LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
Programme Specification
B.Sc. CRIMINOLOGY AND SOCIAL POLICY
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the
programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to
achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided.
More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and
assessment methods of each module can be found in Module Specifications and other programme
documentation and online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/
The accuracy of the information in this document is reviewed by the University and may be
checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
Awarding body/institution:
Department:
Teaching institution (if different):
Loughborough University
Social Sciences
Details of accreditation by a professional/
statutory body:
Name of the final award:
B.Sc. (Honours)
Programme title:
Criminology and Social Policy
UCAS code:
ML24
Subject Benchmark Statement:
Social Policy and Administration
Criminology
June 2010
Date at which the programme specification was
written or revised:
1.
Aims of the programme:

To provide students with an intellectually stimulating environment in which they can
develop the necessary critical and practical skills for the analysis of criminology and
social policy

To provide students with the opportunity to study criminology and social policy in a
multidisciplinary context where the value of interdisciplinary analysis is explored

To enable students to gain a broad knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and
empirical bases of criminology and social policy

To enable students to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of particular aspects
of criminology and social policy

To provide students with a knowledge and understanding of the historical origins and
development of British social policy and social issues and associated welfare agencies

To provide students with an understanding of how public concerns become issues of
social and criminal justice policy and appear on the social agenda, and how policies are
formulated and implemented
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2.

To familiarise students with British organisational and institutional arrangements for
addressing issues of social and criminal justice policy

To develop students’ ability to theorise about issues in criminology and social policy

To provide students with a knowledge and understanding of contemporary issues
relating to criminal justice and agencies of criminal justice in England and Wales

To familiarise students with contemporary issues in policing and crime control

To develop the ability of students to conduct independent enquiry in the fields of
criminology and social policy, using appropriate methodologies

To provide a high quality honours programme in criminology and social policy, which
enhances students’ career and employment opportunities on graduating
Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference
points used to inform programme outcomes:
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3.
The Benchmark Statement for Social Policy and Administration
The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
University Learning and Teaching Strategy
Departmental teaching and learning policies
Recent reports of External Programme Assessors
The research interests and specialisms of the teaching staff and their professional
involvement in both disciplines
Intended Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate
knowledge and understanding in the following areas:

A broad overview of contemporary British social policy

A broad overview of contemporary British criminology

A detailed knowledge of a number of key issues in social policy

A detailed knowledge of a number of key issues in criminology

An understanding of the nature of crime and how the relevant agencies and agents
respond to it

An understanding of the policy process, and the agencies and agents through which
social policies are developed and delivered

An understanding of the main theoretical approaches within criminology and their
relevance in any analysis of specific criminological issues

An understanding of the main theoretical approaches and ideologies associated with
welfare provision and of their relevance in any analysis of specific areas of social policy
or particular social issues
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Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved
and demonstrated:
Detailed Module outlines, reading lists and study guides for each module provide students
with clear information concerning the nature and scope of various modules, and also offer
guidance on methods of study and learning. The programme is delivered via a mixture of
lectures (including visual aids, audio and audio-visual materials), interactive lectures,
presentations from welfare and criminal justice practitioners in the Year 1 module ‘Crime
and Social Welfare: Policy in Practice’, tutor and student led seminars (linked to lecture
topics and based on shared readings and exercises), group projects, one-to-one tutorials
(for advice on assignments and supervision of final year projects) and guided independent
study and research.
Assessment is by a combination of unseen written examinations, essays, report writing,
executive summaries, evaluations of government reports, book reviews, analytical
exercises involving the application of social policy theory and concepts to government
policy, sentencing exercises and a Final Year dissertation.
Skills and other attributes:
(a)
Subject-specific cognitive skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

Apply critical insight to criminological and social policy texts and issues

Marshall evidence in support of arguments and analysis

Assess the merits of competing explanations of deviance and social issues,
using appropriate conceptual and theoretical perspectives and evidence

Produce reasoned and well-structured arguments, drawing on appropriate
analysis and supporting evidence

Question and test their own assumptions and be able to distinguish between
matters of value judgement and matters that can be subjected to empirical
investigation
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated:
Detailed Module outlines, reading lists and study guides for each module, lectures
including interactive exercises, tutor and student led seminars, group projects, and
guided independent study and research are all intended to provide opportunities for
students to develop their intellectual skills. Discussion and debate are encouraged,
especially during seminars, and advice is given to students on structuring and
substantiating arguments in written assignments. Students are also required to use
academic conventions of citation and referencing in their written work.
Assessment of intellectual skills focuses on the quality of students' critical reasoning
as well as on the depth of their knowledge and understanding. Typical assessment
strategies are unseen written examinations, essays, report writing, executive
summaries, evaluations of government reports, book reviews, analytical exercises
involving the application of social policy theory and concepts to government policy,
sentencing exercises, and the Final Year dissertation.
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(b)
Subject-specific practical skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

Analyse criminological issues within a framework of a theoretical understanding,
and evaluate how society responds to those issues

Analyse social policies and social issues within a framework of a theoretical
understanding, and of the wider economic, political and social context

Apply an equal opportunities framework to the analysis and practice of social
policy

Evaluate critically social scientific research by drawing on their knowledge of
research methods

Select and use appropriate research methodologies to investigate criminological
and social issues
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated:
Detailed Module outlines, reading lists and study guides for each module, lectures,
tutor and student led seminars, group projects, and guided independent study and
research all contribute to the students' understanding of discipline specific skills. In
addition, specific modules focus explicitly on some of the above skills, such as
modules on research methods, policing, equal opportunities, and so on.
Typical assessment methods include unseen written examinations, essays, report
writing, executive summaries, evaluations of government reports, book reviews,
analytical exercises involving the application of social policy theory and concepts to
government policy, sentencing exercises, the Final Year dissertation (including
assessment of the methodological elements), mini-projects as part of the Year 2
module ‘Research Methods’.
(c)
Key/transferable skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

Apply word-processing and writing skills to produce a variety of competent
written work

Communicate ideas and arguments in a well-organised and competent manner

Identify and select a range of sources of material in the presentation of their
arguments

Present work of a scholarly standard using a variety of formats

Apply time-management skills, including the planning of work, so as to produce
work to a high standard by specified deadlines

Deploy personal and interpersonal skills, including self-motivation, the ability to
consider and evaluate their own work in a reflexive manner, and an awareness
and respect for the views of others, which will enable them to work effectively
both individually and in teams and organisations
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
Use information technology, such as the Web and Internet, databases, and word
processing packages
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated:
Detailed Module outlines, reading lists and study guides for each module, lectures,
tutor and student led seminars, group projects, and guided independent study and
research all contribute to such skill acquisition.
Typical assessment methods include unseen written examinations, essays, report
writing, executive summaries, evaluations of government reports, book reviews,
analytical exercises involving the application of social policy theory and concepts to
government policy, sentencing exercises and the Final Year dissertation. The
Department operates a transparent coursework deadline policy in line with
University requirements.
4.
Programme structures and requirements, levels, modules, credits and awards:
Full details can be found in the Programme Regulations at:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/lps/progreg/year/1011/docs/Criminology%20&%20Social%
20Policy%20BSc.doc
5.
Criteria for admission to the programme:
A typical offer would be:
A Level qualifications: normally 320 points from either three A levels or two A levels plus
two additional subjects at AS level. General Studies at A or AS level counts towards your
points score.
BTEC ND: Distinction, Merit, Merit profile
SQA: Minimum grades B, B in Advanced Highers. Majority B grades in Highers.
International Baccalaureate: Minimum 32 points.
Mature applicants without formal qualifications are welcome to apply. Mature students
bring to their studies a valuable range of experience which can be of benefit to all
Criminology and Social Policy students.
6.
Information about assessment regulations:
Most modules are assessed by a mixture of written examination and coursework, although
there are exceptions in Year 1 where some modules are assessed entirely by coursework
and others entirely by examination. First year assessment is for progression to the second
year. Second year and third year results are weighted in the proportions 40% : 60% in
calculating final degree classifications.
Students follow modules weighted at 120 credits each year. In order to progress to the
next year of the programme, or to be awarded the degree at the end of Year 3, students
must, each year, accumulate at least 100 credits and obtain a minimum of 30% in
remaining modules.
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Any student who fails to meet these requirements has the automatic right of reassessment
on one occasion only in any module which is causing them to fail the year.
Full details of these arrangements are contained in the official Programme Regulations
(attached as an appendix).
7.
What makes the programme distinctive:
The programme is the responsibility of the Department of Social Sciences which is one of
Britain’s leading multi-disciplinary departments with very strong links between research and
teaching. Members of the teaching team are leading international researchers in their own
specialised areas of criminology and social policy. Their research contributes directly to
their undergraduate teaching and provides the programme with up-to-date, lively and highly
relevant content.
8.
Particular support for learning:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/templateshop/notes/lps/index.htm
9.
Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of learning:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/templateshop/notes/lps/index.htm
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