the ethical implications of media production and consumption, and explore careers in journalism, media production, criminal justice, academia, and policy-making. The programme’s structure allows for a flexible study plan, accommodating interests in specific areas like cybercrime, terrorism, or forensic reporting.

The university's support services and links with industry provide opportunities for placements and internships, helping students to gain practical experience and professional networks. Graduates of the programme are well-equipped for careers in media organisations, government agencies, NGOs, and research institutions, or to pursue postgraduate study in criminology, media studies, or related fields. The programme is designed to prepare students to understand the societal impact of media representations of crime and to contribute to informed, ethical debates about crime and media in contemporary society.