Criminology and Social Policy, BSc (Hons)

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This course is available through Clearing

Course Overview

This degree in Criminology and Social Policy combines two exciting and rapidly-developing subject areas that each have an enormous influence on all of our lives.

You won’t just learn theories-you will apply them to real-world issues: from health inequalities to gendered violence, cybercrime to poverty, family dynamics to victimology. By the end, you’ll have a deep understanding of how societies tackle their toughest social challenges.

And you’ll build skills that employers value. Throughout the programme, you’ll sharpen research, analysis, communication, and ethical reasoning-transferable skills that open doors in any career. This degree equips you to think critically, act with integrity, and make a real impact in relation to crime, social policy and beyond.

Why Criminology and Social Policy at Swansea?

Based in the School of Social Sciences, you will benefit from being part of a lively and diverse environment, with a strong reputation for its research and teaching.

Your Criminology and Social Policy Experience

Our flexible degree structure gives you the scope to tailor your studies to your particular interests, career goals, or ambitions for postgraduate study.

You will benefit from a diverse and dynamic research environment with many opportunities to build connections across disciplines.

This programme also offers hands-on experiences that bring theory to life, such as:

  • Field Trips to sites such as the Senedd, Big Pit, South Wales Police HQ, Swansea Prison.
  • Guest Speakers from organisations including Avon and Somerset Constabulary, The Bevan Foundation, Wales TUC, and Just Stop Oil.

This programme includes opportunities to undertake a Semester or Year Abroad, spent in locations such as the USA, Canada, China, Hong Kong, or Singapore, enhancing your learning and offering invaluable life experience.

This course also offers you the opportunity to spend a Year in Industry, in the UK or overseas, enabling you to gain valuable workplace experience. The University advocates for paid-only placements, which on average have a salary of over £20,000. Unpaid placements are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Modules

We've enhanced our modules to deliver an engaging learning experience, designed to help you develop the skills employers are looking for. Discover what's on offer and feel inspired by the modules you can study.

Entry Requirements

We have vacancies across a variety of subjects for September 2026 entry - please call our Clearing Helpline to discuss your options.

0808 175 3071

We also welcome enquiries from candidates researching starting a course in 2027 - please see our Entry Requirements Page to find out typical offer ranges or get in touch by email or by telephone 01792 295111.

Are you an international student, waiting on exam results or an English Language test score? If so, we'd encourage you to apply through our free and easy to use direct application system, as you may be eligible for a conditional offer.

Careers and Employability

Our Social Policy and Criminology degree places emphasis on sociological theory and social policy and practice, and equips graduates with a robust and interdisciplinary skill set.

These skills are highly transferable to a wide range of sectors. Graduates from the BSc Criminology and Social Policy Programme pursue careers in areas such as:

 Further Study and Research

  • Postgraduate degrees
  • Professional Training (e.g., Social Work and PGCE)
  • Doctoral research
  • Research assistantships in academic or policy institutions

 Policy and Advocacy

  • Policy Advocacy
  • Research Organisations
  • Local, Welsh and UK Government 
  • NGOs and Voluntary Sector
  • Civil Service

 Criminal Justice System

  • Policing 
  • Probation Service
  • Youth Justice
  • Prison Service
  • National Crime Agency 

Criminology and Social Policy, BSc (Hons)

Criminology and Social Policy with a Year Abroad, BSc (Hons)

Criminology and Social Policy with a Year in Industry, BSc (Hons)