Criminal Justice BA (Hons)

At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

If you join our full-time BA Criminal Justice degree at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

*UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details).

Whilst this Crime and Justice course doesn’t qualify you to become a Probation Officer, it does however, provide the four qualifying modules required to be considered eligible to apply for the 15-month Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP programme). You need to have studied modules on at least 3 of the following 4 topics as part of a degree (or equivalent):

• Criminal justice system
• Understanding crime and criminal behaviour
• Penal policy and punishment
• Rehabilitation

You’ll complete whichever module is missing in your first 6 months of the PQiP programme. If your qualification does not include these subjects, you’ll most likely study the 21-month PQiP programme (the first 6 months will cover all 4 modules). The Criminal Justice BA (Hons) includes all four modules required for these entry routes into the National Probation Service but it does not guarantee your future employment with them or entry to their training programmes.

How will I learn on the Criminal Justice degree?

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, tutorials, skills practice, immersive learning, independent and group work as well as reflective practice. We encourage you to actively engage with seminars and groups discussions to apply your learning to different scenarios. Practical work will represent an important component of our course throughout each of the three years of study. You will also gain practical experience during shadowing and placements opportunities. These will allow you to put your newfound skills into practice ready for your future career, ensuring that your CV stands out to prospective employers.

Taught sessions are usually between two or three hours per module per week.

How will I be assessed on this Criminal Justice degree?

Assessment for this course is varied and consists of presentations, academic writing, reflective writing, practical groupwork exercises and professional discussions. These assessments are designed to mirror the role of criminal justice practitioners which require various strengths and skills when working with victims, offenders and the public. If you choose to take an alternative option for assessment rather than a placement you will be assessed against relevant appropriate standards.

Are there any special features on the degree course?

You can practice real life scenarios in one of our specialist facilities. For interview training, there is a purpose-built interview room and a realistic custody suite as well as mock flat with one-way mirrors.

In addition, we are one of only few universities in the country that have fully functioning Hydra simulation room used for immersive learning. Hydra is a sophisticated piece of technology that is used to simulate the reality of critical incident management. We are also developing our use of VR currently and will be introducing VR opportunities into the modules.

Special features include:

• Facilitating shadowing experiences with professionals working at local criminal justice agencies
• Facilitating voluntary work placements with local criminal justice agencies
• Providing teaching from a multi-disciplined team with significant practice experience in policing, law and probation
• Criminal justice immersive learning environments including: interview training in purpose-built interview rooms, realistic custody suite, mock flat with one way mirrors
• Mentoring groups
• Guest speakers from across criminal justice sectors.

Are there any work experience opportunities on the Criminal Justice degree?

There are opportunities to attend voluntary work placements with local criminal justice agencies. We have collaborated with several local criminal justice agencies who will be offering you opportunities to shadow their practice or to join them on a work placement. You may also find your own placement if it is relevant to criminal justice practice, support will be provided to you if you wish to approach another organisation from the University of Northampton’s Placements Team. In the event of a placement not being viable alternative options will be sought.

Who are the Student Experience Support Team?

The Student Experience Support Team are a team of previous graduates of the University of Northampton, they are here to support all Faculty of Business and Law students by offering a friendly listening ear and ensuring students are aware of the numerous support systems that the University has to offer. The team provide confidential 1-1 meetings in person and online where they will signpost the students to the relevant support teams to ensure they are aware of the support available for them throughout their studies. You can follow the Student Experience Support Team to see the services they offer.