Course Overview
This one-year top-up degree builds on your previous studies and allows you to achieve a full BA (Hons) qualification in Criminology with Social Justice. The programme focuses on developing your critical understanding of criminology by drawing on a broad range of human and social science perspectives, enabling you to explore crime, justice, inequality, and social change at an advanced academic level.
Throughout the course, you will strengthen your analytical, research, and personal skills while developing emotional intelligence, resilience, and professional awareness essential for working within criminal justice and community settings. You will be encouraged to engage with volunteering opportunities that help you connect academic theory to real-world policy, organisational practice, and societal challenges.
The programme aims to support your progression into employment, further academic study, or professional training, while also developing you as a critically aware citizen with both national and international perspectives. While many students progress from the Hull College Foundation Degree in Criminology with Social Justice, applications are welcomed from other institutions where relevant entry qualifications are met.
Entry Requirements:
4xGCSEs 4(C) or above incl. Maths, English / L3 appropriate qualification or relevant experience
Course Highlights
Validating Partners
We are proud to collaborate with University of Hull on the validation of our top up Degrees. Our partnership with the University allows us to offer top-degrees at Level 6. All the qualifications are subject to monitoring by our university partner and are awarded as Hull University top-up Degrees.
Module 1: Victims and Victimology – Policy Briefing Paper
Summative assessment is by way of a policy briefing paper designed to be theoretically presented to a local MP for consideration of a new law or new policy or new procedure to make the criminal justice system, or an aspect/organisation of it, to be more focused on the victim and inclusive of them and to them.
Module 2: Contemporary Criminological Theory – Poster Presentation and Essay
The poster presentation will enable the students to formulate a timeline of social, cultural and political events that have led to contemporary social policy and crime policy. The students will demonstrate knowledge of key points and major events or milestones in developments that have led to contemporary society and neoliberal policies.
The essay will then address a specific question which must remain the focus of the essay.
Module 3: Dissertation – Dissertation Proposal and Dissertation
Students are expected to plan, execute and report on a question of criminological relevance related to their interest and context. A research proposal and dissertation will be required following conventions. Identifying a gap in the literature and research already present develops the student’s ability to contribute to the information in the sector of their choice and the academic field.
Module 4: Minority Groups and Crime – Report
This module is very much focused on the statistical representation of minority groups in the criminal justice system and the mechanisms that put them there. This assessment method is by way of report which the students will be familiar with by this stage, but the specific challenge to them will be the interpretation and then application of statistics, their sources; parameters; challenges and indeed the synthesis of the variations in finding of a range of reports from government, charities and independent sources.
Module 5: 21st Century Crime: New Threats, New Strategies. – Presentation
The presentation will take the form of a ‘Dragons Den’ presentation with two-way conversations that challenge the student’s assertions. It will be in the format of either providing recommendations or requesting funding or changes to practice and procedure in a particular area of crime of the students choosing.
Course Breakdown
Why Choose This Course
At Hull College, you will develop a broad range of academic, professional, and personal skills to support your future career and studies. You will strengthen your speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills while building confidence in professional and educational contexts. The programme encourages teamwork, collaboration, and the development of leadership and management skills, alongside strong interpersonal and networking abilities. You will also enhance your digital skills, using technology and data effectively for problem-solving, research, writing, and reporting across different contexts. A key part of your learning includes undertaking a research project, as well as developing strategies to support your wellbeing, resilience, and ability to work positively in unpredictable and challenging environments.
Progression & Next Steps
There are opportunities in the criminal justice system to progress your career aspirations. Some student work in the Probation Service, Together Womens Project, SOVA, and Refresh. Some student have gone into further study completed either masters or other conversion courses in psychology, law and social work.