About This Course
This joint course gives you the opportunity to explore the complexities of the world we live in through in-depth study of concepts, themes and perspectives relating to Sociology and Criminology/Criminal Justice. You will investigate social life, society and social intuitions, and examine theories and evidence relating to crime, offending behaviour, victimisation, social control, punishment and crime prevention. By understanding the social world, we gain a better understanding of ourselves and our own social situations.
Sociology investigates social life and the way it shapes people’s behaviour, beliefs and identity. Its subject matter ranges from an examination of the face-to-face interactions of daily life, to large-scale social institutions, social movements and global processes. By understanding the social world, we gain a better understanding of ourselves and our own social situations.
Sociology may also be studied through the medium of Welsh in the course BA Sociology and Social Policy (Welsh Medium).Ìý
Criminology examines theories and evidence relating to crime, criminals and victims, while Criminal Justice studies explore the various responses to crime, and victims, from informal to formal legislative measures of social control and crime prevention, and examine the way in which the criminal justice system works - from policing through to imprisonment.
By combining both areas of academic study students are informed of the key challenges in understanding and controlling criminal behaviour and will be able to locate these matters in the wider perspective of the study of society, and also to better understand the workings of society through the prism of looking at criminology and criminal justice in particular.
Why choose Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå°æ for this course?
- Our teaching and research encompass Welsh, UK and international perspectives.
- Staff expertise enables you to critically engage and explore these two challenging and exciting disciplines.
- Our links with employers and agencies.
- Visiting speakers bring additional insights and enhances the learning experience.
- The course provides a sound foundation for a wide range of careers (e.g. in the media, administration, community work, policing, the prison service).
Additional Course Options
This course is available with a Placement YearÌýoption where you will study for 1 additional year. The Placement Year is undertaken at the end of the second year and students are away for the whole of the academic year.
The Placement Year provides you with a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons and develop valuable skills and contacts through working with a self-sourced organisation relevant to your degree subject. The minimum period in placement (at one or more locations) is seven calendar months; more usually you would spend 10-12 months with a placement provider.ÌýYou would normally start sometime in the period June to September of your second year and finish between June and September the following year.ÌýPlacements can be UK-based or overseas and you will work with staff to plan and finalise the placement arrangements.Ìý
You will be expected to find and arrange a suitable placement to complement your degree and will be fully supported throughout by a dedicated member of staff at your academic School and the University’s Careers and Employability Services.
You will have the opportunity to fully consider thisÌýoptionÌýwhen you have started your course at Bangor and can make an application for a transfer onto thisÌýpathway at the appropriate time. Read more about the work experience opportunities that may be available to you or, if you have any questions, please get in touch. Ìý
This course is available with an International Experience YearÌýoption where you will study or work abroad for 1 additional year.Ìý You will have ‘with International Experience’ added to your degree title on graduating.
Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå°æing abroad is a great opportunity to see a different way of life, learn about new cultures and broaden your horizons.ÌýWith international experience of this kind, you’ll really improve your career prospects. There are a wide variety of destinationsÌýand partner universities to choose from. If you plan to study in a country where English is not spoken natively, there may be language courses available for you at Bangor and in your host university to improve your language skills.Ìý
You will have the opportunity to fully consider thisÌýoption at any time during your degree at Bangor and make your application. If you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch.Ìý
Read more about the International Experience Year programme and see the studying or working abroad options on theÌýStudent Exchanges section of our website.
Watch - Jonathan Wright, Sociology Alumni
Course Content
This joint honours degree combines the core elements of two programmes enabling students to learn the fundamentals of either discipline. You will learn through a variety of ways. You will attend weekly lectures where expert knowledge will be conveyed using power-point slides, videos and question-and-answer periods. You will engage in seminars for which you might be asked to read a scholarly article in preparation, and you will engage in guided class discussions. Occasionally there will be guest speakers including from other universities in other parts of the world. You will conduct your own research in preparation for your assignments. Assignments will be aligned with the teaching on the module. Assignments can include traditional essays as well as other approaches including presentations.
Modules for the current academic year
Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Sociology and Criminology and Criminal Justice BA (Hons) Modules page.
Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.
Facilities
General University Facilities
Library and Archive Services
Our four libraries provide a range of attractive study environments including collaborative work areas, meeting rooms and silent study spaces.
We have an extensive collection of books and journals and many of the journals are available online in full-text format.
We house one of the largest university-based archives not only in Wales, but also the UK. Allied to the Archives is the Special Collections of rare printed books.
Learning Resources
There is a range of learning resources available, supported by experienced staff, to help you in your studies.Ìý
The University’s IT Services provides computing, media and reprographics facilities and services including:
- Over 1,150 computers for students, with some PC rooms open 24 hours a day
- Blackboard, a commercial Virtual Learning Environment, that makes learning materials available on-line.Ìý
Course Costs
General University Costs
Home (UK) students
- The cost of a full-time undergraduate course is £9,250 per year (2025/26).
- The fee for all integrated study abroad years is Ìý£1,385 (2025/26).
- The fee for an integrated year in industry as part of a sandwich programme is £1,850 (2025/26).
More information on fees and finance for Home (UK) students.
International (including EU) students
Additional Costs
There are also some common additional costs that are likely to arise for students on all courses, for example:
- If you choose to study abroad or take the International Experience Year as part of your course.
- If you attend your Graduation Ceremony, there will be a cost for gown hire (£25-£75) and cost for additional guest tickets (c.£12 each).
Course-specific additional costs
Depending on the course you are studying, there may be additional course-specific costs that you will be required to meet. These fall into three categories:
- Mandatory Costs: these are related to a particular core or compulsory module that you’ll be required to complete to achieve your qualification e.g. compulsory field trips, uniforms for students on placement, DBS Check.
- Necessarily Incurred Costs: these may not be experienced by all students, and will vary depending on the course e.g. professional body membership, travel to placements, specialist software, personal safety equipment.
- Optional Costs: these depend on your choice of modules or activity and they are shown to give you an indication of the optional costs that may arise to make sure your choice is as informed as possible. These can include graduation events for your course, optional field trips, Welcome Week trips.
Entry Requirements
Offers are tariff based, 104 - 128 tariff points from a Level 3 qualification* e.g.:
- A Levels: General Studies and Key Skills not normally accepted.
- BTEC National Extended Diploma: DMM - DDMÌý
- Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: DMM- DDM
- City & Guilds Advanced Technical Extended Diploma (1080): considered on a case-by-case basis
- NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma: accepted
- International Baccalaureate Diploma: accepted
- Access: pass required
- Welsh Baccalaureate:ÌýWe will accept this qualification in conjunction with other level 3 qualifications
- T Levels: T Levels in a relevant subject considered on a case-by-case basis
- Extended Project Qualification:ÌýPoints can include a relevant Extended Project (EPQ) but must include a minimum 2 full A-levels, or equivalent.
We are happy to accept combinations of the qualifications listed above, as well as alternative Level 3 qualifications such as City & Guilds, Access and Cambridge Technical Diplomas.Ìý
We also welcome applications from mature learners.
International Candidates: International Candidates: school leaving qualifications that are equivalent to A levels/Level 3 and/or college diplomas are accepted from countries worldwide (subject to minimum English Language requirements). More information can be found on ourÌýInternational pages.
*For a full list of accepted Level 3 qualifications, go toÌý.
Offers are tariff based, 104 - 128 tariff points from a Level 3 qualification* e.g.:
- A Levels: General Studies and Key Skills not normally accepted.
- BTEC National Extended Diploma: DMM - DDMÌý
- Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: DMM- DDM
- City & Guilds Advanced Technical Extended Diploma (1080): considered on a case-by-case basis
- NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma: accepted
- International Baccalaureate Diploma: accepted
- Access: pass required
- Welsh Baccalaureate:ÌýWe will accept this qualification in conjunction with other level 3 qualifications
- T Levels: T Levels in a relevant subject considered on a case-by-case basis
- Extended Project Qualification:ÌýPoints can include a relevant Extended Project (EPQ) but must include a minimum 2 full A-levels, or equivalent.
We are happy to accept combinations of the qualifications listed above, as well as alternative Level 3 qualifications such as City & Guilds, Access and Cambridge Technical Diplomas.Ìý
We also welcome applications from mature learners.
International Candidates: International Candidates: school leaving qualifications that are equivalent to A levels/Level 3 and/or college diplomas are accepted from countries worldwide (subject to minimum English Language requirements). More information can be found on ourÌýInternational pages.
*For a full list of accepted Level 3 qualifications, go toÌý.
General University Requirements
To study for a degree, you’ll be asked for a minimum of UCAS Tariff points. For a fuller explanation of the UCAS Tariff Points, please see .
We accept students with a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds and consider each application individually.
All students need to have good basic skills and the University also values IT and communication skills.
As part of the University’s policy, we consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same grounds as all other students.
We also consider applications from mature students who can demonstrate the motivation and commitment to study a university programme. Each year we enrol a significant number of mature students. For more information about studying as a mature student, see our Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå°æing at Bangor section of the website.
EU and International Students' Entry Requirements
For detailed guidance on the entry requirements for EU and International Students, including the minimum English Language entry requirement, please visit the Entry Requirements by Country pages. International applicants can also visit the International Education Centre section of our website for further details.
Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå°æ offers International Incorporated Bachelor Degrees for International students whose High School qualification is not equivalent to the UK school leaving qualification. The first year (or Year 0) is studied at Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå°æ International College, an embedded College on our University campus and delivered by Oxford International Education Group.
Careers
Graduates on the Sociology and Criminology and Criminal Justice degree have a wide range of career pathways they can explore. Within the criminal justice system there is work in several different areas to consider such as a police officer, prison or probation officer, working in immigration control and youth justice. Like all other social science graduates, students will be able to access a wealth of career options within the policy and social field including public housing, civil service, health service, management, local government administration, education, public relations, and the voluntary sector. Beyond this, though, graduates are appreciated by employers in practically any field of work as specialists for the general: you will have learned to think about anything in a societal perspective. You will have developed your ‘sociological imagination’, a sense for how fellow members of society are likely to see you, themselves and the social world. Many would say this is the most important skill to have in any occupation, as well as in life generally. Students can also go on to study at postgraduate level on one of our many MA courses.
Opportunities at Bangor
The University’s Careers and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions.Ìý
The Bangor Employability Award (BEA)
The BEA is a comprehensive online course that you can work through at your own pace, taking you through all the steps you need to take to explore, prepare and apply for your dream career.
Internships
Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå°æ runs a paid internship scheme within the university’s academic and service departments.
Student Volunteering
Volunteering widens your experience and improves your employability. Find out more about volunteering on the .
Foundation Year
A 'with Foundation Year' option is available for this course. Apply forÌýSociology (with Foundation Year).
What is a Foundation Year course?
If you don’t have the required qualifications for the degree-level course or are looking to re-enter education after time away from study, then a Foundation Year Programme might be the right choice for you.
The Foundation Year is an excellent introduction to studying this subject at university and will provide you with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to go on to study this course at degree-level.
When you have successfully completed the Foundation Year, you can progress on to the first year of this degree-level course.