BA Criminology and Social Policy at Queen's University Belfast

Programme overview

Joint honours degree combining Criminology (the causes and consequences of crime and how the criminal justice system responds) with Social Policy (an applied, critical social science on how governments and other sectors make policy and how it affects welfare). Students apply social science concepts to problems such as gender and ethnic inequalities, eldercare, children's rights and sustainability.

Department: Social Sciences, Education and Social Work | Duration: 3 years full-time | Intake: Entry year 2027/28 | Study mode: full-time | Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Social and psychological theories of criminal behaviour and the operation of the criminal justice system, plus social policy analysis of inequalities, eldercare, children's rights and sustainability. Includes engaged study opportunities completing a piece of research for a voluntary sector organisation, optional advanced quantitative research methods training (Nuffield Foundation Q-Step) and study abroad with linked universities in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific.

Career pathways

Students have a dedicated Careers Consultant, volunteering and internship information, the Future Ready Skills Certificate, field trips and guest lectures. Graduates can progress to postgraduate study such as the MRes in Social Science Research or MSc in Children's Rights and Youth Justice.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A-level: ABB (a maximum of one BTEC/OCR Single Award or AQA Extended Certificate is accepted; Distinction* = A, Distinction = B). Irish Leaving Certificate: H3H3H3H3H3H3/H2H3H3H3H3. IB Diploma: 33 points including 6,5,5 at Higher Level. BTEC Extended/National Extended Diploma: D*DD. Access Course: 70% average. Graduate entry: minimum 2:2 honours degree. No specific Level 3 subject requirements. Past GCSE performance is considered: last year offers started for applicants with six GCSEs at grade B/6 (threshold may be lowered during the cycle); Irish applicants' Junior Certificate profile of 6 B/6 Higher Merit grades was used. HNC: 2 Distinctions and remainder Merits; HND considered for stage 1 entry only. International applicants: IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component, or an equivalent acceptable qualification. All applicants need GCSE English Language grade C/4 or equivalent. Applications are made through UCAS and decided centrally by the Admissions and Access Service; applicants are not normally asked to attend interview.

Domestic applicants: GBP 4,985 a year (2026/27). NI/ROI residency, full-time undergraduate tuition; 2026/27 rate Source

International applicants: GBP 24,600 a year. International fee (EU Other students are charged the same); year not stated on the page Source

Intake: September 2027

Duration: 3 years full-time

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