BA Criminology at Queen's University Belfast

Programme overview

BA (Hons) studying crime, justice and victimisation in a society transitioning from conflict, covering how activities are defined as criminal, perspectives on crime and criminal behaviour, and methods of preventing, policing and punishing crime. Also considers harm, victimisation and desistance from offending, using local and global examples.

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

Perspectives on crime and criminal behaviour, prevention, policing and punishment, harm and victimisation and how people move away from offending, with optional specialisation in advanced quantitative research methods (Nuffield Foundation Q-Step) and a third year with module choice; study or work abroad is possible with linked universities in Europe and the USA.

Career pathways

Students receive one-to-one support from 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 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 plus English Language C/4 (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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