BSc (Hons) Criminology and Criminal Justice*
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Why study BSc Criminology and Criminal Justice at Goldsmiths
* This programme is still in development and advertised subject to validation. It is expected that the full programme specification will be available on this page no later than January 2026.
Discover why crime happens, how justice is delivered and what role you can play in challenging the system. Bringing together theory and real-world experience, the BSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice provides a comprehensive understanding of crime and justice, while developing practical skills needed to engage with the criminal justice system.
- Tailor your learning: You’ll gain the knowledge, skills and experience to explore the big questions around crime and justice, while tailoring your degree to your interests.
- Gain career-ready skills: You’ll graduate with strong analytical, research, and legal skills – ready for a wide range of career paths in the UK and beyond.
- Engage in interdisciplinary learning: You'll be taught by experts in law, sociology, and community studies.
- Explore crime in a global context: How it links to inequality, migration, human rights, international trade, and state violence. You'll connect local and international perspectives on crime.
- Study real-world case studies: Learn about the criminal justice system with insights from practitioners and people with lived experience of the system.
- Examine the link between crime and culture: How media and culture shape our ideas about law, justice, and social order.
- Develop your research skills: Learn how to investigate criminological questions and apply your findings to real-world challenges.
- Gain practical experience: You’ll be provided with opportunities for work placements, projects, and engagement with professionals.
Contact the department
If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Alex Rhys-Taylor.
What you'll study
Foundations of Crime and Justice
You’ll build your understanding of the legal system, criminological theory, and the factors that influence crime.
You’ll discuss contemporary issues, explore the roots of crime, and develop essential academic skills.
Compulsory modules
Please note, all modules on this programme are subject to validation but may include:
- Criminal Justice Systems A
- Criminal Justice Systems B
- Crime Control and the State
- Legal Skills for the 21st Century
- Methods for Worldmaking 1
Teaching style
This programme is mainly taught through scheduled learning - a mixture of lectures, seminars and workshops. You’ll also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study. This includes carrying out required and additional reading, preparing topics for discussion, and producing essays or project work.
How you'll be assessed
You’ll be assessed by a variety of methods, depending on your module choices. These include coursework, extended essays, reports, presentations, practice-based projects or essays/logs, group projects, reflective essays, and seen and unseen written examinations.
Entry requirements
We accept the following qualifications:
A-level: CCC
BTEC: DMM
International Baccalaureate: 27 points overall with three HL subjects at 555
Access: Pass with 45 Level 3 credits including 24 Distinctions and a number of merits/passes in subject-specific modules
Scottish qualifications: CCCCD (Higher) or DDD (Advanced Higher)
European Baccalaureate: 65%
Irish Leaving Certificate: H3 H3 H3 H3
Alternative requirements and selection process
See our full list of undergraduate entry qualifications.
We welcome students with a range of educational experiences. If you believe you may not meet the standard qualification requirements, we would still encourage you to apply. We will alocate places based on enthusiasm and commitment to your subject, as evidenced by your application.
If you don't have the required academic qualifications, you may be invited to interview.
We’ll pay particularly careful attention to your personal statement, which is your opportunity to demonstrate your interest in the subject you’ve applied for. Your referees are also welcome to include any relevant contextual comments around your academic achievements. We’ll look at all these things when making a decision on your application, as well as your qualifications and grades.
We frequently interview mature applicants (over 21) or those with alternative qualifications, and have a long tradition of encouraging students from all social backgrounds to study at our university.
International qualifications
We also accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.
If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.0 with a 6.0 in writing and no element lower than 5.5 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for degree-level study.
