BSc (Hons) Criminology at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Programme overview

A degree combining theoretical and empirical study of crime, built on three strands: criminological theories, the fundamentals of the criminal justice system and emerging disciplines in contemporary criminology. It includes a second-year placement and an optional ILM Level 5 Leadership and Management qualification.

Faculty: Cardiff School of Education & Social Policy | Duration: 3 years full time; 4 years with a foundation year; 6 years part time | Intake: September 2027 | Location: Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year 1 core modules: Foundations of Criminological Theory, Exploring the Criminal Justice System, Understanding Criminal Research, Crime Control and Prevention, Working with People in a Social Context, The Psychology of Crime. Year 2 includes Comparative Systems of Criminal Justice, Green Rural and Wildlife Criminology, Doing Criminological Research and a Placement Module. Year 3 includes Homicide and Violent Crime, Punishment Prisons and Penology, and The Race and Gender of Criminology.

Career pathways

Police service, probation, prison service, UK courts, HM Revenue & Customs, Border Force, social services, teaching, central and local government and charities; postgraduate routes include PGCE, taught Master's, MRes and doctoral study.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Typical offer for entry to Year 1: 112 UCAS tariff points. GCSE: five GCSEs at grade C / 4 or above including English Language (or Welsh First Language) and Mathematics (or Mathematics - Numeracy). English language (international applicants): Academic IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in all elements, or equivalent. A levels: minimum three A levels including grades BCC; no specific subjects required; Welsh Advanced Skills Baccalaureate considered as a third subject. BTEC National / Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: DMM. T Level: Merit. Access to Higher Education Diploma: no specific subjects required. International Baccalaureate Diploma: no specific subjects required. Irish Leaving Certificate: 3 x H2; no specific subjects required (higher level subjects only, minimum grade H4). Scottish Advanced Highers: grades CD; no specific subjects required. Scottish Highers are also considered, alone or combined with Advanced Highers. A foundation year route is available for applicants who do not meet these requirements. Contextual offers are available. Mature applicants with relevant experience or prior learning are considered individually.

Domestic applicants: GBP 9,790 a year (2026/27). Full-time home undergraduate tuition fee; may increase by any level permitted by the Welsh Government. Source

International applicants: GBP 16,000 a year (2026/27). Full-time international undergraduate tuition fee. Source

Intake: September 2027

Duration: 3 years full time; 4 years with a foundation year; 6 years part time

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