BA (Hons) Criminology with Foundation Year Arden University

This course combines a foundation year followed by a full undergraduate qualification. During your first year, you’ll gain the background needed to succeed at university, reviewing topics such as mathematics, IT, research, and academic study skills. You’ll then learn the ins and outs of contemporary criminology, preparing you for a rewarding career in a thriving sector.

Designed in alignment with the UK’s Ministry of Justice Digital Strategy 2025, this course takes a modern and digital-first approach to the study of criminology, providing you with cutting-edge skills in an increasingly tech-driven sector. The course covers knowledge and best practices in both the UK and internationally, equipping you with in-demand skills that you can apply to legal systems across the globe. You’ll graduate prepared for a potential career in counselling, police or probation, human rights, criminal investigation, and intelligence services.

The course is led by practitioners and academics with a wealth of experience in their respective fields. That means your learning material will cover all the latest developments in criminology, ensuring you graduate with employability skills that meet the current and future demands of this growing sector. You’ll also have the chance to start developing industry links through regular webinars and guest speaker events, where you’ll learn how to apply your new skills in practice.

This course shares the same level 4 modules as our BA (Hons) Criminology with Cybercrime. After completing level 4 of your course, you’ll have the option to switch over to this pathway if it better suits your interests and career goals.

Course Modules (20 credits each)

Foundation year modules

• Using Numeracy, IT and Data
• Research Skills and Using Information
• Values, Ethics and Working Collaboratively
• Developing Academic Skills
• Crime and Law in Context
• Psychology of Everyday Life

Level 4

• Becoming a Criminologist
• A History of Crime and Punishment
• Crime, Media, and Culture
• Cybercrime: The Essentials
• Policing Priorities
• Working within the Criminal Justice System

Level 5

• The Prison
• Youth Crime and Justice
• Defending the Realm
• Green Criminology
• Researching the Field
• Crimes of the Powerful

Level 6

• Serial Killers
• Victimology
• Miscarriages of Justice
• Professional Practice: A Case Study
• Dissertation (40 credits)

This degree in criminology will provide you with real insight into today’s evolving criminology field and practical skills you can apply to a range of exciting opportunities once you graduate. As well as the possibility of continuing on to further study at the master’s level, your degree will open doors in areas such as:

• Criminal justice system (police, prison, or probation)
• Criminal investigative services
• Government, social, or community services
• Work with the voluntary sector or charities
• NGOs (non-governmental organisations)
• Work with the home office or in education

This course is ideal for anyone interested in gaining the transferable criminology skills needed to break into one of today’s most rapidly growing sectors. It’s the perfect choice if you’ve been out of education for some time, don’t meet the standard entry requirements for an undergraduate degree, or just want to build your academic skills and confidence ahead of your studies.