Welcome to your Criminology course

Welcome to University of Staffordshire

We know you're already passionate about your subject, which is why we're excited you've chosen University of Staffordshire as the place to turn possibility into reality.

To give you an insight into what life as a Criminology student is like, your course leaders have prepared introductions to the course and further activities.

Hello and Welcome to your Criminology course at Staffordshire University. Starting university can be both exciting and a little daunting, but you will have a team of dedicated lecturers to help you settle in. We will cover everything when you arrive, but there are some things you can do to get a head start on preparing for your course and to help you make the most of your first week. If you do need anything, your course leader is only a chat message away. We are looking forward to you joining us in September and we are here to help you every step of the way!

First activity

During Welcome Week you will meet your Course Leader, your lecturers and your new course mates. We will go through your timetable with you, explain what you will cover during the first year of your degree and outline what extra-curricular activities you can get involved in.

You will develop some basic knowledge about crime, the criminal justice system and study skills. You will start working with the Microsoft 365 suite of apps and build your confidence with the university’s online systems.

Foundation Year semester one activities

Your Foundation Year provides a wonderful opportunity to develop the skills needed for the successful completion of your degree. The topic areas covered include an introduction to the principles of English Law and core legal skills as well as theories of Criminology and the Sociology of Crime enabling you to contextualise crime through the application of the law to a range of case studies developing practical skills in Criminal Justice.

Course Delivery

Criminology, the organised crime / counter terrorism, and offender management pathways provide an exciting and dynamic experience. The course provides a vocational as well as an academic understanding of the criminal justice sector and provides an excellent foundation for your studies at level 5 and 6. You can continue with your criminology studies or specialise via named pathways with more of an emphasis on employability in the justice or security sectors. Offender Management students will make full use of our immersive courts, custody reception and prison cell.

Our cohort usually does not exceed 35 students per academic year, and all of your sessions are delivered on campus, with some shared learning on option modules with policing students in levels 5 and 6. Your teaching is delivered by a combination of lectures and workshops.

Before You Arrive

Please read a criminology textbook such as Criminology: The Essentials, by James Treadwell, and visit the Crown Prosecution Service website to look at the current trends in crime and the challenges facing the criminal justice system. You can listen to some podcasts that explore some key themes operating in criminological studies https://crimetapes.buzzsprout.com/512593. Please visit a criminal court local to you and watch what happens.

Semester One Activities

You will develop some basic knowledge about crime, the criminal justice system and study skills. You will start working with the Microsoft 365 suite of apps and build your confidence with the university’s online systems. You need to attend a criminal court and write about your experiences.

Just For You

We want to ensure you feel part of the School of Health, Education, Policing and Sciences from the very start of your degree, so we will be providing you with your very own Hoodie when you arrive – it won’t cost you anything and we hope you will wear it with pride #ProudToBeStaffs

Where You Will Learn

After opening up our new immersive learning spaces, we asked our Criminology students how they feel it has benefitted them. These new facilities let you engage with real life scenarios, in places such as an office, shop, custody suite and prison cell. The rooms are also set up to record the sessions taking place, meaning you can rewatch your own footage and learn how to improve.

Take a Look

Trips and Activities

Students on the Offender Management pathway will have the opportunity to visit local prisons and all students on the course will visit local criminal courts. You can look forward to organised trips to museums and venues linked to criminal justice over the three or four years of your study.

Groups and Societies

Being a member of a Student Society or Sports Team is a great way to meet other students and our Students' Union have a wide range of societies you can join. Students in the School of Health, Education, Policing, and Sciences often join the following societies:

The Forensic and Crime Science Society

The Law Society

The Debating Society

You can also read stories and watch videos about our current students and graduates on the YouTube playlist.

Students' Union

Student Stories

hear from past students about their time studying Criminology with us.

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Equipment and Software

There are a multitude of resources available online for students at Staffordshire University, such as Microsoft Office 365.

Software for students

Meet the team

Louis Martin

Senior Lecturer

Louis worked for Derbyshire Constabulary before becoming Head of the Roads Policing Unit and Detective Inspector for Derby City Centre. He is Course Leader for Criminal Justice with Offender Management.

Louis's profile

Professor James Treadwell

Professor In Criminology

James became a Professor in Criminology at Staffordshire University in 2017. His expertise are in violent, professional and organised crime; prisons, prison violence and victimisation; drugs and crime; Ethnography; Crime and the Military.

James's profile

Sarah Page

Associate Professor

Sarah is an Associate Professor teaching on our undergraduate and post graduate courses in Criminology and post graduate course in Leadership in Action on Poverty. She is also the Co-Director of the Staffordshire University Crime and Society Group.

Sarah's profile

Dr Arta Jalili-Idrissi

Lecturer

Arta is a critical criminologist and Lecturer in Criminology at Staffordshire University. Arta's main areas of interest are imprisonment, carceral space and technology, penalty and social control.

Arta's profile

What to expect on Welcome Week

We're so excited for you to join us on campus and to welcome you to where you matter. During your welcome week you'll be able to meet our friendly student services teams, connect with new friends, join societies, explore on-campus venues attend club nights and much more.

We are really looking forward to welcoming you to our campus in September. If you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch with your Course Leader, Louis Martin on Louis.Martin@Staffs.ac.uk.