Politics and Criminology BA (Hons)
Course code L3PC
What is special about this course?
The BA (Hons) Politics and Criminology joint degree focuses on the different political structures and ideologies across the world and how they shape our lives, with the exploration of the changing nature of crime and the social, political, historical and individual forces behind these changes.
Joint honours programmes give you the opportunity to combine two subjects, which complement your interests or career goals. You will usually concentrate on both subjects equally.
Please see our FAQ sheet for further information on this course.
Special features
- Gain a broad understanding and skills base of global issues in politics and criminology
- Develop your research and methodological skills, which you can take with you into your future career
- You can study full-time or part-time to suit your personal circumstances
- You can study individual modules for personal or professional development
- It can be possible to transfer between single and joint honours options, usually during your first or second year, and advice will be available from your personal academic tutor
Entry requirements
Entry to year one:
- 3 Scottish Highers at grade BBC or above, OR
- 2 A levels at grade BC or above
- At least two should be from the list of relevant academic subjects
- Applicants with other relevant qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis
- This is a Category 2 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required for specific optional modules/unit(s), where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in optional module/unit(s), but an alternative pathway exists to achieve target qualification. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage
Advanced entry to year two:
- HNC Social Science (12 SQA credits) with 3 additional SQA credits at level 7, which is equivalent to 120 degree credit points, and at least grade C in the Graded Unit, will be considered for direct entry to year two
Year 1 - CertHE
You will study the following core modules:
Politics
- Introduction to politics OR Ideas and ideologies in politics
- The evolving politics of the British Isles
Criminology
- Introduction to criminological theory
- Comparative institutions of justice
- Foundations of research
You will also choose one option module from our range of humanities degrees.
Year 2 - DipHE
You will study the following core modules:
Politics
- History of political ideas
- Scottish politics before and after the independence referendum
Criminology
- History of crime and punishment
- Politics of policing
- Practical research and analysis skills
You will also choose one option module from our range of humanities degrees.
Year 3 - BA
You will study the following core modules:
Politics
- Advanced social research methods, plus two from the following:
- Challenging liberal democracy: political ideas in a changing world
- European politics
- Devolution, federalism and territorial politics
- British military history in the 20th Century
- Wars in the promised land
- Political sociology (subject to numbers)
Criminology
- Psychology of criminal justice
- Victimology
- Gender, crime and justice
Year 4 - BA (Hons)
You will complete a dissertation in politics or criminology.
You will also study one option module from your chosen dissertation subject plus three option modules from the other subject.
Politics modules may include:
- Geopolitics: territory, security, strategy
- Political theory
- Terrorism and unconventional warfare
- Transforming regimes in Eastern Europe
Criminology modules may include:
- Restorative justice
- The darker side of the internet
- Understanding crime
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time (structured)
- Part-time (unstructured)
- You will learn through a combination of scheduled video conference lectures and tutorials, and online study via the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors. There is normally a weekly two-hour timetabled video conference lecture for each module.
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 4 years @ 40 hours per week
- Part-time: 8 years @ 20 hours per week
- Part-time (unstructured): variable
The number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes a weekly two-hour video conference seminar for each module, online tutor-supported study and self-directed study.
Where can I study my course?
- Argyll
- HTC
- Inverness
- Moray
- North, West and Hebrides
- Orkney
- Perth
- Shetland
- This fully online course can be studied from anywhere in the world
- Students based near to one of the listed campuses should apply to, and be enrolled and supported by, their local campus
- All other students should apply to, and will be enrolled and supported by, UHI Perth
Start date
- September
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes
- EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
- EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
- EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £1,820 | £1,820 |
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £915 | £915 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £305 | £305 |
Rest of the UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland) or assessed as rest of the UK for fee status the following fees apply:
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time online per year (120 credit modules) | £6,120 | £6,420 |
| Part-time online (per 20 credit module) | £1,020 | £1,070 |
International students
For students who do not normally reside in the UK studying online from their home country, or living in the UK but assessed as international for fee status, the following fees apply:
This includes EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled status in the UK and EEA and Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time online per year (120 credit modules) | £6,960 | £7,080 |
| Part-time online (per 20 credit module) | £1,160 | £1,180 |
A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.
Funding
UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.
Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed your BA (Hons) Politics and Criminology, there are a variety of careers you might like to consider, such as:
- Teaching
- Research
- Media and politics
- Social work
- Community work
- Social policy and management
- Policing
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
Apply for Politics and Criminology BA (Hons)
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.