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School of Social Science, Humanities and Creative Industries

BA (Hons) Sociology and Criminology with Foundation Year

BA (Hons) Part-time 8 years, Full-time 4 years

Taking as groundwork the valued input from local people and institutions, the University of Wolverhampton invites students to measure their lived experience and expertise in discussion of current concerns within this course.

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Taking as groundwork the valued input from local people and institutions, the University of Wolverhampton invites students to measure their lived experience and expertise in discussion of current concerns within this course.

Award
BA (Hons)
Start date(s)
14 September 2026
UCAS Code
L31D
Course specifications
View course spec
Course length
Part-time (8 years),Full-time (4 years)
Campus location
University: City Campus
School
School of Social Science, Humanities and Creative Industries
UCAS points calculator
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Why choose this course?

This Foundation Year in Sociology and Criminal Justice offers a welcoming introduction to university study, with a strong focus on real-world issues and community engagement. You will be encouraged to explore how society works and how the criminal justice system responds to inequality, crime and social challenges, drawing on both academic knowledge and lived experience.

Community is at the heart of the course. You will have opportunities to engage with local organisations, practitioners and services, including those working in criminal justice, local government and voluntary sectors. This will help you connect your learning to real practice and understand how sociology and criminal justice operate in everyday life, particularly in relation to people and communities facing disadvantage or discrimination.

The Foundation Year is designed to support your transition into Higher Education, helping you build the academic, digital and study skills needed for success at degree level. You will also have the chance to get to know your local area and become familiar with university expectations, supported by experienced teaching staff.

Guest speakers and practitioner input will further enrich your learning, giving you insight into current debates, policy and professional practice. This approach ensures your studies are closely linked to the real world and focused on developing the skills employers value.

By the end of the Foundation Year, you will be well prepared to progress onto your degree, equipped with subject knowledge, confidence and a strong set of transferable skills to support your future career.

What's unique about this course?

  • The Foundation Year will compound this approach, allowing you to explore the local area and accustom yourself to University study standards
  • Taking groundwork the valued input from local people and institutions, the University of Wolverhampton invites students to measure their lived experience.
  • The Foundation Year will compound this approach, allowing you to explore the local area and accustom yourself to University study standards, teaching staff and a selection of relevant guest speakers. 

What happens on the course?

On this Foundation Year in Sociology and Criminal Justice, you will be introduced to key ideas about society, inequality, crime and the justice system while developing the academic skills needed for university study. You will learn through a mix of lectures, seminars, group discussions and practical activities, often linked to real-world issues and local community practice. Alongside exploring core sociological and criminal justice themes, you will build confidence in research, writing and critical thinking, preparing you for progression onto your full degree.

Placements on the course

We’ve built professional placements into every degree, every student will be guaranteed a professional placement. Our placements give you the real-world exposure and proven experience your CV needs, while building the industry networks essential for your career.

These short-term, structured experiences include:

  • Short duration: condensed work-like experience in professional environments
  • Academic integration: always linked to coursework, assessments or professional development modules
  • Project-based learning: students work on specific tasks or research with an organisation
  • Flexible format: can be in-person, remote, hybrid or virtual
  • Skill development: enhances workplace skills like communication, teamwork and problem-solving
  • Experiential learning: helping to close the gap between knowledge gained and the skills needed to succeed

Employability on the course

Our courses are designed from day one to prepare you for your future career. You will benefit from:

  • Extended induction: a period to familiarise yourself with your new university
  • Structured learning pathways: courses are crafted with a focus on preparing students for future careers
  • Hands-on project experience: projects and practical activities designed around real-world activities
  • Embedded professional development: all courses are designed with workplace skills development and professional placements as part of the course
  • Industry-informed modules: course content is kept up-to-date with industry standards through our industry links, staff's research and work in the field
  • Placement opportunities: professional development placements for every student

Potential Career Paths

A BA in Sociology and Criminology can lead to a wide range of careers focused on understanding and addressing social issues, crime, and inequality. Graduates may pursue roles such as probation or offender management officer, police or civilian investigator, criminologist, social researcher, policy or research officer, youth or community support worker, victim support advocate, prison or rehabilitation services officer, and roles within charities or NGOs. The degree also provides strong foundations for careers in social work, education, human resources, public policy, and postgraduate study in law, criminology, or social research.

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

Location Mode Foundation Year Fee Sep intake Fee Year
Home Full-time £5760 £9535 per year 2025-26
Home Full-time £5760 £9790 per year 2026-27
Home Part-time £4895 £4895 per year# 2026-27
International Full-time N/A £15995 per year 2025-26
International Full-time £17600 £17600 per year 2026-27

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed.


If a tuition fee is not showing, we may not offer this intake for this course. Please check the start date information on the course finder for start dates.

# Undergraduate part-time fees for 50% rate of study

Prepare for Foundation Pathway:- We will consider applicants who have not achieved level 3 qualifications, if you have a keen interest in this subject area or hold relevant experience. You will be required to attend and pass a compulsory Prepare For Foundation assessment day where you will take part in a variety of activities which will assess your suitability for the course. If you would like more advise and guidance about this admissions pathway, please contact the Gateway team to discuss and support you in making an application to us.

Contact the Gateway - University of Wolverhampton (wlv.ac.uk)

Other Requirements: Applicants must be 18 years old or above at the start of the course.

Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status):

Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay for these subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)


Self-funding:

If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: See How to pay.

For more information please contact the Gateway.


Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

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