Criminology Courses
Interested in exploring cutting edge, topical and often controversial issues about crime and justice? Whether you’re looking to develop your knowledge of criminology for your career or for purely personal interest, our courses have much to offer you. Choose below from our range of qualifications.
Criminology
Degrees
- Also known as an undergraduate or bachelors degree.
- Internationally respected, universally understood.
- An essential requirement for many high-level jobs.
- Gain a thorough understanding of your subject – and the tools to investigate, think critically, form reasoned arguments, solve problems and communicate effectively in new contexts.
- Progress to higher level study, such as a postgraduate diploma or masters degree.
Total of 360 credits
- Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
- One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
- You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
- For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long will it take?
Criminology
Diplomas
- Widely recognised qualification.
- Equivalent to the first two thirds of an honours degree.
- Enhance your professional and technical skills or extend your knowledge and understanding of a subject.
- Study for interest or career development.
- Top up to a full honours degree in just two years.
Total of 240 credits
- Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
- One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
- You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
- For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long will it take?
Criminology
Certificates
- Widely recognised qualification.
- Equivalent to the first third of an honours degree.
- Study for interest or career development.
- Shows that you can study successfully at university level.
- Count it towards further qualifications such as a DipHE or honours degree.
Total of 120 credits
- Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
- One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
- You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
- For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long will it take?
Why study Criminology with The Open University?
Criminology at the OU is recognised nationally and internationally for its distinctive approach to teaching and research.
OU criminology study can offer you:
- Access to highly regarded written, broadcast and audio-visual study materials.
- The flexibility to explore criminological topics of your own interest in depth.
- The choice of focusing on criminology or combined with either law, psychology or social science.
Careers in Criminology
Studying for an Open University qualification in criminology will enable you to formulate and investigate criminological questions. You’ll learn to summarise and explain empirical information and research findings. These are skills that will be relevant to a wide range of career paths beyond those directly relating to criminology.
Our range of courses in criminology can help you progress your career as a:
- Criminal Justice worker – in prison, probation, police, victim and youth services
- Voluntary/Third Sector worker
- Local Government worker
- Social researcher
Looking for something other than a qualification?
The majority of our modules can be studied by themselves, on a stand-alone basis. If you later choose to work towards a qualification, you may be able to count your study towards it.
All Criminology courses
Browse all the Criminology courses we offer – certificates, diplomas and degrees.
See our full list of Criminology courses
Email us
From exploring the right course for you to helping you register, our advisers can help.
Call us
As part of the OU’s response to Coronavirus, we have temporarily removed this option.
Please use the ‘Email us’ option to contact us.
Write to us at:
Student Recruitment
The Open University
PO Box 197
Milton Keynes
MK7 6BJ
