BA (HONOURS) Criminology at Sheffield Hallam University

• Study in a department that has received the British Society of Criminology award for teaching excellence.
• Improve your employability by working on real-life work placements and case studies
• Build your knowledge of the criminal justice system, including human rights and social justice values. 
• Gain personal and transferable skills for enhancing employability and graduate attributes, through embedded academic, personal and professional development. 

On this course students will be given a grounded understanding of the theoretical, conceptual and practical application of criminology in the real world. You'll receive an active and student-centered approach to learning, enabling you to tailor your studies to reflect specialist interests. There will be opportunities to undertake work experiences, placements and scholarly research, fully preparing you for a rewarding career in the criminal justice or social justice sector.

You learn on this course through:

• lectures
• class-based discussion and debate
• group tasks
• projects
• tasks utilising digital platforms
• simulation activities
• case study analysis
• online learning resources

There are opportunities to study abroad at one of our partner universities with the possibility of funding through the Erasmus programme (subject to the UK’s continued participation in the Erasmus programme following the Brexit transition period).

Work Placements

To maximise your career prospects in this area, you will have various opportunities for work-related learning during the course. Employability and placement opportunities are embedded across all three years of the degree course. These include student placement modules and activities with criminal justice/third sector agencies, project work with external agencies, simulation modules, and voluntary work through our employability fair. You will also have access to degree-specific careers advice and support.

International opportunities

You will have the opportunity to study abroad for the second semester of your second year, at institutions in Australia, USA or Canada. You will choose modules that you wish to study, and get the chance to learn about different cultures and learning styles, as well as travel to new places and meet new people.

Networking opportunities

This course benefits from its links with the Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice, which ensures that teaching focuses directly and indirectly on ethical and social justice issues related to the social exclusion/inclusion of a range of vulnerable groups, and on promoting social access to all available community resources. You are provided with career-related support from department specialists who help with access to graduate opportunities.

Our teaching is developed to supply a 'real world' curriculum and is designed to embed key transferrable skills that will help students with their search for future graduate employment or further study opportunities. In order to deliver this we work in partnership with employers and other key stakeholders to impact on important issues in the local area which enhances opportunities for student success by offering them the opportunity to work with prospective employers whilst applying their knowledge to the local community in order to positively impact a range of agencies and individuals. This can include opportunities aimed at young people, prison-related organisations, community justice organisations, substance misuse services, women's services, accommodation service, victim services, etc.

Future careers

This course prepares you for a career in

• the police service
• the probation service
• the prison service
• youth work
• victim support work
• citizens advice work
• community liaison work
• drug and alcohol services