Politics and Criminology BA (Hons)

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

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.

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:

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.

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.