Swansea University
Criminology and Criminal Justice
Wales, United Kingdom · UCAS M2L4
Level
Bachelor
Duration
3 years
Campus
Singleton Park Campus
Intl. Tuition
£21,050 (2027-28)
Home Tuition
£9,790 (2027-28)
Intake
September 2027
UCAS code
M2L4
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Course Overview
Criminology and Criminal Justice at Swansea University in Wales, United Kingdom is a bachelor programme designed to give you both rigorous academic grounding and exposure to current practice in the field.
- Study with academics who are active researchers and industry practitioners, with regular contact through seminars, tutorials, and project work.
- Develop core knowledge in your first year before specialising through optional modules in later years tailored to your interests and career goals.
- Build practical, transferable skills — analysis, communication, teamwork, and project delivery — that employers across sectors actively look for.
- Access dedicated employability support including internships, placements, alumni mentoring, and a careers service that connects students to graduate roles.
- Join a global student community with extracurricular societies, sports, volunteering, and study-abroad opportunities to round out your university experience.
Career snapshot (indicative)
Criminology graduates work in the criminal justice system, policing, probation, youth justice, social research and policy, with roles at the Home Office, HMPPS and leading criminal justice NGOs. Many pursue postgraduate law conversion.
Student life (indicative)
Swansea combines solid student nightlife with easy coastal and countryside access. The city has a good range of independent cafés, pubs and cultural venues, with beaches or scenic coastline within easy reach.
The University at a Glance
Student Population
18,985
Staff Ratio
15.0:1
International
14.0%
Career Prospects
Avg Starting Salary
£29,230
First-year earnings
Placement Year
✓ Available
Work experience option
Costs & Living
City & Location
Small city (50k-199k inhabitants)
Course Curriculum
Year 1
- Foundations of Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Academic and Research Skills
- Quantitative Methods
- Introduction to Theory and Practice
- Optional language or breadth module.
Year 2
- Intermediate Criminology and Criminal Justice topics
- Applied Methods and Tools
- Group Project
- Two optional pathway modules
- Career and Industry Insights.
Year 3
- Advanced Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Independent Dissertation or Capstone Project
- Two specialist optional modules aligned with your interests
- Employability and Professional Development.
Entry Requirements
Subjects
- Biology
- Social sciences
- Social studies
- Sociology
- Criminology
- Social policy
- Law
- Legal studies
- Criminal law
Source: UCAS course listing, 2027 entry (retrieved September 2026). Always confirm the current requirements with the university.
Assessment Methods
Assessment is varied across the programme and may include: Written examinations across foundational modules; Coursework essays and analytical reports; Group and individual projects with presentations; Practical lab, studio, or fieldwork assessments where relevant; A final-year dissertation or capstone project that lets you specialise in a topic of your choice.
Campus & City Life
Student Population
18,985
Total students
Staff Ratio
15:1
Students per staff
International Students
14%
Of student body
Campus at a Glance
City Size
Small city (50k-199k inhabitants)
Climate (indicative)
Mild coastal
Safety Index (indicative)
8.0/10
Transport
Moderate (coach or indirect connections)
Social Scene
Friendly community | Coastal lifestyle
Student Life & City (indicative)
Swansea combines solid student nightlife with easy coastal and countryside access. The city has a good range of independent cafés, pubs and cultural venues, with beaches or scenic coastline within easy reach.
- Swansea combines solid student nightlife with easy coastal and countryside access.
- The city has a good range of independent cafés, pubs and cultural venues, with beaches or scenic coastline within easy reach.
What Students Love
- Beach lifestyle
- Outdoor & nature activities
- Active pub & club scene
- Thriving student social scene
University Stats
Career & Outcomes
Avg Starting Salary
£29,230
Average first-year salary
Placement Year
✓ Available
Industry work experience
Career Outcomes Overview (indicative)
Criminology graduates work in the criminal justice system, policing, probation, youth justice, social research and policy, with roles at the Home Office, HMPPS and leading criminal justice NGOs. Many pursue postgraduate law conversion.
- Criminology graduates work in the criminal justice system, policing, probation, youth justice, social research and policy, with roles at the Home Office, HMPPS and leading criminal justice NGOs.
- Many pursue postgraduate law conversion.
Top Industries for Graduates
- Engineering
- Healthcare
- Education
Study Abroad Opportunities
Y
- Y
Costs & Living Expenses
Total Programme Cost
£63,150
For full 3 years
Overall Cost of Living (indicative)
MEDIUM
This location has moderate living costs. Standard student budget recommended.
Estimated Annual Costs
Monthly Student Budget (indicative)
Cost Overview (indicative)
One of the UK's more affordable student cities — a $1,280/month budget (housing $730, food $285, transport $80) covers everything comfortably. A comfortable student lifestyle at costs well below London and the South East.
- One of the UK's more affordable student cities — a $1,280/month budget (housing $730, food $285, transport $80) covers everything comfortably.
- A comfortable student lifestyle at costs well below London and the South East.
Contains HESA data (Discover Uni), licensed under CC BY 4.0.