BA/BSc (Honours) Social Policy and Criminology
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Degree
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Made up of
- 360 credits
Description
What is the relationship between crime and issues of social inequality and social exclusion? If anti-social behaviour is associated with family and community breakdown, problems of mental health and substance abuse, how can these problems be dealt with more effectively? What is the evidence that early interventions in families and schools, and in communities, can achieve better outcomes? This degree takes your study of some of the key questions in contemporary criminology and social policy to an advanced level. You will examine in depth current controversies about crime and disorder in the context of the recession and cutbacks in social care, education and youth justice budgets. Local and global concerns are linked through a comparative approach to developments in different communities and countries. This wide-ranging approach will equip you with the concepts and the theories underlying contemporary social policy and criminology, together with the skills required both to evaluate the range of policy alternatives and to participate in implementing such initiatives.
How to register
Registration is not yet open for this qualification. For an autumn 2012 start, registration opens on 27 March 2012. If you would like to register your interest, you can order our free guide to studying in 2012.
Career relevance and employability
This degree provides a solid foundation for a career in any aspect of criminology and social policy. It opens up employment opportunities for you in health, education and social care as well as in the criminal and youth justice systems, in both the public and the voluntary sectors. It provides a set of transferable skills relevant to research, policy and management positions in welfare, government, public health and criminal justice agencies.
Studying for this degree will also equip you with enhanced capacities for critical thinking and analysis, problem solving and written communication. You will develop skills in a range of research methods. The skills cultivated in this degree course – including the deployment of IT and communication techniques in the evaluation of the evidence base for different policy initiatives – are relevant to a wide range of careers, in social policy and criminology and beyond.
There is more information about how OU study can improve your employability in the OU’s Employability Statement from our Careers Advisory Service. You can also read or download our publication OU study and your career and look at our subject pages to find out about career opportunities.
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit that you can count towards this Open University qualification. Further details will be available when registration opens for this qualification.
Classification of your degree
On successful completion of the required number and type of modules you will be awarded a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science (Honours) Social Policy and Criminology degree.
Your honours degree will be classified either as first-class honours, upper second-class honours, lower second-class honours or third-class honours. The class of degree is determined by the best grades you achieve in 240 credits from those modules above Level 1 listed above. At least 120 of those credits must come from modules at Level 3.
You will have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
About this page
An undergraduate qualification in Social Sciences.
Study explained
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- - all you need to know about studying with the OU.
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