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Business and Management and Criminology

BA/BSc (Hons)

Undergraduate degree - combined honours

Award
BA/BSc (Hons) Business and Management and Criminology
School/s
Bath Business School, School of Sciences
Campus or location
Newton Park
Course length
Three years full time, or four years full time with professional placement year. Part time available.
UCAS codes
Institution Code: B20
Course Code: 7712 or SE38
Campus Code: A,BSU

Entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed under 'Typical offers' in the main column below. For combined courses, please check both subjects. If your qualification is not listed, please email admissions@bathspa.ac.uk with your specific details.

Learn how global forces shape society and relate to the causes and consequences of crime in this combined business management and criminology degree.

  • Combine creative problem-solving with scientific analysis to investigate contemporary issues.
  • Create a degree tailored to your own interests with a range of optional modules covering topics such as crime fiction and cyber security.
  • Learn from industry experts and gain real-world experience – for example in regional businesses, charities and prisons.

University of the Year for Social Inclusion

Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2024

#8 in the UK

for Satisfied with Feedback in Business and Management (Guardian University Guide, 2024)

Become an innovative and perceptive professional with this Business and Management and Criminology degree. Harnessing your natural curiosity about the world around you, you’ll explore how businesses respond to changes in society. You’ll also analyse how these changes can relate to criminal behaviour.

You’ll learn about the different aspects of business, such as managing people, making data-driven decisions, and planning finances. You'll also delve into the causes, motivations and patterns of criminal conduct. Across both your Business and Criminology modules, you’ll hone your research and analytical skills to identify issues and patterns of behaviour, and be encouraged to think creatively to find innovative ways to solve problems.

Our aim is that when you graduate, you’ll understand the current issues in business and crime. To keep your knowledge current, we’ll encourage you to work on real-life business projects and provide opportunities to meet criminology experts.

Why study criminology and business?

Studying Business and Management and Criminology will give you a new perspective on the issues and challenges – such as gender imbalance and sustainability – facing society in the 21st-century. 

You’ll develop valuable, transferable skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking and the ability to apply theory to real-world situations, which will open the doors to a wide variety of careers, from counter-terrorism to consultancy.


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What you'll learn

Overview

As a student of a Business and Management and Criminology degree at Bath Spa you’ll develop practical and professional skills that you can apply in a variety of careers. 

In your Criminology studies, you’ll look at crime from a variety of angles and perspectives. Core modules focus on the main theories, debates, issues and research problems in criminology and criminal justice.
Your Business and Management modules will give you a broad understanding of the world of business, and over the course of your studies you’ll have the flexibility to choose optional modules in both Criminology and Business, enabling you to develop your particular areas of interest. 

Course structure

Year one
Gain a broad understanding of today’s business environments – trends in commercial thinking, audience and consumer research, the importance of data in business, and issues such as gender, diversity and identity.

Discover the key concepts, theories and issues of criminology, criminal law and criminal justice agencies and institutions.

You’ll learn to look at the world through a different lens – one which lays the foundation for you to innovate in your second and final years.

Year two
In your second year, you’ll focus on the inner workings of businesses, and use business techniques to solve problems.
You’ll study contemporary debates in criminology and criminal justice, including a specific focus on policing.

You’ll have the opportunity to choose modules based on your particular areas of interest, and start developing the abilities that employers look for, such as strong presentational skills, effective group working, self-reflection and self-improvement.

At the end of the year, you can choose to embark on a ten-week summer placement, and/or a ten-month business placement – applying what you’ve learned so far in the real world.

Year three
In your final year you’ll have further opportunities to tailor your studies, with more in-depth research and project-work in the areas that interest you.

During this year, you’ll focus more and more on practical ways to apply your skills, and you’ll be able to confidently demonstrate the abilities you’ve gained during all three years of the course.

How will I be assessed?

We use a mix of traditional and contemporary assessments, including essays, book reviews, exams, portfolios, creative work, projects, group work, computer-based simulations, podcasts and videos.

How will I be taught?

You’ll be taught by a team of experienced industry professionals, researchers and experts in their fields. You’ll participate in a wide variety of activities including lectures, seminars, workshops, and one-to-one tutorials. There's also a good blend of online activities using our Virtual Learning Environment. The majority of your lectures will be recorded, for your future reference. We also invite visiting speakers to talk about their experiences.

You’ll be given personalised support in your studies – we have a dedicated and approachable team of academics, committed to helping you achieve your goals, and we take pride in our innovative and engaging modules that inspire and challenge.

To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our Learning and Teaching Delivery Statement.

I always wanted to be a teacher, but when I was 16 I went to a primary school for a mandatory work experience week and it was not what I imagined. Then I saw this Criminology Degree at Bath Spa. I was drawn to the course because prisons really fascinated me.

When we did our work placement in our second year, I found out I could go into an Education Department at a prison. I know it sounds really cheesy, but I felt like the whole thing was just made for me. I had the prison aspect. I had the teaching aspect. I am now in a Maths Lecturer within a prison.

When I look back on my time at Bath Spa, the support and care I received from my lecturers really impacted me, and I’ve tried to embed that into my own lessons with the prisoners.

Finding the perfect role: Read Chloe's career story

Opportunities

Study abroad

As part of your degree, you could study abroad on a placement at one of Bath Spa’s partner universities.

Work placements, industry links and internships

We encourage you to take advantage of placement opportunities in your second and third year, so you can apply your learning in real world contexts. 
We have excellent links with local criminal justice organisations including local police services and prisons, as well as regional and national businesses.

Careers

Our Business and Management and Criminology degree is designed for students with an inquisitive nature, who are keen to gain a deeper understanding of the world around them, and who want to find creative ways to approach the issues affecting society.

Our course will equip you to think critically, solve problems and work with others - essential skills for a wide variety of careers, and for the flexible approach to the future that we all need to develop.

Our graduates have been employed in a wide range of careers, including:

  • Crime prevention 
  • Security
  • Criminal justice system
  • Police service
  • Prison and probation service
  • Charities
  • Counter-terrorism
  • Civil service
  • Marketing
  • Management
  • Retail (management/merchandising/buying)
  • Finance 
  • Consultancy
  • HR
Global Citizenship

If you’re a full-time undergraduate student starting your first year at Bath Spa University, you can apply for the Certificate in Global Citizenship, which you’ll study alongside your degree.

You’ll gain global awareness and add an international dimension to your student experience, and funding is available. On successful completion of the programme, you’ll be awarded a Certificate in Global Citizenship. This is in addition to your degree; it doesn’t change your degree title or results.

Adobe Creative Campus

Develop a wealth of indispensable digital skills that you can take into your future career. One of only three Adobe Creative Campuses in the UK, we provide all Bath Spa students with access to the full Adobe Creative Suite, giving you the tools to communicate creatively, whatever your course or chosen professional field.   

Professional placement year

Overview

This optional placement year provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.

By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.

Preparation

Before your Professional Placement Year, you'll work to secure your placement, constructing a development plan with your module leader and your placement coordinator from our Careers and Employability team.

How will I be assessed?

On your return to University for your final year, you'll submit your Placement Portfolio, detailing your development on your placement.

Facilities and resources

Where the subject is taught

You'll be taught at our Newton Park campus, which is located on the edge of Bath and offers a blend of modern and eighteenth-century buildings, with good access to the city while being nestled in the countryside. From your lectures, you’ll be able to visit the library, the Students’ Union, and access our student information and support teams, as well as many of our cutting edge facilities

Resources
  • Our Library offers a wealth of learning resources including books, journals, DVDs and an extensive range of electronic services. Our Subject Librarians for Business Management and Criminology provide subject-specific support, including help with research.
  • The Writing and Learning Centre provides support for your academic work, including feedback on written drafts and other help with academic writing.
  • Our Virtual Learning Environment provides online access to learning materials such as lecture slides, assessment information, discussion boards and other resources. 
  • The Careers team run networking events and advisory workshops that explore your future options and the essentials of the job application process. They help you get experience by assisting with your search for work placements and paid part-time jobs while you're studying. When you're ready to progress into your chosen career, they can help you secure graduate-level employment, freelance opportunities, and funding for your own business ideas. Career support continues for years after you graduate with the dedicated Grad Support Unit.
  • You’ll have free access to thousands of business, design and tech courses online via LinkedIn Learning.
  • If English isn't your first language, our English Language Unit can help you improve your English, reach your full potential and boost your confidence.
  • Our Student Wellbeing Services are available to support you through your learning.

Interested in applying?

What we look for in potential students

We’re looking for individuals who are inquisitive and creative. You’ll be interested in the world around you, won’t be afraid to ask difficult questions and look at the darker side of society.

You’ll need to have drive, motivation and the get-up-and-go to achieve in a challenging environment.

Typical offers

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed below:

  • A Level – grades BBB-BCC preferred.
  • BTEC – Extended Diploma grades from Distinction Distinction Merit (DDM) to Distinction Merit Merit (DMM) accepted in any subject.
  • T Levels – grade Merit preferred.
  • International Baccalaureate – a minimum of 32 points are required.
  • Access to HE courses – typical offers for applicants with Access to HE will be the Access to HE Diploma or Access to HE Certificate (60 credits, 45 of which must be Level 3, at Merit or higher).

If you don’t meet the entry requirements above, we may be able to accept your prior learning or experience from outside of formal education. See our Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) page to learn more.

English Language Requirements for International and EU Applicants

IELTS 6.0 - for visa nationals, with a minimum score of IELTS 5.5 in each element.

Course enquiries

For further information about the programme or entry requirements, please email us at admissions@bathspa.ac.uk.

How do I apply?

Ready to apply? Click the 'apply now' button in the centre of this page.

Need more guidance? Head to our how to apply webpages.

Fees

2024 entry
Student Annual tuition fee
UK full time £9,250
UK part time £4,625
International full time £15,750

Professional Placement Year

During the placement year, the fee is reduced to 20% of the full time fee. This applies to UK and EU/International students.

  • UK: £1,850
  • International: £3,150

Course leader: Marc Leverton (Business and Management)
Email: m.leverton@bathspa.ac.uk

Course leader: Faye Vanstone (Criminology)
Email: f.vanstone@bathspa.ac.uk

 

Three year course
With placement year

Website feedback to web@bathspa.ac.uk