This two-year programme begins with a tailored Foundation Year, designed to support you if you do not currently meet the entry requirements to enrol directly onto the Certificate of Higher Education in Criminology and Criminal Justice.. During the Foundation Year you will build academic confidence, develop essential study skills and acquire subject specific knowledge making it easier to transition to higher education. Whether you previously gained relevant work experience in the sector and now want to progress or only achieved modest Level 3 results this combined programme lays the groundwork to set you up for a successful degree-level journey. Once you have completed the Foundation Year, you will move on to the Certificate of Higher Education proper, where you will start to explore crime, criminal behaviour and the criminal justice system in more detail. Drawing on criminology, sociology, psychology, law, politics and philosophy, you will explore crime and justice from local, national and global perspectives. This year of the course examines key criminological theories, contemporary debates and real‑world criminal justice issues, offering insight into the complex social, cultural and political factors that shape crime, victimisation and responses to offending. Equivalent to the first year of a full-time three-year undergraduate degree, the Certificate of Higher Education with Foundation Year is an ideal option if you want to explore the subject before committing to longer‑term study. On successful completion, you can progress directly to Level 5 of the Criminology and Criminal Justice degree, or use the qualification to enhance your employability through a broad range of transferable skills. Whether your ambition is to work within the criminal justice system, progress to further study, or gain a deeper understanding of crime and justice in society, this pathway provides a supportive and flexible starting point for your academic journey.
Entry requirements
For students who have just completed a Level 3 programme, they will be expected to have 32 UCAS points, plus English at level 2 (GCSE, functional skills or equivalent). For mature students, they will need to have English at Level 2 (GCSE, functional skills or equivalent).
