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An image to illustrate the BA (Honours) Criminology and Sociology
Building on the OU’s reputation for cutting-edge criminological and sociological teaching and research, this joint degree offers you the chance to study lively, topical and sometimes controversial subject matter. You’ll investigate questions of crime, criminalisation and social harm to determine whether society’s responses to these questions are adequate and appropriate. You’ll also explore how social worlds are made and how we, as individuals, are shaped by the societies in which we live.
We also offer a Diploma of Higher Education in Criminology and Sociology (W80) that is the same in structure as the first two-thirds of this degree.
This criminology and sociology degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.
Our modular study approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that fits around your life. Whether you prefer a fast track or want to work at a slower rate, you can tailor your study plan to suit your needs.
At Stage 1, you’ll begin with a broad introduction to the social sciences, which will give you a strong grounding in sociological and social scientific ideas and approaches. You'll then be introduced to key concepts in, and approaches to, understanding crime, criminal justice, harm and victimisation.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study the following:
You and your world: introducing the social sciences (D112)60Oct | Feb
Introduction to criminology (DD105)60Oct | Feb

At Stage 2, you'll choose between exploring ways in which criminology explains problems of crime or investigating how the internet and digital technology are transforming the social world. You'll complete this stage with an introduction to the social research process.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll choose one from the following:
Understanding criminology (DD212)60Oct | Feb
Understanding digital societies (DD218)60Oct
You'll study the following:
Social research: crime, justice and society (DD215)60Oct

In Stage 3, you’ll explore advanced themes such as state responses to harm, social transformations, or global and environmental challenges. You can follow a taught route, engaging with two specialist modules in criminology and/or sociology, or pursue a research-focused route by completing a dissertation in either discipline. The dissertation route allows you to investigate a topic of your own choosing, assisted by research methods training and academic support.
ModulesCreditsStart month
Standard (non-dissertation) route
You'll study the following:
Social theory: changing social worlds (DD318)60Oct
Crime, harm and the state (DD311)60Oct | Feb

ModulesCreditsStart month
Criminology dissertation route
You'll study the following:
Social theory: changing social worlds (DD318)60Oct
Researching current issues in criminology (DD315)60Oct

ModulesCreditsStart month
Sociology dissertation route
You'll study the following:
Crime, harm and the state (DD311)60Oct | Feb
Principles of social research: sociology special project module (D328)60Oct

You can complete this degree in as little as three years by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s 120 credits per year. To complete in three years, you’ll need to start your degree in October.
Don't worry if your circumstances change. You don’t have to stick to a full-time study pace. You can change the pace of your learning each year depending on what's right for you.

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
You'll study the following:
You and your world: introducing the social sciences (D112)60Oct | Feb
Introduction to criminology (DD105)60Oct | Feb
Stage 2 | Year 2
You’ll choose one from:
Understanding criminology (DD212)60Oct | Feb
Understanding digital societies (DD218)60Oct
You’ll study the following:
Social research: crime, justice and society (DD215)60Oct
Stage 3 | Year 3
You'll study the following:
Social theory: changing social worlds (DD318)60Oct
Crime, harm and the state (DD311)60Oct | Feb

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
You'll study the following:
You and your world: introducing the social sciences (D112)60Oct | Feb
Introduction to criminology (DD105)60Oct | Feb
Stage 2 | Year 2
You’ll choose one from:
Understanding criminology (DD212)60Oct | Feb
Understanding digital societies (DD218)60Oct
You'll study the following:
Social research: crime, justice and society (DD215)60Oct
Stage 3 | Year 3
Social theory: changing social worlds (DD318)60Oct
Researching current issues in criminology (DD315)60Oct

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
You'll study the following:
You and your world: introducing the social sciences (D112)60Oct | Feb
Introduction to criminology (DD105)60Oct | Feb
Stage 2 | Year 2
You’ll choose one from:
Understanding criminology (DD212)60Oct | Feb
Understanding digital societies (DD218)60Oct
You’ll study the following:
Social research: crime, justice and society (DD215)60Oct
Stage 3 | Year 3
You'll study the following:
Crime, harm and the state (DD311)60Oct | Feb
Principles of social research: sociology special project module (D328)60Oct

You can complete this degree in six years by studying part-time. That’s one 60-credit module each year.

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
You'll start your degree with the following:
You and your world: introducing the social sciences (D112)60Oct | Feb
Stage 1 | Year 2
You'll study the following:
Introduction to criminology (DD105)60Oct | Feb
Stage 2 | Year 3
You’ll choose one from:
Understanding criminology (DD212)60Oct | Feb
Understanding digital societies (DD218)60Oct
Stage 2 | Year 4
You’ll study the following:
Social research: crime, justice and society (DD215)60Oct
Stage 3 | Year 5
You'll study the following:
Social theory: changing social worlds (DD318)60Oct
Stage 3 | Year 6
You'll study the following:
Crime, harm and the state (DD311)60Oct | Feb

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
You'll start your degree with the following:
You and your world: introducing the social sciences (D112)60Oct | Feb
Stage 1 | Year 2
You'll study the following:
Introduction to criminology (DD105)60Oct | Feb
Stage 2 | Year 3
You’ll choose one from:
Understanding criminology (DD212)60Oct | Feb
Understanding digital societies (DD218)60Oct
Stage 2 | Year 4
You’ll study the following:
Social research: crime, justice and society (DD215)60Oct
Stage 3 | Year 5
You'll study the following:
Social theory: changing social worlds (DD318)60Oct
Stage 3 | Year 6
You'll study the following:
Researching current issues in criminology (DD315)60Oct

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
You'll start your degree with the following:
You and your world: introducing the social sciences (D112)60Oct | Feb
Stage 1 | Year 2
You'll study the following:
Introduction to criminology (DD105)60Oct | Feb
Stage 2 | Year 3
You’ll choose one from:
Understanding criminology (DD212)60Oct | Feb
Understanding digital societies (DD218)60Oct
Stage 2 | Year 4
You’ll study the following:
Social research: crime, justice and society (DD215)60Oct
Stage 3 | Year 5
You'll study the following:
Crime, harm and the state (DD311)60Oct | Feb
Stage 3 | Year 6
You'll study the following:
Principles of social research: sociology special project module (D328)60Oct

By studying this degree, you’ll:
You’ll be supported throughout by personal tutors, multimedia materials, online tutorials, and regular feedback.
You’ll be awarded a BA (Honours) Criminology and Sociology upon successful completion.
Your honours classification (first, upper second, lower second or third class honours) will depend on the grades you gain at Stages 2 and 3. 
You'll also have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our Academic Regulations or contact us.
You can achieve this degree in as little as three years and have a maximum of 16 years to complete it. Our module-by-module approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that works best for you.
You can complete this degree in three years by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s similar to a student at a campus-based university.
You can complete this degree in six years by studying part-time. That’s roughly half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.
At the OU, flexibility and support go hand in hand. You’ll be in control of when and where you study, with clear deadlines to guide your progress. Whether you’re balancing work, family or other commitments, our approach helps you fit learning into your life. Students consistently praise the support we provide, and from the very start, you’ll be part of a vibrant OU learning community.
As you progress through your qualification, you’ll have access to a dedicated online study space, expert tutor guidance, optional live tutorials, and a wide range of resources to help you succeed. The sections below outline what you can expect.
Your module website will be a central hub for your learning, giving you easy access to:
Discover how the OU’s module websites, course materials, and support tools help you study online with confidence.
Each module has a dedicated tutor who will guide you through your studies. They’ll provide feedback, help you find resources, mark your assignments and support your learning journey.
For extra support, you can attend optional live tutorials with your tutor. These are usually conducted online, and most are recorded so you can review them later.
See how OU tutors and tutorials help you build confidence, connect with others, and get the support you need to succeed in your studies.
Our assessments reinforce what you’ve learned and show your understanding. Assessment types vary by module and may include:
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to a wide range of support services and be part of a vibrant learning community. Our subject-specific Student Support Teams can help with general queries and any updates to your OU account. You’ll also benefit from:
Discover the support network and learning tools you'll have access to throughout your studies.
There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.
If you’ve studied at university level before, you may be able to transfer the academic credit you've been awarded towards an OU qualification. This could save you time and money by reducing the modules you need to study.
It’s not just university study that can be considered; you can also transfer study from a wide range of professional or vocational qualifications, such as HNCs and HNDs.
You should apply to transfer credit before registering, at least four weeks before the registration closing date. We will need to know what you studied, where, and when, and you will need to provide evidence of your previous study.
For more details and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.

6 years
£4,088*
A degree is worth 360 credits. The fee per year is based on studying one 60-credit module per year for 6 years.
£24,528*
Our qualifications cost less than equivalent-level qualifications offered at campus-based universities.
Compare the cost of studying at the OU with other campus-based universities in England.
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£29,370
£29,370
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£24,528
£24,528
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£4,842
£4,842
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£19,580
£19,580
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£16,352
£16,352
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£3,228
£3,228
Certificate of Higher Education
Certificate of Higher Education
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£9,790
£9,790
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£8,176
£8,176
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£1,614
£1,614
Qualification
Qualification
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
£29,370
£29,370
£24,528
£24,528
£4,842
£4,842
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
£19,580
£19,580
£16,352
£16,352
£3,228
£3,228
Certificate of Higher Education
Certificate of Higher Education
£9,790
£9,790
£8,176
£8,176
£1,614
£1,614
*Based on maximum chargeable fees for the 26/27 academic year.
**The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section 5 of the University's Fee Rules.
Your course fees cover your tuition, assessment and study materials, but there are still a few additional costs that can come with studying. For this qualification, you'll need:
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to a fee limit, as set out in the University's Fee Rules.

Over 85% of our students in England fund their studies with a Tuition Fee Loan, meaning they pay nothing upfront.
Repay in monthly instalments while you study.
Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.
More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.
Combine your payment options to fund your studies the way you want.
If you’re a serving member of the British Armed Forces (or you’ve recently left), you may be eligible to use ELCs to cover up to 100% of your course fees.
You may be eligible for:
This degree will enable you to formulate and investigate sociological and criminological questions; build arguments; assess the methods used to generate evidence and research; and analyse, interpret and evaluate a wide range of information. You'll also learn how to communicate effectively with different audiences (e.g. through reports, policy briefs, blogs, and presentations); work with others; and give and receive peer feedback. You'll have the chance to devise and conduct your own project and will develop substantial skills in time management, self-reflection, self-motivation, and the ability to work independently.
A degree in criminology and sociology can lead to employment across the public, private and voluntary sectors. Businesses, public sector organisations and educational institutions increasingly have to deal with social issues, and value the skills that criminology and sociology graduates can provide. Consequently, your degree will be relevant to a wide range of professions, some of which are listed below. You can also use your degree to pursue further study in the higher education sector.
Please note that this degree does not guarantee entry to the career fields listed, which may require specialist qualifications to enter. However, it may help you gain those qualifications and enhance your prospects for progression once you are employed.
Many graduate-level jobs are open to criminology and sociology graduates, particularly in business, the voluntary sector and the public sector.
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you'll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice. This includes online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service, as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
In the meantime, if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we've put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree:
Credit transfer: apply by 13/08/2026
Ask a question
Our prospectus will help you explore your course options, get a feel for life as an OU student, and register for study.
Request a prospectus
Credit transfer: apply by 13/08/2026
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