Top tips for criminology and sociology courses in Clearing

Hi, my name’s Karen Kent. I’m a lecturer on our BA (Hons) Criminology course.

What research should I do into criminology and sociology to prepare?

You should think about what areas of sociology and criminology interest you the most, and what knowledge you already have of these subjects.

You may have a good idea of the career path you want to follow or still be exploring. We will be able to help you with this and decide if one of our single honours or joint honours degree routes is for you.

What’s the key piece of advice you would give to a student in Clearing?

Don’t panic. The first and most important thing to know is that whatever happens on results day, it’s not the end of the world.

Take a deep breath, make a cup of tea, and relax into the day ahead with a calm determination. We know that things go wrong all the time in life, and examination results are no different. Sometimes things just don’t go the way we want and that is no reflection on you or your capability. Clearing is there to help those students who find themselves in this perfectly normal predicament.

What do we look for in prospective criminology and sociology students?

Sociology and criminology cover a range of topics and we introduce undergraduate students to the building blocks: key sociological and criminological theories, social divisions and problems, the criminal justice system, crime policy and practice, and key social transformations such as digital culture.

You’ll be trained in a wide range of research methods during the first two years so you can undertake your own independent research project in the final year. Studying sociology and criminology requires persistence, but it is also exciting.

You may have only a little experience of your chosen subject but have a clear idea of why you want to study it.

How can I impress you on the interview call?

Show your enthusiasm for the course and tell us why you’ve chosen it. Have questions ready before you call so that we can give you the information you need to help you decide if it is the right course for you.

If we need to speak to you on the phone tell us why you are keen to do a degree in sociology/criminology.

Have an understanding of what is involved in studying sociology/criminology and have some questions prepared. This is important so that we can help you make a decision about choosing your course.

Is there anything students can do beyond looking at the course page?

If you look at the Department of Sociology and Criminology webpage, this will give you an overview of all of the degree routes that we offer.

Sociology and criminology equip you with an array of skills and knowledge, which take time to learn but get better with practice. We offer many opportunities on our undergraduate degree routes to help you improve and offer a supportive learning environment to do this.

You will study the knowledge that underpins your chosen discipline and practice the research skills that will support you in becoming independent learners.