Criminology

We will consider students who have taken GCE A Level examinations or the International Baccalaureate (IB). Holders of the Tawjihi are not normally eligible for direct entry onto our undergraduate programmes without completion of a suitable foundation programme, such as one of our foundation pathways.

A degree in Criminology prepares you perfectly for a career in the criminal justice system, policy or the third sector:

• Neighbourhood Police Constable – West Midlands Police
• Policy Advisor – Ministry of Justice

We are recognised for our commitment to supporting you throughout your studies and beyond. This has been possible with a multi-million-pound investment into our student employability services and national award-winning internships and placements both in the UK and overseas.

In the latest Complete University Guide league table for 2023, Birmingham is ranked 14th out of 130 institutions surveyed. We are ranked number one for being targeted by the top UK employers (High Fliers Research 2021).

Our Careers Network works with a range of partners to ensure that professional and skilled roles are advertised to our students and graduates, with links to the world's top graduate recruiters. We host over 200 major events each year, which include industry specific careers fairs and individual employer presentations.

As a BA Criminology student, you will be able to take part in our skills series programme, giving you the opportunity to enhance your skills through workshops with key employers. We have the unique Personal Skills Award, which is the University of Birmingham's recognised employability programme for undergraduate students. It enables you to develop, recognise and articulate your professional skills in preparation for real-world recruitment processes. We have developed a range of internships and funded work experience placements that will enhance both your professional and personal skills while giving you the practical experience that is required by almost all graduate employers.

In addition to funding and support, we offer unique opportunities to help you to rise above the competition, with global internships and placements available. Mentoring is a unique opportunity that allows students to receive one-to-one advice from a professional working in an area they are interested in. This can be a great way to understand how to succeed in this area and be better prepared for the workplace as well as receive practical advice on employability.

Visit the University of Birmingham Careers pages for further information on how we are 'connecting you to your future'.

For all undergraduate courses at Birmingham, you apply online through UCAS. The UCAS website has lots of information and advice around the process.

Top tips for your UCAS application

• The University of Birmingham’s UCAS campus code number is B32.
• Check the application deadline for your chosen course as they aren’t all the same. This will make sure that your application reaches us in time to be considered. For entry in September 2023, the application deadline for most courses is Wednesday 25 January 2023; for Medicine and Dentistry, the deadline is 15 October 2022.
• A ‘firm choice’ is your first choice, and an ‘insurance choice’ is your backup.

How to make your application stand out and write a great personal statement

Your personal statement is your chance to convince admissions tutors to offer you a place on the courses you’re applying for. You should showcase your passion for your subject and show that you have the motivation and ambition to succeed.

At a glance

• Make sure your personal statement is relevant to the course(s) you're applying to
• Show your genuine interest in the course and that you have taken the time to properly find out what's involved
• Analyse your reading, activities, and work experience - don't just say what you've done and that you enjoyed it.

How to structure your personal statement

Everyone's personal statement should be different, so while it might be helpful to find templates on the internet or at school to get you started, you should make sure that you make it your own.

Here are a few tips to keep your statement structured and to the point:

At least 75% of your personal statement should be related to what you want to study, and why you want to study that subject.

• You need to tell us what it is about your chosen subject that interests you so much that you have chosen it above everything else. Show your passion, enthusiasm and intellectual curiosity.
• We like to see evidence that your interest is genuine. For example:
• Demonstrate that you have read more widely than just the set texts at school/college, and that you understand what the content of the course you’re applying for involves
• If your degree is related to a particular line of work, show that you have work experience in a relevant setting or can otherwise demonstrate that you understand what that career involves
• Show that you have given some thought to what you want to do after you have graduated (this is less important for degrees which are not vocational in nature, but can be useful for Admissions Tutors)
• When you write about your experiences or activities that are related to the subject or course (for example, work experience; extra reading; clubs or societies), don’t just tell us what you did or read, but analyse what you got out of those activities and how this has increased your knowledge or interest in the subject you are applying to study.

The remaining 25% of your statement should be about your other achievements. You don’t need to write a list of everything you have done at school, but we are interested to see if you have taken full advantage of the opportunities that have been available to you. For example:

• Have you held positions of responsibility?
• Have you been in school or higher-level sports teams?
• Have you taken part in school drama productions or debates?
• Have you helped to run school societies or clubs?
• Have you any community involvement or carried out volunteering?
• Have you had a part-time job?

Where you use these examples, you should demonstrate the skills and experiences that they have given you and how they will help you at university.