Criminology and Sociology (Placement Year) : BA Hons : LM40

You will gain vital skills for a career within, and beyond, the criminal justice system as you develop your abilities to think critically, communicate, speak in public, work in teams, write for academia and carry out research and data analysis. The duality of this course also means you will be practiced at looking at issues from a multi-disciplinary perspective.

You will have the opportunity to spend Year 3 on placement with a public, private or voluntary organisation in the UK or overseas. This experience will boost your employment prospects and will help you to decide on your career direction and the kind of organisation in which you want to work once you graduate. You will be doing a real, responsible job – with all the satisfaction that brings. Our Placements Team will support you in finding and applying for a suitable placement that will support your professional development. Applying for a placement is a competitive process and the preparatory modules you will complete in years one and two are designed to give you the best chance of success in your placement applications. You will also be provided with dedicated workshops, 1:1 appointments with careers professionals as well as opportunities to speak with employers here on campus.

Your degree can lead to a wide choice of rewarding jobs in the public, private and third sectors.

Our criminology graduates are welcomed by the Police, the National Probation Service, the National Offender Management Service, and private providers within the Criminal Justice System (such as G4S). Your degree can also open doors to roles in the Home Office, Ministry of Justice, Department for Health, or with a charity linked to the Criminal Justice System, such as WomenMATTA (supporting women in prison).

Graduate training scheme opportunities include: Police Now; Frontline (social work); Think Ahead (mental health social work); National Graduate Development Programme (local government); Civil Service Fast Stream; NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme; Charity Works (the UK non-profit sector’s graduate programme); Ambitious Futures (for leadership careers in the university sector).

Transferable skills are an integral part of all Lancaster University degrees and employers will value your skills in listening, critical reading and writing, public speaking, time management, team work, empathy and tolerance.

During your degree, we will help you to secure experience with criminal justice agencies, volunteering opportunities, work experience, or internships - all of which provide invaluable insight into your future career options and set you apart when you enter the employment marketplace.

A Level ABB

IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component.