What is joint honours?

With joint honours, you can study for an honours degree in two or even three subjects. Find out more about joint honours, including what subjects you can combine with this one.

Why choose this course?

About the course

Criminology at Derby uses a range of disciplines to examine criminality and the criminal justice system. After your introduction to the English criminal processes, you'll explore the nature and scope of criminological study.

At first, this includes a brief analysis of relevant theory - the psychological, sociological and legal dimensions and the dynamic relationship between these internal and external influences on behaviour - i.e. the nature/nurture debate.

You'll also look at psychological profiling, which is an important consideration when you're examining the various causes of offending and effective responses by the criminal justice system.

As you progress you'll discover particular areas of interest, such as criminal law and evidence, police powers and sentencing, crime and gender, and domestic abuse. You'll also look at criminal justice from perspective of the victim and the psychological effects of victimisation.

We've got excellent links with the local criminal justice agencies, so you can get involved in project work with them. This means that you'll get real hands-on experience which will help you learn.

Criminology is offered as either a minor, joint or major degree in the Joint Honours Programme. The subjects that are most popular for combining with Criminology include Forensic Science, Psychology and Law.

Criminology at Derby is a very practical course. Not only will you learn through lectures, tutorials, group work and DVDs, but you'll also take part in role plays, practical demonstrations and project work. You'll go on visits to criminal justice agencies, and benefit from expert input from key practitioners in the field.

Because of our close links with the Forensic Science course, you'll feel close to the reality of criminal investigation. You'll be exploring the world of science from a legal perspective and analysing real life cases of miscarriages of justice.

Throughout all levels of the course we encourage you to work with local criminal justice agencies through project work and placements.

You'll be assessed by coursework, project work and group work incorporating portfolios containing crime scene investigation, interviewing and advocacy skills. The final part of the course is your dissertation, and there's also an applied version available that enables you to get practically involved with the criminal justice agency of your choice.

For more information about the course, entry requirements, fees and the University of Derby visit - http://www.derby.ac.uk/law/criminology-joint-honours