History and Criminology

You’ll explore the combination of the theory, policy and practice of criminal justice and criminology. Criminologists seek to understand the nature and impact of behaviour labelled as ‘criminal’. A key focus of our programme is the relationship between criminological theory and knowledge to real-world criminal justice policy and practice. During the programme, we analyse the complex interplay between criminology, criminal justice and social justice.  You will study crime as both an individual and broader social phenomenon, and will analyse imprisonment, probation, policing, youth justice, and offending behaviour.  We provide a wide-ranging awareness of the practical dimensions of our discipline, offering you unique insights into real world criminology in action. 

You will combine this with studying history against the rich historical background of Derby and Derbyshire – an important centre for trade, religious expression, industry and enlightenment thought. Our History courses explore these key ideas and themes both within our region and across the globe. You’ll study an exciting range of modules branching from the sixteenth century to the modern day.  

Academic expertise

You will develop your Criminology skills through activities such as interviewing, negotiation, decision making, research and argument, and problem-based learning, ensuring that you achieve a wide-ranging understanding of systems of criminal and community justice. The teaching team includes lecturers from a wide range of backgrounds including; probation, policing, law, youth justice, psychology, mental health and academia and we seek to maintain a balance between criminological theory and practice throughout the course.  Your lecturers engage with organisations in the local community, nationally and around the world and many of them publish in journals, textbooks and are research active.

Our History teaching is underpinned by active research and scholarship. Your tutors continue to develop their expertise through research, leading to conference papers and the publication of books and articles. This enables us to support you in your development as a student researcher. 

Tailor your learning

You’ll be able to tailor your degree to your interests and career goals with an exciting range of modules to choose from, covering themes such as The Enlightenment, global mobility, marketing and presenting the past, forensic psychology, victimology and rehabilitation. 

Boost your employability with a placement year

Take an optional placement year to put your skills into practice in a real-world setting. We’ll support you in finding a placement and throughout your time in industry. It’s a great way to gain valuable experience for your CV, build contacts, and explore career options before you graduate.

What is a Joint Honours degree?

A Joint Honours degree offers students the opportunity to study two subjects.

A Joint Honours degree is a great option if:

• You want to study two subjects you’re passionate about
• You’ve got a specific career in mind and want to create a tailored degree to prepare you for the future
• You want to study a new subject alongside one you’re already familiar with

The modules below indicate the range of modules you may study as part of this combination, however prescribed and optional modules will vary depending on whether you choose to study both subjects equally, or choose to major or minor in a subject. To find out exactly which modules you would study as part of your chosen combination please contact StudentHub@derby.ac.uk.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

For Criminology modules, you will learn through lectures, tutorials, group work and independent learning.

For History modules you’ll learn through a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, study visits and co-curricular learning. 

How you are assessed 

For Criminology modules, you’ll be assessed through coursework, portfolios, individual and group projects/presentations and examinations.

The History modules at Derby have a wide range of assessments that are varied and reflect the different academic and transferable skills of History graduates. We have designed our assessments to reflect the key skills of the historical discipline as well as skills that will prepare you for life beyond university. Our commitment to students as researchers, public history, global history and co-production has shaped our assessment strategy, and we have designed our assessments so that you are building expertise through the degree.   

Our Criminology graduates go onto a range of roles in areas such as the Crown Prosecution Service, courts, probation and prison services, the police, youth offending teams and other law enforcement roles. As Criminology is such a diverse subject, it also opens opportunities for roles in other areas such as social research, academia, public sector, management or third sector roles such as victim services. 

Due to the transferable nature of the skills, you’ll learn studying History such as verbal and written communication, critical analysis, independent thought and problem solving you'll be suitably positioned for a range of roles upon graduating. In recent years, our own graduates have entered a variety of careers, including: 

• Teaching 
• Libraries 
• Museums and archives 
• Retail and commercial management 
• Human resources 
• Marketing 

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to

Additional costs and optional extras

Additional information about your studies

You will typically study your two subjects equally at stage one, before choosing whether you want to major in one subject at stages two and three.

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.