BA (Honours) in Criminology and Sociology Open University

Building on the OU’s reputation for cutting-edge criminological and sociological teaching and research, this joint degree offers you the chance to study lively, topical and sometimes controversial subject matter. You’ll investigate questions of crime, criminalisation and social harm to determine whether society’s responses to these questions are adequate and appropriate. You’ll also explore how social worlds are made and how we, as individuals, are shaped by the societies in which we live.

Key features of the course

• Explore lively and topical issues about contemporary social life and about crime, harm and criminal justice
• Learn to evaluate evidence critically and understand criminological and sociological problems better
• Examine the role of both theory and research in shaping knowledge about crime, justice and the wider social world
• Explore criminological and sociological topics of your own interest in depth in the final year.

Accessibility

We make all our qualifications as accessible as possible and have a comprehensive range of services to support all our students. The BA (Honours) Criminology and Sociology uses a variety of study materials and has the following elements:

• studying a mixture of printed and online material – online learning resources may include websites, audio/video media clips, and interactive activities such as online quizzes
• face-to-face tutorials/day schools/workshops and/or online tutorials
• finding external/third party material online
• working in a group with other students
• working with specialist reading material
• continuous and end-of-module assessment in the form of essays, short answer questions, and in some cases an examination
• using feedback: continuous assessment involves receiving detailed feedback on your work from your tutor and using this feedback to improve your performance
• engagement with learning and assessment within a pre-determined schedule or timetable – time management will be needed during your studies and the University will help you to develop these skills throughout your degree.

This qualification develops your learning in four main areas:

• Knowledge and understanding
• Cognitive skills
• Practical and professional skills
• Key skills

The level and depth of your learning gradually increase as you work through the qualification. You’ll be supported throughout by the OU’s unique style of teaching and assessment – which includes a personal tutor to guide and comment on your work; top quality course texts; e-learning resources like podcasts, interactive media and online materials; tutorial groups and community forums.

Course details

This degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.

• You’ll start Stage 1 with a compulsory module in inter-disciplinary social science, followed by a compulsory module in criminology.
• Next, in Stage 2, you'll study a compulsory sociology module, followed by a choice from two criminology modules.
• Finally, in Stage 3, you’ll study two further compulsory modules, in sociology and in criminology.